MAG Media Group (MMG), a division of Motorsport Aftermarket Group, has announced an organizational realignment between two of its motorcycle publications — Cycle News and Motorcycle USA. Designed to consolidate management and more effectively reach a larger audience, the strategic repositioning becomes effective immediately.
Paul Carruthers, the longtime editor of Cycle News, has been promoted to the position of editorial director for the Media Group. In his new role, he will be responsible for setting the editorial direction and maintaining the editorial integrity of both Cycle News and Motorcycle USA.
“Carruthers’ leadership and industry experience make him the perfect candidate to elevate the editorial quality and professionalism of both publications across all mediums,” said MAG Media Group President Don Becklin.
Added Carruthers, “I’m looking forward to my new role within the MAG Media Group. We have two solid teams in place with both entities and I’m excited to see the progress we will make as we continue collaborating.”
In a related move, motorcycle publication veteran Sean Finley will assume the role of general manager/advertising director of MMG via his company, Digital Throttle. Finley has been the general manager of Cycle News for the past two and a half years. Prior to that, he served as the motorcycle group publisher at Source Interlink, parent company of Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider, Hot Bike, ATV Rider and Sport Rider magazines.
“[Finley’s] extensive experience in the motorcycle publishing industry and his digital advertising expertise will prove invaluable within the MAG Media Group,” said Becklin.
Added Finley, “The MAG Media staff has been great to work with as we recently relaunched the Cycle News website. Motorcycle USA is the largest powersports site in the market, so I am excited about building on the opportunities that we can provide to our advertisers and readers.”
Motorcycle USA’s Ken Hutchison assumes the position of director of marketing & business development for MMG. Hutchison’s innovative approach and original thinking will allow him to develop new ways to drive the popularity of Cycle News and Motorcycle USA.
“Cycle News and Motorcycle USA are going through a renaissance right now and I am excited to lead the charge developing new ways to reach our readers, entertain our fans and provide more value for our allies within the powersports industry,” he said.
Combining the reach and editorial diversity of Motorcycle USA and Cycle News will provide advertisers the opportunity to reach targeted audiences in creative ways across multiple digital platforms, according to the company.
“Since we announced the formation of the Media Group under the MAG umbrella, I’ve been looking forward to finding the right leaders to create a unique media platform starting with Cycle News and Motorcycle USA,” said Becklin. “I’m extremely pleased that Paul, Sean and Ken have accepted the challenge to develop these great publications into something even more valuable for our readers, advertisers and industry partners.”
