19 August, 2006 : - - Ventura and London - WetSand.com and The Surfer's Path magazine today announced that they are to merge. The merger unites one of the world's largest online surf communities with the premiere international surf publication. Both companies provide content that appeals to the core, everyday surfer, who values his or her environment, wherever in the world he or she lives and surfs.
In a single stroke, this merger integrates the best of the traditional and new media companies to form a world-leading surf communications company offering the best of online and offline media capabilities.
"This merger gives WetSand and The Surfer's Path much greater scale and momentum," said WetSand's Chief Executive Officer Chuck Menzel. "The real highlight for WetSand is that we can place an enormous marketing effort to leverage the exposure of The Surfer's Path magazine in the North American market."
"This merger offers great benefits for both parties," said Jim Peskett, Founder & Publisher of The Surfer's Path. "It dramatically extends the magazine's reach and increases our ability to invest more in distribution development while enhancing WetSand's online content with our abundant editorial assets."
The strategic logic driving this transaction is compelling: two experienced and well-respected media companies creating a new industry entity that will be poised to deliver significant and comprehensive benefits to a mutual customer base, while expanding the reach of their shared mission.
Permanent Publishing's Jim Peksett and WetSand's Chuck Menzel will be co-presidents of The Surfer's Path magazine, with Peskett overseeing the UK, Europe and rest of world, and Menzel overseeing North America.
All new marketing, content, and promotional agreements between The Surfer's Path magazine and WetSand are to be rolled-out over the next three months and will expand various relationships already in place between the two companies. A sales agreement, effective immediately, will have The Surfer's Path advertising sales force representing opportunities on WetSand.com.