February 15, 2012 (El Segundo, CA)- Active Interest Media, Inc. (AIM, www.aimmedia.com) announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the rights to publish the marine and online properties currently published by Source Interlink Media, a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (Source, www.sourceinterlink.com). This agreement establishes AIM as the country’s premier marine media and events group, and now includes Power & Motoryacht (PMY), Sail, along with its existing print titles Yachts International, Soundings, Soundings Trade Only, and Passagemaker, and online property BoatQuest.com. AIM also owns Show Management producers of the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show, Palm Beach, St. Petersburg and Sarasota boat shows, and the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show®, the largest boat show in the world. 

Michael Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Source Interlink Companies said, “We are excited to further our business relationship with Active Interest Media.  Both our companies have a common interest: to provide premium content for special interest topics that engage enthusiasts across the world. PMY and Sail are a great fit with AIM’s already rich marine portfolio.”  

Chris Argentieri, President of Source Interlink Media adds, “AIM is the perfect home for these brands, as they complement an already solid team of Marine enthusiasts who are passionate about boats and boaters’ lives. The PMY and Sail teams have been extremely successful over the past few years in re-inventing themselves, including a major redesign of PMY to the launch of new websites and the rollout of Sail’s tablet apps. The creativity and professionalism of this team will be a great addition to AIM’s staff.”

Andy Clurman, President and Chief Operating Officer of AIM notes, “The addition of Power & Motoryacht and Sail extends AIM’s reach among boating enthusiasts to two very important segments of the market.  We’re very excited to bring AIM’s extensive resources to continue to build audiences for these brands.”

Sail Magazine will remain in its current location in Boston, MA while Power & Motoryacht will relocate from Source’s New York City offices to AIM’s Essex, CT office, which is the home of Soundings and Soundings Trade Only.  

Both groups will report to AIM’s Marine Media Group Publisher Gary DeSanctis who states, “With the addition of these two venerable titles, AIM has emerged as a true marine industry powerhouse, allowing our advertisers, readers and most importantly boat buyers the opportunity to pursue their passion across all segments of the marine marketplace.” 

About Active Interest Media, Inc.:

Active Interest Media, Inc. (AIM) is a leading publisher of enthusiast magazines, consumer shows, books and Internet sites. AIM was formed by Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm, in partnership with CEO Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, in October 2003.

About Source Interlink Companies:

Source Interlink Companies (www.sourceinterlink.com) is the leading publisher of magazines and on-line content for enthusiast audiences, as well as a leading sales and service distributor of magazines and provider of related in-store services across North America. Through its sales and services initiatives, the Company is able to optimize its media properties through its vertically integrated distribution assets. Source Interlink creates content for more than 70 publications, 90 websites, events, television, and radio. Its portfolio includes many respected brands such as Motor Trend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Automotive.com, Surfer and Intellichoice.

The 2012 BOVYs represent a diverse number of popular vehicle segments, 24 in all, enabling shoppers to easily compare similar vehicles over time. Each year, IntelliChoice updates its methodology to account for changes in model availability, vehicle pricing, and segmentation to keep pace with the evolving competitive landscape. Due to the expanding luxury and crossover markets, two new segments were added this year, Full-Size Crossover/Wagon and Luxury Performance Car. Winners chosen in each category are the result of careful and practical analysis of seven major ownership cost areas; depreciation, maintenance, repairs, fuel, fees, financing and insurance.

The 2012 BOVY award winners are as follows:

“U.S. vehicle sales are rebounding and appear relatively healthy going into 2012,” said Tyler Schulze, general manager of IntelliChoice. “Manufacturers continue to introduce new vehicles that strike a balance between performance, functionality, size and fuel efficiency.  Two new BOVY award winners are excellent examples of this trend; the Buick LaCrosse eAssist and the Prius v.  Both are experiencing strong demand, and deliver value by offering advanced technology with excellent fuel economy in a larger form factor than previous generation hybrid cars.”

As in previous years, Toyota continues to be a strong BOVY performer with nine class-winning models: Matrix, Tacoma, Highlander, Tundra, Prius, Prius v, Sienna, Yaris, and FJ Cruiser.

“We understand that for most consumers, a vehicle purchase will be a combination of passion and pragmatism,” said Kristina de la Cuesta, director of information products at IntelliChoice. “That’s why we analyze and rate all mainstream vehicles in each major vehicle class, giving shoppers the information they need to choose a car that fits their lifestyle as well as their budget.”

Throughout the year, IntelliChoice aggregates and analyzes data on more than 1,800 vehicle models to determine its Best Overall Values. Data gathered from auto manufacturers, the U.S. government, and third-party resources is used to determine the actual costs of ownership for each new vehicle over a five-year period. IntelliChoice then assigns a value rating to each vehicle and compares that rating to peer models to determine a Best Overall Value in each vehicle class.

About IntelliChoice:
IntelliChoice, part of the Motor Trend Auto Group, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com website, consumers can research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to affiliated dealers nationwide through the IntelliChoice Auto Buying Program. Motor Trend Auto Group is an operating division of Source Interlink Media, a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and digital content for enthusiast audiences.

About Source Interlink Media:
Source Interlink Media, LLC., is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 websites, 400 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (February 8, 2012) – HOT ROD magazine has launched its very first app for iPad, which is available free on the App Store. The app is called “HOT ROD Then & Now,” a portal to the best images from the world of hot rods and muscle cars as photographed by the staff of the world’s oldest and largest performance car magazine.

The “HOT ROD Then & Now” app for iPad includes:

• Vintage photography from the HOT ROD magazine archives, presented in regularly updated galleries with informative captions.

• Images of every HOT ROD magazine cover, sorted by decade, from the January 1948 issue through today.

• Outtake photos from today’s HOT ROD magazine car-feature photo shoots and high-performance event coverage, all revealed long before the stories are seen in print or on the web.

• A video feed of the latest from HOT ROD’s YouTube channel.

• A “My HOT ROD Garage” feature where users may save their favorite images from the app.

The “Then & Now” app for iPad provides intuitive functionality for the user for immediate gratification; right from the home menu, users can link to the content they want quickly and effortlessly. In addition, “Then & Now” features viewing choices for the reader: images can be viewed with captions within a specific content well, or as a full-screen image or video.

SIM’s Mediaworks Receives Honors for Mobile Apps from MIN Best of Web Awards!

In addition to launching the new Hot Rod app, two apps from Source Interlink Media received the distinction of Finalists in MIN’s Best of Web Award categories. Truck Trend’s Truck Trend Insider for iPhone and Android made the short list for best smartphone app in the free category, and SAIL’s New Sailboat Review iPad app scored on the final list for best paid tablet app. 

Hot Rod Then & Now, New Sailboat Review, and Truck Trend Insider apps were developed by SIM’s in-house emerging media group, Mediaworks, in combination with Hot Rod, Truck Trend and SAIL’s publishers and editorial staff. Other nominees included apps from Time, Inc., Scientific American, Meredith, and The New Yorker. To view a full list of nominees for MIN’s 2012 Best of Web Awards, visit www.minonline.com/awards/BestofWeb_2012.

To download any of these apps, visit:

Hot Rod: Then & Now for iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hot-rod-then-now/id496631971?mt=8
SAIL New Sailboat review for iPad: : http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-sailboat-review-by-sail/id447786966?mt=8
Truck Trend for iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/truck-trend-insider/id467572303?mt=8
Truck Trend for Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.trucktrend&hl=en

About Source Interlink Media, LLC:
Source Interlink Media, LLC (SIM), a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 targeted publications, 90 websites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The organization’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

“I’m honored to serve as Sail America President,” said Adams. “The Sail America Board of Directors is an impressive group of market leaders across all segments of the sailing industry, and I’m pleased to be on their team. We have an ambitious schedule of initiatives planned this year for Sail America, all designed to promote the health and growth of sailing.”

Josh joined SAIL in 1996 as a member of the editorial team. As Publisher since 2006, he is the leader and brand manager of SAIL and is responsible for steering SAIL’s multi-platform media strategy. An accomplished sailor, Josh was a three-time collegiate All-American at Tufts University, member of the U.S. Sailing Team in 1995 and 1996, and member of the 1999 America’s Cup challenger Young America.

SAIL Magazine, the SAIL Buyer’s Guide, the New Sailboat Review and their digital properties (sailmagazine.com, sailfeed.com) are owned by Source Interlink Media, LLC., a media and marketing services company and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.
  

About Source Interlink Media, LLC:
Source Interlink Media, LLC (SIM), a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 targeted publications, 90 websites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The organization’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

Miami, Fl. (January 12, 2012) – Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in commercial transportation and supply chain management solutions, announced today the signing of its first Flex-to-Green lease agreement with Source Interlink Companies, Inc., an integrated media, publishing, merchandising and logistics company that produces and distributes magazine content to retail locations across the U.S. and abroad.  With a Flex-to-Green lease for seven diesel-powered vehicles, Source Interlink will have the flexible option to exchange these vehicles for natural gas-powered vehicles.

“With a fleet of over 300 vehicles that operate across the country as part of Source Interlink’s Sales, Services, and Logistics division, fuel volatility and cost is an important issue for us,” said Jim Tate, Senior Vice President of Operations, Source Interlink Distribution. Tate adds, “The option of using a cheaper and readily available fuel supply such as natural gas to power our vehicles and mitigate fuel costs is an attractive avenue we’d like to explore.  We appreciate the flexibility that Ryder makes available through the Flex-to-Green lease offering, which will allow us to pilot alternative fuel vehicles within our fleet.”

Ryder’s alternative fuel fleet includes compressed and liquid natural gas vehicles, which are offered in certain markets in California, Arizona and Michigan, as well as hybrid vehicles, which are available in most U.S. markets.  Ryder became the first fleet provider to offer heavy-duty natural gas vehicles for the leasing and rental industry through a ground-breaking natural gas vehicle project with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) in Southern California.  In April 2010, Ryder announced a partnership with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board to take delivery of 202 heavy duty, natural gas-powered vehicles that would be made available to companies for short-term rentals, long-term leases or their dedicated logistics services.  As part of the project, Ryder is building two natural gas re-fueling stations and equipping three maintenance facilities for the indoor servicing of natural gas vehicles in Fontana, Orange and Rancho Dominguez, California.

One of Source Interlink’s largest distribution centers is located in Ontario, Calif.  The proximity of its distribution operations to Ryder’s fueling and maintenance infrastructure was a key factor supporting the decision to sign a Flex-to-Green lease. 

“We recognize there is a growing need for sustainable transportation solutions, not only as companies search for ways to mitigate fuel costs but also as they work to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Robert Sanchez, President of Global Fleet Management Solutions for Ryder.  Sanchez continues, “We’ve seen great interest from our customers for natural gas vehicles across all markets and will continue to pursue the expansion of our alternative fuel vehicle offering to meet our customers’ needs.”

About Ryder:
Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company.  Ryder’s stock (NYSE:R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.  Inbound Logistics magazine has recognized Ryder as a top third party logistics provider and included Ryder in its 2010 and 2011 “Green Partners” listing.  Ryder also ranked 114 out of the top 500 U.S. companies and sixth in its industry sector in the 2010 Newsweek Green Rankings.  Ryder is a charter member of the NGV Fleet Forum and a member of the Department of Energy’s National Clean Fleets partnership.  Ryder is also a proud member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts.  For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit http://www.ryder.com/.

About Source Interlink Companies:
Source Interlink Companies (www.sourceinterlink.com) is the leading publisher of magazines and on-line content for enthusiast audiences, as well as a leading sales and service distributor of magazines and provider of related in-store services across North America. Through its sales and services initiatives, the Company is able to optimize its media properties through its vertically integrated distribution assets. Source Interlink creates content for more than 70 publications, 90 websites, events, television, and radio. Its portfolio includes many respected brands such as Motor Trend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Automotive.com, Surfer and Intellichoice.

Bonita Springs, FL (December 21, 2011)

Under Buck’s leadership, Source Interlink teams in Bonita Springs raised a company-record $42,051 for the American Heart Association, an increase of $14,700 over last year’s efforts. Source placed 3rd overall and 1st among mid-sized companies for fundraising efforts in the Lee County, Florida area. With such success in one office, Source is hoping for a company-wide rollout next year.

The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. The Dallas-based American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association.

“It is an honor to support AHA in their very important mission since heart disease touches us all,” says Cindy Beauchamp, Senior Vice President of Human Resource and Labor & Employment Counsel at Source Interlink. “David has shown passion for the Cause and I congratulate his achievements.   I am very proud that he holds a leadership position on my team.”

“I’m very humbled to be presented with this award.” says Buck. “It has been my privilege to work with the employees to maximize our fundraising efforts for the American Heart Association.  This year we held the most unique and creative fundraising events that I have ever seen.  It was hard work, but we also had a lot of fun during this campaign and I am excited we were able to support this extremely worthy cause.”

Congratulations to David Buck for this great achievement!

Boston, MA (December 21, 2011)- SAIL Magazine has announced the launch of SAILfeed, an all-new blog aggregation website. Sailfeed.com, managed by SAIL, features the work of seven independent bloggers in the sailing community.

The SAILfeed blog team is made up of experts from all over the world of sailing, including SAIL’s own executive editor Charles J. Doane and editor-at-large Kimball Livingston, as well as other well-known voices like Bob Perry, Clark Beek and Pat and Ali Schulte. Their blog content focuses on a range of sailing subjects—yacht design, cruising, racing, boat upgrades, lifestyle and more. Blogs offer entertaining, fresh and substantive content and are archived at sailfeed.com in order to remain accessible to readers. The format is designed for easy content navigation by subject, blogger, popularity or chronology. Content will be updated on a continual basis, encouraging readers to visit the site frequently to stay current and to interact.

 ”In building SAILfeed, we are striving to create a new template for sailing journalism,” stated SAIL executive editor Charles J. Doane. “We want to offer both journalists and advertisers a new way to reach out and communicate with readers. SAILfeed is more than just a new mode of web-based sailing content, it’s a whole new approach to writing about our sport.”

SAIL Magazine, the SAIL Buyer’s Guide, the New Sailboat Review and their digital properties (sailmagazine.com, sailfeed.com) are owned by Source Interlink Media, Inc., a media and marketing services company and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.

ABOUT SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, LLC
Source Interlink Media, LLC (SIM), a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 targeted publications, 90 websites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The organization’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

“We are extremely proud and excited to bring Baseball America into our network of targeted, enthusiast media,” said Garrett. “Baseball America is the “bible of developmental baseball” and we believe that the brand has a terrific amount of growth opportunity in its digital and video platforms to complement its already impressive array of print properties.” President/Publisher Lee Folger will continue in his role and will report to Garrett.

“Baseball America is thrilled to join the Source Interlink Media family,” said Folger. “Source Interlink’s leadership in enthusiast and action sports media is a natural fit for the passionate, insider point of view approach that Baseball America brings to the baseball market. We believe we can create exciting new market opportunities in this combination.”

Baseball America is a full-service media company with in-depth coverage of every level of baseball, from high school and college to the minors all the way to the major leagues. Baseball America publishes 26 times per year and is also available as a digital edition. The company’s website, http://www.baseballamerica.com/, features exclusive content updated daily. Baseball America also publishes several annual reference books such as its Almanac, Directory, Prospect Handbook, and Super Register.

 
ABOUT GRINDMEDIA
Source Interlink Media’s GrindMedia is home to renowned action and adventure sports magazine. Brands include Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder, Bike, Canoe & Kayak, SUP-Standup Paddler, Dirt Rider, ATV Rider, and Paved. Along with standalone websites, including GrindTV.com, Newschoolers and Motocross.com, GrindMedia is the leading provider of print and online action sports and entertainment content in the United States. Delivering significant reach across both action sports enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, GrindMedia produces more than 20 leading events and webcasts such as Surfer Poll Awards, Powder Video Awards, Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, EnduroCross and International Surfing Day. GrindMedia is also the exclusive action and adventure sports content provider for Yahoo! Sports. To learn more, visit grindmedia.com.

 
ABOUT SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, LLC
Source Interlink Media, LLC (SIM), a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 targeted publications, 90 websites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The organization’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

After meticulous note taking, heated discussion and hours of driving, the 2012 Ford F-150 earned this year’s honor because it was the truck that Motor Trend judges felt best met the award’s six key criteria: engineering excellence, advancement in design, efficiency, safety, value, and performance of intended function. 

“The bottom line is that the F-150 simply excels at being… a truck. It mastered every task we subjected it to, acing our instrumented tests at the proving grounds and swaying opinions during our real-world road evaluations,” said Loh. “In fact, our judges actually preferred the ride and performance of the F-150 when it was loaded with thousands of pounds of payload or saddled with a heavy trailer. It seemed the more we pushed the F-150, the better it performed.”

Each year, the editorial staff of Motor Trend meets to evaluate its field of contenders for the Truck of the Year Award®. In a week-long process that includes a full complement of performance tests, both with and without payload, on straight-aways and twisty mountain roads, as well as in day-to-day driving, trucks are evaluated against six judging criteria, resulting in a final winner:

•Advancement in Design: Already a big hit with consumers as America’s number one best-selling vehicle, Ford’s engineers refined an already versatile platform, making a good truck even better. Motor Trend’s editors were impressed with the level of comfort and sophistication available inside the F-150, particularly features like the 4.2-inch full-color infotainment screen, soft touch materials, and premium leather surfaces.

•Engineering Ecellence: For 2012, Ford boasts a best-in-class payload and tow rating with 3,060 and 11,300 pounds respectively, dependent on trim and engine specifications. In the right trim, the F-150’s maximum towing capability comes courtesy of the either its 6.2 liter V8 or the new darling of the line, the 3.5 liter twin-turbo EcoBoost® V6. While one may expect class-leading towing from the largest V8 offered for the truck, achieving that distinction with a V6 may come as a bit of a surprise. Delivering 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque at a ridiculously low 2500 rpm, the EcoBoost® V6 provides pulling grunt precisely when drivers need it. In fact, the EcoBoost V6 produces more torque than the V8 all the way up to 6000 rpm.

•Efficiency: Motor Trend praised the F-150’s newest powertrain choices as a marriage of high performance and impressive fuel economy. With two available V6 and V8 options, Motor Trend found Ford included engine choices that fit the needs of just about every potential driver.

The 3.5 liter twin-turbo EcoBoost® V6 garnered especially high marks from the staff. Editor Mike Febbo described the motor as incredibly quick and eager, noting that the engine has more available torque than both the 5.0 liter and 6.2 liter V8’s up to 5000 and 6000 rpm respectively.  Ford’s new V6 isn’t just powerful, it’s also incredibly efficient.

Even with all its available power the V6 returns an utterly impressive fuel economy rating of 16/22mpg (city/highway) thanks to the help of one of two standard six-speed automatic transmissions.

•Safety:  It’s hard to argue about an occupant’s safety with the overall size of these trucks. Aside from size, the F-150’s front, seat-mounted and canopy airbags as well as the plethora of standard and available passive and active safety systems make Ford’s case for safety, airtight.

In addition to the cushion of airbags, the F-150 offers its AdvanceTrac® traction control system with Roll Stability Control and SOS Post-Crash Alert System standard. The latter of which warns oncoming drivers and alert the proper authorities in the event of a significant accident while the former aims to prevent the accident in the first place.

•Value: Ford says that with its four engine choices, two transmissions, 10 trim levels and numerous cab and bed length options there are more than 650,000 different ways a potential buyer can spec out his truck that range in price from just under $23,000 to more than $50,000. Despite initial cost being but one aspect of the overall cost of ownership, with this amount of available customization, it’s hard to argue a buyer can’t find something in his or her price range.

The Ford F-150 is an iconic vehicle, a staple of the blue oval for more than 50 years and because of this, it’s also among the best in its class for retained value over years of ownership. These two facts coupled with the highly efficient, highly powerful V6 and V8 powertrains mean Ford has created an incredible value proposition for its newest truck over the course of ownership.  

•Performance of Intended Function: Trucks in America have to be incredibly versatile vehicles. They need to tow trailers, carry payloads, go off-road and deliver kids to school. A “work truck” may do double duty as the family hauler and vice versa. Ford has developed its line of F-150’s to do all of these incredibly well.

For those needing to move large loads, Ford boasts a best-in-class payload and tow rating. For the off-road enthusiast, Ford offers its special F150 Raptor. Developed jointly with Fox Racing Suspension, the truck has proven so reliable and effective off-road, that the Department of Homeland Security uses it to patrol the nation’s borders to fight the war on drugs and illegal immigration.

As a people hauler, the staff of Motor Trend found that the trucks offer comfortable seating and good visibility with easy entry and exit in every cab configuration tested. Executive editor Ron Kiino called the XLT’s cabin “clean and functional.” The rest of the staff found that the SuperCrew and SuperCab body styles offered plenty of room in front and back. According to Febbo, “The Platinum’s front seats, bisected by a center console, offer enough storage for hanging files, a large lunch, or even a medium-size pet.”

This is the 23rd year Motor Trend has named a Truck of the Year®. Recent winners have included the 2011 Chevy Silverado HD, 2010 Ram Heavy Duty, and the 2009 Ford F-150. Today’s announcement marks the fourth time Ford has been honored with the Truck of the Year title. The manufacturer also took top honors in 2009, 2004 and 1997 for the F-150. For a full list of winners visit the Motor Trend Truck of the Year winners list.

The Motor Trend Automotive Group engages more than 25 million consumers and automotive influencers each month, while Motor Trend reaches 13 million readers in print and 12 million unique visitors on its website each month.  Motor Trend’s YouTube channel now has more than 129,000 subscribers and plays more than six million videos a month. Those who want Motor Trend on-the-go are served with an iPad magazine, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android news apps.

About Source Interlink Media
Source Interlink Media is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 websites, 400 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

Each vehicle was evaluated in five categories:
• Trail performance
• Empirical data
• Highway performance
• Interior
• Exterior

The competition took place over five days and 1,000 miles, providing the panel of seven judges an opportunity to experience every plausible condition from city gridlock to technical trails. Judges tested each vehicle’s performance, as well as got a feel for the comfort and design of the interior and chassis.
 
“You can’t beat the versatility of the 2012 Ram Power Wagon,” said John Cappa, editor of Four Wheeler. “It’s aggressive BFG All-Terrain tires, tuned suspension, disconnecting sway bar, selectable lockers front and rear, and a Warn winch make it nearly unstoppable off-road, yet it’s still civilized enough to be daily-driven. The Power Wagon crawls over the most difficult rocky terrain just as easily as it speeds over rough dirt roads or commutes on smooth highways. Add in a 10,200-pound towing capacity along with multiple useful storage compartments, including the RamBox, and you end up with a remarkable factory-built ¾-ton truck that easily deserves Four Wheeler’s 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year award.”
“The folks at Four Wheeler magazine are serious off-road experts and have once again honored the Ram Power Wagon with this significant industry award,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico — Chrysler Group LLC. “Straight off the dealer’s showroom floor, our Power Wagon is, by far, the most capable off-road truck. We’re proud that Four Wheeler recognizes this.”

To participate, a vehicle must be either all new or substantially revised from the previous model year. All vehicles must be available for sale to the public by January 15, 2012, have at least 1,500 units produced for sale within the continental U.S. and use a two-speed transfer case. The complete test results and vehicle evaluations for the 2012 Four Wheeler of the Year competition will appear in the March 2012 issue of Four Wheeler (available on newsstands January 17th).

 
Information on the test will also be available at www.fourwheeler.com.
 

About Four Wheeler:
Published monthly since 1962, Four Wheeler is the country’s oldest and most respected four-wheel drive enthusiast publication with a paid circulation of 200,000 monthly and a readership of more than 2.2 million. Editorial includes basic-to-advanced DIY tech, worldwide events and after market trends. Vehicles covered range from late-model daily drivers to advanced trail rigs.

About Source Interlink Media:
Source Interlink Media, LLC is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 Web sites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.