Issues And Debates In The Media: EMAP case study

Emap plc is a media company whose purpose is to create must-have entertainment and information which can be delivered to every home and business within defined communities.

Background and History

Emap started life as a local newspaper company in 1947. Today Emap is a media company whose purpose is to create "must-have" entertainment and information which can be delivered to every home and business within defined communities.

2006
Emap announces plans to sell Emap France
Emap closes the 'legendary' Smash Hits Magazine, after a 28 year run

2005
Emap acquires the web based subscription fashion information business Worth Global Style Network (WGSN)
Emap Acquires SRH Plc, increasing its radio portfolio
A new division 'Emap Radio' forms in April, with the non-radio areas of Emap
Emap launches Grazia, Britain’s first weekly glossy, in February
Competition Commission announce that Emap should sell ABI

2004
Kerrang! 105.2 launched as an FM radio station in the West Midlands on 10 June
Emap launches the world's first weekly mag for men who like girls, football and funny stuff - ZOO Weekly
Four consumer magazines close - The Face, J17, Internet Magazine and Here's Health

2003
Emap has successfully raised £250 million in the City by issuing its first ever corporate bond
Smash Hits! Celebrated its 25th birthday as was named ‘Media Brand of the Year’
Emap Performance launched The hits, Q, Magic, Mojo and Heat as digital radio stations on Freeview

2002
Emap wins ‘Most Dynamic Media Company’ in the Campaign Media Awards
Celebrity mag heat reached 500,000 weekly sales mark
New consumer magazine ‘Closer’ is launched
Kiss, Kerrang! and Smash! Hits launch as digital radio stations on Freeview

2001
Kerrang! TV launched
Magic TV launched
Smash! Hits TV launched
Kiss TV launched

2000
FHM launched in the USA and Emap acquired Australian edition of New Woman
Q television launched

1999
Emap Advertising

1998
London radio station Melody FM acquired and renamed Magic 105.

1997
Emap created a new market for ‘middle youth’ women with the launch of Red and bought Macmillan’s healthcare company
FHM launched in Singapore and Emap acquired Mason Stewart & Bounty Services in Australia

1996
Digital music TV channel The Box acquired as the route into the small screen business
Emap sold off its newspaper & print division to Johnston Press for £200m

1994
Emap bought a small title called For Him Magazine, converted it into FHM & turned the men’s market upside down

1990
Emap got into radio with the acquisition of London dance station KISS FM
Emap got into the French market in a joint venture deal with Bayard Presse

1978
Smash! Hits launched – Emap’s first big consumer title and today a hero brand
More consumer magazines launched and Consumer Magazines division created

1956
Motor Cycle News acquired for £100 – now one of Emap’s biggest titles

1953
Angling Times launched – Emap’s first consumer title

1947
Emap formed as regional newspaper group

Finances

"In our 2006 financial year we have invested £480m in acquisitions, largely in radio and information businesses which are performing ahead of our expectations, and a record £25m on launches, mainly in consumer magazines demonstrating our commitment to innovation. During the year we generated £152m through disposals and, in February 2006, we announced the proposed sale of Emap France."

Ownership and Main People

Emap is a media conglomerate with interests in magazines, radio and television.
The name of the original company, which included newspapers until their sale in the late 1990s to Johnston Press, was 'East Midlands Allied Press'. This has been shortened to Emap.

The Company Structure