IPC Eyes Gruner and Jahr For Possible Takeover

IPC is rumoured to be about to take over rival publisher Gruner and Jahr. A deal with German owners of G&J, Bertelsmann, is said to be close to completion, and an announcement could appear within days.

IPC announced a revamp last month, changing its name to IPC Media and jumping on the “branding” bandwagon (see Bailey Says Brands Not Mags For IPC’s Future). The acquisition of strong G&J performers like Best and Prima would considerably strengthen the company’s position in the market.

G&J’s first appearance on UK magazine stands was in 1985, when it launched the women’s monthly title Prima. Fifteen years later, the title manages a circulation of around 413,000. Women’s weekly Best followed in 1987 and now has a circulation of 461,000.

After this came Focus, a science and technology title launched in 1992, bi-monthly Prima Baby four years later and Your Home in 1998. These three titles now have circulations of 62,000, 52,000 and 181,000 respectively.

IPC refused to comment on whether this rumours were based on fact. The company’s results for the last six months, released in May (see IPC Release Results For Last Six Months) showed a drop in circulation revenues of 3.1% compared to the same period in the previous year.

Gruner and Jahr: 020 7245 8700 IPC: 020 7261 5000