Active Interest Media (AIM), a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, has acquired Yellowstone Journal Corporation. The acquisition adds to AIM’s growing portfolio of enthusiast magazines, consumer shows, books, and Internet sites, and further advances its expansion into the outdoor and Western travel markets. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1994, Yellowstone Journal began as an independent newspaper dedicated to Yellowstone National Park, but embraced the Internet in 1996 when it developed its first website. Its three main products are YellowstonePark.com, Yellowstone Journal, and 99 Things to Do in Yellowstone Country. YellowstonePark.com has won numerous awards, including the Webby Awards’ “Best Tourism Site in the World,” the “People’s Voice” and the “Critical Judges’” Awards. Importantly, the website is a successful business unit, offering travelers a relevant platform for finding information about the Yellowstone National Park and giving advertisers effective reach to these travelers.

“This is an exciting day for us,” said Shelli Johnson, CEO of Yellowstone Journal Corporation. “We founded this company as a little newspaper, and over the years we have worked hard to build a great business that attracts visitors to this region and connects the tourism industry to them.”

“The Yellowstone Journal Corporation is an excellent company with outstanding future growth potential, and represents the best kind of multi-platform media properties we seek to acquire,” said Andy Clurman, Chief Operating Officer of AIM. “Its family of print and web products provide a perfect fit with AIM’s Backpacker and American Cowboy magazines, both in terms of sharing content, audience, and trip planning tools, and because of the potential it provides for combining YJC’s model and expertise with AIM’s resources to expand to other travel markets.”

DeParis Redinger LLC, a boutique media and technology investment bank, represented Yellowstone Journal Corporation in this transaction and acted as its exclusive financial advisor.

About Active Interest Media

Based in El Segundo, California, AIM is a multiplatform media company that serves a base of loyal constituents through print, event, and online products that connect consumers with their passions. Efrem Zimbalist III and the private equity-investment firm Wind Point Partners formed the company in October 2003.

AIM publishes 13 market-leading magazines and websites including Backpacker, American Cowboy, Yoga Journal, Vegetarian Times, Better Nutrition, Optimum Wellness, Wild Oats, Southwest Art, Log Home Design, Log Home Living, Timber Home Living, Building Systems, Black Belt, and Yachts International magazines.

About Yellowstone Journal Corporation

Based in Lander, Wyoming, Yellowstone Journal Corporation publishes the website, YellowstonePark.com, and the print publications Yellowstone Journal, and 99 Things to Do in Yellowstone Country. Founded in 1994, the Company serves travelers and advertisers in the Yellowstone National Park region.

From the 9/11/08 edition of the SNPA newsletter:

BusinessWeek named Francesco DeParis one of 2007’s best entrepreneurs under the age of 25. At this year’s SNPA Annual Convention, this young entrepreneur will tell publishers why he thinks print media have the “winning ace” and what they need to do today to stay ahead of the curve.

DeParis says that, until recently, print media won all of the battles against new distribution channels such as radio and television. Today, the new media segment challenges and turns print on its head, offering consumers greater interactivity, relevancy and ease of consumption. While some claim “print is dead,” DeParis sees no one better to lead the charge and succeed in the new media landscape than today’s print media companies.

Prior to founding DeParis Redinger LLC, DeParis worked at L’Oreal USA in New York City as an assistant brand manager. He analyzed growth and market trends in the Skincare Division, but most notably prepared a marketing plan for L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze sunless-tanning line. This plan created an awareness for skin-health that had not been previously marketed to the sunless-tanning consumer market.

After graduating cum laude from Babson College, DeParis joined Microsoft to analyze and assist in the financial management of the Enterprise and Partner Groups, a $14 billion sales organization. He then moved on to work on mergers and acquisitions in Microsoft’s Treasury group. Most notably, he worked daily with executives of the respective acquisitions on their closing and integration plans. While working in the Internal Audit group, DeParis spent time in Beijing and Taipei consulting with sales and R&D subsidiaries to improve their performance.

Recognizing the emergence of new industries based on alternative technologies, he founded DeParis Redinger with the premise of empowering visionaries in the international business world. He speaks four languages fluently: Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French and English, and is a CFA candidate. DeParis is passionate about leveraging a diverse cultural background and solving problems in creative ways.

Click here for the convention agenda.