Active Interest Media has sold Taunton Books to Abrams

May 2024 — Active Interest Media, one of the world’s leading enthusiast media companies, has sold Taunton Books, a leading publisher of popular books in areas such as homebuilding, woodworking, gardening, crafts, food and more, to Abrams. The acquisition not only expands Abrams’ portfolio into adjacent publishing categories, it also provides valuable direct-to-consumer data, insights and sales opportunities, as well as new distribution channels reaching highly engaged and creative communities.

Taunton Books is a leading publisher of popular books in areas such as homebuilding, woodworking, gardening, crafts, food and more. Taunton’s category-leading titles reach over 14 million DIY and maker enthusiasts directly across the US, Canada and international markets through Taunton’s iconic magazines, Emmy-nominated TV series and podcasts.

Founded in 1949, Abrams was the first company in the US to specialize in publishing art and illustrated books. The company continues to publish critically acclaimed and bestselling works in the areas of art, photography, cooking, craft, comics interior and garden design, entertainment, fashion, and popular culture as well as narrative nonfiction and new works of fiction for adults; children’s books ranging from middle grade to young adult fiction to picture books to board books. Abrams creates and distributes brilliantly designed books with the highest production values under the following imprints: Abrams; Abrams ComicArts; Megascope; Surely Books; Abrams Image; Abrams Press; The Overlook Press; Cernunnos; Cameron + Company; Abrams Books for Young Readers; Amulet Books; Abrams Appleseed; Abrams Fanfare; and Magic Cat. Abrams also distributes books for Booth-Clibborn Editions, Bungie, Alain Ducasse Édition, Éditions de La Martiniére, Editions BPI, Enchanted Lion Books, Familius, Getty Publications, Global Golf Group, Lucky Spool, Milky Way Picture Books, Red Comet Press, The Museum of Modern Art, SelfMadeHero, Skittledog, Tate Publishing, V&A Publishing and The Vendome Press.

One of the world’s leading enthusiast media companies, Active Interest Media (aimmedia.com) produces consumer and trade events, websites, magazines, podcasts, and TV shows that reach millions of readers, fans, and attendees across the globe. Our brands include Yachts International, Power & Motoryacht, Soundings, Passagemaker, Woodshop News, Log and Timber Home Living, Fine Homebuilding, Woodsmith, Garden Gate, Cuisine at Home, Writer’s Digest, Horticulture, Fine Woodworking, Numismatic News, Kovels Antique Trader, and more. The company’s two groups, Marine and Home, are divided into five divisions—Collectibles, Home Arts, Home Building, Marine, and Writer’s Digest—and also operate thriving B2B platforms, online universities, events, and offer marketing services. Active Interest Media’s customers are smart, engaged, and loyal, and they look to our brands for trustworthy information and services that will inspire and enable them to enjoy their passion.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, one of Oaklins’ TMT teams in New York, served as the exclusive financial advisor to Active Interest Media on the transaction. This transaction further highlights ODP’s deep sector expertise in advising media businesses, specifically those within the book publishing and consumer media industries.