Climbing and Urban Climber Promote Key Sales Leader

Boulder, CO:Climbing and Urban Climber magazines today announced that Kevin Riley will be taking a lead role in driving sales and strategic direction as associate publisher for both titles and their respective websites. In this position, Riley, who joined Climbing and Urban Climber as Advertising Sales Manager in 2007, will assume day-to-day responsibility for management of ad sales and events, reporting to Kent Ebersole, group publisher of Active Interest Media’s Outdoor Group. Riley will continue to work from the Outdoor Group’s headquarters in Boulder.

“Kevin is a well-known and universally liked member of the outdoor community,” said Ebersole in announcing his promotion. “He’s a devoted climber and lifelong backpacker, and he’s already taken a leadership role in growing the industry through his development of local events, Climbing’s anchor replacement initiative, and other projects. Clients know him as a creative, hardworking partner who goes the extra mile to help them promote their brands.”

Riley’s promotion comes at an important juncture for Climbing and Urban Climber, which are managed by Active Interest Media under an acquisition agreement with Skram Media. Over the last six months, the titles have completed an integration into AIM’s Outdoor Group, which includes Backpacker, National Park Trips, SNEWS, and several other trade publications. “We’ve improved and expanded systems across the board,” Ebersole said, “with editorial upgrades, more sophisticated research, broader circulation resources, and a sales staff that can provide dynamic programs targeted to core climbing audiences or to a combined multimedia readership of 3 million outdoor enthusiasts a month. With the important initiatives we have planned for the next six months—including relaunches of the websites, new consumer events, and print collaborations with Backpacker—Kevin’s leadership will be vital.”

“I’m thrilled with this opportunity to promote the magazines and the new programs we’re developing,” said Riley. “We’ve already made big strides in the pages of the magazine—the response to our editorial changes from readers and advertisers has been excellent—and there’s more to come. These brands resonate in an incredible way with climbers, and I can’t imagine having a better job than shepherding and strengthening the relationships we have with our clients and nonprofit partners.”

Climbing and Urban Climber are the world’s leading publications for core mountain enthusiasts and younger climbers, respectively. Climbing leads its magazine category with the most subscribers, newsstand sales, and web traffic in the competitive set, while Urban Climber is the foremost lifestyle publication for climbers under 30. With 19 combined annual issues and two popular Gear Guides, they provide comprehensive audience coverage for brands looking to reach a passionate community that enjoyed 15% participation growth over the last two years, according to the Media Research Institute.

About Active Interest Media, Inc.

Based in El Segundo, California, Active Interest Media, Inc. (AIM) is a leading publisher of enthusiast magazines, consumer shows, books and Internet sites. AIM’s five publishing groups include Healthy Living, Marine, Home Buyer, Outdoor and the Equine Group. The company publishes 35 magazines, including Yoga Journal, Backpacker, Vegetarian Times, SNEWS, American Cowboy, Log Home Living, Arts & Crafts Homes, Peaks, Dressage, Black Belt, Yachts International, and others.

AIM produces and markets conferences, DVDs and books, and produces log-and-timber home shows and seminars. The company also produces the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, the largest boat show in the world.