MUMBAI: American Media Inc. (AMI) has formed a partnership with USA Today to publish 12 special magazines using a "Best Of" theme in 2013.

AMI is the leading publisher of celebrity and health & fitness content, with brands including Shape, Men?s Fitness, Star and OK, and has a readership of over 55 million. USA Today is a multi-platform news and information media company.

Editorial will be developed by teams at both companies, and will draw from the expertise of both, as well as outside experts and resources. The overriding concept is to provide entertaining guides to help readers make the best decisions as to what to buy or do across multiple categories, including health, personal finance, travel, education and more.

The first special, The Best of Diet and Fitness, draws heavily from AMI?s leading health & fitness authorities at Shape and Men?s Fitness. It is scheduled to go on sale at the end of February 2013 with more than 400,000 copies distributed at newsstand, airports and hotels across the country.

"USA Today is pleased to partner with AMI on these magazines on this joint effort of editorial teams bringing readers our combined expertise on topics like health, travel and personal finance. We know these are important subjects to our readers and we think this combined endeavor will bring together the best of USA Today and AMI," said USA Today President & Publisher Larry Kramer.

In addition to its editorial responsibilities, AMI will handle all adverting sales and production as well. Companion websites and digital applications for tablets and smartphones are being considered for each of the titles.

"When you think of iconic brands across our national media landscape, USA Today has to be at the top of the list. Coupled with AMI?s editorial, production and distribution strengths, we have a unique skill set to create a series of magazines that will take the "Best Of" concept to a new level in terms of actionable information for today?s consumer," AMI Chairman & CEO David J. Pecker.