Schibsted ASA (SCH) - Schibsted Media Group divests book publishing company Schibsted Forlag AS and EBOK.NO
Schibsted Media Group has agreed to sell Schibsted Forlag AS and EBOK.NO to the
Norwegian book publishing company Forlagshuset Vigmostad & Bjørke.
Schibsted Forlag is among the leading book publishers in Norway. EBOK.NO is
Schibsted's digital book store. The book publishing operation in Schibsted
Forlag was established in 1839 by Christian Schibsted.
"We are convinced that Vigmostad & Bjørke will be good long term owners for
Schibsted Forlag and EBOK.NO. This is a good way forward for both companies, CEO
of Schibsted Media Group, Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"Vigmostad & Bjørke has a solid history, and has over the last 25 years
developed very well in the Norwegian book publishing industry. Today, it is the
country's fourth largest publishing house country. I am sure that customers,
authors and employees of Schibsted Forlag will benefit from being included into
the Vigmostad & Bjørke group," Bernt Olufsen, Chair of the Board of Schibsted
Forlag says.
Schibsted has a long and proud history as owners of Schibsted Forlag.
"At the same time, it is an important responsibility continuously to consider
whether you are the best owner for each operation. Schibsted will allocate our
resources to developing our position as a global leader in Online classifieds
and developing world class digital media houses," CEO Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"Schibsted Forlag and EBOK.NO have key positions in the Norwegian publishing
industry. My career in this industry started by writing more than 100 short
stories and short novels for magazines owned by the publishing house we now
acquire. Hence, I have always followed Schibsted Forlag closely, and it is like
a dream come true. We are looking forward to increase the efforts within
entertainment literature at the benefit of Norwegian book lovers. Further on, we
want to reinforce the position within general literature, where Schibsted Forlag
and Vigmostad & Bjørke have strong positions and solid foundations for further
growth," says Chair of the Board of the Vigmostad & Bjørke group, Arno
Vigmostad.
"We already have the largest internet bookstore in Norway, and now we are
getting the largest digital bookstore too," says Arnstein Bjørke in Vigmostad &
Bjørke.
The transaction will be completed in the near future, and will result in an
immaterial gain for Schibsted. The parties have agreed not to communicate the
value of the transaction. In 2014 Schibsted Forlag and EBOK.NO combined had
revenues of around NOK 190 million and an EBITDA of NOK -14 million.
Contact persons:
Trond Berger, CFO. Tel: +47 916 86 695
Bernt Olufsen, Chair of the Board of Schibsted Forlag AS. Tel: +47 909 43 102
Oslo, 11 May 2015
SCHIBSTED ASA
Jo Christian Steigedal
Head of IR
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
[HUG#1927845]