What Tire Review does

Tire Review is a B2B trade media brand serving the tire and automotive service industry, operated by Babcox Media Inc., a family-owned media company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its core audience consists of independent tire dealers, commercial tire businesses, distributors, and automotive service professionals across the United States. Founded as a print publication in 1900, the brand has since transitioned into a multi-channel digital media property.

The company's product portfolio includes a digital magazine, a podcast network (including "What's Treading," "Johnny G & Friends," "AI Insights," and "AMN Drivetime"), original video programming (Garage Studio, AMN Drivetime, Auto Pros on the Road), industry events and awards programs (Top Shop Awards, Club 3633), a buyers guide directory, and webinars. The technical platform is built on WordPress and standard publishing tools, with distribution across YouTube, podcast platforms, email, and social channels — no proprietary AI/ML or advanced data infrastructure is disclosed.

Tire Review's revenue model is rooted in advertising, sponsored content, and partner programs with tire manufacturers, service equipment vendors, and trade associations. Named sponsors and partners include Hunter Engineering, Hankook Tire, Continental Tire, Double Coin, K&M Tire, Sailun Tire, Samsung (via Autel), Coats, and training body ASE, alongside the AAPEX trade show. The company does not charge readers for content, treating scale of audience reach as the primary monetization mechanism for its B2B advertising partners.

Name

Tire Review

Legal name

Babcox Media Inc.

Website

https://tirereview.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tire Review is a B2B trade media brand serving independent tire dealers, commercial tire operators, and automotive service professionals with digital editorial, podcasts, video, and industry awards programs. It is operated by Babcox Media Inc. and monetizes primarily through advertising and sponsorships from tire manufacturers and service equipment vendors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Media & Publications

NAICS

Tire Dealers (44134), Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers (4413)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail Tire Sales & Installation (Consumer) (TLAKADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tire & Wheel Services (Mount/Balance/Alignment) (TLAKAAAD), Tire Management Programs (Procurement, Monitoring, Retreads) (TLABAIAH), Tire Distribution & Wholesale (Regional/Local Supply) (TLAKADAH)

Keywords

• Tire industry news
• Automotive aftermarket media
• B2B trade publication
• Tire dealer content
• Automotive service journalism

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Advertising: The primary revenue driver. Tire Review generates advertising revenue from tire manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and automotive aftermarket companies. Sponsors include Hunter Engineering, Hankook Tire, Continental Tire, Double Coin, AAPEX, and numerous other industry suppliers who advertise products and services to the tire dealer audience.
2. Subscriptions: The publication offers both free and paid subscription tiers. Users can subscribe to receive content and renew existing subscriptions. The subscription model provides recurring revenue from industry professionals seeking specialized tire industry content.
3. Sponsored Content: Native advertising content where sponsors like Double Coin, Continental, Sailun Tire, K&M Tire, and Hankook fund specific articles, webinars, and video content that serve the tire dealer audience.
4. Webinars and Events: On-demand and live webinars sponsored by manufacturers like Hankook and AAPEX, providing educational content to the tire industry while generating sponsorship revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Tire Review is a B2B trade media brand publishing daily tire industry news, business operations guidance, and technical service content targeted at independent tire dealers, commercial fleets, and automotive service professionals. Content is delivered across multiple formats including a website, digital magazine, podcasts, video series, webinars, and email newsletters, with revenue generated primarily through advertising and sponsorships from tire manufacturers and equipment suppliers.

Product overview

Tire Review is a B2B media platform delivering daily expert tire and service content to boost tire dealer revenue. The core offering is the Tire Review Magazine digital publication, supplemented by multiple podcast series (What's Treading, Johnny G & Friends, AI Insights, AMN Drivetime), video content (including Garage Studio and multiple video series), the annual Top Shop Awards program, and interactive features like Guess the Tool sweepstakes. Additional offerings include the Club 3633 industry recognition program, ASE Study Center educational resources, webinars, and a Buyers Guide directory. The portfolio forms a comprehensive content ecosystem serving the North American tire and automotive service industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Top Shop: Tire Review's annual award program recognizing excellence among tire dealers and automotive service shops.
• Club 3633
• What's Treading
• Johnny G & Friends
• EV Bizz
• Garage Studio
• Guess the Tool

Products and services

• Tire Review Magazine Daily expert tire and service content publication that boosts tire dealer revenue. A B2B media platform delivering news, analysis, commentary, and industry coverage for tire dealers and automotive service professionals.
• What's Treading Podcast Video podcast series covering tire industry news, dealer insights, product launches, and business trends. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Spreaker, and other platforms.
• Johnny G & Friends Podcast Podcast series featuring interviews with tire dealers, industry leaders, and automotive professionals. Covers business strategies, success stories, and industry trends.
• AI Insights Podcast Podcast series exploring AI applications and insights for the tire and automotive service industry.
• AMN Drivetime Podcast Video podcast featuring automotive aftermarket news and interviews with industry executives.
• Top Shop Awards Annual competition recognizing outstanding tire shops and automotive service dealers for excellence in customer service, business operations, and industry innovation.
• Club 3633 Elite industry club named after Charles Goodyear's patent U.S. 3633, celebrating innovators in the tire industry including R&D, manufacturing, distribution, and tire dealers.
• Digital Magazine Monthly digital magazine featuring industry news, tire reviews, business operations content, and dealer profiles. Includes current and archived issues.
• Webinars On-demand and live webinars covering tire industry topics including EV tire performance metrics, hiring practices, AI diagnostics, and shop management.
• Buyers Guide Supplier and product directory connecting tire dealers with industry vendors, featuring company profiles, contact information, and product categories.
• ASE Study Center Study materials and resources for automotive service professionals preparing for ASE certification exams.
• Video Content Library Collection of video series including Garage Studio, AMN Drivetime Video, Auto Pros on the Road, Rolling with the Numbers, Selling the Segment, What's Treading Video, What's the Deal, Johnny G & Friends Video, and MobilityGarage Series.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, regular and minor.

• Hunter EngineeringcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunter Engineering sponsors the 'What's Treading' podcast series and video content. As a leading equipment manufacturer for tire shops (alignment systems, wheel balancers, tire changers), Hunter uses Tire Review's content platform to reach tire dealers with product information and industry thought leadership.
• Hankook Tire AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHankook sponsors webinars on EV tire performance metrics and the What's Treading podcast. They also partner on the iON tire lineup coverage and Electrify Expo sponsorship, using Tire Review's dealer audience for product launches and market education.
• Continental TirecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerContinental sponsors the Johnny G & Friends podcast (with Firestone branding) and specific articles like the TerrainContact A/T2 review. As a major tire manufacturer, Continental uses Tire Review's editorial platform for dealer-focused product content.
• Double Coin (CMA)regularGTM or Marketing PartnerDouble Coin sponsors the 'What's the Deal?' video series and specific articles on commercial tire topics. The partnership includes sales leadership content and dealer-focused marketing through Tire Review's video and article formats.
• AAPEXregularGTM or Marketing PartnerAAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) sponsors multiple webinar series on Tire Review including topics on hiring, AI diagnostics, and shop best practices. Uses the platform to engage tire dealers attending the trade show.
• K&M TirecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor tire distributor K&M Tire sponsors the 'What's Treading' podcast series and the Hankook Boost Program article. As the largest independent tire distributor in the U.S., K&M uses Tire Review to reach dealers and showcase vendor partnerships.
• Sailun TireregularGTM or Marketing PartnerSailun sponsors content on EV tire recommendations and tire testing articles. Uses Tire Review's audience for brand building and product education in the competitive replacement tire market.
• AutelregularGTM or Marketing PartnerAutel sponsors TPMS service content including articles on TPMS sensor replacement, service tips, and troubleshooting. Uses Tire Review to reach tire service professionals with diagnostic tool product information.
• Coats (Hennessy Industries)regularGTM or Marketing PartnerCoats equipment brand sponsors content on wheel balancers, inspection lanes, and tire changer equipment. Uses Tire Review to reach shop owners making equipment purchase decisions.
• ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerASE Study Center is featured on Tire Review's website, linking to asestudy.com for technician certification preparation. Provides value to readers seeking professional development content.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Fleet Owner: B2B media brand covering commercial trucking fleets and equipment, including commercial tire purchasing and maintenance. Overlaps with Tire Review's commercial tire and fleet operator audience and attracts related supplier advertisers.
• Automotive News: Flagship B2B automotive industry publication covering OEMs, dealers, and the broader auto industry. Larger scale incumbent that competes for automotive aftermarket advertising budgets and overlapping executive readership.
• WardsAuto: B2B automotive intelligence and data platform covering OEMs, suppliers, and technology trends. Overlaps with Tire Review's industry coverage and competes for automotive supplier advertising and sponsorship.

Direct peers

• Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN): B2B trade publication targeting automotive aftermarket tool and equipment buyers, including tire shops. Competes directly for the same equipment supplier advertising (Hunter, Coats, Autel) and shop owner readership.
• Tire Business: Trade publication covering tire dealers, retreaders, and the commercial tire industry. Directly competes with Tire Review for both reader attention and manufacturer/equipment supplier advertising dollars.
• Modern Tire Dealer: Leading B2B trade publication serving independent tire dealers and commercial tire businesses. The most direct competitor to Tire Review, covering the same dealer audience, with overlapping coverage of tire technology, business operations, and product news.
• Ratchet+Wrench: B2B media brand serving independent automotive repair shop owners. Comparable audience (shop operators needing business and technical content) and similar advertising-driven revenue model focused on the aftermarket.
• Motor Age: Long-running B2B trade publication serving automotive service and repair professionals. Covers overlapping technical content (TPMS, undercar, diagnostics) and competes for the same shop owner reader and advertiser base.

Emerging players

• Tire Industry Research: Independent research and analysis firm covering the global tire industry with reports and newsletters. Comparable tire industry subject-matter focus and B2B subscription model, though narrower in editorial scope.

Regional players

• AutoService World: Canadian B2B trade publication covering the automotive aftermarket including tire dealers and service shops. Comparable editorial model and dealer audience, but focused on the Canadian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tire_review
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TireReview
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tire-review
• Facebookfacebook.com/TireReview

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Tire Review