Boulder, CO (February 27, 2018) – Active Interest Media (AIM, aimmedia.com) today announced a set of promotions and hires that bring innovative, industry-respected talent to its Outdoor, Healthy Living, and Human Resources teams. The key moves include: JoAnn Thomas has been named VP, People & Places; Sharon Houghton has been promoted to Managing Director, Outdoor Group; and Andy Amill joins the company as VP Managing Director, Healthy Living Group.
One of AIM’s first employees, JoAnn Thomas is taking on the new role of VP, People & Places, in which she will be responsible for traditional human resources activities as well as AIM’s ongoing training programs and facilities. “Several years ago, JoAnn saw a need for a more comprehensive suite of employee education and retention programs,” says AIM CEO and President Andy Clurman. “The company was rapidly growing, with lines of business that required new skills and mindsets. She took the initiative to advance her own HR training, becoming certified as a SPHR, and launched new evaluative tools, standardized many of our procedures, and established a mentoring program that has been wildly popular with employees.”
“Sharon Houghton started at AIM as a regional salesperson in 2011, and she’s driven stellar results as she’s risen through the ranks to become Group Publisher of Backpacker, Climbing, SNEWS, and OR Daily,” says Jonathan Dorn, Chief Innovation Officer. “Her thought leadership, boundless determination, and aptitude for new-media business development make her the ideal candidate for the larger Managing Director role, where she will also oversee our National Park Trips and Outdoor Guide brands, as well as editorial and consumer products group-wide.”
Joining AIM as VP Managing Director of our Healthy Living Group is Andy Amill, who will oversee a diverse set of brands including Yoga Journal, Better Nutrition, Clean Eating, Amazing Wellness, Muscle & Performance, and a thriving online education business known as AIM Healthy U. “Andy is a powerhouse market-maker with deep experience, knowledge, and networks in the food and fitness categories,” says Clurman. A senior sales executive who has led teams at Hearst, Conde Nast, Wenner Media, Weight Watchers, and Meredith, Amill conceived and launched the Weight Watchers Media Group, a multi-channel health/wellness platform. More recently, he served as publisher of Eating Well, where he delivered record growth and helped to position the brand as a leader in the healthy food space. In 2016, Eating Well received Advertising Age Magazine of the Year recognition. Amill is also a MIN Advertising Hall of Fame inductee.
About Active Interest Media, Inc.
One of the world’s largest enthusiast media companies, Active Interest Media (aimmedia.com) produces leading consumer and trade events, websites, magazines, and films and TV shows that reach 40 million readers, fans, and attendees in 85 countries. AIM produces the World Series of Team Roping, the second-richest equestrian competition in the world. Our brands include Yoga Journal, Backpacker, SKI, Anglers Journal, Yachts International, Sail, Power & Motoryacht, Practical Horseman, Dressage Today, Horse & Rider, Oxygen, Clean Eating, Log Home Living, Old House Journal, Woodsmith, Garden Gate, and more. The company’s five divisions—the Equine Network, Home Group, Healthy Living Group, Marine Group, and Outdoor Group—also operate thriving B2B platforms, online universities, and retail events. Core competencies include lead generation (through our Qualified Buyer Program), marketing services (through our in-house agency, Catapult Creative Labs), and video production; Warren Miller Entertainment is the most successful adventure-film company in history, and AIM Studios is a 15-person unit dedicated to digital video. Active Interest Media’s customers are smart, engaged, and loyal, and they look to our brands for trustworthy information and services that will inspire and enable them to enjoy their passions.
Media inquiries: Active Interest Media
Jonathan Dorn (303) 253-6464
jdorn@aimmedia.com