NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Len Burnett and Brett Wright of Uptown Ventures Group, the parent company of Uptown Magazine, today announced the formation of U Brands and the acquisition of Hype Hair Magazine, the leading consumer magazine and brand for African American women’s hair care.
U Brands is a multimedia company with a focus on acquiring and licensing underdeveloped niche brands that target underserved audiences. Hype Hair is the first acquisition since Uptown Magazine was reacquired from its former private equity partners. All of Hype Hair’s staff will remain in place, including long time Publisher Steve Gross and Editor-in-Chief Adrienne Moore.
The first addition to the existing brand will be new digital, mobile and social platforms that will launch by the end of 2013. The goal is to aggregate fragmented African American hair care content platforms and deliver new technologies to consumers and advertisers.
"We are thrilled to create exciting new integrated opportunities for advertisers to reach this audience utilizing print, digital, social media and event based marketing,” said Len Burnett, Co-CEO. “Hype Hair has a tremendous relationship with its readers. Advertising in credible, well-targeted magazines is the cornerstone of an effective integrated media campaign."
Hype Hair celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and will be one of the cornerstones of U Brands growing media presence. U Brands will leverage its internal capabilities in publishing, digital, experiential, licensing and sales expertise to add value to acquired brands as well as create immediate efficiencies.
“As traditional media continues to feel pressure to evolve its business acuity, valuable assets are underperforming,” said Brett Wright, Chief Creative Officer. “We see this as an opportunity to transform brands that have considerable equity and audience into more diverse products with more dynamic P&L's.”
About Uptown Ventures
Founded in 2004, UPTOWN celebrates its 10th anniversary as the only luxury lifestyle brand that targets the Affluent African American (AAA) Market. UPTOWN Magazine affords luxury purveyors the broadest access to this highly sought-after demographic. Uptown Ventures Group offers both traditional and innovative strategies across multiple platforms including UPTOWN Magazine (published bi-monthly with NYC, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, Charlotte and National editions), Uptownmagazine.com, Uptown Social Newsletter and Uptown's signature events and marketing.
