M&A wave reflects new thinking. (mergers and acquisitions in magazine publishing)

Mergers and acquisitions are increasing in the magazine publishing industry in the mid-1990s, following a lull due to the recession in the early 1990s. The current trend of acquisitions differs from that of the 1980s, because acquisitions are being made for pragmatic, strategic reasons and not merely for size. Both large and small publishers are making acquisitions. Wise acquisitions made by small publishers include Cowles Magazines' acquisition of Walking Inc. in June 1994 and PTN Publishing's acquisition of Fort Atkinson in July 1994.

With all the buying, selling and shopping go