Norb Garrett, the longtime leader of the industry’s largest action sports media company, has exited the Adventure Sports Network (ASN).
From what we hear, the parting was amicable.
The news comes the same week that owner American Media laid off the entire editorial staff of Men’s Journal in New York and announced that magazine’s editorial operations will be merged with ASN in Carlsbad.
Norb held the job for 10 years, through various owners, acquisitions and company name changes and during a very tumultuous time not only in the action sports industry, but media in general.
Norb joined the group when it was owned by Source Interlink and owned titles such as Surfer, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder and Bike.
He oversaw several acquisitions including Grind Media, Transworld, and the Dew Tour. The company went through many name changes, strategy changes and complicated ownership structures during his tenure, but Norb always managed to have a smile on his face and an upbeat outlook.
American Media, famous for publishing National Enquirer among other magazines, acquired what was then called TEN a year ago.
Debt-laden American Media was in the news earlier this month because it sold Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend as well as the Muscle & Fitness, FLEX and M&F Hers media brands.
We reached out to American Media about Norb’s departure but did not hear back. We also briefly spoke to Norb to see if he wanted to comment, but he said he respectfully had to decline at this time.
