Ogden Publications

What Ogden Publications does

Ogden Publications, Inc., founded in August 1996 and headquartered at 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, Kansas, is a privately held, family-owned media company that operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ogden Newspapers Inc. (Wheeling, West Virginia). The company is the leading information resource serving sustainable living, rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia, and classic motorcycle communities, reaching more than 10 million readers each month across its 16+ magazine brands. The portfolio includes Mother Earth News, Grit, Countryside, Backyard Poultry, Goat Journal, Farm Collector, Motorcycle Classics, Gas Engine Magazine, Tri-State Livestock News, The Fence Post, Capper's Farmer, Utne Reader, Mother Earth Living, Mother Earth Gardener, Backyard Beekeeping, Fermentation, and Community Chickens, supplemented by books, e-commerce, and the Mother Earth News Fair events.

The company's underlying platform is a vertically integrated publishing operation: editorial content is produced in-house, fulfillment is run on proprietary databases managed through Omeda, payments are processed via Cybersource, and an in-house lettershop, warehouse, and customer-service center process nearly 1 million transactions, approximately 100,000 phone calls, roughly 5 million magazine copies printed, about 5 million promotional mail pieces, and nearly 3 million renewal/billing mailings each year. Two leading national printers and two leading national newsstand wholesalers (plus five specialty distributors) handle production and retail distribution, with approximately 1 million newsstand copies sold annually and co-mailing programs delivering 15% postal savings.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: recurring print and digital subscriptions (with auto-renewal), display and classified advertising across brands and websites, one-time book sales, custom publishing and fulfillment services for third-party B2B clients (Ogden Custom Media & Fulfillment Group), event fees and sponsorships from the Mother Earth News Fair, and regional insurance and annuity products (Capper's Insurance Service in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa). The company goes to market through a sales-led motion for advertising and subscriptions, event-driven engagement through fairs, and direct-to-consumer subscription and e-commerce for individual readers, supported by email newsletters, social media, paid digital ads, sweepstakes, and roughly $3 million in annual direct-mail acquisition spend.

Name

Ogden Publications

Legal name

Ogden Publications, Inc.

Website

https://ogdenpubs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ogden Publications is a privately held, Topeka, Kansas-based media company operating 16+ niche magazine brands serving sustainable living, rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia, and classic motorcycle communities, reaching 10 million+ monthly readers through subscriptions, advertising, events, custom publishing, books, and regional insurance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Consumer Magazine Publishing

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Book Publishers (513130), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAJAMAA

E-book Retail & Reading Platforms (Stores, Apps, Devices)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/Digital Publishing Platforms (E-books & Online Articles)

SECONDARYMPAJAAAL

Health, Wellness & Fitness Trade Publishing

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/Book Publishing (Trade & Consumer)

SECONDARYMPAJAKAH

Specialty & Niche Channel Distribution (Religious, Comic Shops, Specialty Retail)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/Print & Digital Distribution (Wholesalers, Subscription/Newsstand)

Keywords

• Niche magazine publishing
• Rural lifestyle media
• Sustainable living publications
• Specialty magazine subscriptions
• Brand portfolio media

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Magazine Subscriptions: Print and digital subscriptions for 16+ magazine brands including Mother Earth News, Grit, Countryside, and others. Subscriptions available via direct mail and online with auto-renewal options.
2. Advertising: Display advertising, classified advertising, and convergent media advertising across all publication brands and online properties. Reaches 10 million+ readers monthly.
3. Book Publishing: Publishes books on topics matching brand content including sustainable living, homesteading, gardening, and motorcycle classics. Books sold through e-commerce stores and wholesale.
4. Capper's Insurance Service: Insurance and financial services division offering individual accident, health, life insurance and annuity products serving individuals in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa.
5. Custom Publishing and Fulfillment: End-to-end services including strategy development, design, marketing, fulfillment, distribution and reporting for third-party clients. Handles approximately 1 million transactions annually with in-house customer service and warehouse operations.
6. Events: Mother Earth News Fair events featuring sustainability, self-sufficiency, green energy and DIY project content. Also partners with green events and participates in trade shows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ogden Publications, Inc. operates a multi-brand specialty publishing platform that produces and distributes 16+ print and digital magazine titles — led by Mother Earth News, Grit, Countryside, Backyard Poultry, Farm Collector, Motorcycle Classics, Gas Engine Magazine, Tri-State Livestock News and others — reaching more than 10 million readers monthly through consumer subscriptions, newsstand distribution, advertising, companion book sales, and community events such as the Mother Earth News Fair. Complementing the publishing core, the company sells books and merchandise through brand e-commerce stores, delivers custom publishing and fulfillment services to third-party clients, and distributes individual accident, health, life insurance and annuity products through its Capper's Insurance Service division.

Product overview

Ogden Publications is North America's largest publisher focusing on sustainable lifestyle and self-reliance, reaching more than 10 million readers each month via magazines, books, newsletters and online properties. The company's portfolio is organized as a multi-brand media ecosystem consisting of print magazines (Mother Earth News, Grit, Countryside, Backyard Poultry, Goat Journal, Farm Collector, Motorcycle Classics, Gas Engine Magazine, Tri-State Livestock News, The Fence Post, Farmer & Rancher Exchange, Capper's Farmer, Utne Reader), digital publications (Mother Earth Living, Mother Earth Gardener, Fermentation, Backyard Beekeeping, Community Chickens), e-commerce book publishing, and events (Mother Earth News Fair). The company also operates complementary businesses including Capper's Insurance Service (insurance products) and Ogden Custom Media & Fulfillment Group (B2B publishing services).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mother Earth News: Leading sustainable living magazine covering organic foods, country living, green transportation, renewable energy, natural health, and green building
• Grit
• Countryside
• Backyard Poultry
• Tri-State Livestock News
• The Fence Post
• Goat Journal
• Farmer & Rancher Exchange
• Farm Collector
• Motorcycle Classics
• Gas Engine Magazine
• Mother Earth Living
• Backyard Beekeeping
• Fermentation
• Mother Earth Gardener
• Capper's Farmer
• Utne Reader
• Capper's Insurance Service
• Sunflower Publishing

Products and services

• Magazine subscription portfolio (16+ brands led by Mother Earth News, Grit, Countryside, Backyard Poultry, Farm Collector, Motorcycle Classics, Gas Engine Magazine, Tri-State Livestock News, The Fence Post, Farmer & Rancher Exchange, Goat Journal, Capper's Farmer, Mother Earth Living, Mother Earth Gardener, Fermentation, Backyard Beekeeping, Community Chickens, Utne Reader) Print and digital subscription editions of 16+ specialty magazine brands serving sustainable living, rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia and classic motorcycle enthusiast communities, with auto-renewal, gift subscription options, and companion websites for each brand.
• Ogden Publications Books Books published under the Ogden Publications banner aligned with brand content and audience interests, sold through brand e-commerce stores and wholesale.
• Mother Earth News Fair events Large-scale live events featuring sustainability, self-sufficiency, green energy and DIY project content with vendors, workshops and sponsorship opportunities; an online version launched in 2020 as Mother Earth News Fair Online.
• Capper's Insurance Service Insurance and financial services division offering individual accident, health and life insurance and annuity products to individuals in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa.
• Ogden Custom Media & Fulfillment Group End-to-end custom publishing and fulfillment services for third-party clients including strategy development, design, marketing, fulfillment, distribution, customer service and reporting; handles nearly 1 million transactions annually for clients such as Linux Pro Magazine and Sing Better Now.
• Mother Earth News Online Courses Online self-paced courses teaching self-sufficiency and DIY skills, replacing in-person events during the pandemic and continuing as a remote learning offering.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tractor Supply CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012Co-presenter of 'Tough Grit' lifestyle reality show featuring rural DIY projects, premiered on RFD-TV.
• OmedacoreTechnology or IntegrationDatabase platform used for magazine subscriptions, newsletters, product purchases, and personalized web interactions. Omeda also delivers email messages and gathers statistics around email openings and clicks.
• CybersourcecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment management service used to assist with payment processing for credit card transactions.
• Google AnalyticscoreTechnology or IntegrationUsed to automatically collect non-personally identifiable information about website visitors including online behavior, device information, and geographic location.
• Mountain State Blue Cross/Blue ShieldminorOthersProvider of two PPO plan options for group health/vision insurance with prescription drug coverage for full-time employees.
• United ConcordiaminorOthersDental insurance coverage provider for full-time employees.
• Barnes & NobleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in green promotion sponsored by Green America. Part of environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Linux Pro MagazineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCustom publishing client using Ogden's fulfillment and distribution services.
• Sing Better NowminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCustom publishing client using Ogden's publishing services.
• RFD-TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTelevision network partner that aired 'Tough Grit' reality show presented by Grit and Tractor Supply Company.
• Baker Creek SeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOgden Publications acquired Heirloom Gardener magazine from Baker Creek Seeds in July 2016. Title later changed to Mother Earth Gardener.
• Ogden Newspapers Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned company based in Wheeling, West Virginia that launched Ogden Publications in 1996 and owns the company. Parent organization providing strategic direction and ownership.
• Sunflower PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister publishing company in Lawrence, Kansas producing high-quality editorial magazines, books, performance programs, community guides, catalogs and directories. Bill Uhler leads both publishing organizations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Active Interest Media: Private multi-brand enthusiast publisher with 40+ magazine brands in niche lifestyle categories including equestrian, outdoor, and craft. Directly comparable to Ogden's multi-brand niche publishing model and similar reliance on enthusiast communities.
• Recoil (Webco Publishing): Publisher of enthusiast magazines including RECOIL, CONCEALMENT, and OFFGRID. Comparable in targeting niche enthusiast communities (firearms, preparedness, self-sufficiency) and leveraging print + digital + events model.
• Belvoir Media Group: Private publisher of enthusiast magazines including Hobby Farms, Backyard Poultry (competitor to Ogden's), and other lifestyle titles. Closely comparable in business model of multi-brand enthusiast publishing with strong subscription and advertising revenue.
• Yankee Publishing: Family-owned independent publisher of Yankee Magazine, The Old Farmer's Almanac, and other regional/lifestyle titles. Closely comparable as a privately held multi-brand publisher serving enthusiast lifestyle communities.
• Peak Media Properties (formerly Interweave): Multi-brand publisher of craft, hobby, and lifestyle magazines. Comparable in multi-brand enthusiast publishing model and similar scale of operations, with several brands sold to or overlapping with Ogden's portfolio.
• Backwoods Home Magazine: Independent publisher focused on self-sufficient living, homesteading, and rural lifestyle content. Closely comparable as a smaller, focused publisher serving the same self-sufficiency and rural lifestyle audience as Ogden's Mother Earth News and Countryside brands.

Broad incumbents

• Dotdash Meredith: Largest magazine publisher in the US with 40+ brands including lifestyle, food, and home categories. While much larger, it overlaps with Ogden in lifestyle publishing and competes for the same advertising and subscription dollars.
• Bauer Media Group: Global media company with extensive magazine portfolio including specialty interest titles. Comparable in multi-brand niche publishing strategy and audience development approach, though at much larger scale.
• Future plc: Major UK-based media company with large portfolio of enthusiast and special interest publications. Comparable in multi-brand enthusiast publishing strategy, though at much larger scale with stronger digital emphasis.

Regional players

• TR集团 Media: Actually, this is Ogden's own Tri-State Livestock News. I should replace this with another peer. Let me use Backwoods Home Magazine instead.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ogden-publications

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ogden Publications