Karger Publishers acquires Health Press Ltd

April 11, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

KargerThe medical and scientific publishing company Karger has acquired the information service Health Press Ltd, in a move to strengthen its clinical decision support business. This acquisition complements Karger’s German-based activities in translating knowledge from scientific research to clinical practice. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Health Press Ltd is an award-winning, multi-platform information service for the medical community, providing premium content to improve medical practice. Founded by Sarah Redston in 1993, Health Press has since established three brands: the medical handbook series Fast Facts, illustrated guides to medical conditions and concerns Patient Pictures, and the consumer web product http://www.embarrassingproblems.com. All three brands serve the goal of promoting health through communication with a global network of medical practitioners and patients.

Daniel Ebneter, CEO of Karger Publishers, said, “This acquisition is a perfect addition to Karger and fully supports our strategy. It provides us with the opportunity to expand our clinical decision support business to the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and, more generally, English-speaking audiences worldwide”.

Switzerland, Basel & UK, Abingdon

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Private equity group Epiris buys NME publisher Time UK

February 26, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

EpirisPrivate equity group Epiris‘s Fund II has acquired Time UK from US media group Meredith Corporation, a month after Meredith purchased the magazine publisher. The terms of transaction were not disclosed.

Time UK’s portfolio encompasses more than 50 well-known brands, including NME, Country Life, What’s on TV, Woman’s Weekly and Wallpaper, and operates across multiple platforms – print, online, mobile, TV and experiences.

The company is led by CEO and PPA Chairman Marcus Rich, who joined TIUK in 2014 from DMG Media. Sir Bernard Gray, who is Chairman of New Scientist and formerly Non-executive Director of Immediate Media and Chief of Defence Material at the Ministry of Defence, will become Executive Chairman.

Alex Fortescue, Managing Partner of Epiris, said, “This deal is a complex corporate carve-out of the type in which we specialise. The business itself offers plentiful scope for transformation through operational improvement and M&A. We are thrilled to have got Fund II off to such a strong start.”

Chris Hanna, partner at Epiris, said, “At its heart this is a diverse, robust and cash-generative business. We intend to bring clarity and simplicity to it, to focus on maximising the potential of its high-quality portfolio.”

UK, London & USA, Des Moines, Iowa

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Newsquest to acquire regional media company CN Group

February 22, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

NewsquestNewsquest Media Group Ltd. is to acquire Cumbrian-based media company CN Group in a deal which is part of a larger, scaled operation by the board to better protect the long term future of the group, its staff and its pensioners. The business sold two of its local radio stations to Global Radio in the autumn. The terms of this transaction were not disclosed, but it is expected to complete shortly after shareholders meet on 9th March.

CN Group runs print, digital and event brands covering Cumbria, Northumberland, north Lancashire, and the Scottish Borders including several award-winning papers such as the News & Star, Cumberland News, Times & Star, The Whitehaven News, The Mail and Hexham Courant.

It also has a magazine division that includes Cumbria Life, Taste Cumbria, Bay Living, in-Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway Life, runs the Choose Cumbria marketing campaign, and events arm CN Events and a print division. It employs 324 people.

Henry Faure Walker, Newsquest chief executive, said: “We look forward to the opportunity of working with the CN Group, its staff and the community it represents in building on their great local brands and publishing expertise, and helping them forge a strong future. We will endeavour to support them with the scale and resources that Newsquest can provide, whilst enabling them to carry on what they have done so well for many years – namely providing first class content and advertising solutions for the people and businesses of Cumbria and the wider region.”

UK, Weybridge & Carlisle

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Hearst UK acquires wellbeing events and watch brands from Telegraph Media Group

February 13, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

Hearst UKPublisher Hearst UK has agreed a deal with Telegraph Events to acquire Be:FIT, the UK’s largest and leading fitness and wellbeing festival for women, Salon QP, the UK’s premier luxury watch fair and QP Magazine, the UK’s leading luxury watch magazine. The deal is part of Hearst UK’s strategic commitment to grow and diversify revenues. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Be:FIT, Salon QP and QP Magazine will join a portfolio of brands and events targeting consumers interested in luxury and health & wellness from titles such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE to events such as Esquire Townhouse, Cosmopolitan Self Made and Country Living Fairs.

Victoria Archbold, Managing Director of Events and Sponsorship at Hearst Live, said: “This deal plays to the strengths of our brands and is a perfect fit for our publishing and events business. We are seeing unprecedented growth in experiential events – our attendance levels doubled last year primarily because our consumers are so engaged in our brands and those we choose to work with. From a commercial perspective, we have created successful collaborations with a number of like-minded brands that have delivered a great return on investment. Expanding our events portfolio will enable us to create more of these brand partnership platforms.”

UK, London

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Terrapinn acquires Science Media Partners

January 30, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

terrapinnTerrapinn, the global events company, has acquired Science Media Partners, an international events and publishing company based in the UK and focused on next-generation government, citizen and consumer-based identity solutions. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

SMP’s portfolio of products includes the world-leading events – SDW 2018 and connect:ID – as well as the highly-respected news and information web portals – http://www.planetbiometrics.com and www.securitydocumentworld.com .

Terrapinn’s CEO, Greg Hitchen, said: “Science Media Partners fits really well with our enterprise technology portfolio and our style of event. There is also a strong cultural and entrepreneurial fit. And the events are world-class.”

UK, London

 

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KHL Group acquires Diesel & Gas Turbine Publications

January 29, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

KHL GroupGlobal construction information publisher KHL Group is acquiring the USA-based publisher Diesel & Gas Turbine Publication Group. USA-based D&GTP, founded in 1935 and located in Wisconsin, is a leading publisher of information for the on-highway, off-highway, stationary and marine engine-powered equipment markets. It focuses on the construction and agriculture, power generation and commercial vehicle equipment sectors through its North American magazine Diesel Progress and globally through Diesel Progress International. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

D&GTP directors Mike Osenga and Mike Brezonick have built an international reputation for their magazines, directories and websites. They will continue to lead the company while working closely with Trevor Pease, KHL Americas’ President and James King, Managing Director of KHL Group.

James King explained, “This is a fantastic opportunity for KHL to grow by acquiring three market leading publications, digital media and directories. Diesel Progress has a great brand, great heritage and is run by great people. We will build upon the company’s clear strengths and make it even stronger. Massive technological and environmental changes are underway in the design of engine powered equipment. A trusted source of global information is needed now more than at any time in the past.”

UK, Wadhurst & USA, Waukesha, WI

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Aurelius acquires Connect Group’s Books division for £11.6M

December 21, 2017 — Fusion DigiNet

Aurelius EquityAurelius Equity Opportunities the pan-European mid-market investor, has bought Connect Books from the specialist distribution company Connect Group Plc for £11.6 million. The sum includes an expected deferred consideration of £1.05 million.

Connect Books is a multi-channel wholesaler, distributor and retailer of printed and digital books, with operations in UK, the Netherlands, and France. The business has projected revenues of approximately EUR 250 million for 2017. The transaction is subject to the approval of the competition authorities and is expected to close in January 2018.

Connect Books is comprised of the six distinct brands Bertram Books, Wordery, Dawson Books, Erasmus and Houtschild, and Bertram Library Services. On completion, Connect Books will be rebranded back to Bertram Group.

Dirk Markus, CEO of Aurelius, commented: “We are very pleased to announce our acquisition of Connect Books, an established, global business and one of the market leaders in its sector. This acquisition is a further demonstration of AURELIUS’ position as a preferred partner for corporates seeking a complex carve-out of a non-core business”.

Germany, Munich & UK, London

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Former Centaur Media chief executive Geoff Wilmot to make a bid for the company

September 25, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

centaurGeoff Wilmot, the former chief executive of Centaur Media plc has said that he is in talks with financial backers about making a bid for the business. Geoff Wilmot left Centaur in May this year. Tim Potter, MD of the Business Publishing division left at the same time.

A stock market announcement released yesterday said:

“Mr Wilmot notes the recent movement in the share price of Centaur.

Mr Wilmot, the former CEO of Centaur, confirms that he is considering an offer for Centaur and to that end has had preliminary discussions with certain prospective finance providers.

Mr Wilmot must, in accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, clarify his intentions by no later than 5.00pm on Tuesday 22nd October, by either announcing a firm intention to make an offer or that he does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.

This announcement does not constitute an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the Code and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer will be made.

Further announcements will be made in due course.”

Centaur Media issued a statement today:

“Centaur Media plc (LSE: CAU, “Centaur”) notes the announcement yesterday by Geoffrey Wilmot that he has had preliminary discussions with prospective financial providers in relation to a potential offer for Centaur.

The Board of Centaur (the “Board”) confirms that to date no discussions have taken place between the Company and Geoffrey Wilmot concerning a potential offer.”

UK, London

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Euromoney revenues for the fourth quarter increase by 9%

September 24, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Euromoney logoEuromoney Institutional Investor PLC, the international online information and events group, has issued a pre-close trading update ahead of the announcement of its results for the year to September 30, 2013.

Since issuing its Interim Management Statement on July 25, 2013, trading has continued in line with the board’s expectations.  The recovery in US markets, and in particular in the profitability of US financial institutions, has continued, while European markets have remained weak and emerging markets have settled down after the uncertainty earlier in the summer.

Revenues for the fourth quarter are expected to show a headline increase of 9% on the same period last year, and an underlying increase, excluding acquisitions, of 5%.  The improvement in advertising highlighted in the July IMS has continued, with advertising revenues returning to growth for the first time in two years.  Underlying subscription revenues, excluding acquisitions, increased by 4%, helped by the reversal of timing differences from the third quarter.

Total revenues for the year to September 30, 2013 are expected to show a headline increase of approximately 2% on 2012, of which half has come from acquisitions.

Exchange rate movements have not had a significant impact on headline or underlying revenues.

The group expects to announce an adjusted profit before tax* of not less than £114 million for the year to September 30, 2013 (2012: £106.8 million) including a contribution from acquisitions, after financing costs, of nearly £2 million.

At current exchange rates, group net debt at September 30, 2013 is expected to be no more than £10 million, against £38 million at March 31.  This reflects the group’s traditionally strong second half operating cash flows as well as acquisition payments of £13m in the period.

The year end results will be announced on November 14, 2013.

UK, London

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BC Partners to acquire Springer Science+Business Media

June 20, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

springerspringer1London based private equity business BC Partners is to acquire Springer Science + Business Media, from Swedish private equity group EQT Partners and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation for approximately €2.3 billion including performance components. It is Springer’s third leveraged buyout in 10 years and means it is dropping plans, only announced last month, to go public in Frankfurt.

Cinven and Candover created the company in 2003 through the €1.7bn merger of BertelsmannSpringer and Dutch publisher KAP. EQT Partners and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation acquired Springer in 2010 from Cinven and Candover for around €2.3bn, including debt. Since then, the owners have invested €304 million and Springer has improved sales by 6.4% p.a. to €981 million and EBITDA by 12.6% p.a. to €341 million in 2012. EQT Partners and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation is expected to make between 2.5 to 3 times their initial investment. They will also retain a minority interest in the company.

bcpartners

Springer, which competes with Reed Elsevier and Wolters Kluwer, publishes approximately 2,200 English-language journals annually and produced nearly 8,000 new book titles in 2012 in diverse fields including science, technology, medicine, commerce and transport. The Company  also publishes online journals, e-books, professional services materials and open access publishing. Springer has more than 7,000 employees and reported sales of €981 million in 2012.

Ewald Walgenbach, Managing Partner at BC Partners, said, “Springer Science + Business Media is a well-established company in a growing sector and has excellent future prospects. The company has been one of the most innovative in its field in terms of developing new ways to distribute and access high quality publications. Its international footprint offers attractive opportunities and it is positioned to benefit from the growth of the knowledge economy worldwide. We look forward to partnering with management to support the company’s growth plans over the coming years.”

BC Partners was advised by Credit Suisse, Nomura and Jefferies. Legal advice was provided by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Germany, Hamburg & UK, London & Sweden, Stockholm

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