Publisher buys Editor & Publisher

Irvine-based magazine and newspaper publisher Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. has acquired New York’s Editor & Publisher magazine.

The purchase from the Nielsen Co., which was finalized Thursday evening, saved the 126-year-old leading trade publication in the newspaper and publishing industry from perishing.

“There’s a greater need for magazines like Editor & Publisher than there has ever been,” Duncan McIntosh said. “If you can find what practices are working best for newspapers and magazines, if you can provide a platform where this can be shared, then you helped the whole industry.”

The Newport Beach resident and longtime organizer of the Newport Boat Show said his vision for the magazine is to write about the best practices and provide the types of editions that will help some newspapers survive.

McIntosh, publisher of boating and fishing magazines and newspapers in Southern California, said he took the most senior person at E&P; and made him the editor. Mark Fitzgerald, a 26-year veteran journalist, will manage the editorial portion of the magazine out of Chicago, where he lives.

McIntosh said he has been a longtime subscriber and a fan of E&P;, adding that the magazine has an important role to be fulfilled.

In December, Nielsen announced it would close E&P;’s online and print version. According to an article published by E&P;, Nielsen forged a deal with media and entertainment groups, but left E&P; out of the transaction.

“They are changing the direction of their company,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh’s purchase came two weeks after Nielsen announced it would close the publication. McIntosh would not disclose the amount he spent, saying he signed a confidential agreement.

“We are just going to do our best,” McIntosh said.