MediaBuyerPlanner: Fast Company and Inc. magazines today announced that they have partnered with Staples, Office Depot and CompUSA to extend the titles' national distribution at the retail level. "This venture literally puts us in the check out line with our key demographic base," says John Koten, CEO of Mansueto Ventures LLC, which owns Fast Company and Inc. magazines. "It's hard to imagine a better way to reach our audience more directly. These stores empower American entrepreneurs. They are where our readers shop."

The distribution agreements with Staples, Office Depot and CompUSA were signed in the first half of 2006 and are now fully underway.

In January, Koten announced to his employees a $10 million combined loss in 2005 for both magazines. Koten's stated goal was to halve last year's loss in 2006, and halve that again in 2007. The success in doing that, according to Koten's memo, rests in the hands of the advertising department.

Over the past six months Fast Company and Inc. have more than doubled the size of their dedicated sales, marketing and circulation teams across the nation. Both sites also received web redesigns.