Another big acquisition is in the works in the publishing industry. Last week Hearst announced that it would add Rodale Inc.’s magazine and book publishing businesses to its expansive portfolio of 360 companies. Rodale, who owns well-known health and wellness publications including Men’s Health, Women’s, Runner’s World and Prevention, publishes 93 editions of its magazines in 64 countries. Neither company disclosed terms of the sale. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, assuming regulatory approval.

In addition to Rodale’s magazine business, Hearst will also buy Rodale’s book line which includes books like An Inconvenient Truth by former vice president Al Gore, Onward by Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Asprey, and popular series including Thug Kitchen, Wheat Belly and The South Beach Diet.

‘Maria Rodale has grown her family’s business into a peerless authority that reaches an enormous audience. Hearst and Rodale are already publishing partners around the world, including the U.K., the Netherlands and Japan, and we’ve seen first-hand how the content resonates,’ said David Carey, Hearst Magazines president, in a press release.

‘We are pleased to add them and all of Rodale’s brands to our vibrant and varied global portfolio, providing readers with dependable information and offering marketers unbeatable scale and a trustworthy environment in the increasingly important health and wellness space,’ Carey added.

Maria Rodale, CEO of Rodale, also commented on the deal:

‘We have a long-standing respect for Hearst’s commitment to connecting consumers with imaginative, engaging content across an ever-diversifying choice of platforms, technologies and experiences around the world. We believe our exceptional brands, businesses and employees will thrive in this culture of innovation and we are confident that Hearst’s stewardship will continue to grow the passionate and purpose-driven communities that Rodale has built over the past 70 years,’ said Rodale.

Once the deal is completed, Rodale’s content businesses which stretch across multiple platforms, will be managed by Hearst Magazines, which publishes titles like Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Car and Driver. With 20 U.S. titles and total paid circulation of close to 30 million, Hearst says it is the largest publisher of monthly magazines. It publishes 300 editions and 200 websites around the world.

Hearst also owns newspapers including the Houston Chronicle, the San Francisco Chronicle and Albany Times Union, along with 30 television stations and major interests in cable networks like A&E, History, Lifetime and ESPN.

The deal does not come as a surprise. In June, Rodale announced that it was exploring strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of assets, for sustainability of the 87-year-old, privately-held company. The sale of Rodale’s publishing businesses is part of the company’s larger plans to reorganize to unify processes, streamline staff and to take advantage of efficiencies and innovation for long-term growth.

‘We believe that Rodale’s brands can continue to expand and deepen their connectivity with consumers across all platforms through targeted investment and expertise in leading edge technology, brand-building, and commercialization,’ Rodale said in June. ‘We are excited to explore opportunities for potential buyers of our business who can build on the strong foundation of our commitment to inspiring health, healing, happiness and love by enhancing core capabilities and resources for our brands.’

Insider Take:

This acquisition is another example of struggling publishers who are right-sizing to streamline their operations and successful media companies looking to further grow their empires by acquiring complementary companies. Once this deal closes, Hearst will publish close to 400 magazine editions around the world.

Last month we reported on a similar vision for Time Inc. – selling magazine assets to cut costs and streamline operations. Among those on the chopping block are Essence, Sunset, Coastal Living and Golf. Time Inc. is also reducing the circulation and frequency of some of its magazines, including People en Español, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, Money and Entertainment Weekly.