Just over two months into its ownership, Kenilworth Media has mapped out new initiatives for sister publications Aquatics International and Pool & Spa News.
The company, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, acquired the titles in early October from Newport Beach, Calif.-based Zonda. Since then, the new owner has decided to expand their offerings.
After nearly a decade of running exclusively in a digital format, Aquatics International will become available in a print version as well.
“We want to make both options available to our readers,” said Kenilworth CEO Erik Tolles. “We want to really meet readers where they are, whether that’s digital or print. Our audience should have plenty of choices in how to engage with us.”
The magazine had ceased offering print issues in 2018, but printing a hard-copy version makes sense for the industry by providing a larger format to showcase swimming pools and aquatics venues.
“While digital has been successful for a lot of industries, I believe the pool and aquatics industries present a very tactile experience,” Tolles said. “Especially considering the beauty of the products we report on, [this content] deserves to be seen on a page as well as a screen.”
Tolles said the move also signals a commitment to AQI, the only U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to aquatics professionals of all stripes, as well as its readers. (Where Aquatics International used to be shorthanded as AI, it now will be abbreviated to AQI, to avoid confusion with artificial intelligence.)
The new print version of AQI will debut with the February/March issue. Copies will be available at the Association of Aquatics Professionals Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., at AQI’s booth.
PSN and AQI will undergo updating on both the print and digital sides. Redesigns will launch in early 2026. In addition, each title will begin releasing its own electronic newsletters, allowing separate information outlets for the distinct readerships. Frequency is expected to boost as well. They currently share a single monthly newsletter.
Later in 2026, Kenilworth plans to expand the brands’ vendor directory offerings to include print as well as digital.
More initiatives are expected in 2026, Tolles said.
“We want to meet our readers wherever they decide to engage with us – whether it be digital, print, social media or events.”
