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Alma Media becomes the majority shareholder of Rantapallo.fi

Alma Media Corporation                  Press Release                        1 April 2016, 10:30 a.m (EET)

ALMA MEDIA BECOMES THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER OF RANTAPALLO.FI

Alma Media strengthens its consumer services with a transaction that will increase its share in Rantapallo Oy from 44 to 79 per cent. The transaction was concluded today. Alma Media acquired the shares from TukTuk Media Oy and EX VM Oy. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Rantapallo.fi is a comprehensive online travel service established in 2007 to provide information, inspiration and services to online readers interested in travel and tourism. Rantapallo has had 230,000–300,000 unique browsers on its website since the start of the year. Rantapallo Oy’s turnover in 2015 totalled MEUR 1.3.

Jani Uljas, Founder of Rantapallo Oy, will remain a shareholder in the company, but he will leave his business executive duties on 30 June. Riikka Krenn, who has previously worked as Editor-in-Chief at Rantapallo.fi, has been appointed the new business executive.

A transaction where Rantapallo Oy acquired the businesses of Matkapörssi Oy and LT Lentokeskus Oy was made at the same time. Matkapörssi Oy is an online travel service, and its subsidiary LT Lentokeskus Oy offers B2B services for travel agencies. In 2015, Matkapörssi’s turnover was MEUR 3.6 and Lentokeskus’ MEUR 4.0. The actual net turnover of the acquired businesses amounted to MEUR 4.1 in 2015.

“Our aim is to offer better and more comprehensive services to travel agents and consumers who are interested in travelling. Rantapallo and the lifestyle editorial staff at Iltalehti have collaborated for years with solid results,” says Kari Kivelä, Publisher at IL-Media.

“Our co-operation with Alma Media has been exceptionally smooth. I am sure that Rantapallo will be in good hands after the change in ownership. I am excited about being able to develop Rantapallo into a service that meets the needs of Finnish travellers even better,” Jani Uljas comments.

For more information, please contact:
Kari Kivelä, Publisher, IL-Media, tel. +358 10 665 2032

Alma Media in brief

Alma Media is a media company focusing on the service business and journalistic content. The company’s best-known brands are Kauppalehti, Talouselämä, Affärsvärlden, Iltalehti, Aamulehti, Etuovi.com and Monster. Alma Media builds sustainable growth for its customers by utilising the opportunities of digitality, including information services, system and expert services and advertising solutions. Alma Media’s operations have expanded from Finland to the Nordic countries, the Baltics and Central Europe. Alma Media employs approximately 2,500 professionals (excluding delivery personnel), of whom approximately 30% work outside Finland. Alma Media’s revenue in 2015 was EUR 291.5 million. Alma Media’s share is listed on NASDAQ Helsinki. Read more at www.almamedia.com.

  • Published: 1.4.2016, 10:30
  • Category: Press release, Releases

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