RRM acquires Cruise Trade News and Cruise Ports & Destinations

Keith Ellis, owner and publisher of a group of magazines dedicated to the cruise industry, and focussed on readers in the travel trade, has sold his portfolio to the owners of consumer magazine World of Cruising.

He said today: “I am delighted to announce that Cruise Trade News, together with its partner publication Cruise Ports & Destinations, and the annual Cruise Trade News ocean and river preview publications, have been acquired by Real Response Media (RRM).

“There are ambitious plans to develop all the titles, with expanded trade and industry distribution, increased pagination in order to carry more editorial content, and an integrated online presence.”

Additional editorial staff and a strong marketing and sales team are ready to lead the magazines into 2015 and a promising future.

Chris Pitchford, managing director of RRM, added: “I am very excited with this unique opportunity to develop and expand these respected brands. The team is already in place to deliver products that the cruise industry merits at a time of continued growth and exciting developments.

“For the first time, the UK cruise business will be served by a dedicated, integrated media group, in print and online, covering all aspects of cruise topics for the trade, industry, and consumer. And there’s more to come. We plan to announce further developments within the next few weeks.

“I am pleased that Keith has agreed to remain with the business as a consultant and Publisher of both titles and that he will continue to play an integral part in the future of the publications he has created and developed.”

RRM acquired World of Cruising magazine in August 2013 and have since embarked on a comprehensive development programme. The publication’s circulation was certified at 19,147 by the ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations) in September 2014. It is the only cruise magazine with an audited circulation.