York Publishing, Inc. Company History

York Publishing Inc., the brainchild of Matt York, was founded in mid-1985. From his high school days through his years at college as a communications major, Matt became an enthusiast of super-8 filmmaking. When affordable VHS video cameras with high-quality production features became available in the mid-1980s, Matt's interest in moving image technology was re-kindled. Searching for more information, he assumed that a magazine for the new video camera buyers must exist, just as Super-8 Filmmaker served the super-8 hobbyists in the late 70s.

Matt's magazine search left him empty handed. Soon after, Videomaker "the magazine for video camera users" was born. Having no journalism background, no publishing experience and no money was not encouraging; nevertheless, Matt and his wife Patrice wrote a business plan and raised the initial capital needed to launch the publication. In June of 1986, Videomaker hit the newsstands for the first time. Beginning as a bi-monthly (6x per year) publication, the first Videomaker was 64 pages long. The first issue included a Beginner's Guide for video camera users. It listed an assortment of bulky and boxy-looking video cameras with pricetags averaging $1,800.

Close to two decades later, York Publishing, Inc. is still privately owned and the Yorks preside over the company as Publisher and Associate Publisher. With a circulation of over 65,000 per month, Videomaker is the #1 national consumer magazine for video enthusiasts. Originally launched in Peterborough, New Hampshire, the company's home has long remained in Chico, California. Through the years, York Publishing has expanded its product offerings, staff and influence. Thirty employees work together to write, design, market and sell for Videomaker magazine. In addition, they produce Videomaker Expos, Videomaker Conferences, Videomaker Workshops, Videomaker Instructional Videos, Videomaker's Web site and Smart TV & Sound, a second magazine launched in 1997.

Videomaker empowers people to make video in a way that inspires, encourages and equips for success; we do this by building a community of readers, web visitors, viewers, attendees and marketers.