Flextech is to sell a 38 per cent stake in TV Travel Shop to
Barclays Private Equity for pounds 20 million. The deal values the
business at pounds 52.6 million. Barclays Private Equity is to pay
Flextech pounds 5 million of the total cost of its acquisition and
invest the remaining pounds 15 million in the business to fund further
expansion.
News Communications & Media, the regional newspaper group, has acquired
the Hampshire Chronicle group from Jacob and Johnson for pounds 16
million. The Hampshire Chronicle had a weekly circulation of 17,383 in
the 12 months to the end of June.
Chrysalis Radio has appointed Mary Gopsill as managing director of the
newly formed Chrysalis Radio Online. She joins from Hydra, the media
strategy adviser, where she was in charge of strategy and change
projects. Her role will involve developing the Heart and Galaxy radio
brands online.
Future Publishing unveils Internet Investor, the latest addition to its
ten-strong business and internet magazine portfolio, on 20 December. The
first issue, priced pounds 3.99, includes a beginner’s guide to the
stock market and an overview of online banks.
Time magazine is to use a teaser campaign on TV, radio and in the press
to promote the revelation of its ’person of the century’ award, due to
be announced in the issue on sale on 29 December. The campaign, created
by Bartle Bogle Hegarty, will list possible winners of the award,
including Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa.
Flux, the Manchester-based lifestyle magazine, is to gain national
distribution in major bookshops, galleries and record shops from
December through a deal with Central Books. Flux has a print run of
35,000, with distribution principally in the North of England.
MRI International, the global barter company which offers to exchange
superfluous product for the equivalent value in media space, has hired
Michael Harris as managing director of its UK operation. Harris was
previously head of sales at Active International.
Emap On Air is launching the Big City Network - formerly known as the FM
Network - as a national brand. Big City Network is made up of eight
urban radio stations targeting the 18- to 34-year-old market including
Radio City in Liverpool and Aire in Leeds.
The customer publishing agency, Citrus, has been awarded the contract to
launch a new customer magazine for Jupiter Unit Trust Managers. The
publication will be called Jupiter Universe and will launch in February
2000 with a print run of 100,000.
Action Time, the UK independent production company, has poached the MTV
Network’s former senior director, international programme enterprises,
Caroline Beaton, as head of international and new business.
The UK Federation of Zoos is to support the launch of a new title,
Endangered Species, in the UK. The quarterly magazine, priced pounds
2.95, will be available through subscription and some high street
retailers. The magazine’s pagination is 84 pages, A4 square backed with
glossy format.
Two Way TV, the interactive TV entertainment group, has appointed Jean
de Fougerolles as head of sales and distribution as it rolls out its
commercial service on digital cable. De Fougerolles was previously head
of distribution for MTV Europe and at Two Way TV will be responsible for
deploying the service strands across all emerging digital networks.
Optimedia will not be working on the Tommy Hilfiger fragrances range, as
reported in Campaign on 26 November. Optimedia has picked up media for
all Tommy Hilfiger brands except fragrances. Fragrances will continue to
be handled by CDP Media.
