VNU has finally struck a deal to buy the European magazines
published by rival Ziff Davis.
The acquisition has raised fears that titles will be closed and staff
made redundant as the publishers have a number of magazines targeted at
the same markets.
Ziff Davies publishes PC Magazine, PC Direct, PC Gaming World and IT
Week in the UK. PC Direct, a monthly consumer title, is a competitor to
VNU’s Personal Computer World. And between them, the two publishers own
three weekly IT business titles: IT Week, Computing and Network
News.
VNU Business Publications managing director Brin Bucknor was not
predicting any closures. He said: ’From our perspective they are
complementary titles and some more than others.
’All these magazines are seen as reaching very different markets. Our
aim is to assimilate the titles into the existing portfolio.’
