Time Inc. to Host Essence Festival in Durban, South Africa

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is expanding its highly acclaimed Essence Festival
franchise internationally, launching a three-year partnership with
eThekwini Municipality to host the Essence Festival in Durban, South
Africa, in 2016 and 2017, it was announced today at Durban City Hall by
eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo and Essence President Michelle Ebanks.

Each year, the Essence Festival in New Orleans draws more than 450,000
attendees from across the globe to its multiday entertainment,
empowerment and cultural event, which generates an economic benefit of
more than $200 million on the local economy.

The Essence Festival Durban will follow the format of the annual New
Orleans event, presenting international performers and speakers to
entertain and inspire, as well as a host of local artists and experts.
The event will bring exciting and informative ideas to equip small
businesses through empowerment seminars across various sectors,
including career guidance workshops and other empowerment initiatives
aimed at youth.

“We are delighted to partner with the vibrant city of Durban to launch
the Essence Festival globally in South Africa,” said Ebanks. “Hosting
our first international Essence Festival in Durban purposefully extends
our mission to convene the diaspora around shared aspirations.”

Mayor Nxumalo said the city of Durban had made waves internationally in
the past two years by hosting a number of high-profile events, which
will now include the Essence Festival to further cement Durban as a
choice international destination.

“This partnership will have a host of benefits for residents, starting
with the Durban Business Fair (DBF) program, which strives to connect
local businesses globally. The fair is taking place simultaneous to the
Essence Festival launch announcement,” he said.

“For more than 20 years, the Essence Festival has brought thousands of
people together in New Orleans from near and far to celebrate a
world-class event,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “I am
thrilled that this festival is now expanding internationally to Durban,
South Africa. The people of New Orleans know first-hand that the Essence
Festival has not only enhanced our cultural economy but has also had a
meaningful impact across the community through service and personal
empowerment.”

Nxumalo said the Essence partnership would continue to focus on the
development of women and youth in business. A number of women-owned
businesses will be selected to trade at the festival, which will boost
their profile and drive sales for their companies.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company
dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in
publishing, live events and online. The company’s flagship publication,
Essence magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for
African-American women, generating brand extensions, such as the Essence
Festival, Essence Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music,
Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series,
Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD).
For 45 years, Essence, which has a brand reach of 14.2 million, has been
the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions
relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional
information about ECI and Essence is available at www.essence.com.

ABOUT TIME INC.

Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is one of the world’s leading media companies,
with a monthly global print audience of over 120 million and worldwide
digital properties that attract more than 140 million visitors each
month, including over 60 websites. Our influential brands include
People, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Time, Real Simple, and Southern
Living, as well as more than 50 diverse titles in the United Kingdom.

Contacts

Essence
Dana Baxter, 212-522-1634
Sr. Director of
Communications
dbaxter@essence.com
or
Tozi
Mthethwa, Head of Communications, Thekwini Municipality
or
Gugu
Mbonambi, 031 311 4855
gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za
or
Princess
Nkabane, 031 311 4818
princess.nkabane@durban.gov.za