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K-III Buys "Muscle Mustangs" and "Vette" Magazines Through its McMullen Argus Unit

23 July 1997

K-III Expands Auto Enthusiast Titles with Acquisition of Muscle Mustangs, Vette For Its McMullen Argus Unit

    NEW YORK, July 23 -- K-III Communications Corporation
, announced today that its McMullen Argus automotive enthusiast
magazine unit of Placentia, California has acquired CSK Publishing, of Saddle
Brook, New Jersey.  CSK publishes Muscle Mustangs, Vette and four additional
titles.  The acquisition expands its number of automotive enthusiast titles to
thirty-five.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
    "This acquisition expands our portfolio of authoritative information in
the attractive and dynamic automotive market," said William F. Reilly,
chairman and CEO of K-III Communications Corporation.  "We serve the original-
equipment, retailer, after-market, and auto manufacturers through magazines,
television, databases, and educational products," he said.
    "The CSK acquisition balances our list of titles across the spectrum of
auto enthusiast's interests," said Bill Porter, president and CEO of K-III's
McMullen Argus.  "Our 35 titles sell more than 23 million copies annually in
over 60 countries.  With more than 15,000 advertising pages sold this year,
McMullen Argus has become the dominant information provider for the
$23 billion* automotive specialty equipment after-market," continued Porter.
    Muscle Mustang, the largest of the acquired titles, is number one in its
niche with a near "cult" following and a circulation of almost 75,000 copies
available on the newsstand and by subscription.  Late model Mustangs are one
of the fastest growing areas for auto enthusiasts. Vette, the second largest
publication of the group has a circulation of almost 35,000 and should benefit
greatly from the production this year of the first new Corvette in 14 years.
The other four auto enthusiast titles are Mopar, H.P. Pontiac, Bracket Racing
USA, High Tech Performance and 4x4.
    K-III is a leading provider of automotive information. McMullen Argus'
other well-known titles include Truckin', Super Chevy, European Car and Sport
Compact Car.  K-III's other automotive properties include Ward's Automotive,
Automobile magazine, The Automotive Satellite Television Network,
Intellichoice, and The Redbook Vehicle Valuation Guides.
    K-III Communications, a media company with 1996 sales of $1.4 billion, is
the authoritative source of specialized information concentrating in specialty
magazines (specialty consumer magazines and technical and trade magazines),
education (classroom learning and workplace learning),  and information
(consumer directories and business directories).  Some key brands include
Channel One, Weekly Reader, World Almanac, Seventeen, New York, and Soap Opera
Digest.

    *Source:  SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association)


                 Interesting Facts About the Mustang Culture

    Muscle Mustang
    Founded in 1988, Muscle Mustang is number one in its niche with a
circulation of almost 75,000.  The magazine is published monthly (11 issues a
year) and specializes in late model Mustangs, one of the fastest growing areas
for auto enthusiasts.

    Famous Mustang Owners
    President Bill Clinton
    Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
    Bill Gates, owner of Microsoft
    Tim Allen, actor ("Home Improvement" TV Series and movies)
    Regis Philbin, TV talk show host
    Robert Urich, actor
    Stacy Keach, actor
    Paul Newman, actor,
    Jason Priestly, actor
    Jay Leno, host of the "Tonight Show"
    Sammy Hagar, rock musician
    Alan Jackson, country musician
    George Foreman, boxer (Saleen Mustang)
    Ken Griffey, Jr., baseball player (Saleen Mustang)

    Mustangs in Movies and Television Shows
    Two James Bond movies, "Goldfinger" and "Diamonds are Forever"
    "Grand Prix" (James Garner)
    "Starman" (Jeff Bridges)
    "The Outsiders" (Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon and Patrick Swayze)
    "Bullitt" (Steve McQueen)
    "Spinout" (Elvis Presley)
    "A Man and a Woman"
    "Gone in 60 Seconds"
    "Gumball Rally"
    "The Thief Who Came to Dinner"
    "Charlie's Angels"
    "The Dick Van Dyke Show"
    "Mary Tyler Moore Show"
    "Home Improvement"

    Mustangs in Music
    "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett
    "My Mustang Ford" by Chuck Berry
    "The Car" by Jeff Carson (country song)
    "Move Out Little Mustang" by Jan & Dean
    "Redneck's 12 Days of Christmas" by Jeff Foxworthy

SOURCE  K-III Communications Corporation