Associated Newspapers Takes 50% Stake In Zoom.co.uk

Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, has acquired a 50% stake in Zoom.co.uk, the ecommerce and internet service provider launched by the Arcadia group last month (see Arcadia And Associated New Media Zoom Online). Associated is to pay £15 million to become a joint owner of the company.

At Zoom’s launch, Associated’s internet division, Associated New Media (ANM), was already a key content provider for site. Zoom will benefit from ANM’s knowledge in creating successful websites, gained through the launch of ThisIsLondon.com and ThisIsMoney.com. Zoom will also benefit from advertising, promotions and editorial links across Associated’s newspapers which include the Daily Mail, Mail On Sunday, Metro and Evening Standard.

Commenting on the acquisition, Murdoch MacLennan, group managing director of Associated Newspapers, says: “We have watched the development of Zoom.co.uk with great interest. Associated believes that the future of the internet is about commerce as well as information and Zoom is well-placed to deliver on both of these promises.”

Zoom will continue to be run by chairman Robin Klein and managing director Eva Pascoe. A management board comprising management from Associated and Arcadia will be established to further develop Zoom.

Arcadia Group: 0207 927 1877 Associated Newspapers: 0171 209 1234