Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, Re-Signs Exclusive Contract With AMI's Weider Publications

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- David J. Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), has announced that 2011 Mr. Olympia winner Phil Heath has re-signed a multi-year contract with AMI's Weider Publications today, extending the original agreement that was signed in 2005.

"After being named the winner of the 2011 Mr. Olympia contest, we are thrilled to re-sign Phil to an exclusive contract," said Mr. Pecker. "He has been a cornerstone of our athlete program, even prior to his professional successes and title wins. Since he came on board in 2005 it has been a pleasure to watch him grow and mature into the competitor he is today. Now in his sixth year as a IFBB professional bodybuilder, Phil has exceeded our expectations."

Heath's transition into bodybuilding had the potential to be a challenge. For four years he played guard for the University of Denver men's basketball team. In 2002, at the end of his college basketball career, the 180-pound athlete decided to turn his attention to the sport of bodybuilding. He transformed his training and nutrition regimen and earned professional status three years later by winning the heavyweight and overall titles at the 2005 NPC USA Bodybuilding Championships. In 2006, Heath announced his presence as a future Olympia contender by winning the first two professional contests of his career. Heath has a history of  participating in Mr. Olympia, placing 3rd 2008, 5th in 2009 and 2nd in 2010 before winning the title this year. In the process, Heath became only the 13th competitor in history to win the Olympia title.

Commenting on his contract, Heath said, "Since I first signed with AMI's Weider Publications in 2005, everything has turned to gold. When I started out in the industry, I turned to magazines like Flex and Muscle & Fitness -- the people on their covers were my inspiration. To know that I can impact someone else is a great opportunity and I'm excited to be able to continue my contract."

About American Media, Inc.

American Media, Inc. owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI's titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, Pixie, Shape, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of almost 7 million and reach more than 55 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach an average of 10 million unique visitors and 80 million page views monthly.

AMI also operates a Publishing Services business unit which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI's publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions.  Playboy is one of many publishers who have taken advantage of these additional services.

SOURCE American Media, Inc.