Emerson Collective by Laurene Powell Jobs has purchased Pop-Up Magazine Productions

Emerson Collective, the social impact firm led by Laurene Powell, buys Pop-Up Magazine Productions for an undisclosed amount. Pop-Up, based in San Francisco, organizes "live magazines" across the country and also publishes the online and offline magazine California Sunday, which is distributed in major newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle .

The purchase comes after an investment of at least $ 10 million in Pop-Up last year by Emerson, based in Palo Alto. Pop-Up, launched in 2014, had already mobilized $ 4 million.

Emerson has made an increasing number of media investments through its for-profit arm in the last two years, including a majority stake in Atlantic magazine, as well as significant holdings in several Hollywood production companies such as that Concordia Studio, Anonymous Content and Macro. He has also invested in podcast maker Gimlet Media and the Axios Internet news site. Emerson – who also focuses on immigration, education and the environment – has also funded many nonprofit journalism organizations, including ProPublica, Mother Jones, Marshall Project, the Committee for the protection of journalists and the Texas Observer.

In an interview with the founders of Pop-Up, Doug McGray and Chas Edwards, the two men said Pop-Up had considered various options to expand its booming business and magazine distribution.

"We were looking at how fast we could grow and the risk of slow growth in the current media landscape," said Edwards, president and publisher of Pop-Up.

McGray, who is the editor, said he saw a kinship with the main investor in Pop-Up. "They know us so well and understand that the idea of ​​making the most ambitious and inventive journalism possible has always been a source of inspiration for us," he said.

In a statement, Powell Jobs highlighted this link.

"We think the creators and team of Pop-Up Magazine and California Sunday are exciting and innovative. Both magazines have managed to create unique journalistic platforms that promote empathy and a better understanding of the world, "she said. "Emerson Collective is delighted to partner with two outlets and share its work with a wider audience."