EMAP Augments US Interests With £22m Acquisition

Following the acquisition of The Petersen Companies in December last year (see EMAP Makes £720m US Move), EMAP has today announced the purchase of General Media’s Automotive Group of magazines for £21.9 million.

The portfolio includes four monthly titles, Four Wheeler, Stock Car Racing, Open Wheel and Drag Racing Monthly along with the rights to Four Wheel TV. The combined monthly circulation of the four magazines is around 600,000. The General Media titles complement EMAP Petersen’s existing four-wheel drive portfolio.

EMAP’s chief executive Kevin Hand, says: “We indicated at the time of the Petersen acquisition that we expected it to provide a good platform for further growth… General Media’s Automotive Group titles are an excellent fit with the EMAP Petersen titles, and will strengthen our leading position in the auto magazine market in the US.”

Back on this side of the pond, it has been reported in Campaign that EMAP Metro’s FHM is set to report its first decline in sales in the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) figures released tomorrow. IPC’s Loaded, on the other hand, is expected to show a slight growth in sales.

Full consumer magazines circulation figures will be available in the Press database tomorrow and market sector Round-Ups will be available on Newsline as soon as possible.

EMAP: 0171 278 1452