Telegraph Media Group acquires Chelsea Magazine Co

The following excerpt was sent out from The Telegraph:

Telegraph Media Group (TMG) has acquired a leading lifestyle publisher as it accelerates its transformation into a subscription-led digital business.

TMG, publisher of the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and telegraph.co.uk, has purchased the Chelsea Magazine Company (CMC), a family-owned digital and print magazine specialist.

Founded in 2007 by Paul Dobson, CMC’s consumer brands include The English Home, The English Garden, Artists & Illustrators, Classic Boat and Britain. The portfolio offers print and digital subscriptions and reaches a combined monthly audience of 2.5 million in the UK and abroad.

TMG has been rapidly growing its subscription business over the last five years, reaching over 750,000 total subscriptions prior to the acquisition. Expansion has been strong in Britain and abroad, and the company is currently adding significant numbers of subscriptions in the United States.

Nick Hugh, CEO of Telegraph Media Group, said: “The success of our subscription strategy over the last five years has put TMG in a strong position, providing us with the capability to invest in other publishing groups. I am delighted that CMC will be joining TMG and our portfolio of award-winning publications. This investment will help us to deepen our subscriber relationships and scale our market both in the UK and the US, furthering our vision to reach more subscribers than ever before.”

CMC’s stable attracts subscribers primarily located in the UK and North America, and is thus highly complementary to TMG’s existing publications, subscriber base and growth strategy, the company said in a statement.

James Dobson, Managing Director of The Chelsea Magazine Company, said: “I am proud that CMC is joining the Telegraph Media Group. Since my father founded the business in 2007, we have built a broad portfolio of engaging specialist brands. TMG offers a fantastic platform to grow print and digital audiences, and together with my CMC colleagues, I am excited to work alongside such an established industry leader.”