With the acquisition of New Skool Media, Roularta Media Group, the Belgian printer and publisher, strengthens its position on the Dutch market. Roularta will become 100% owner of New Skool Media, if the acquisition is approved.
New Skool Media is one of the largest magazine publishers in the Netherlands, with 21 media brands such as EW, BeleggersBelangen, Delicious, Kijk and Fiets. Many of the special interest magazine brands were acquired from Sanoma in 2014. New Skool Media employs 170 FTEs who are jointly responsible for a turnover of more than 45 million euros.
Focus on 50+’s
Roularta Media Group is a Belgian media company and is active in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The publisher is the market leader in magazines, regional TV and newspapers. The company also specializes in the media market for people over 50. Roularta employs a total of 1,475 FTEs, with a turnover of 300 million euros.
Strong position in the Dutch market
With the acquisition of New skool Media, Roularta is strengthening its position in the Dutch media market. In the Netherlands, Roularta is already active in the magazine market with Plus Magazine and Landleven. After the acquisition, it will also have competing brands such as Zin and Seasons. Nothing is yet known about the development of brands in the portfolio of both publishers.
Further development of brands New Skool Media
Erwin van Luit, CEO of New Skool Media: “I am delighted that we, as the acquirer, have found an owner in Roularta with whom we can continue to develop our media brands. I am convinced that this collaboration, and certainly also Roularta’s experience as a major magazine publisher, will contribute greatly to both the quality and speed of this further development.”
‘Work is not yet finished’
According to van Luit, there are opportunities for Dutch magazines in the Flemish market, but also in sharing content between existing editorial teams. Especially where brands in the portfolio of both publishers have an overlap in interests and target groups. Van Luit will remain as CEO and confirm that all employment contracts will be taken over. “I am happy that I can continue to develop the brands together with this great team. Because the work isn’t finished yet.”
Roularta: ambition in the Netherlands
Xavier Bouckaert, CEO of Roularta: “I look forward to expanding our activities in the Netherlands with the high-quality media brands of New Skool Media and contributing to their sustainable development and digitization, together with the experienced management and motivated employees of New School Media. Roularta Media Group is very proud of this important strategic investment in the ambitious development of its Dutch activities.”
The transaction is still subject to approval by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM), approval by the Central Works Council and agreement between the management and the Editorial Board of EW.