It is with a heavy heart that TWICE mourns the passing of our founder, Richard Ekstract, at the age of 92. An entrepreneurial publishing executive, Ekstract created, financed and launched more than 20 business and consumer periodicals about the consumer electronics industry during his career. His trade magazines informed the target audience of retailers, as well as manufacturers, distributors and sales reps, of new product and sales opportunities and contributed to the expansion and growth of the consumer electronics industry.
Ekstract began his publishing career in 1959 with Audio Times, a tabloid newspaper for hi-fi retailers. In 1971 he began his expansion by acquiring the rights to the Consumer Electronics Show Daily and soon launched Consumer Electronics Monthly. Other related trade publications he founded include Autosound & Communications, CARS, Home Satellite, TWICE, Video Business and Wideband. For consumers, he launched Electronic Fun and Video Review magazines. He also launched License! a monthly magazine for worldwide licensing, founded the Home Office Association of America and established the Audio Hall and the Video Hall of Fame.
Ekstract was a well-known collector of contemporary art and a mentor to many artists and writers. He published magazines in the consumer electronics and technology industries and went on to found Cottages & Gardens publications. A graduate of Temple University, his belief in honest journalism led him and his wife Eileen to create an endowment and research fund to promote credibility in the media. Contributions can be made at giving.temple.edu/ekstractresearchfund.
His wife, Eileen, his three children, and four grandchildren survive him. A celebration of life will be held in the near future.
TWICE offers our sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Richard Ekstract in their time of sorrow.
