The newspaper that you are currently reading represents the start of a transformation of the former Florida Agenda, now in its 242nd edition. Rebranded and renamed Agenda—Florida Edition, we are proud to be on the right side of history, enlarging our scope to provide you, the reader, with the most cutting edge analysis of the ever-growing news affecting your lives, your businesses and your equality.
With the incredible success that the LGBT community has had in same-sex marriage court cases around the country, we are poised to become a major force both in the marketplace and in politics, as we begin to take control of our own destinies, and those of others.
The Agenda—Florida Edition is just the first step in the expansion plans currently underway at Multimedia Platforms LLC, the owner of both Agenda and Guy Magazine. While Guy will continue to focus on entertainment, health, fashion and travel pieces aimed at keeping you current in those vital areas, the Agenda is taking the lead in America by becoming the first LGBT newspaper to not only report the news as it happens, but also to interpret its long-term affect on our future
Several weeks ago, MMP welcomed award-winning writer Richard Hack as our new publisher and editor-in-chief for Agenda. With Richard at the helm, we have slowly changed the direction of our publications, now fully evolved into the current edition before you.
In four short weeks, the newspaper has been transformed into a vital must-read for those who want to keep abreast of every element of the current push for equality in America. Your comments on the Agenda’s new content, its columns, and expanded advertising base are certainly appreciated. It is our goal to leave no stone unturned in our quest to uncover the real meaning behind the events that are reshaping our lives and giving us new freedoms.
I am proud to be the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Multimeida Platforms LLC at this turning point in our history. Beginning this week, we will be increasing our circulation to surrounding cities in Florida including Orlando, Miami, Key West, Tamps, St. Petersburg and Jacksonville. In the coming months, we will expand to other states along the Eastern seaboard including Washington, DC and New York City. Eventually, our unique customized local editions will cover the entire United States as we continue on our mission to remain the leading source of news and analysis within the LGBT community and beyond.
We are partnered in this goal through resources provided by TBG Holdings, a corporation whose understanding of this marketplace is second to none. Together, we will be unstoppable in our growth potential and our value to readers like you.
Neil Swartz, the CEO of TBG Holdings is proud to have invested in MMP “because it is a company that is now,” Swartz says, “and will be in the future, a Game Changer in the LGBT community. Our goal is to provide the resources to allow MMP to grow beyond its current demographic as it acquires other selected media companies.”
TBG was formed by combining an accounting firm (R3 Accounting) and an investment banking consulting firm (Birch Group). R3 Accounting, led by Tim Hart, has always maintained a strong connection with individuals and companies that lead our communities in pushing the envelope for social change. A large percentage of the R3 Accounting clientele is made up of same-gender couples and people from the LGBT community.
“Bobby Blair and his media company had come to our attention as leaders and innovators in the business community,” adds Schwarts. “When TBG took a closer look at what was under the MMP hood, and the quality of the people in this company, we knew Mr. Blair had something unique and powerful that would push the envelope and become a high growth company.
“We saw the challenges MMP was experiencing in the quest to take this company public and raise the capital necessary to have Bobby’s vision grow beyond Wilton Manors. TBG’s expertise in repositioning companies and giving them the resources to go to the next level would very likely make this one of TBG’s best investments to date–and in an area where they will lead the field! TBG will take MMP through the same process that worked so well on our last two transactions where the early investors’ initial investments increased from $.10/share to over $2/share once the company went public.
“TBG has put its ‘money where its mouth is,’ and MMP is now positioned not only to become a public company, but defying all odds, also move forward to fulfill its tremendous potential,” Swartz said.
Enjoy the new Agenda. Stay ahead of history with us.
