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February 9, 2004 (Calgary, AB) - RedPoint Media Group Inc., Alberta's largest independent magazine publisher, has purchased Wine Access Magazine and all of its assets, including the Canadian Wine Awards, the Canadian Brewing Awards and one of the largest Canadian wine databases in the world, the First-in-Line web site.
RedPoint Media Group Inc.'s vice-president, marketing, Donald G. House, has been appointed publisher of Wine Access, and Gary Davies, current editor-in-chief of Calgary.Inc Magazine, has been appointed to the role of managing editor.
"RedPoint Media Group will continue to maintain the same high editorial standards set by Wine Access editors and writers, but we will also make some major changes in the year ahead," House says. "Our plan is to develop a fresh new design, expand the food and recipe section, increase Canadian content and provide marketing resources to boost circulation and heighten the profile of the magazine. Over the course of the next year, RedPoint Media Group's team will refine the magazine's content, direction and design using readership research and industry dialogue."
Canada's most-respected wine writers will continue to head up the editorial team. In Toronto, David Lawrason, the magazine's founder, will serve as editor-in-chief. Lawrason has recommitted to developing Wine Access under the new ownership.
"It's been fascinating to watch Wine Access evolve since launching it as a subscriber newsletter in 1991, and it's been very gratifying to work with so many others who understand its intent and see its potential," Lawrason says. "This latest evolution through RedPoint Media Group promises to be the most exciting yet, placing Wine Access among the country's leading publications, and mirroring Canada's emergence as a proud and sophisticated gastronomic nation."
In Vancouver, Anthony Gismondi will continue to serve as executive editor. "Wine Access has forged an enviable reputation among the world's wine community and I accept the challenge of raising the bar even higher in the days to come under the direction of RedPoint Media Group," Gismondi says.
RedPoint Media Group is a Calgary-based publishing company with a diverse portfolio of publications including Avenue magazine, Calgary Inc. magazine, Mountain Life and Apple magazines. Among them, Avenue - Calgary's definitive city magazine - has won both national and regional awards ranging from Best New Magazine in Canada to Best Magazine in Alberta two years running.
RedPoint Media Group also houses an extensive custom publishing division producing custom marketing solutions, commemorative and anniversary publications for a wide variety of companies and organizations.
RedPoint Media Group also creates and manages consumer-driven events such as Savour Calgary Wine & Food Experience that complement the theme and content of the RedPoint stable of publications.
