Active Interest Media acquires Taunton Press

I’m excited to announce that Active Interest Media (AIM), the parent company of Woodshop News, has acquired The Taunton Press, a consumer media and book publisher, based in Newtown, Conn.

Taunton’s titles include Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, and Fine Gardening. AIM also publishes Popular Woodworking and Woodsmith, along with dozens of boating, homebuilding, collecting, gardening, cooking, and writing titles.

According to AIM, the acquisition of The Taunton Press aligns several core markets and allows AIM to expand its mission of inspiring an ever-growing audience of enthusiasts to enjoy their hobbies and interests. This strategic move effectively doubles AIM’s reach and influence across gardening, woodworking, and homebuilding.

“AIM and Taunton are closely aligned on several important fronts. While the symmetry of many of our core markets is obvious; woodworking, gardening, and homebuilding; there are many other similarities,” Andrew Clurman, AIM’s President and CEO, said in a statement. “Strategically, like AIM, Taunton has been aggressively pursuing the creation of new digital products, memberships, and online learning to better serve their audiences. Most importantly, Taunton shares with AIM a commitment to growing and promoting both the communities we serve, and our fantastic teams dedicated to that mission.”

“AIM will be an excellent home for Taunton,” said Andrea Roman, Board Chair of The Taunton Press. “The two companies share a dedication to producing high-quality information, and inspiring enthusiasts for hands-on living. AIM’s leadership, scale and resources will provide a strong foundation for the next generation of Taunton’s growth, and the combined organization will provide new opportunities for our employees.”

We’re only about a month into this acquisition and there’s quite a bit to sort out, but I can share that Woodshop News is moving from the AIM Marine Group to join Woodsmith, Popular Woodworking, Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding and other titles in the AIM Home Group, led by Rob Yagid, formerly of Taunton. I’m very much looking forward to working and learning from the editors of these fine publications. Collectively, we now cater to all segments of the woodworking field – from beginners to professionals – and that’s something to hang our hats on going forward.

I’ll keep you posted on any future developments but for now I just want to welcome Taunton’s crew to the AIM family. It’s an honor and a privilege to be associated with your titles.

This article was originally published in the February 2024 issue.