Hubert Burda acquires Exposure Media Marketing

With this acquisition, the subsidiary of Burda International becomes the 100 per cent owner of the media house.

Exposure Media Marketing (EMM) that publishes magazines like AsiaSpa, Millionaire Asia, Asia-Pacific Boating, Selling World Travel, Designer Mode and Audi magazine, has been acquired by international media house Hubert Burda Media, a subsidiary of Burda International incorporated in 2011.

The media group has received an authorisation from the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) of India for its acquisition of 100 per cent equity shares of Exposure Media Marketing, a company founded in 2003 by Rajiv and Parineeta Sethi. Sethi will continue to work with the company as a member of the board of directors and will help further develop the magazines and event portfolio.

Julie Sherborn, CEO, Burda Asia, say, "EMM is a perfect platform through which to expand our activities in the important and dynamic Indian market. According to the World Wealth Report, India experienced a 22.2 per cent growth in its high net worth Individuals' population last year. This surge is fast creating a market with increasingly sophisticated tastes, hungry for luxury experiences. And, EMM has a compelling portfolio, offering an exciting range of specialised brands targeting this growing segment. The acquisition conforms perfectly with our strategic focus in the pan-Asian region."

This is not Hubert Burda Media's maiden venture in the country. In fact, the European media house has a presence with direct investments in India since 2008. HT Burda Media, the joint venture of Burda Druck and Hindustan Times, operates a state of the art printing facility. Burda Media plans to invest Rs 150 crore across printing and special interest magazines in the coming years to strengthen its position in the Indian market.

Massimo Monti, managing director, Hubert Burda Media India, adds, "One of the main strengths of EMM is the company's database of affluent, influential individuals, constituting a very desirable target group for luxury advertisers."

For the record, EMM, apart from publishing magazines, also hosts a range of key events and trade fairs including the Millionaire Summit, Precious Golf and the AsiaSpa Wellness and Beauty Exhibition.

Burda International is active in 17 countries and currently publishes over 230 magazines as well as a number of digital media services. Burda International is one of the leading publishers in central and eastern Europe and has now started focusing on the Asian markets. The company employs more than 2,400 people.