FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Marcy L. McCreary
Vice President Marketing & Business Development
617-864-7360 x143, mmccreary@SkyandTelescope.com
Sky Publishing Completes Sale to New Track Media, LLC
Sky & Telescope magazine becomes cornerstone of newly formed media company
Cambridge, MA, February 13, 2006 – Sky Publishing Corporation, the privately held publisher of
astronomy periodicals and books, announced today that it has completed a sale of its business
to New Track Media LLC, an entity formed in the fall of 2005 by Stephen J. Kent and Boston
Ventures. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sky Publishing Corp. was founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence
Federer, the original editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. Sky & Telescope is the world’s most
respected astronomy magazine, serving amateur astronomers around the globe. In addition to
Sky & Telescope and SkyandTelescope.com, the company publishes Night Sky magazine (a
bimonthly for beginners with a Web site at NightSkyMag.com), two annuals (Beautiful Universe
and SkyWatch), as well as books, star atlases, posters, prints, globes, and other fine astronomy
products. For New Track Media, which is based in
Cincinnati, Sky represents its first transaction in a broader plan that calls for building a
portfolio of consumer enthusiast properties, not all science-related, and largely through
acquisition.
Key members of the Sky Publishing senior management are keeping their roles. Susan Lit,
president and publisher, and Richard Tresch Fienberg, editor in chief, have both agreed to
continue in their positions under the new ownership. Ms. Lit emphasized that Sky had not
been considering a sale but saw this as an opportunity to associate with a group that has
broader ambition for growth along with a proven track record in publishing. “I have known
Stephen [Kent] for years, and when he announced his plans with Boston Ventures, this
seemed like an opportunity to become a central piece of a new and exciting company. As an
employee-owned company for 65 years we had to be assured that a new owner would value
our independence and history, and at the same time be committed to our growth. New Track
Media offered the growth opportunities and shared vision of entrepreneurial spirit.” The
company will continue to operate out of its offices in Cambridge, with plans to relocate to new
offices in the Boston area within the next year.
New Track Media was formed in the fall of 2005 by Kent, with support from Boston Ventures, an
established private equity firm with a longstanding media focus. Kent, who was most recently
CEO of F+W Publications, is chief executive officer of New Track Media, LLC. “We couldn’t
have asked for a stronger brand to launch our new venture,” said Kent. “Sky & Telescope has
a rich history and established editorial authority in a category that is everlasting. We are proud
to make it the cornerstone of New Track Media.” According to Kent, “with the Sky acquisition
complete, we are now eager to bring other prominent
special interest properties into the portfolio and hope that this will help others see that we’re
a buyer who can work quickly and confidentially toward completion.”
About Sky Publishing
Sky Publishing Corp. was founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence
Federer, the original editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. In addition to Sky & Telescope and
SkyandTelescope.com, the company publishes Night Sky magazine (a bimonthly for beginners
with a Web site at NightSkyMag.com), two annuals (Beautiful Universe and SkyWatch), as well
as books, star atlases, posters, prints, globes, and other fine astronomy products.
About New Track Media
New Track Media LLC is wholly owned by BVK Holdings, LLC, an entity formed by Boston
Ventures and Stephen J. Kent for the purpose of building up a premier consumer enthusiast
publishing platform in a range of special interest subject areas. Astronomy and other science-
related periodicals represent one focal point, but additional clusters of properties in other
areas are also being explored. New Track Media and BVK operate from offices in Cincinnati,
Ohio, which is where the firm has a corporate development team.
About Boston Ventures
Boston Ventures Management, Inc. (www.bostonventures.com), is a private equity firm that
has been an active investor and financial partner to management teams in the media,
entertainment, publishing and information and communications sectors since 1983, earning
the firm a franchise position in the private equity community. Boston Ventures' general
partners and principals are accomplished and experienced professionals who have a diverse
and complementary range of skills, and a broad network of domestic and
international relationships. Since its inception, Boston Ventures has invested approximately
$2.2 billion in its target industries. The existing Boston Ventures Fund VI Partnership has
attracted leading U.S. institutions and individuals from 16 countries.
###
Contact:
Marcy L. McCreary
Vice President Marketing & Business Development
617-864-7360 x143, mmccreary@SkyandTelescope.com
Sky Publishing Completes Sale to New Track Media, LLC
Sky & Telescope magazine becomes cornerstone of newly formed media company
Cambridge, MA, February 13, 2006 – Sky Publishing Corporation, the privately held publisher of
astronomy periodicals and books, announced today that it has completed a sale of its business
to New Track Media LLC, an entity formed in the fall of 2005 by Stephen J. Kent and Boston
Ventures. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sky Publishing Corp. was founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence
Federer, the original editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. Sky & Telescope is the world’s most
respected astronomy magazine, serving amateur astronomers around the globe. In addition to
Sky & Telescope and SkyandTelescope.com, the company publishes Night Sky magazine (a
bimonthly for beginners with a Web site at NightSkyMag.com), two annuals (Beautiful Universe
and SkyWatch), as well as books, star atlases, posters, prints, globes, and other fine astronomy
products. For New Track Media, which is based in
Cincinnati, Sky represents its first transaction in a broader plan that calls for building a
portfolio of consumer enthusiast properties, not all science-related, and largely through
acquisition.
Key members of the Sky Publishing senior management are keeping their roles. Susan Lit,
president and publisher, and Richard Tresch Fienberg, editor in chief, have both agreed to
continue in their positions under the new ownership. Ms. Lit emphasized that Sky had not
been considering a sale but saw this as an opportunity to associate with a group that has
broader ambition for growth along with a proven track record in publishing. “I have known
Stephen [Kent] for years, and when he announced his plans with Boston Ventures, this
seemed like an opportunity to become a central piece of a new and exciting company. As an
employee-owned company for 65 years we had to be assured that a new owner would value
our independence and history, and at the same time be committed to our growth. New Track
Media offered the growth opportunities and shared vision of entrepreneurial spirit.” The
company will continue to operate out of its offices in Cambridge, with plans to relocate to new
offices in the Boston area within the next year.
New Track Media was formed in the fall of 2005 by Kent, with support from Boston Ventures, an
established private equity firm with a longstanding media focus. Kent, who was most recently
CEO of F+W Publications, is chief executive officer of New Track Media, LLC. “We couldn’t
have asked for a stronger brand to launch our new venture,” said Kent. “Sky & Telescope has
a rich history and established editorial authority in a category that is everlasting. We are proud
to make it the cornerstone of New Track Media.” According to Kent, “with the Sky acquisition
complete, we are now eager to bring other prominent
special interest properties into the portfolio and hope that this will help others see that we’re
a buyer who can work quickly and confidentially toward completion.”
About Sky Publishing
Sky Publishing Corp. was founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence
Federer, the original editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. In addition to Sky & Telescope and
SkyandTelescope.com, the company publishes Night Sky magazine (a bimonthly for beginners
with a Web site at NightSkyMag.com), two annuals (Beautiful Universe and SkyWatch), as well
as books, star atlases, posters, prints, globes, and other fine astronomy products.
About New Track Media
New Track Media LLC is wholly owned by BVK Holdings, LLC, an entity formed by Boston
Ventures and Stephen J. Kent for the purpose of building up a premier consumer enthusiast
publishing platform in a range of special interest subject areas. Astronomy and other science-
related periodicals represent one focal point, but additional clusters of properties in other
areas are also being explored. New Track Media and BVK operate from offices in Cincinnati,
Ohio, which is where the firm has a corporate development team.
About Boston Ventures
Boston Ventures Management, Inc. (www.bostonventures.com), is a private equity firm that
has been an active investor and financial partner to management teams in the media,
entertainment, publishing and information and communications sectors since 1983, earning
the firm a franchise position in the private equity community. Boston Ventures' general
partners and principals are accomplished and experienced professionals who have a diverse
and complementary range of skills, and a broad network of domestic and
international relationships. Since its inception, Boston Ventures has invested approximately
$2.2 billion in its target industries. The existing Boston Ventures Fund VI Partnership has
attracted leading U.S. institutions and individuals from 16 countries.
###
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