RentPath

The company, initially called K-III Communications Corporation, was founded in 1989 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Macmillan Inc. president Bill Reilly,{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.foliomag.com/magazine-industry-reacts-death-primedia-founder-bill-reilly/|title=Industry Reacts to Death of Primedia Founder: Charlie McCurdy: O'Reilly 'forever changed the face of specialty publishing.'|first=Jason|last=Fell|date=October 20, 2008|magazine=Folio}} as a platform to buy media properties. Its first acquisitions were Macmillan's Book Clubs, Gryphon Editions (renamed Newbridge Communications), and Intertec Publishing; and Maxwell Communications Corporation's Webb Publishing.{{Cite news | issn=0362-4331 | title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Macmillan and Maxwell Sell Four Units to Kohlberg | work=The New York Times | date=December 2, 1988 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/02/business/the-media-business-macmillan-and-maxwell-sell-four-units-to-kohlberg.html}}

In 1990, K-III acquired Ward's from Thomson Corporation{{Cite news | title=K-III to Buy Automotive Industry Publisher Ward's Communications| work=Associated Press | date=May 7, 1990 | url=https://apnews.com/article/f6516ca230d30191675064b3fbd0e97e}} It also acquired the business publications of Andrews Communications; Readers Garden, operator of special interest book clubs; and Weekly Reader and Funk & Wagnalls from Marshall Field V.{{Cite news | issn=0362-4331 | last=Hicks | first=Jonathan P.| title=COMPANY NEWS; K-III Holdings to Buy Field Assets | work=The New York Times| date=December 22, 1990 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/22/business/company-news-k-iii-holdings-to-buy-field-assets.html}}

In 1991, it acquired nine magazines from News Corporation for $600 million: Daily Racing Form, Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, New York, Seventeen, Premiere, European Travel & Life, Automobile, and New Woman.{{Cite news | title=K-III Bid Wins Murdoch Mags| work=Variety | url=https://variety.com/1991/scene/markets-festivals/k-iii-bid-wins-murdoch-mags-99126319/ |date=1991-04-29}}

In 1992, it acquired medical publisher Krames from Grolier,{{Cite news | issn=0362-4331 | agency=Reuters | title=K-III Buys Publisher | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/19/business/k-iii-buys-publisher.html | work=The New York Times | date=February 19, 1992}} and Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

In 1993, it acquired three magazines from Wiesner, and The World Almanac from E. W. Scripps Company.

In 1994, K-III acquired Stagebill; Gibbs College;{{Cite news | last=Jones | first=Kathryn | title=COMPANY NEWS; Katharine Gibbs Schools Are Sold | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/09/business/company-news-katharine-gibbs-schools-are-sold.html | work=The New York Times | date=March 9, 1994}} Haas Publishing (now Consumer Source Inc.), publisher of Apartment Guide; and PJS Publications.{{Cite news | title=Publishers: Editors: Managing Editors| work=Associated Press | url=https://apnews.com/article/8929e735396f0952000ebbd026c87aa8 | date=December 27, 1994}}

In 1995, the company became a public company via an initial public offering, selling 15 million shares at $12 per share in a deal that left Kohlberg Kravis Roberts with control of 82.2% of the company's shares.{{cite news

| url=https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9E06E7DB1239F934A35753C1A963958260.html | title=K-III's Initial Stock Offering | agency=Reuters | work=The New York Times | date=October 7, 1995}} It also acquired the US trade magazine operations of Maclean-Hunter,{{Cite news | title=CURTAIN UP FOR 'PREMIERE' SALE: WENNER, REED, TIME AND HACHETTE COULD BE INTERESTED| url=https://adage.com/article/btob/study-sites-twitter-share-buttons-gain-social-boost/283689 | work=Advertising Age | date= September 6, 2011}} Chicago from Landmark Media Enterprises, and McMullen & Yee Publishing, a publisher of automotive magazine.

In 1996, the company acquired 14 publications from Cahners Consumer Magazines, Pro Football Weekly,{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-08-fi-22110-story.html | title=MEDIA | work=Los Angeles Times | date=July 8, 1996}} and Westcott Communications,{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/23/business/company-reports-k-iii-to-acquire-westcott-after-twice-raising-its-bid.html | title=COMPANY REPORTS;K-III to Acquire Westcott After Twice Raising Its Bid | first=Geraldine | last=Fabrikant | work=The New York Times | date=April 23, 1996}} later renamed Primedia Workplace Learning.

In 1997, the company acquired Farm Press,{{Cite web | url=https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-press-mirrors-ag-achievement | title=Farm Press mirrors ag achievement | first=Hembree | last=Brandon | work=Farm Press | date=April 5, 2003}} Park Avenue Publishing, publisher of Lowrider,{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-07-fi-20135-story.html | title=Spotlight: McMullen Argus Buys Park Avenue Publishing | work=Los Angeles Times | date=August 7, 1997}} and Intellichoice. It also sold Krames to the Times Mirror Company,{{Cite news| issn=0362-4331| title=Times Mirror to Acquire Unit From K-III | agency=Bloomberg News | work=The New York Times | date=1997-07-23| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/23/business/times-mirror-to-acquire-unit-from-k-iii.html}} sold New Woman to Rodale, Inc., and sold Gibbs College to Career Education Corporation.

As of November 18, 1997, the company changed its name to Primedia to more clearly focus on its core business.{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/01/business/k-iii-s-new-name-to-be-primedia.html | title=K-III's New Name To Be 'Primedia' | agency=Associated Press | work=The New York Times| date=November 1, 1997}}

In 1998, the company acquired the Cowles Enthusiast Media and Cowles Business Media divisions of Cowles Media Company from McClatchy Newspapers.{{cite web|title=McCLATCHY FINDS NEW HOMES FOR COWLES DIVISIONS|publisher= NewsInc|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/McCLATCHY+FINDS+NEW+HOMES+FOR+COWLES+DIVISIONS+Acquisition+costs...-a050305401|accessdate=2012-09-11|date=Jan 19, 1998}} It sold Daily Racing Form to private investors, sold Stagebill to Fred B. Tarter, sold Newbridge Communications to Doubleday Direct,{{Cite news | issn=0362-4331 | last=Carvajal | first=Doreen | title=MEDIA: PUBLISHING; For book clubs, the big increase in sales is coming in smaller niches. | work=The New York Times | date=January 26, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/26/business/media-publishing-for-book-clubs-big-increase-sales-coming-smaller-niches.html}} and acquired Sterling/MacFadden's teen magazines and teen publisher Laufer Publishing.

In 1999, as the company's stock remained moribund,{{cite news|title=KRAVIS PRIMED FOR PRIMEDIA BREAKUP|first=Keith J. |last=Kelly|date=March 21, 1999|url=https://nypost.com/1999/03/21/kravis-primed-for-primedia-breakup/|work=New York Post}} it sold its education unit (Weekly Reader, The World Almanac) to Ripplewood Holdings, acquired Multimedia Publishing,{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/1999/10/11/story3.html | title=Tech wildcatter sells company for $35 million | first=Laura | last=Elder | work=American City Business Journals | date=October 10, 1999}} and sold Better Nutrition, Southwest Art, and Vegetarian Times to Sabot Publishing.{{cite web | url=http://www.desilvaphillips.com/DealProfile.aspx?deal=51881 | title=Deals-Southwest Art|date=May 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201229/http://www.desilvaphillips.com/DealProfile.aspx?deal=51881|archive-date=October 29, 2013|website=Desilva + Phillips|quote=Primedia, Inc. has sold Southwest Art, Inc. to Sabot Publishing, Inc.}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-11-09-9911090309-story.html | title=Alberto Move From Lois A Beauty For Tatham | first=George | last=Lazarus | work=Chicago Tribune | date=November 9, 1999}}

In 2000, the company acquired the digital media company About.com for $690 million.{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/10/30/deals/pri/ | title=Primedia buys About.com | work=CNN | date=October 30, 2000}}

In January 2001, as part of a joint venture, Primedia handed over editorial control of its trade publications that reported on the media industry to Steven Brill.{{cite news|title=Primedia and Brill Media in Joint Venture|date=Jan 5, 2001|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/05/business/primedia-and-brill-media-in-joint-venture.html}} Later that year, the company acquired EMAP's U.S. magazines{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB994019691498154557 | title=Primedia Agrees to Acquire Emap's U.S. Magazine Assets | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=July 2, 2001}} and closed Country Journal. In October 2001, Primedia dissolved its partnership with Brill.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/16/business/brill-s-content-closes-web-site-insidecom-is-cut-back.html |title=Brill's Content Closes; Web Site, Inside.com, Is Cut Back |first=Felicity |last=Barringer |work=The New York Times |date=16 October 2001 |access-date=19 August 2020}}

In 2002, the company sold Modern Bride to Condé Nast Publications,{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1011051092296655920 | title=Conde Nast to Buy Modern Bride From Primedia for $52 Million | first=Matthew | last=Rose | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=January 14, 2002}} sold Pro Football Weekly to Arkush family, sold Chicago to Tribune Company, and sold American Baby to Meredith Corporation.

In 2003, the company sold Volleyball, Teddy Bear and Friends and Doll Reader to Ashton International Media,{{Cite web | url=https://www.jegi.com/transactions/2002/ | title=Transactions - JEGI from 2002 | access-date=2020-11-27 | archive-date=2016-03-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315225141/http://www.jegi.com/transactions/2002/ | url-status=dead }} sold Seventeen to Hearst Corporation for $182.4 million,{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10512075664185300 | title=Primedia to Sell Seventeen To Hearst for $182.4 Million | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=April 24, 2003}} sold New York to Bruce Wasserstein for $55 million,{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB107161014035529200 | title=Wasserstein Wins Primedia Auction To Buy New York | first1=Matthew | last1=Rose | first2=Robert | last2=Frank | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=December 17, 2003}} sold Tiger Beat and Bop to Laufer Media, sold Kitplanes to Belvoir Publications,{{cite web | url=https://www.avweb.com/briefs/kitplanes-joins-avweb-under-belvoir/ | title=KITPLANES Joins AVweb Under Belvoir | first=Glenn | last=Pew | date=October 5, 2003}} and sold Simba Information to R.R. Bowker.{{cite news | url=http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/News/News-Item/R.R.-Bowker-Acquires-Simba-Information--5509.htm | title=R.R. Bowker Acquires Simba Information | date=September 23, 2003}}

In 2004, the company sold Folio and Circulation Management to a joint venture with Red 7 Media.{{cite news | url=https://nypost.com/2004/08/13/primedia-offloads-2-trades/ | title=PRIMEDIA OFFLOADS 2 TRADES | first=Keith J. | last=Kelly | work=New York Post | date=August 13, 2004}}

In 2005, the company sold About.com to The New York Times Company for $410 million,{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/18/business/media/the-times-company-acquires-aboutcom-for-410-million.html | title=The Times Company Acquires About.com for $410 Million | work=The New York Times | date=February 18, 2005}} sold Prism Business Media (ex-Intertec) to private investors Wasserstein & Co. (later merged with Penton Media), and sold Ward's to Prism Business Media.{{Cite web| title=PRIMEDIA's Wards Automotive Magazines Sold to Prism Media | url=https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/12/22/187803.html | date=December 22, 2005}}

In 2006, the company was publishing over 280 separate magazine titles.{{cite web|title=Climbing and C&K Unaffected By Primedia Challenges|date=Apr 5, 2006|website=Outside Business Journal|url=https://www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/brands/climbing-and-ck-unaffected-by-primedia-challenges/}} That year, it sold history magazines to Weider History Group,{{cite news | url=http://armchairgeneral.com/weider-purchases-history-magazines-from-primedia.htm | title=Weider Purchases History Magazines From Primedia | date=February 28, 2006}} sold Crafts Group to Sandler Capital Management for $132 million,{{Cite news | title=BREAKING NEWS: Primedia To Sell Crafts Group for $132 Million | url=https://www.foliomag.com/breaking-news-primedia-sell-crafts-group-132-million/ | first=Marrecca | last=Fiore | work=Folio | date=June 16, 2006}} and sold Outdoor Group to InterMedia Partners{{Cite web | title=Primedia To Sell Outdoor Group | url=https://www.foliomag.com/primedia-sell-outdoor-group/ | work=Folio | date=December 7, 2006}}

In 2007, the company sold a group of 17 outdoor-oriented magazines to InterMedia Outdoors for $170 million in cash, in a deal that included Guns & Ammo and Fly Fisherman. It also sold its Enthusiast Media division to Source Interlink, controlled by Ronald Burkle, in a deal that netted Primedia $1.15 billion in cash in exchange for a group of more than 70 magazines, including Motor Trend and Soap Opera Digest and 90 consumer websites. The deal left Primedia to focus on a series of free print and online consumer guides published by its Consumer Source unit.{{cite news |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2007-05-15-0705140269-story.html |title=Billionaire Burkle to buy Primedia | first=Leon | last=Lazaroff | agency=Bloomberg News | publisher=The Sun Sentinel | date=May 15, 2007}}{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/business/media/15mag.html | title=Magazine Publisher Is Selling Special-Interest Unit for $1.15 Billion | agency=Reuters | work=The New York Times | date=May 15, 2007}} It also sold Gems group to Interweave,{{Cite news | url=https://www.foliomag.com/interweave-press-buys-primedias-gems-group-posted-9-5/ | title=Interweave Press Buys Primedia's Gems Group | work=Folio | first=Matt | last=Kinsman | date=September 5, 2006}} sold Climbing to Skram Media,{{cite news | url=https://www.foliomag.com/primedia-unclips-climbing/ | title=Primedia Unclips Climbing | first=Bill | last=Mickey | work=Folio | date=January 5, 2007}} sold Films for the Humanities & Sciences to Infobase Publishing,{{Cite web | title=Infobase Buys Films Media Group | work=Library Journal | url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=infobase-buys-films-media-group | date=June 28, 2007}} and sold Channel One News to Alloy Media and Marketing.

In 2008, the company sold South Florida Auto Guide and Wisconsin Auto Guide to Target Media Partners and closed Atlanta Auto Guide.

In 2009, the company closed Today's Custom Home.

In 2011, TPG Capital bought Primedia for $525 million,{{cite news | title=After 22 Years — 22 Years! — K.K.R. Is Exiting Primedia | first=Peter | last=Lattman | url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/05/16/after-22-years-22-years-k-k-r-is-exiting-primedia/ | work=The New York Times |date=May 16, 2011}} taking the company private and delisting it from the New York Stock Exchange. In 2012, Primedia acquired rent.com from eBay.{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120322006615/en/PRIMEDIA-Acquire-Rent.com-eBay | title=PRIMEDIA to Acquire Rent.com from eBay Inc. | publisher=Business Wire | date=March 22, 2012}}{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/03/22/ebay-sells-off-real-estate-listings-site-rent-com-to-primedia/ | title=eBay Sells Off Real Estate Listings Site Rent.com To Primedia | first=Leena | last=Rao | work=TechCrunch | date=March 22, 2012}}

In 2013, the company changed its name to RentPath. In 2014 it acquired Lovely for $13 million.{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/02/tpgs-rentpath-buys-lovely-for-13m-to-expand-from-property-search-into-full-rental-services/ | title=TPG's RentPath Buys Lovely For $13M To Expand From property search into full rental services | first=Ingrid | last=Lunden | work=TechCrunch | date=April 2, 2014}}

In 2014, Providence Equity Partners LLC acquired 50% of the company.{{cite news

| url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2014/10/22/providence-equity-tpg-become-equal-partners-in.html | title=Providence Equity, TPG become equal partners in RentPath | first=Phil W. | last=Hudson | work=American City Business Journals | date=October 22, 2014}}

In July 2015, former CEO of Autotrader.com, Chip Perry, was named president and CEO of RentPath. He succeeded Charles Stubbs, who remained on the RentPath board of directors.{{cite web | title=Former AutoTrader CEO Chip Perry named RentPath CEO | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2015/07/13/former-autotrader-ceo-chip-perry-named-rentpath.html | work=American City Business Journals | date=July 13, 2015}} In November 2015, Chip Perry stepped down as president and CEO of RentPath, to take over as CEO of TrueCar.{{Cite news | url=https://www.autonews.com/article/20151123/OEM02/151129953/chip-perry-truecar-s-new-ceo-seeks-to-rebuild-dealers-trust | title=Chip Perry, TrueCar's new CEO, seeks to rebuild dealers' trust | first=DAVID | last=UNDERCOFFLER | work=Automotive News | date=November 23, 2015}}

RentPath named Marc P. Lefar as President and CEO on April 4, 2016.{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rentpath-names-marc-lefar-as-president-and-chief-executive-officer-300245613.html | title=RentPath Names Marc Lefar as President and Chief Executive Officer | publisher=PR Newswire | date=April 4, 2016}}

In February 2020, RentPath filed bankruptcy in preparation for acquisition by CoStar, which reached an agreement to acquire RentPath for $588 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2020/02/12/atlanta-based-rentpath-files-chapter-11-agrees-to.html | title=Atlanta-based RentPath files Chapter 11, agrees to be bought by CoStar for $588M | first=Jessica | last=Saunders | work=American City Business Journals | date=February 12, 2020}} On December 29, 2020, new CEO Dhiren Fonseca{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Joe|title=Executive Team Members|url=https://www.rentpath.com/blog/team-showcase/exc/|access-date=2021-05-12|website=RentPath|language=en-US}} terminated RentPath's agreement to be acquired by CoStar.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-29|title=RentPath terminates agreement to be acquired by CoStar Group|url=https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/lifestyle-residential-real-estate-housing-rental-3e3bf6c3cc6699015e2393ddf2fee44d|access-date=2021-05-12|website=AP NEWS}}

On April 5, 2021, RentPath was acquired by Redfin for $608 million.{{Cite web|title=Redfin Completes Acquisition of RentPath for $608 Million {{!}} Redfin Press Center|url=https://press.redfin.com/news-releases/news-release-details/redfin-completes-acquisition-rentpath-608-million/|access-date=2021-05-12|website=press.redfin.com|language=en}} RentPath rental home listings were to be integrated into Redfin.com by 2022. RentPath's headquarters remain in Atlanta and Fonseca remains in his role as CEO while the new owners seek a new permanent head.

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Folio (1998–2004)
• Modern Bride
• Weekly Reader (1990–1999)

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Bike Magazine
• Bodyboarding Magazine
• Box Inline Skate Magazine
• Canoe & Kayak Magazine
• Climbing (TK–2007)
• Fly Fisherman
• Guns & Ammo (2001–2007)
• Powder Magazine
• Pro Football Weekly (1996–2002)
• Sail Magazine
• Skateboarder (2001–2007)
• Slam (2001–2007)
• Snowboarder Magazine (2001–2007)
• Surfer (2001–2007)
• Surfing Magazine (2001–2007)
• Volleyball

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine
• Atlanta Auto Guide
• Automobile (1991–2007)
• Car Craft
• Dirt Rider
• Four Wheeler
• Hot Bike
• Hot Rod (2001–2007)
• Jp
• Lowrider (1999–2007)
• Mini Truckin Magazine
• Modified Magazine
• Mopar Muscle Magazine
• Motorcyclist
• Motor Trend
• Mustang Monthly
• Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road
• Power & Motoryacht
• Project Car Tuner Magazine
• South Florida Auto Guide
• Sport Compact Car
• Sport Truck
• Super Street
• Truckin' Magazine (1995–2007)
• Truck Trend
• Wisconsin Auto Guide

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Premiere (1991–1995)
• Soap Opera Digest (1991–2007)
• Soap Opera Weekly (1991–2007)
• Stagebill (1994–1998)

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Doll Reader (1998–2002){{cite magazine|title=Dumb and Dumber|date=Nov 10, 2003|magazine=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2003/1110/062.html?sh=5132ec9962a5}}
• Home Theater
• Kitplanes
• Southwest Art
• Stereophile (2001–2007)
• Teddy Bear and Friends

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Arabian Horse World
• Daily Racing Form
• Dressage Today
• EQUUS (1998–2007)
• Horse & Rider
• Practical Horseman (1998–2007)

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Chicago (1995–2002)
• Country Journal (1998–2001)
• European Travel & Life
• New Woman (1991–1997){{cite news|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; After a redesign and editorial changes, Rodale Press promotes a new New Woman magazine|first=Jane L.|last=Levere|date=Aug 12, 1999|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/12/business/media-business-advertising-after-redesign-editorial-changes-rodale-press.html}}{{cite news|title=NEW WOMAN FOLDS: RODALE PULLS PLUG AFTER 2 YRS., $40M|first=Keith J.|last=Kelly|date=December 9, 1999|work=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/1999/12/09/new-woman-folds-rodale-pulls-plug-after-2-yrs-40m/}}
• New York (1991–2003)
• Today's Custom Home

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Bop (1998–2003)
• Seventeen (1991–2003)
• Teen (2000–2002){{cite news|title=Primedia to Shut Down Teen Magazine|author=Bloomberg News|author-link= Bloomberg News|date=March 2, 2002|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/02/business/primedia-to-shut-down-teen-magazine.html|work=The New York Times}}
• Tiger Beat (1998–2003)

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Better Nutrition
• Vegetarian Times (1997–1999)

}}

{{reflist}}

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Category:Magazine publishing companies of the United States

Category:Private equity portfolio companies

Category:Kohlberg Kravis Roberts companies

Category:Publishing companies established in 1989

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020

Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions