PRIMEDIA Announces Bold New Look For Car Craft Magazine

    Business Editors

    LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2005--PRIMEDIA Inc. (NYSE: PRM), the country's leading targeted media company, today announced the redesign of its well-known automotive title, Car Craft, continuing the company's commitment to editorial and visual excellence. Recognized as the world's largest street machine magazine, reaching more than three million readers every month, Car Craft's May 2005 issue showcases a significant upgrade in design, package quality and attitude, with a distinctive voice that is loud, fast and real. For more than 50 years, Car Craft has delivered leading-edge content to do-it-yourself automotive enthusiasts with a focus on practical performance, technical how-tos, engine buildups, and product evaluations.
    Under the guidance of newly appointed Editor-in-Chief, David Freiburger, Car Craft emerges with a stronger personality -- bringing the gritty street machine world to life and creating a dynamic environment on every page. Combined with vibrant event coverage and fun feature stories, Car Craft earns its distinction as America's leading tell-it-like-it-is automotive performance magazine.
    "Car Craft has a tremendous history," says David Freiburger, editor-in-chief. "We wanted to revive the authentic spirit and personality of Car Craft while taking it to a new level of design and attitude that speaks to the truth of street machine life and makes guys want to get in the garage and work on their cars."
    Available on newsstands now, the May issue of Car Craft sizzles with attitude through a fast-paced visual presentation, vivid photography and in-depth editorial coverage, while still maintaining its elite level of technical information for which it is known. A humorous element is added to the flavor of Car Craft with the return of the original comic strip "Krass & Bernie" that inspired generations of car enthusiasts when it appeared in CARtoons magazine, which has been out of print since 1991. The CARtoons legacy will once again be featured every month.
    Additionally, a new 'Readers Page' creates a strong sense of community by including photos and stories from readers within the racing community. 'Heads-Up News' remains devoted to drag racing with coverage from several racing associations, keeping the readers abreast of what's happening on the drag strips across the country.
    The Car Craft redesign has captured the attention of advertisers with commitments from new advertisers such as Kawasaki, Honeywell/Autolite, and Toyo Tires and increased commitments from existing advertisers such as ExxonMobil. Advertising pages for the first three post-redesign issues are expected to increase more than 20%.
    "This redesign is another illustration of PRIMEDIA's dedication to advancing our editorial leadership," says Steve Parr, president of PRIMEDIA's Performance Automotive Group. "Car Craft has upheld its strong heritage and will continue to be a dominant voice for a key segment of the automotive market."
    In July 2004, PRIMEDIA began a publication redesign program to upgrade its editorial products. Car Craft is among the more than 30 publications that are expected to be upgraded this year.

    About Car Craft

    Car Craft is the world's largest street machine magazine reaching more than three million readers per month. Car Craft is aimed at the hands-on enthusiasts with a keen interest in 1949-present high-performance vehicles - especially '60s and '70s musclecars - and organized street racing. Introduced in 1952, Car Craft is widely recognized as a trusted source for technical how-tos, engine buildups, and product evaluations and is a must-read for do-it-yourself automotive zealots.

    About PRIMEDIA

    PRIMEDIA (NYSE: PRM) is the leading targeted media company in the United States. With 2004 revenue of $1.3 billion, our properties comprise more than 200 brands that connect buyers and sellers in more markets than any other media company through our print publications, Web sites, events, newsletters and video programs in four business segments: Enthusiast Media, Consumer Guides, Business Information, and Education. PRIMEDIA Enthusiast Media includes more than 120 consumer magazines, with well-known brands such as Motor Trend, Automobile, Creating Keepsakes, In-Fisherman, Power & Motoryacht, Hot Rod, Snowboarder, Stereophile and Surfer. PRIMEDIA Consumer Guides is the #1 publisher and distributor of free consumer guides, with Apartment Guide, Auto Guide and New Home Guide. PRIMEDIA Business Information has more than 60 publications in 18 market sectors. PRIMEDIA Education includes Channel One and other educational products.

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CONTACT: Media: Sloane & Company, Jocelyn Johnson, 212-446-1887, jjohnson@sloanepr.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING PUBLISHING AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCT SOURCE: PRIMEDIA

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