London, England – dmg world media announced the sale of its British antiques and sports-and-leisure groups as it continued to implement its strategy of moving away from consumer-oriented events.
The company sold its U.K. Sports and Leisure group to VOS Media Ltd. The dmg U.K. Antique Fairs were sold to International Antique and Collectors Fairs Ltd.
VOS acquired three shows and a magazine while International Antique and Collectors Fairs Ltd. picked up events in four cities.
Mike Cooke, CEO of dmg world media, said the properties were solid niche-market events even though they did not fit in with his company’s current strategy of focusing on national trade-audience shows.
“Based on our experience throughout the implementation of this strategy, we are confident we have found buyers who see great value in these products,” said Cooke.
The sales came less than a month after dmg sold its California Gift Show to Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. and announced it has put its remaining West Coast and Canadian gift shows on the market.
More Focused Management
The ownership change of the U.K. Sports and Leisure Group to VOS was not expected to have much impact on the customers of the four events or its publication, Ski & Snowboard Magazine. One of the investors in VOS Media is Damian Norman, who had been managing the group for dmg.
The new management said in a statement that there would be “no painful rebranding” and no changes to the show schedule. “Every one of our new owners is mad keen about snow sports, so that means more investing in things you care about,” the company said.
The U.K. Sports and Leisure Group consists of The Metro Ski & Snowboard Show, The Outdoors Show and The Vitality Show.
Busy Antique Calendar
The divestiture of the U.K. Antique Fairs involved shows in Newark, Ardingly, Shepton and Delting that take place five to six times per year. The sale of the 22 total events includes the transfer of the group’s staff to the new ownership.
Reach Mike cooke at (415) 464-8500 or mikecooke@dmgworldmedia.com; Damian Norman at 020 8515 2031 or damiannorman@dmgworldmedia.com
