In its long-term
development strategy, the Morris magazine division has steadily
pursued the concept of clustering by subject or geography. An
overview of the division shows sub-groups of outdoor and leisure
magazines, including a variety of magazines serving Alaska;
a growing equine cluster known as the Cowboy Publishing Group;
and four city magazines.
The equine group serves an audience of sportsmen and women
bound by their passion for horses. Quarter Horse
News, published twice monthly, and Barrel Horse News,
published monthly, serve distinct niches within the performance
horse industry.
The equine group also includes regional and trade publications, as
well as a group of Web sites managed under the award-winning equine
portal site HorseCity.com. The site captured the Forbes magazine 2001 and 2002 "Best of the Web" award in the equine category.
Western Horseman, purchased by the company in 2001, has been the leading
horse magazine in the world since 1936.
In 2005, Morris began publishing Western Lifestyle Retailer, which is aimed at Western-oriented retailers of products such as western apparel, headwear, footwear, jewelry, accessories and home decor.
Gray's Sporting Journal is the flagship of the outdoor-life group and
the hallmark of its quality. A premier magazine of the sporting life
published six times a year, Gray's claims international readership and
recognition. Expeditions and Guides is an annual special edition of
Gray's known for its comprehensive listings of outfitters and guide
services.
With the 2002 purchase of Abenaki Publishers Inc. of Bennington,
Vt., Morris added American Angler, Fly Tyer and Saltwater
Fly Fishing magazines to the outdoor-life group.
The Morris Alaska publications range from coverage of outdoor
life to commerce, business and tourism, geographically focused
on America's "frontier state." The group includes
The Milepost, known as "the Bible of North Country
travel since 1949."
In August 2004, Morris acquired the city magazines Charlotte magazine, Orlando magazine and Dallas Home Design from Abarta Media Group.
