The North East publishing company behind the first-ever mixed martial arts magazine is going global with investment of more than £1m.
Fighters Only, part of the Gateshead based i2Media Group of companies, launched its first magazine 14 years ago and has since expanded on the back of the explosion in the sport’s popularity to publish publications in the likes of the US, the Middle East, Ireland, Canada, South Africa and Germany.
Now i2Media Group has secured a seven-figure investment from London-based Carlton James’ Diversified Alpha Fund, to establish new international distribution agreements with key partners in developing markets where the MMA and fitness industries are beginning to boom, including China, India, Eastern Europe and Australia.
It also plans to expand its overall digital presence and six new jobs have so far been created by the expansion plans, with more expected to follow.
Rob Hewitt, founder and group chief executive at i2Media Group, said: “Having trained in mixed martial arts from its earliest days as a sport in the 海角视频, I had an inside view of how the MMA and fitness industries were evolving and started the business to capitalise on the phenomenal levels of interest and exposure that they now attract.
“Fighting and fitness have always gone hand in hand, so expanding our content and service delivery to help those wishing to live longer, healthier lives was a natural development.
“With global enthusiasm for mixed martial arts and health and wellness building quickly in the new global markets that we’re targeting, we are only going to become more resonant with the huge target audiences therein.
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“As pioneers in MMA promotion, we are building our awards show to create greater global awareness of the accomplishments of everyone involved via increased broadcast reach in domestic and international markets.
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“We will now continue to innovate in the way we publish and distribute our content across diverse forms of media platforms in order to build the most loyal communities of people based on authority and trust.”
The group, which has offices in the US as well as Gateshead, moved into the health and fitness arena with Train Magazine in 2011, followed by Train For Her two years later.
Over the years it has also developed iPad and Kindle versions of its magazines, digital applications and successful ranges of branded clothing, leisurewear and technical equipment.
The group’s print, digital and social content is now read by millions of combat sports fans and health and fitness fanatics every month.
Mr Hewitt is also responsible for establishing the Fighters Only World MMA Awards, an annual event held in Las Vegas which is televised live on US TV networks and watched by over 11 million people. The show is attended by the stars of the MMA industry as well as celebrity fans, with this year’s event featuring hosted Dolph Lundgren, the well known action movie star and lifelong martial artist.
Simon Johnson of Loggia Capital Partners acted as investment lead manager on behalf of the Carlton James DAF Fund and Gosforth-based RMT Accountants & Business Advisors worked with the i2Media management team to carry out the due diligence and business planning work.
Mr Johnson said: “i2Media Group has made use of various regional funding programmes over the years and has established itself as a worthy investee capable of delivering good quality returns for its investors.”
Michael Cantwell, head of corporate finance at RMT Accountants, added: “i2Media is a North East business that is punching well above its weight on the international stage and now has the resources it needs in place to achieve even more. Being able to attract this investment into the North East shows the strength of its proposition and we’re very pleased to be have been able to support Rob and his team in taking the next steps on their exciting journey.”