Ringier Axel Springer Media AG acquires majority in leading Slovakian internet portal AZET.SK

December 20, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, a joint venture founded by Swiss Ringier AG and German Axel Springer AG and  one of the leading media companies in Central and Eastern Europe, has acquired through its Slovakian subsidiary a 70 percent stake in the provider of the Slovakian web portal AZET.SK. The horizontal internet portal AZET.SK operates a number of different websites and online services. Founded in 1997, the company reaches more than 75 percent of Slovakian internet users (approx. 1.9 million unique users) and is the country’s online market leader.

Florian Fels, CEO of Ringier Axel Springer Media AG: “With our stake in AZET.SK, we have instantly acquired a leading position in Slovakia’s online market, which is expected to grow by up to 25 percent over the coming years according to current forecasts. This portal with its wide range of content is an excellent fit with our strong media brands and products, as well as an ideal addition to our current portfolio in Slovakia. I am especially delighted that the existing management team with the four AZET founders will remain with AZET and support the ongoing process of innovation and digitalization launched by Ringier Axel Springer Media AG in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Milan Dubec, founder and CEO of AZET.SK: “In Ringier Axel Springer Media we have found the right partner for AZET with a strong interest in a strategic partnership. Our common goal is to continue expanding our online business and strengthen AZET’s market position. We are looking forward to this promising collaboration.”

In the current Deloitte ranking of the fastest growing technology companies in Central Europe, AZET.SK is in eighth place over all and in first place in Slovakia (Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2010).

Switzerland, Zurich & Slovakia, Silinia

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Wolters Kluwer Health completes acquisition of Pharmacy OneSource

December 20, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Wolters Kluwer Health, a provider of information and business intelligence for professionals, students and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy, has completed the acquisition of Pharmacy OneSource, a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider in the hospital pharmacy market. The agreement to acquire Pharmacy OneSource was announced on November 29, 2010. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

This acquisition extends Wolters Kluwer Health’s Clinical Decision Support (CDS) solutions into the hospital pharmacy market and fits squarely into the company’s strategy to expand its business into high growth markets, particularly the fast-growing point-of-care market.

“The acquisition of Pharmacy OneSource will further drive our growth in the point-of-care market, which includes the critical area of the hospital pharmacy,” said Arvind Subramanian, President & CEO, Wolters Kluwer Health Clinical Solutions. “Our combined product offerings will give us an excellent portfolio of healthcare information and clinical decision tools for the pharmacy, where there is a strong need for resources and tools to drive compliance, greater patient safety and cost reductions.”

USA, Philadelphia, PA

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Matrix Private Equity Partners completes £4 million MBO of Faversham House

December 20, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Matrix Private Equity Partners, the small buyout specialist, has invested in the £4 million management buy-out of Faversham House Group. Faversham publish Europe’s largest environmental website www.edie.net and stages the UK’s no.1 environmental exhibition, Sustainability Live!.  Matrix is investing £1.75m and will take a significant minority stake in the business.  This is Matrix’s 7th investment in the media and publishing sector and comes following the recent investment in recruitment business RDL Corporation.

Faversham, a family owned business founded in 1960, has developed into a leading media business providing websites, exhibitions and print publications to the environmental, visual communications, home improvements and building services sectors.  The business employs over 100 people and is forecasting revenues of £10m in the current year. 

Chris Price, investment manager of Matrix who led the deal comments: “Faversham is uniquely placed to benefit from both the strong growth in the environmental sector as well as the continuing media shift towards online assets.  Management have demonstrated the ability to grow by acquisition and we look forward to supporting their strategy to develop Faversham into an integrated media player in a number of attractive verticals.”

Matrix has introduced Operating Partner and serial entrepreneur, Bob Fairchild who will join as Chairman and Jill Williams who joins as FD having performed the same role for successful Matrix investment Tottel publishing.  Bob, currently Chairman of Matrix investee company ATG Media, is highly experienced in the sector and was previously managing director of Landmark Information Group, which was sold to Daily Mail & General Trust Plc.  

Amanda Barnes, CEO of Faversham comments: “We are thrilled to have partnered with Matrix and were impressed by their track record of growing businesses within the publishing and media sector.   With Matrix’s investment we are now able to take our business up a gear and implement a strong acquisitive growth strategy.”

UK, Croydon, Surrey

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AutoTrader.com closes the Kelley Blue Book acquisition

December 16, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

 AutoTrader.com, the automotive marketplace and consumer information website, has completed its transaction to acquire Kelley Blue Book, the provider of new car and used car information. The deal was reported by Fusion DigiNet in October.

AutoTrader.com says it will be maintaining Kelley Blue Book’s independent and unbiased position in the marketplace.  Furthermore, AutoTrader.com is committed to maintaining and strengthening Kelley Blue Book’s role as The Trusted Resource® for vehicle valuation and other important information consumers, dealers, manufacturers, financial and governmental institutions rely upon.

“Kelley Blue Book has a wonderful history as an iconic brand and trusted provider of vehicle information to generations of car buyers and sellers,” said AutoTrader.com President and CEO Chip Perry.  “And as we look into the future we believe AutoTrader.com and Kelley Blue Book can together bring a host of new technologies and tools to market that will significantly improve the car shopping process for consumers and help auto dealers and manufacturers better capitalize on the fundamental marketing efficiencies provided by the Internet.”

Kelley Blue Book, founded in 1926, launched its top rated web site in 1995 and is now a leading provider of new and used vehicle pricing information to the auto industry. The company provides its values to dealers, banks, finance and insurance companies nationwide on a weekly basis. In the last few years, the company implemented a new multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art vehicle information management system, positioning the company to deliver the best market insights in the auto industry. 

USA, Atlanta, GA & Irvine, CA

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Meredith acquires Real Girls Media Network

December 14, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Meredith Corporation a media and marketing company serving American women, has completed the acquisition of Real Girls Media Network, a social content hub for women online. The acquisition continues Meredith’s strategy of deepening its portfolio of content and social media offerings through the Meredith Women’s Network of digital media, which also includes powerhouse sites BHG.com and Parents.com.

Real Girls Media Network, founded in 2006, will continue to be based in San Francisco. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and it will not have a material effect on Meredith’s fiscal 2011 financial performance.

The Real Girls Media Network includes DivineCaroline.com as well as a premium network of branded sites for women. DivineCaroline.com is a unique platform that publishes user-generated content, alongside expert-guided editorial, to offer women a community in which to share experiences and form connections.  The addition of the Real Girls Media Network – which averages approximately 4 to 5 million monthly unique visitors – increases the reach of the Meredith Women’s Network to nearly 25 million monthly unique visitors, according to Omniture SiteCatalyst measurements.

“This acquisition builds on our digital footprint and reinforces Meredith as the leading provider of authoritative and engaging content for women on the topics that matter most to them and their families,” says Liz Schimel, EVP, Consumer Relationship Management and Digital Media, Meredith National Media Group.

USA, New York, NY & San Francisco, CA

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IPC MEDIA sells Classic Boat and Racecar Engineering to The Chelsea Magazine Company

December 9, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

As part of the review of IPC Media’s niche and specialist titles, the company today announces the sale of Classic Boat and Racecar Engineering to The Chelsea Magazine Company. The deal marks the completion of the final divestment as part of the IPC Media strategic review, which began in April.

The deal sees The Chelsea Magazine Company acquire the brands – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of either title. All staff transfer to Chelsea.

The Chelsea Magazine Company is an independent publishing company run by an experienced team of creative and marketing professionals, with offices in the United Kingdom and North America. The company publishes: Artists & Illustrators, Cruise International, Military Times, Current World Archaeology, First Eleven and Britain, the official magazine of VisitBritain. Chelsea has also recently acquired Yachts & Yachting magazine.

IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “Chelsea is a passionate independent publisher, and will provide a great new home for both these brands. I’d like to thank the teams at Classic Boat and Racecar Engineering for their hard work and commitment throughout the review and acquisition process. They have done a brilliant job and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Chelsea managing director Paul Dobson adds: “My team has become well-known over the years for publishing fine quality magazines, from Motorsport to The English Garden. We understand and value specialist titles with a committed readership, and Classic Boat and Racecar Engineering are good examples of magazines that we publish so well. We are delighted to have added them to our rapidly expanding portfolio.”

UK, London

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Russian state-owned media may be put up for sale

December 7, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

 
Shaping the Future of the Newspaper blog is reporting that all newspapers, television channels and radio stations owned by members of the Russian government will be put up for sale. sfnblog quotes presidential aide Arkady Dvorkovich, “”Right now, it’s a pointless waste of time. They are to be sold, but the date hasn’t been established yet,”.

The story is based on reports in polit.ru and Trud.ru

Read the full story

Russia

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SC Business Publications buys South Carolina business publications from Ohio Community Media

November 30, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

SC Business Publications LLC, a newly formed company led by regional private equity firm Virginia Capital Partners LLC has acquired a group of South Carolina business publications based in Charleston.  The group includes Charleston Regional Business Journal, GSA Business serving the Greenville-Spartanburg area, the Columbia Regional Business Report, SCBIZ Magazine and other business related publications, events and websites. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Existing management will remain in their current roles. Grady Johnson was named president and will continue as group publisher.

“We are anxious to turn our focus to growth and serving the needs of the state’s business community. With the assistance of Virginia Capital, we look forward to continuing our mission as South Carolina’s media engine for economic growth,” Johnson said.

Founded in 1996, Virginia Capital Partners is focused in the south Atlantic region. Virginia Capital also is an investor in Virginia Business, a statewide monthly business publication.

Ohio Community Media took ownership of these and other publishing assets through a court-ordered Section 363 bankruptcy sale of the Brown Publishing Company’s assets earlier this year. OCM has been divesting former Brown Publishing business publications since taking ownership. OCM continues to own and operate a large portfolio of daily and weekly newspapers in western Ohio.

Dirks, Van Essen & Murray, a newspaper merger and acquisition firm in Santa Fe, New Mexico, represented the seller, Ohio Community Media, LLC, in the transaction.

USA, Charleston, SC

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Could DMGT sell Northcliffe?

November 28, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

The Sunday Times is reporting that Daily Mail and General Trust may sell its regional newspaper arm, Northcliffe.

James Ashton writes in the Business section, “The Daily Mail group is preparing to water down staff pension benefits in a move that may ease the path for the sale of its regional newspaper arm.”

UK, London

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BMG Rights Management is acquiring Chrysalis for £107M

November 27, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

BMG Rights Management is acquiring independent music publisher Chrysalis. Chrysalis shareholders will receive 160 pence in cash for each Chrysalis Share held. The Acquisition values Chrysalis at approximately £107.4 million.

Hartwig Masuch, the CEO of BMG, said: “We believe that our offer represents compelling value for Chrysalis’ shareholders as evidenced by the strong endorsement BMG has received from Chrysalis’ Board and its major shareholders. The acquisition of Chrysalis represents an important step forward in our strategy as we build a major, global music rights business. Chrysalis’ extensive and high quality catalogue represents an excellent fit with our existing business. Our strategy is to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive and transparent management of music rights and the operational excellence of Chrysalis reinforces this commitment. BMG looks forward to working with Chrysalis to build on its success to date for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Chris Wright, Chairman and Co-Founder of Chrysalis, said: “Today’s deal marks the end of one era and the start of another for Chrysalis, a company which has been at the heart of the music industry since I founded it jointly with my original partner, Terry Ellis, more than four decades ago. Our continued progress – evolving from management, recorded music, television and radio to focus on music publishing – has been clearly recognised by BMG. As we embark together on the next chapter of the Chrysalis story, I am proud of both our track record and our future prospects in an industry in which we have both innovated and pioneered.”

UK, London and Germany, Berlin

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