**Connect Media Acquires Networld Media Group, Expanding B2B Coverage**
Connect Media, a Los Angeles-based privately held media company and the nation’s largest provider of commercial real estate news, has acquired Networld Media Group, a Kentucky-based B2B media company focused on the restaurant, retail, banking, and technology sectors. The acquisition became effective January 30, 2026. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
With the acquisition, Connect Media significantly grows its reach across adjacent and complementary industries, enhancing its content, events, and creative services platform. Connect Media’s diverse operations already span B2B news, conferences, and agency services geared primarily towards the commercial real estate, financial, and capital markets sectors across the U.S. and Canada. Its properties include Connect CRE, Connect Canada CRE, and Connect Money.
Networld’s addition enables both teams to better leverage shared operational models, content development expertise, and audience engagement strategies. Connect Media is set to absorb Networld’s employees, expanding its overall team to more than 60. The majority of Networld’s digital media properties, events, podcasts, and awards programs will also become part of the Connect Media family.
Daniel Ceniceros, founder and CEO of Connect Media, will now serve as CEO of the combined company.
“This acquisition represents a strategic opportunity to grow across complementary business lines that share a similar operating DNA,” said Ceniceros. “Both Connect and Networld are built on high-quality journalism, industry-leading conferences, and strong industry relationships. Bringing these platforms together creates a powerful opportunity to accelerate growth, share best practices, and introduce expanded creative and agency services that complement and enhance Networld’s current capabilities—ultimately delivering greater value to our audiences and partners.”
Tom Harper, co-founder and executive chair of Networld Media Group, will continue with the company in an advisory capacity.
“After meeting Daniel and learning more about his company, it became clear that Connect Media was the right partner to shape Networld’s next chapter,” said Harper. “Our companies have strengths in different areas and I’m excited to see the future our combined teams will create.”
**Networld’s Portfolio Includes:**
*Online News Sites:*
– FastCasual.com
– FoodTruckOperator.com
– PizzaMarketplace.com
– QSRweb.com
– RetailCustomerExperience.com
– ATMmarketplace.com
– KioskMarketplace.com
– DigitalSignageToday.com
– VendingTimes.com
*Conferences & Events:*
– Fast Casual Executive Summit
– Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers Awards
– Founderology Growth Summit
– Pizza Leadership Virtual Summit
– #QSRNext
– Restaurant Catering Workshop
– Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit
– Restaurant Marketing Workshop
– Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show
This acquisition is another step in Connect Media’s ongoing growth trajectory through strategic investments that align with its core media, tech, and client service offerings. Previous acquisitions include ApartmentBuildings.com, a multifamily listing platform, and LOANtuitive, an AI-powered lending information solution.
CapM Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Networld Media Group on the transaction.
