North Island Publishing Ltd. announced today that it has signed an agreement in principle to sell the Magazines University trademark and related web sites to the Canadian Business Press (CBP).

North Island (through its Masthead magazine brand) and CBP have co-produced the Mags U annual industry conference for the last two years, in partnership with several other magazine industry organizations. Masthead initiated the conference in 1992 in concert with industry organizations, and has owned the Mags U trademark since 2002. Masthead also built and maintained the MagsU.com web site.

“We are pleased that CBP will continue the Mags U tradition,” said North Island president Alexander Donald. “We have been great partners for many years, and we feel this agreement that clarifies ownership is in the best interests of both Mags U and the industry at large.”

“The Magazines University trademark is very important to us at the CBP because the name has been associated with quality and excellence within the magazine publishing community,” said Alex Papanou, Chair of the CBP.  “The CBP and its partners will continue to provide our industry with a quality event that we can all be proud of.”

The 18^th annual Magazines University is scheduled to take place June 1-2, 2009 at the Old Mill Inn in Toronto, ON.

Terms of the agreement were not announced.

In October, North Island announced it would be closing Masthead magazine and MastheadOnline.com. Since that time, and following an outpouring of support, other parties have approached North Island about carrying on the Masthead business. Discussions are continuing.

For more information contact:

Alexander Donald

President, North Island Publishing Ltd.

905-625-7070, ext. 230

Doug Bennet

Publisher, Masthead

905-625-7070, ext. 233

Alex Papanou

Chair, Canadian Business Press

416-442-2064

 

CBP Office

416-239-1022