STAMFORD, Conn., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — M2 Media Group, a leading magazine subscription agency, today announced that it has completed the purchase of American Publishers from Hearst Magazines.

American Publishers is an industry leader in magazine fundraising, managing programs for an expansive network of schools, non-profit groups and charitable organizations. Over the past 25 years, the company has grown into one of the largest youth fundraising organizations in the nation.

The acquisition will compliment M2’s current fundraising business with the Girl Scouts of the USA, where its innovation and success have been immediate. M2 developed a patent pending system comprised of personalized storefronts, an avatar creator and other key features. The platform can be leveraged by American Publishers in the school market, where fundraising has traditionally relied on print catalogs and door-to-door sales.

“American Publishers is a terrific company with great brand equity among schools across the country,” said Michael Borchetta, Chief Executive Officer of M2. “We’re thrilled about this acquisition and will continue to invest heavily in technology to bring excitement and innovation to youth fundraising.”

“M2 is the perfect fit for American Publishers,” said Liberta Abbondante, senior vice president, consumer marketing, Hearst Magazines. “They have taken fundraising to new levels with their Girl Scouts’ partnership, and have the vision and technological expertise to do the same in the school market.”

About M2 Media Group

M2 Media Group (m2mediagroup.com) is one of the premier marketing and subscription agencies in the magazine publishing industry. The company represents over 1,000 magazine titles through its direct-to-publisher network and fulfills millions of subscriptions annually to customers nationwide. Its technology-driven marketing programs comprise of ecommerce and online retail channels, loyalty and reward programs, and youth fundraising through schools and other non-profit organizations. M2’s business media group provides lead generation services to various industry verticals through its TechPapers Network and Mercury Magazines, one of the largest online distributors of trade publications to business and technology professionals.

About American Publishers

With more than 25 years in the fundraising business, American Publishers (AP) is viewed as an industry leader in magazine fundraising innovation and customer service. Through its vast network of independent fundraising professionals, AP continues its commitment to the fundraising needs of schools and organizations nationwide. AP works with leading magazine publishers to offer a great array of magazine titles. Through its magazine program, AP supports and stresses the importance of family literacy through awareness and the use of magazines in fundraising efforts.

SOURCE M2 Media Group