The Out Traveler Poised to Become First Gay-and-Lesbian Themed Publication to Hit 250,000 in Circulation
PlanetOut Inc.'s Travel Title Also Names New Editor In Chief During Time of Unprecedented Growth
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2006 -- PlanetOut Inc. (Nasdaq: LGBT), the world's leading media and entertainment company exclusively focused on serving the gay and lesbian community, announced that its travel magazine, The Out Traveler, is expected to reach a projected circulation of 250,000 in 2007. The company believes the circulation figure makes the magazine the highest-circulated publication exclusively targeting the LGBT audience, a niche market estimated to spend $55 billion a year in travel. In related news, Ed Salvato, former travel editor, PlanetOut Inc., was named editor in chief of the magazine and corporate director of travel media, PlanetOut Inc.
"In a time when other magazines have been experiencing circulation declines, we are delighted to offer our advertisers an even broader reach into this crucial demographic," said Joe Landry, publisher, The Out Traveler. "Under Ed's stewardship, I expect the magazine's editorial content to provide a sophisticated point of view while at the same time giving our readers practical, useful advice."
Salvato, who will continue to be based in New York City, brings years of experience to his new role, first as editor in chief of OUT&ABOUT, a travel newsletter and Web site acquired by PlanetOut in 2000, and subsequently as the travel editor for both PlanetOut.com and Gay.com.
"My role will be to grow the brand strategically, and to create synergy between the travel content in our print and online brands when appropriate," said Salvato. "I sincerely hope to leverage my experience to shepherd The Out Traveler to new heights, better anticipate the needs of our readers, chronicle the state of gay travel, and, in our own small way, help shape its future."
PlanetOut's other print titles, including The Advocate and Out, have continued their own solid growth in 2006 through cross promotional initiatives, a new digital delivery option and editorial enhancements.
About PlanetOut Inc.
PlanetOut Inc. is the leading global media and entertainment company exclusively serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
PlanetOut's digital media brands include Gay.com, PlanetOut.com, Advocate.com, Out.com, OutTraveler.com and HIVPlusMag.com, as well as localized versions of the Gay.com site in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. PlanetOut print media brands include The Advocate, Out, The Out Traveler and HIVPlus, as well as SpecPub, Inc. titles. Transaction services brands include e-commerce Web sites Kleptomaniac.com and BuyGay.com, travel and events marketer RSVP, book publisher Alyson Publications, and direct marketer Triangle Marketing Services, among others.
PlanetOut, based in San Francisco with additional offices in New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, London and Buenos Aires, offers Global 1000 and local advertisers as well as its own properties access to what it believes to be the most extensive multi-channel, multi-platform network of gay and lesbian people in the world. For more information, please visit www.planetoutinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the growth potential associated with The Out Traveler brand, as well as statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, competition; the success of The Out Traveler's new editor; the company's limited operating history and variability of operating results; the attractiveness to readers and the success of the digital delivery of PlanetOut publications, including The Out Traveler; timing of product launches; and the company's dependence on technology infrastructure and the Internet. Additional information concerning factors that could affect PlanetOut's future business and financial results is included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and other public filings filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Contact:
James David
PlanetOut Inc.
+1-415-834-6479
james.david@planetoutinc.com
