New Opportunities

Unless you ignore general aviation news, you’ve probably already heard that all of the Belvoir Media Aviation titles—Aviation Consumer, Aviation Safety, AVweb, IFR, and KITPLANES—have been acquired by Flying Media Group (FMG). As you might expect, I have received inquiries from subscribers and authors alike asking what that means for the future of this publication.

First, I’ll say that any business acquisition or even management change naturally brings uncertainty and doubt. However, from everything I’ve been hearing about Flying Media Group’s purchase of the Belvoir Aviation titles, I believe there is great potential and that IFR Magazine could tremendously benefit. Before I dig further into my own thoughts, let me share with you some of the bullet points from Flying Media Group:

• The number one reason for the acquisition of the Belvoir portfolio is because of the world-class team. We intend to keep these iconic voices intact, and are excited for what a company focused 110 percent on creating excellent aviation content can achieve together.
• We will keep all brands in their current print format, understanding that the print medium is important to the audience. In conjunction, we will be making investments to increase the ease of use and design of the digital experiences for all brands.
• The individual brands will maintain their voice and identity that has been built over decades.
• The combined brands of FLYING offer readers the world’s most comprehensive source for aviation content.
• FLYING Media Group believes in promoting the success and advancement of aviation as an industry, from general aviation (experimental through business jet) to commercial aviation. Everyone on the team believes in the industry, and wants to see it flourish for generations to come.

Lofty words, those. A cynic might simply think that they’re saying “the right things.” Digging deeper, though, there are some clearly definitive statements that bode well for the future of our titles and even for their growth.

In the last few years, I hear more frequently from subscribers that the marketing efforts and digital presence of the Belvoir titles have left room for improvement and updating. Doing so with expertise and funding sufficient to the tasks is one of the first things I heard from FMG. That’s quite encouraging and I look forward to positive changes in those areas even in the short term.

Longer term, we are encouraged that FMG resources will be available to us to improve the content and presentation of our publications. This could range from the availability of graphic artists to create more and better illustrations, to simple things like quality of the printing and publication.

Finally, I recognize the power of a publisher dominating general aviation. This market presence will enable more leverage and more market influence and all that would surely benefit our favorite activity. I’m encouraged about our future possibilities.