PRIMEDIA and BestStuff.Com Launch Best, a New Magazine 'Guide to Buying and Enjoying Life's Best Stuff'

PRIMEDIA and BestStuff.Com Launch Best, a New Magazine 'Guide to Buying and Enjoying Life's Best Stuff'

PRIMEDIA and BestStuff.Com Launch Best, a New Magazine 'Guide to Buying and Enjoying Life's Best Stuff' Best Magazine Features Mark Cuban on Cover, Mick Fleetwood as Contributing Editor; New Upscale Shopping Magazine to Hit Newsstands November 6th

NEW YORK, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Technology & Photography Group (HT&P) of PRIMEDIA, Inc. and Web site BestStuff.com , announced today the launch of Best, a shopping magazine focused on the products and experiences that embrace an upscale lifestyle. Best, which hits newsstands on Thursday, November 6 at a $3.99 cover price, is an "aspirational" magazine which offers features ranging from the selection and use of home theaters and high-end audio and video systems, to digital photography, computers and video imaging products, as well as the finest in automobiles and ultimate travel suggestions.

The premiere issue of Best features Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise and CEO of HDNet, a leading provider of HDTV satellite programming, on the cover. According to a recent Consumer Electronics Association survey, nine million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months, and another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

Mick Fleetwood, drummer and founder of the rock supergroup Fleetwood Mac, serves as guest contributing editor for the launch issue, offering his picks for high-tech gadgets.

"Best magazine is that close friend, that trusted advisor who knows what's good in life and how to get it. For smart, successful, tech-aggressive consumers who want to 'have it all' - without burying themselves in exhaustive lab reports - Best is the essential guide to learning about and buying the best products the market has to offer," said Irwin Kornfeld, vice president and group publisher of PRIMEDIA's HT&P Group. "The magazine complements readers' purchasing research, both on the Web and in retail stores. Premiere issue cover subject Mark Cuban is a hero of the Best reader and Mick Fleetwood, music industry icon and one of the more tech-savvy celebrities, is an exemplar to those who want the 'best stuff in life.'"

Best's editorial and promotional partnership with BestStuff.com, a leading source of consumer information, will provide the magazine its roster of contributing editors-industry experts in their specific fields-and will help to promote the magazine. John Kelley, BestStuff.com's editor, servers as Best's editor-in-chief, and John Lentz, founder of BestStuff.com, is the magazine's publishing director.

"Best appears at a time when the technology and consumer electronics market is rebounding, and at a time when next-generation products are flooding store shelves," said John Lentz. "The buyers for these top-quality products are the same people who favor premium cars, travel extensively and exclusively, and want all the best tools for living."

"Best captures an elusive segment of the market: the sophisticated, affluent male shopper," said Dan Aks, chief operating officer of PRIMEDIA's Consumer Magazine Group. "Best is an umbrella for PRIMEDIA Home Technology & Photography Group's specialty audio, video and photography titles, and at the same time guides our readers in new directions."

About Best

As the premier "guide to buying life's best stuff," Best is a unique consumer buying resource that targets readers interested in acquiring the finest products and experiences in life. Best was launched in 2003 and is published by the Home Technology & Photography (HT&P) Group of PRIMEDIA, Inc., the leading targeted media company.

About PRIMEDIA's Home Technology & Photography Group

PRIMEDIA's Home Technology & Photography Group is represented by a portfolio of eight entertainment technology magazines that reach more than three million smart, affluent tech-aggressive enthusiasts. Home Theater, Stereophile, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Audio Video Interiors, Shutterbug, Peterson's PHOTOgraphic, eDigitalPhoto, and its newest addition, Best, are read by consumers who share a passion for fine sound, imagery and the technology that enables its enjoyment. They appreciate the "best" environments and experiences life has to offer.

About PRIMEDIA

PRIMEDIA is the leading targeted media company in the United States, with positions in consumer and business-to-business markets. PRIMEDIA properties deliver content via print as well as video, the Internet and live events and offer highly effective advertising and marketing solutions in some of the most sought after niche markets. With 2002 sales from continuing businesses of $1.5 billion, PRIMEDIA is the #1 special interest magazine publisher in the U.S. with more than 250 titles. The company's well-known brands include Motor Trend, Automobile, New York, Fly Fisherman, Power & Motoryacht, Creating Keepsakes, Ward's Auto World, and Registered Rep. The company is also the #1 publisher and distributor of free consumer guides, including Apartment Guides. PRIMEDIA Television's leading brand is the Channel One Network and About.com is one of the largest sources of original content on the Internet. PRIMEDIA's stock symbol is NYSE: PRM.

Best magazine

Premiere Issue Highlights

November, 2003

Cover Story "Rebel, Rebel: An Interview with Mark Cuban," by Mike Espindle, page 32 Dot.com success story, NBA owner and avowed technophile Mark Cuban takes on HDTV as his next make-it-or-break-it challenge. In true entrepreneurial style, his move into the arena seems to be in the right place and at the right time, but, like his other endeavors, will it take a little luck to take him to the top?