There were 52 trade magazine deals valued at $2.72 billiong in 2006, compared to 36 deals valued at $1.735 billion in 2005, according to Whitestone Communications (New York). Overall, ten media, information and training categories showed an increase of 44% in the number of deals, going from 379 deal in 2005 to 505 deals in 2006, and an increase of 47% in their value, going from $18.6 billion in 2005 to $27.3 billion in 2006. The Business Publisher tracked 65 deals involving trade magazines last years. Whitestone said the number of deals was the largest since 2000. The categories with the most deals included Magazines (consumer and trade), with 81 deals valued at $5.6 billion, Business/Legal/Other, with 80 deals valued at $3.3 billion, and Internet (content providers), with 67 deals valued at $3.3 billion. Whitestone, which tracks M&A activity through its Who's Buying Whom annual reference, said the biggest trand of the year was the increased role of private equity funds in M&A activity.
From The Business Publisher
© February 15, 2007
