Media24 takes Drive Out for a spin

Founding publisher of the title, and executive director of New Media, Naomi Herselman, believes that the timing is perfect. "This is a positive move for Drive Out and we are delighted with Media24's belief in the magazine. We are extremely pleased that it is moving into an environment that is right for the publication at this stage of its development. It's like sending our baby off to university!"

Since its launch as an annual 4x4 trails guide in 1999, New Media has successfully grown Drive Out into a quarterly consumer magazine.

Drive Out will move into the Travel and Leisure Division of Media24 and will benefit not only from synergies with other products in the group, but also from the editorial expertise of award-winning editor Bun Booyens. Alongside Weg!/go! and Wegsleep/go!Camp, Booyens will oversee Drive Out's editorial direction and will be charged with maximising the potential in this growing market.

"New Media has established Drive Out as a highly respected title and we have great respect for the values on which they built the brand," says Media24 publisher John Relihan.

"The growth potential of the magazine is clear and we have exciting plans for it. We look forward to broadening Media24's product offering in what is a highly competitive environment."

New Media will produce one more issue of the magazine (available March 2007), before handing over the reigns to the Media24 team, whose first edition is planned for June 2007. The annual Top 10 Trails Drive Out issue is currently on shelf.