Officials with Johnson Publishing Company announced Tuesday that EBONY Magazine, EBONY.com and JETMag.com have been sold to Austin, Tex.-based ClearView Group for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition places the print and web titles under a new company named Ebony Media. They will continue to publish from their Chicago and New York offices under the new management structure.
“We are excited about the future of Ebony Media and the opportunity to position the enterprise for long term growth. Our team has a true understanding of the Ebony brand as well as its legacy, and is committed to providing its audience with premium content across all media platforms,” said Michael Gibson, CEO of the African American-owned Clear View Group and new chairman of Ebony Media.
With the sale of the company, changes are also taking place in the management structure. Linda Johnson Rice, who had been Chairman of JPC will join the board of the newly formed company as Chairman Emeritus. JPC Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Mayberry McKissack will take over as Ebony Media CEO and Kyra Kyles, who was digital editorial head becomes Editor-in-Chief/SVP Digital Editorial.
Kierna Mayo, who had served as EBONY Magazine Editor-in-Chief, will be leaving the company to pursue new career endeavors.
“This is the next chapter in retaining the legacy that my father, John H. Johnson, built to ensure the celebration of African-Americans,” said Rice.
Founded by publisher John H. Johnson, EBONY Magazine first began printing in 1945, chronicling African American culture, lifestyle and news around the world. Its sister publication JET Magazine debuted in 1951. It became an all-digital publication in 2014.
