{"id":135449,"date":"2026-01-28T21:18:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/135449\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:18:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:18:12","slug":"tampa-bay-business-and-wealth-under-new-ownership-and-the-transaction-is-made-for-tv-drama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/135449\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Business and Wealth under new ownership, and the transaction is made-for-TV drama"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine (TBBW) appears to be under new ownership, Florida Division of Corporations documents show.<\/p>\n

Records show TBBW Media LLC<\/a> was established on Dec. 30,\u00a0with Jason Baker listed as an authorized member. The principal address listed is the same as the magazine\u2019s previous ownership under William Babcox, which filed on April 26, 2018, as Tampa Bay Business and Wealth, LLC<\/a>. Babcox is the CEO of Babcox Media.<\/p>\n

Baker is the President and Publisher of TBBW, a title he assumed after the departure at the end of December<\/a> of former President and Publisher Bridgette Bello. Baker, who was Bello\u2019s friend and business partner, had served as Vice President of the organization prior to Bello\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n

The business filed under Tampa Bay Business and Wealth is still listed as active, though a 2026 annual report has not yet been filed. Annual reports are due to the Division of Elections by May 1 before being assessed a late fee, meaning the previous owner may have not yet dissolved the business.<\/p>\n

Additionally, an email obtained by Florida Politics from the Human Resources Director at Babcox Media, Barbara Kimbrew, informs the sender, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, that \u201cas of 12\/31\/2025, we no longer own Tampa Bay Business & Wealth brand.\u201d It goes on to say that \u201cJason Baker is the principal at that office these days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine is no longer listed among the Babcox Media brands.<\/p>\n

A source familiar with the transaction tells Florida Politics that Bello had been in negotiations with Babcox to purchase TBBW, but that the deal fell through suddenly, leading to her departure.<\/p>\n

Baker\u2019s listing as an authorized member of the new TBBW Media and the email referring correspondence regarding TBBW strongly suggests Baker is the new owner and hints at a breakdown in the relationship between Baker and Bello prior to the ownership change.<\/p>\n

Baker served under Bello at the Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) until Bello left the company in 2018<\/a>. A lawsuit filed against Bello<\/a> suggests she was fired, but Bello has disputed that account previously. The lawsuit, brought by TBBJ parent company American City Business Journals in 2023, sought to recoup the outstanding balance on a loan the complaint said was granted as part of Bello\u2019s move to Florida, but has since been settled under unspecified terms.<\/p>\n

Baker, who served as Vice President of Sales for TBBJ, left the role shortly after Bello to join her in her new TBBW venture. The two served as business partners and those close to them described them as good friends.<\/p>\n

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