SVK Media and Publishing

What SVK Media and Publishing does

SVK Multimedia & Publishing (operating as SVK Media and Publishing) is an independent, privately held magazine and book publisher founded in 2016 and headquartered at PO Box 586, Hudsonville, Michigan. The company publishes three flagship magazines: Great Lakes By Design (a regional design and architecture magazine now in its 10th volume), The Golf Explorer (a Michigan-focused golf destinations magazine in its 10th volume and co-published with Florida Golf Magazine since 2017), and 12 5 33 (a national spirits, fermented beverage, and zero-proof drinks publication launched in November 2025). SVK also offers a custom publishing service that produces dedicated magazines for destination and resort clients, including The Canadian Laker for Canadian Lakes, Traditions for Shanty Creek Resort, and visitors guides for CVB partners.

The business runs on standard content management, design, and e-commerce infrastructure rather than any proprietary technology platform, with website and marketing handled by external vendor WTP Media. Revenue is generated through four streams: unit-priced single-issue sales ($10–$18 per issue) and tiered subscriptions ($32/1-year to $72/3-year) through the company's svkmp.com e-commerce shop, advertising and sponsorships across the magazine portfolio, and professional-services fees for custom publishing engagements. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the online storefront supplemented by physical distribution through Michigan golf courses, resorts, and at least seven Convention & Visitors Bureau partnerships (Experience Grand Rapids, Flint Genesee, Mt. Pleasant, Gaylord Golf Mecca, Petoskey, Greater Lansing, Mecosta County).

Leadership comprises a three-person core team: John Olsa as CEO and Publisher with deep golf industry relationships, Robin Vargo as Creative Director (dual B.F.A. from Aquinas College and Kendall College of Art and Design), and Rachel Jean Weick as Editor (M.S. in journalism from Northwestern's Medill School). The company is bootstrapped, with no external funding, no parent entity, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed headcount beyond the leadership trio.

Name

SVK Media and Publishing

Legal name

SVK Multimedia & Publishing

Website

https://svkmp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SVK Media and Publishing is an independent Michigan-based publisher of three flagship magazines — Great Lakes By Design (design/architecture), The Golf Explorer (golf travel), and 12 5 33 (spirits/beverages) — and a custom publishing service for destination and resort clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Magazine Publishing

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Sports & Recreation Magazines (MPAJAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Travel & Outdoors Magazines (MPAJAEAH), Lifestyle, Travel & Leisure Books Publishing (MPAJAAAH)

Keywords

• Magazine publishing
• Custom publishing services
• Design and architecture magazines
• Golf travel publications
• Craft spirits media

Headquarters

HQ city

Hudsonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Magazine Issue Sales: Individual magazine issues sold at $10–$18 per copy across print/digital formats, with multiple volume and issue tiers across three flagship publications.
2. Subscriptions (Recurring): Annual and multi-year subscription plans for Great Lakes By Design (1-year: $32, 2-year: $52, 3-year: $72). Subscriptions provide recurring revenue and reader retention.
3. Custom Publishing Services: Bespoke editorial and design publishing services for corporate clients, including dedicated magazines for partners (e.g., Canadian Lakes, Shanty Creek Resort). Revenue generated through client engagements for custom publications.
4. Advertising & Sponsorships: The company sells advertising space across its magazine portfolio and mentions media kits and advertising opportunities as a revenue stream tied to its audience reach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SVK Media and Publishing produces and sells three flagship niche magazines—Great Lakes By Design (regional design and architecture), 12 5 33 (spirits and craft beverages), and The Golf Explorer (golf destinations)—via subscriptions and single-issue sales through its own e-commerce storefront. The company also operates a custom publishing services line that produces dedicated editorial magazines for corporate clients such as resorts, residential communities, and tourism boards.

Product overview

SVK Multimedia & Publishing is a publisher of fine books and magazines operating three flagship publications: Great Lakes By Design (a regional design and architecture magazine), 12 5 33 (a spirits and beverage magazine launched November 2025), and The Golf Explorer (a golf destination magazine). The company also offers custom publishing services for clients seeking to engage audiences through educational or entertainment-driven editorial content. The publications are available via single-issue purchases and subscriptions through the company's e-commerce shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Great Lakes By Design Magazine: A publication dedicated to design and the people behind the spaces, products, and ideas that contribute to the built and unbuilt world. Highlights designers, creative professionals, artists, and makers across design-related fields.
• 12 5 33 Magazine
• The Golf Explorer Magazine
• Custom Publications

Products and services

• Great Lakes By Design Magazine A regional design and architecture magazine covering Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Toronto, and New York City, featuring well-written features, distinctive composition, and captivating photography about design, creative professionals, and makers. Sold by single issue and via subscription.
• 12 5 33 Magazine A national publication highlighting the spirit of craft, the passion for creation, and the people behind distilled, fermented, nonalcoholic, and functional zero-proof spirits and drinks industries.
• The Golf Explorer Magazine A golf destination publication covering Michigan and regional golf courses and resorts, featuring stories, destination guides, trip-planning resources, and partner course and resort listings for golf enthusiasts.
• Custom Publications Service A custom publishing service that produces dedicated magazines for corporate clients (e.g., The Canadian Laker for Canadian Lakes, Traditions for Shanty Creek Resort, Meet Mt. Pleasant Visitors Guide), engaging target audiences through educational or entertainment-driven editorial content using SVK's design, sales, and editorial expertise.

Named customers10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Experience Grand RapidscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) partner for The Golf Explorer, providing cross-promotional distribution of golf content to the Grand Rapids tourism audience and co-marketing of regional golf destinations.
• Flint Genesee GroupsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerFlint Genesee CVB partner collaborating with The Golf Explorer on regional golf content and tourism promotion.
• Meet Mt. PleasantcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMt. Pleasant CVB and custom publishing client producing the Meet Mt. Pleasant Visitors Guide. Partner featured in The Golf Explorer with dedicated content and distribution support.
• Gaylord Golf MeccacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGaylord CVB operating as Gaylord Golf Mecca, a dedicated golf tourism marketing organization, partnering with The Golf Explorer for content coverage of the Gaylord region's golf courses and resorts.
• Petoskey Area CVBsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPetoskey Area CVB partner providing tourism cross-promotion and regional content for The Golf Explorer's Northern Michigan golf coverage.
• Greater Lansing Area CVBsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGreater Lansing Area Convention & Visitors Bureau partner for golf tourism promotion within the Lansing region featured in The Golf Explorer.
• Mecosta County Visitors BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional CVB partner supporting golf tourism promotion in the Mecosta County area (Big Rapids region) featured in The Golf Explorer.
• A-Ga-Ming Golf ResortChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier golf destination in Kewadin, Michigan (54 holes, 3 courses) featured extensively in The Golf Explorer and partner lodging listings. Also listed as a lodging & resort partner.
• Boyne Highlands ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor 72-hole golf resort in Harbor Springs/Petoskey, MI (part of Boyne Resorts) featured as a primary golf partner and resort destination in The Golf Explorer.
• Boyne Mountain ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoyne Resorts flagship 45-hole destination in Boyne Falls, MI featured as a golf partner in The Golf Explorer with destination and lodging coverage.
• Crystal Mountain ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor36-hole resort in Thompsonville, MI featured as a golf and lodging partner in The Golf Explorer, with dedicated editorial coverage in stories.
• Forest DunescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNotable Roscommon, MI golf destination (18-hole and reversible 'Loop' course) featured as a premier golf partner and resort in The Golf Explorer.
• Garland Lodge & Golf ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor72-hole golf resort in Lewiston, MI featured as a featured partner on the magazine's cover (Volume 10) and in resort destination listings.
• Grand Traverse Resort and SpacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor54-hole resort in Acme, MI (home to Jack Nicklaus-designed courses) featured as a premier partner with editorial coverage and resort/lodging listings.
• Island Resort & CasinocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor36-hole Upper Peninsula resort (Harris, MI) serving as anchor of the 'Perfect 4-Some' golf region, featured as a golf partner and lodging resort with dedicated editorial coverage.
• Shanty Creek ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor72-hole Antrim County resort featured as a golf partner in The Golf Explorer and as a custom publishing client for 'Traditions' lifestyle magazine (published by SVK).
• American Dunes Golf ClubsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic 18-hole course in Grand Haven, MI (designed by Jack Nicklaus with military veteran mission) featured as a golf partner in The Golf Explorer.
• Apple MountainsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic 18-hole championship course in Freeland, MI featured as a golf destination partner in The Golf Explorer.
• Bucks Run Golf ClubsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic 18-hole course in Mt. Pleasant, MI featured as a golf partner and featured in editorial stories.
• Black Lake Conference Center & Golf ClubsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUAW-affiliated golf facility in Onaway, MI featured as a golf partner in The Golf Explorer.
• Pilgrim's Run Golf ClubsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUpscale public 18-hole course in Pierson, MI featured as a golf partner with a 25th anniversary editorial feature.
• Canadian LakescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate 700-acre residential community with 3 golf courses in Stanwood, MI. Custom publishing client producing 'The Canadian Laker' magazine (published since at least 2018) covering the community's lifestyle and activities.
• Florida Golf MagazinesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-publishing partner for the Florida Golf Magazine title (a long-running golf publication), with SVK producing or distributing the magazine. SVK has produced issues from 2017 through 2025.
• WTP MediaminorOthersDesign and marketing agency credited for the website's marketing, video, and website design, as noted in the site footer.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MyNorth Media (Traverse Magazine): Northern Michigan regional travel and lifestyle magazine publisher behind Traverse Magazine and MyNorth.com. Directly comparable as a Michigan-focused, single-state regional magazine operator serving tourism advertisers and resort partners in overlapping geographies with SVK.
• Active Interest Media: Large specialty consumer magazine publisher with titles across hobby, home, and enthusiast verticals (e.g., sailing, woodworking, log home living). Closely comparable to SVK in operating model: multi-title niche consumer magazines plus trade shows and consumer events, with advertising and subscription revenue.
• Palm Beach Media Group: Regional lifestyle and luxury magazine publisher (Palm Beach Illustrated, Naples Illustrated, Aventura Magazine) with custom publishing services. Closely mirrors SVK's model of operating multiple regional lifestyle titles plus a custom publishing services business for resort and community clients.
• Hour Media: Michigan-based regional magazine publisher producing titles such as Hour Detroit, DBusiness, and specialty publications. Directly comparable to SVK as a privately held, multi-title regional lifestyle publisher with advertising, subscriptions, and custom content revenue streams anchored in the same Michigan geography.
• Pace Communications: Custom publishing agency producing branded magazines and content marketing for major corporate clients. Directly comparable to SVK's custom publishing arm (Canadian Laker, Traditions, Meet Mt. Pleasant Visitors Guide) in serving as a custom content production house for brands and destinations.

Broad incumbents

• Dotdash Meredith: Large-scale multi-brand digital and print publisher spanning food, home, wellness, finance, and lifestyle verticals. Comparable in the underlying model of monetizing niche audience verticals through advertising and subscriptions, though at far greater scale than SVK.
• Condé Nast: Premium lifestyle magazine publisher (Vogue, GQ, Architectural Digest, Bon Appétit, etc.) operating a portfolio of vertical lifestyle titles with advertising and subscription revenue. Adjacent to SVK's design and lifestyle publishing activities but at significantly higher scale and national reach.
• Golf Digest (Discovery): National golf media brand competing with The Golf Explorer for golf enthusiast audiences and resort advertising dollars. Comparable to SVK's Golf Explorer in subject matter, but operates at significantly larger national scale as part of a broader media portfolio.
• Bonnier Corporation: Large-scale consumer and specialty magazine publisher with titles across outdoor, marine, parenting, and lifestyle verticals. Comparable to SVK in the underlying business of niche consumer magazines but operates with materially greater scale and brand breadth.

Regional players

• The Local Palate: Regional food and travel magazine publisher focused on the American South with print editions and a content site. Comparable to SVK in producing a regionally rooted lifestyle/travel publication that monetizes through advertising, subscriptions, and event partnerships, though operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 SVK Media and Publishing