Hot Rod Magazine Re-Launches with New Design

June 7, 2004 PRIMEDIA Inc., today announced the redesign of its venerable automotive title Hot Rod Magazine, furthering the company's commitment to editorial and visual excellence. With more than 50 years as the leading performance automotive brand, the July 2004 issue hits newsstands on June 8 with a significant upgrade in design and package quality. Hot Rod, which reaches more than seven million readers per month, is the dominant publication for hot rodding enthusiasts and is credited for helping to create the now billion-dollar performance automotive industry more than 50 years ago.

" The opportunity to undertake this re-launch with all of the necessary tools has been tremendous," said Ira Gabriel, publisher of Hot Rod. "PRIMEDIA stepped up with the resources and the talent--from designers to photographers to photo editors--to make significant improvements. This redesign has been a long time coming for our readers and our advertisers alike. We're the #1 performance automotive title in the marketplace, and now we have a product that reflects that position and our history."

The completely redesigned Hot Rod hits newsstands with new perfect-bound packaging, improved paper stock and 32 added pages of editorial content. Inside pages feature more visually striking photography in larger formats coupled with aired-out text and layouts. Additional pages have enabled more editorial breadth, infused with imagery, for the tech, how-to's, testing, product reviews and features that have defined Hot Rod over the years. While the editorial direction and tone of Hot Rod remain, the July issue is bolder, more contemporary and graphically dramatic.

"Hot Rod is a magazine with an incredible legacy," said Editor-In-Chief David Freiburger. "We challenged ourselves to be true to it and to make a magazine that took it to an entirely different level."

The July issue is a testament to the breadth of the Hot Rod brand. In addition to the "Big 3" domestic automotive manufacturers, companies such as eBay, Miller Brewing Co., and P&G recognize the reach of Hot Rod to millions of men with a dedicated passion for all things automotive. With allied properties including Hot Rod TV, www.hotrod.com, events such as the Hot Rod Power Tour, and an array of licensed products including die-cast collectibles and apparel, the Hot Rod brand is not only vibrant but also growing.

"This redesign is an important step in the continuing evolution of Hot Rod," said Steve Parr, president of PRIMEDIA's Performance Automotive Group. "Hot Rod has a significant history not only within automotive publishing but as a cultural icon."