April 18--Chicago magazine has acquired Splash from Wrapports, putting the celebrity weekly back under the direction of its founder, Susanna Homan.
Homan created Splash in 2012 as a supplement in the Wrapports-owned Chicago Sun-Times. She ostensibly left the fashion and lifestyle magazine behind when she was named editor and publisher at Tribune Publishing-owned Chicago magazine last month.
In a memo to employees Monday, Homan said she was "excited to be reunited" with Splash.
"After my departure, Wrapports and Tribune Publishing decided that it made strategic sense for me to continue leading the Splash brand," Homan said. "This morning, they reached an agreement that moves Splash magazine under the Chicago magazine portfolio."
Tribune Publishing spokeswoman Dana Meyer confirmed Monday that an agreement with Wrapports to acquire Splash magazine had been reached but declined to disclose the terms, or how the magazine will be distributed to readers going forward. Meyer said the deal is effective immediately.
Sources said about seven Splash employees are expected to relocate with the publication this week to Chicago magazine's offices at the Freedom Center plant on Chicago Avenue at the Chicago River.
Homan replaced editor Beth Fenner at Chicago magazine. She will add the duties of editor and publisher at Splash, which she said will operate as an "editorially independent" sister publication of Chicago magazine.
Former Wrapports owner Michael Ferro, who became the chairman and largest shareholder of Chicago-based Tribune Publishing in February, has donated his 40 percent stake in the Sun-Times to a new charitable trust to avoid conflicts of interest.
rchannick@tribpub.com
