Cumulus Expected To Announce Nash Brand Expansion Plans

On Monday, (Feb. 17), Cumulus Media and American Media, Inc. announced a partnership to produce a 16-page section called Nash in AMI’s existing Country Weekly publication, effective in the Monday, Feb. 24 edition.

Lew Dickey said of the agreement, “We are excited to be partnering with AMI as we bring the NASH brand to life in print. We look forward to leveraging both brands to create an unparalleled experience for Country music fans and another important point of engagement for our clients.”

“This agreement is a transforming event for Country Weekly,” said AMI Chairman, President, and CEO David J. Pecker. “Partnering with Cumulus Media and combining their reach and voice with our expertise in print media will deliver an extraordinary consumer experience that is unmatched in the industry.”

Cumulus Media CEO and Chairman Dickey is expected to announce this week a plan to further expand his Nash-FM brand of Country music stations and stretch it across television, print, streaming audio, concerts and more, according to the New York Post. The website states the first step is an expected announcement that Cumulus is buying a 50 percent interest in American Media’s 20-year-old magazine, Country Weekly. The Nashville-based publication will be re-branded as Nash magazine.

The five-point plan for the company, after buying Dial-Global and its NFL, NCAA and Nascar rights last summer, is as follows:

• Form a dedicated Nash channel on digital radio service Rdio, which Cumulus recently purchased a major stake
• Launch a Nash Bash concert series
• Team with a cable channel to form the Nash Network
• Establish a home-goods line including furniture, paint and clothing.
• Explore a partnership with Dick Clark Productions to create a new Country awards show for radio.

According to the NY Post article, Dickey is reaching out to several television content companies which already possess Country-branded assets to explore partnership opportunities.