Challenge Publications hires new bicycling group associate publisher

New editors swell ranks of MOUNTAIN BIKING, FLOW and ROAD BIKING magazines.

LOS ANGELES—September 3, 2003—Challenge President and Publisher Ed Schnepf announced the appointment of Tim Baudler as associate publisher of its cycling group.

“Tim brings with him a rich marketing background, including a degree in advertising and experience at Better Homes & Gardens magazine, AOL/Time Warner Publications and Weider Publications, plus his current and vast knowledge of the fitness and sporting goods industries while serving as Western Regional Manager at Lifetime Fitness, Inc.,” Schnepf said.

“During his professional career, Tim has been known for his ability to learn and understand his business partners. He is exceptionally customer-focused and I am confident the industry will thoroughly enjoy Tim’s “no-nonsense” and long-term way of conducting and building business relationships. We are very pleased to have a man of Tim’s caliber join our elite team of advertising and merchandising specialists,” Schnepf said.

As associate publisher, Baudler will be the contact person for the advertising and media needs of Challenge’s bicycle industry customers. He can be reached at (818) 700-6868 Ext. 125 or email (tbaudler @ challengeweb.com).

Schnepf also announced several new editors in the bicycle group. “We’re building a unique team of contributing, associate and regional editors, each of whom bring well-honed skills and editorial maturity to the audiences of our magazines,” Schnepf said. He added that his aspiration is to field an unbeatable team of photographers and journalists who will make Challenge the number one publisher of niche biking periodicals in the world.

Alan Davis (adavis @ challengeweb.com) has been named editor of MOUNTAIN BIKING magazine. A life-long bike fanatic, the former aerospace engineer and University of California, Irvine graduate has refocused his talents on photography, publishing and the bicycle industry.

Assisting Davis is former MOUNTAIN BIKING editor Dave Alden, who now lives in Salem, MA and is team manager for Crank Racing and is a USA Cycling Expert Coach.

Phoenix based Steve Medcroft joined Challenge as a feature editor and contributor and has been published in cycling industry publications such as Velo News and Mountain Bike magazine.

Chris Firth is an East Coast-based photojournalist who learned the ropes of the publishing and bicycling industries while serving as assistant editor for Mountain Bike Action and as a team rider for Iron Horse and Spooky cycles.

Charles Pickett signed on as managing editor and publishing consultant for the bicycling group. Pickett gives Challenge the benefits of his 19 years of publishing experience in publications ranging from the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Associated Press and MOUNTAIN BIKING magazine.

About Challenge Publications, Inc.
Founded in 1963, Challenge Publications, Inc, (www.challengeweb.com) is a closely-held California corporation located in Chatsworth. With eight internationally distributed titles, Challenge is a leader in the biking, hobby, aviation and military history publishing fields.

Press Contacts:
Ed Schnepf
(818) 700-6868 x-117