Hearst Magazines
Hearst Magazines publishes more than 200 magazine editions globally across automotive, lifestyle, shelter, food, and men's interest categories. Operating within Hearst Corporation, the division serves consumers via print and digital subscriptions and brand advertisers through multi-platform audience reach.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1886
- HeadquartersWest New York, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Hearst Magazines does
Hearst Magazines operates as the magazine publishing division of Hearst Corporation (Hearst Communications, Inc.), a private, family-owned diversified information, services and media conglomerate founded in 1886 by William Randolph Hearst and headquartered in New York. The magazine division publishes more than 200 magazine editions globally across lifestyle, automotive, shelter, food, and men's interest categories, including premium brands such as Car and Driver, Road & Track, MotorTrend (acquired December 2024), Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Esquire, Popular Mechanics, and Men's Journal.
The business generates revenue through three primary channels: consumer subscriptions (direct and via third-party agents), newsstand and retail distribution, and B2B advertising sales to brand marketers seeking large-scale, vertically segmented audience reach across print and digital platforms. Distribution spans physical magazines, owned digital properties (websites, mobile apps, e-reader editions), social media (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, TikTok), email newsletters, and cross-promotion through Hearst's broader ecosystem including A&E Networks (50% JV with Disney) and Hearst Television stations.
The division is actively undergoing digital transformation, expanding video content, daily newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube programming while maintaining its print publication base. Technology leadership has been strengthened through the hire of a Chief Product & Technology Officer and senior product and data roles, supporting the Hearst360 integrated media and technology platform that connects the broader Hearst portfolio. The company operates in 40 countries globally, with the parent corporation reporting $13.5B in FY2025 revenue (3% YoY growth) and a strong balance sheet with no net debt.
Hearst Magazines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hearst Magazines
- Legal name
- Hearst Communications, Inc.
- Website
- https://hearst.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1886
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Hearst Magazines publishes more than 200 magazine editions globally across automotive, lifestyle, shelter, food, and men's interest categories. Operating within Hearst Corporation, the division serves consumers via print and digital subscriptions and brand advertisers through multi-platform audience reach.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hearst Magazines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Magazine Publishing
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (51312), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer Lifestyle & Fashion Magazines (MPAJAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Men’s Interest Magazines (MPAJAEAC), Science, Technology & Gaming Magazines (MPAJAEAL), Health, Fitness & Wellness Magazines (MPAJAEAD)
Keywords
Where Hearst Magazines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Hearst Magazines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Hearst Magazines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hearst Magazines publishes 25+ magazine brands across lifestyle, automotive, shelter, food, and men's lifestyle categories. The company produces and distributes editorial content through print magazines, digital platforms, social media, and TV partnerships. It also operates acquired media properties including MotorTrend Group (acquired December 2024) and eCrush (acquired 2007).
Product overview
Hearst Magazines operates as part of Hearst Corporation's diversified media portfolio. The magazine division publishes more than 200 magazine editions around the world, covering subjects such as food, fashion, cars, home and health. In December 2024, Hearst Magazines acquired MotorTrend Group from Warner Bros. Discovery, expanding its automotive media holdings. The company is undergoing digital transformation efforts, including expanded social media video content, daily newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube content, while maintaining its print publication capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hearst360: Integrated media and technology platform connecting Hearst's portfolio of businesses
- HearstLab
- Hearst Ventures
- Level Up Ventures
- Hearst Media Production Group
Products and services
- Magazine Brand Portfolio A portfolio of 25+ magazine brands spanning lifestyle, automotive, shelter, food, and men's lifestyle categories, distributed via print and digital channels to U.S. consumers and advertisers.
- MotorTrend Group Automotive media brand providing automotive content and entertainment, acquired by Hearst Magazines in December 2024.
- eCrush Teen-focused media brand acquired by Hearst in 2007.
Companies that use Hearst Magazines
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles2 records
Hearst Magazines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hearst Magazines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MotorTrend GroupcoreHearst Magazines (through parent Hearst Corporation) completed its acquisition of MotorTrend Group, owner of the MotorTrend and Road & Track automotive media brands, combining it with its existing Car and Driver portfolio. The acquisition creates one of the largest automotive media businesses in the world. MotorTrend Group brings its television production unit (MotorTrend Studios), streaming content business, and digital platforms under the Hearst Magazines umbrella. This is a strategic vertical integration consolidating three major American automotive print titles under single ownership.
- A&E Networks (joint venture with Disney)coreHearst Corporation holds a 50% stake in A&E Networks, the media company behind the A&E, History, Lifetime, and ESPN cable channels. Hearst Magazines content benefits from cross-promotional opportunities across A&E's television networks, and the relationship provides Hearst with a stake in one of the largest cable television businesses globally.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hearst Magazines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Condé Nast: Condé Nast publishes Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, and Bon Appétit, directly competing with Hearst Magazines' Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, and House Beautiful across identical consumer lifestyle verticals with similar advertising-driven business models.
- Dotdash Meredith: Dotdash Meredith (owned by IAC) operates a portfolio of magazine brands including People, Better Homes & Gardens, and InStyle, competing with Hearst Magazines across women's lifestyle, shelter, and entertainment categories with a stronger digital-first orientation.
- Bauer Media Group: Bauer Media is a global magazine publisher headquartered in Europe with titles including Grazia, In Touch, and Women's Health, competing with Hearst in women's lifestyle and entertainment magazine categories across international markets.
- Forbes Media: Forbes Media operates the Forbes brand across print, digital, and events, competing with Hearst's business and lifestyle verticals for premium advertiser dollars and subscription revenue.
- Penske Media Corporation: Penske Media publishes Variety, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and WWD, competing with Hearst Magazines across entertainment, music, fashion, and lifestyle verticals with a similar premium advertiser-driven business model.
Emerging players
- Vox Media: Vox Media operates digital-first editorial brands including The Verge, Vox, Eater, and New York Magazine, competing with Hearst for digital advertising and audience attention in lifestyle, technology, and food verticals.
- BuzzFeed Inc. BuzzFeed operates digital-native lifestyle and entertainment media brands competing with Hearst Magazines for millennial and Gen Z audiences and digital advertising budgets.
Broad incumbents
- Bloomberg Media: Bloomberg Media operates Bloomberg Businessweek, Bloomberg digital properties, and television, competing with Hearst for premium B2B advertising and business audience reach as part of a broader diversified media business.
- Disney: Disney co-owns A&E Networks with Hearst and competes broadly with Hearst Magazines and Hearst Television for advertising revenue, audience attention, and branded content partnerships across entertainment verticals.
Others
- Warner Bros. Discovery: Warner Bros. Discovery operated the MotorTrend brand prior to selling to Hearst in December 2024, and competes more broadly with Hearst Television and Hearst Magazines across entertainment, lifestyle, and automotive media categories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hearst Magazines social profiles
Digital presenceHearst Magazines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hearst Magazines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Hearst Magazines subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
Hearst Magazines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hearst Magazines M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hearst Magazines
What does Hearst Magazines do?
Hearst Magazines publishes 25+ magazine brands across lifestyle, automotive, shelter, food, and men's lifestyle categories. The company produces and distributes editorial content through print magazines, digital platforms, social media, and TV partnerships. It also operates acquired media properties including MotorTrend Group (acquired December 2024) and eCrush (acquired 2007).
Is Hearst Magazines a public or private company?
Hearst Magazines is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hearst Magazines founded?
Hearst Magazines was founded in 1886. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Hearst Magazines based?
Hearst Magazines is headquartered in West New York, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Hearst Magazines's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Condé Nast, Dotdash Meredith, Bauer Media Group, Forbes Media and Penske Media Corporation. Emerging players are Vox Media and BuzzFeed Inc.. Broad incumbents are Bloomberg Media and Disney. Warner Bros. Discovery is listed as an others.
Does Hearst Magazines have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hearst Magazines.
What industry is Hearst Magazines in?
Hearst Magazines's product category is Magazine Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAA, Consumer Lifestyle & Fashion Magazines, with a secondary code of MPAJAEAC, Men’s Interest Magazines. Its NAICS code is 51312 and its SIC code is 2721.