Vibe magazine was originally launched in 1993 by Quincy Jones and Time Inc., with the name being changed from Volume to Vibe. It went through several ownership changes over the years, being bought by Miller Publishing in 1996 and The Wicks Group in 2006. Vibe ceased print publication in 2009 but was later resurrected online by InterMedia Partners. In 2012, Vibe Media was formed through the merger of Vibe Holdings and BlackBook Media, with ownership consisting of Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Companies, Magic Johnson Enterprises, and InterMedia Partners. Vibe Media now represents over 25 websites and other media platforms reaching 19 million consumers monthly.

4. Background Information on former and current
publishers of vibe
Quincy Jones launched Vibe in 1993, in partnership with Time Inc. Originally, the publication had been
called Volume before co-founding editor, Scott Poulson-Bryant gave it the name Vibe. Though hip-hop
mogul Russell Simmons was rumored to be an initial partner, publisher Len Burnett revealed in a March
2007 interview that Simmons clashed with editor-in-chief Jonathan Van Meter. Miller Publishing bought
Vibe in 1996, and shortly afterward bought Spin. Private equity firm, The Wicks Group, bought the
magazine in 2006.
Jonathan Van Meter's successors were Alan Light, Danyel Smith, Emil Wilbikin, Mimi Valdes, and finally
Danyel Smith again.
On June 30, 2009, it was announced that Vibe was shutting its doors and ceasing publication
immediately, although according to Essence, Quincy Jones has stated he would like to keep it alive
online.
After shutting down, private equity investment fund InterMedia Partners, LP bought Vibe Magazine.
They have said they "feel privileged to purchase and resurrect such a storied brand." They added
Uptown magazine to Vibe's parent company, Vibe Holdings. Ron Burkle and Magic Johnson later
invested in the company. Vibe Holdings merged with BlackBook Media to form Vibe Media in 2012.

5. Information about Vibe
Vibe Media | Access Network is the parent company of Vibe magazine, Vibe.com, VibeVixen.com, Uptown
magazine, UptownMagazine.com. Vibe Media is a vertical content and advertising network which represents
over 25 websites, several publications, direct mail, TV shows and media platforms reaching over 19 million
consumers per month. As the premier destination for urban entertainment and media, Vibe Media creates
solutions for advertisers looking to engage consumers via music, entertainment, culture and lifestyle 18-54.
Ron Burkle's The Yucaipa Companies, Magic Johnson Enterprises and InterMedia Partners announced in
January of this year that they merged their Vibe and Uptown businesses with the BlackBook Media business
and The Access Network Company. The merger of these premier assets was part of their media and technology
consolidation strategy and follows an investment from the Yucaipa/Johnson partnership in January 2011 when
it joined InterMedia Partners as the owners of Vibe Holdings, the entities' parent company.
Vibe magazine launched the "Best Rapper Alive Tournament" on July 21, 2008. There were four brackets, and
four number 1 seeds: Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Andre 3000. The actual final four included Ludacris, The
Game, Eminem and Jay-Z. The last two rappers standing were Eminem and Jay-Z, with Eminem eventually
garnering 69% of the votes for the victory. When Em heard the news, he stated: "It’s obviously an honor to
have won the fans' support by being voted the Best Rapper Alive. I don't think that there is any one rapper that
is simply the best though. Everyone who was in consideration and many others are the best at certain things,
and at what they do. But since VIBE's offering the distinction, hell yeah I'll accept!"