Update 2/17: Cumulus’ Nash brand reaches print beginning with the now on sale February 24 issue of Country Weekly. NASH will be a 16 page section within the magazine featuring content from the brand’s pre-existing national programming and artist features.
The first issue features an interview conducted by America’s Morning Show host Blair Garner with Jason Aldean amongst its content.
The New York Post reports that this will be the first part of a gradual rebranding of the magazine completely under the NASH brand as Cumulus will acquire 50 percent share of the magazine as part of the expansion of the Nash initiative into other forms of media.
The Post report states that in addition to Scripps’ Great American Country and Viacom’s CMT, Cumulus is talking to Discovery Networks about rebranding either their Destination America or American Heroes networks
American Media, Inc. (AMI) and Cumulus Media today announced a partnership to form a glossy, 16-page section called NASH in Country Weekly beginning with the February 24 issue. The partnership provides a unique opportunity for Cumulus Media to further brand its flagship country station.
“This agreement is a transforming event for Country Weekly,” said AMI Chairman, President, and CEO David J. Pecker. “Partnering with Cumulus Media and combining their reach and voice with our expertise in print media will deliver an extraordinary consumer experience that is unmatched in the industry.”
The NASH editorial supplement is designed to provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some of today’s hottest country stars, industry news, and the personalities behind its popular radio broadcasts. The partnership leverages two of country music’s leading brands to create the ultimate destination for news, insights, and access in a way that no other media property can.
“We are excited to be partnering with AMI as we bring the NASH brand to life in print,” said Cumulus Media Chairman, President and CEO Lewis W. Dickey, Jr. “The talented and dedicated staff at Country Weekly has consistently informed the passionate base of country music across America. We look forward to leveraging both brands to create an unparalleled experience for country music fans and another important point of engagement for our clients,” said Mr. Dickey.
The introduction of NASH in the pages of Country Weekly is the first part of this multi-level partnership that will also include integration of Country Weekly into NASH’s regular radio programming. AMI and Cumulus Media will also introduce a website that will provide an in-depth and unique look at both the business and lifestyle aspects of the country music industry. The website will be built in collaboration with the launch of the partnership.
Original Report 1/22: After experimenting with publishing a test issue of Nash Magazine last fall through their own Modern Luxury Media subsidiary, Cumulus Media will instead partner with an existing publication to bring the Nash brand to print.
Lew Dickey told Bloomberg BusinessWeek that Cumulus has reached a deal with American Media to relaunch Country Weekly under the Nash brand during the next couple of quarters. The publication will also be part of an expanded digital presence for the Nash brand.
Cumulus registered NashWeekly.com for the brand on January 2. At the same time the company registered NashGrill.com and NashGrille.com for a potential expansion of the brand into the restaurant business.
Among other notes from the BusinessWeek feature on the Nash brand reaching its first birthday yesterday, Dickey notes that 94.7 WNSH New York is ahead of revenue projections. The station broke even in 2013 and it expects to be profitable in 2014. Dickey hopes to grow the cumulative audience of the station from 1 million listeners (984,500 in yesterday’s Holiday PPM monthly) to 1.5 million over the next 12-18 months.
