Through its company Klambt-Verlag GmbH & CO KG, the KLAMBT media group is acquiring 50.1% of the shares in G+J/Klambt-Style-Verlag GmbH & CO KG, a joint venture between G+J and KLAMBT, from Gruner & Jahr in addition to the existing 49.9% as of January 1, 2018. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed on November 2, 2017.
As a result, KLAMBT will become the sole shareholder of the company, which publishes the German edition of "Grazia" and operates the website www.grazia-magazin.de as well as various channels relating to the "Grazia" brand on social media. The "Grazia" editorial team will continue to be based at the premises of the KLAMBT media group in Hamburg. EV and subscription sales will also continue to be handled by KLAMBT.
At the same time, the parties agreed to further intensify and expand the successful cooperation with Gruner + Jahr e|MS in print and digital marketing. The corresponding contracts will be extended by several years at the same time as the transfer of the shares. The transfer is subject to the approval of the relevant German and Austrian antitrust authorities.
Lars Joachim Rose, publisher of Mediengruppe KLAMBT:
"After extensive analyses, we have come to the conclusion that in future, as the sole publisher, we will be able to focus even more strongly on the importance of the internationally renowned "Grazia" brand and the digital business for the German market, which is growing strongly in this regard, and to approach corresponding investments in an even more focused manner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues at Gruner & Jahr for their consistently professional and at the same time personally trusting and pleasant cooperation. At the same time, I am particularly pleased that we will be able to continue the excellent and successful cooperation with G+J in the marketing area in the coming years and extend the contracts accordingly."
Frank Vogel, Managing Director of G+J e|MS:
"GRAZIA plays an important role in the premium segment of women's magazines, which also includes GALA and MADAME. The unique GRAZIA concept of people and high-quality fashion continues to be highly exciting for our advertising customers. We are very pleased that we can continue to market GRAZIA with all our strength and passion."