Rogers Publishing has sold hunting and fishing magazine Ontario Out of Doors to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. A purchase price was not disclosed.
In a memo to employees, Rogers’ senior vice-president of consumer publishing Marc Blondeau said there is a “natural strategic fit” between Ontario Out of Doors and OFAH. There is also a long-standing relationship between the two parties, with Peterborough, Ont.-based OFAH running a 16-page insert called Angler & Hunter Hotline inside member-distributed copies of Ontario Out of Doors. OFAH boasts approximately 82,000 members.
Greg Farrant, manager of government relations and communications for OFAH—which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year—declined to comment on the purchase of Ontario Out of Doors. “Hopefully in the next couple of days we’ll be able to say something more fully, but it would be premature to do so at this time,” he said.
Blondeau, meanwhile, said the sale was made “following careful review of our long-term business strategy. We remain focused on growing our portfolio of brands in a strategic manner.”
“On behalf of the senior management team, and the colleagues who have worked with the talented team of professionals at OOD, I would like to thank everyone involved with producing a much-loved magazine for Ontario’s hunting and fishing enthusiasts,” he added. “OFAH is committed to continuing to produce OOD with most of the magazine’s current team. Our priority at this time is the individual discussions we are having with all affected employees.”
Rogers publishes several of the country’s leading consumer titles, including Chatelaine, Flare, Maclean’s and Today’s Parent (as well as Marketing).
Established in 1969, Ontario Out of Doors was purchased by Maclean Hunter in 1985. It became part of the Rogers empire in 1994.
Ontario Out of Doors’ December issue will be the last produced by Rogers before the publication moves to its new home in mid-December. The publication had 661,000 readers per issue in the most recent study from the Print Measurement Bureau, a 3.3% increase over the previous year.
