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Acquisition will extend iconic travel guides across multiple media platforms
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, the commercial arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (British Broadcasting Corporation), has acquired Lonely Planet, the leading travel information group, in a deal that will build the Lonely Planet franchise around the world.
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The privately owned business is being sold by Tony and Maureen Wheeler, who founded the company in 1972, and John Singleton who became a shareholder in 1999.
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John Smith, CEO of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, said: "We are delighted to be announcing this acquisition today. Lonely Planet is a highly respected international brand and a global leader in the provision of travel information. This deal fits well with our strategy to create one of the world's leading content businesses, to grow our portfolio of content brands online and to increase our operations in Australia and America."
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Lonely Planet, which has significant operations in the UK, California and Australia, is led by Judy Slatyer (CEO) and her management team, who will be staying with the business.Μύ
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Lonely Planet's global headquarters will remain in Melbourne.
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Maureen and Tony Wheeler, joint founders, who will retain a 25% shareholding in the company, said: "Joining Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide allows us to secure the long-term future of our company within a globally recognised media group. In our discussions with John and his team, we felt that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide would provide a platform true to our vision and values, while allowing us to take the business to the next level."
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Etienne de Villiers, Non-executive Chairman of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, commented: "Closing this prestigious deal is a great feather in the cap for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, its management and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ overall. It is further evidence of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's ability to become a major international media player.
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"It is testimony to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's reputation that the Wheelers believe we are the right partner to take the business forward, given the many organisations that have approached them over the years. We are all convinced that the association will strengthen Lonely Planet's visibility and growth potential, particularly in the digital arena, as well as providing their users access to the wide range of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ content which connects with their interests - from Michael Palin’s New Europe to Planet Earth."
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Lonely Planet publishes around 500 titles including specialist activity guides, shoestring guides and phrasebooks. It publishes in various languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish. The company also produces and develops factual programming for international broadcasters (Lonely Planet Television).
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Its flagship TV series, Lonely Planet Six Degrees, produced for Discovery Networks, is now in its third season, and screens in over 100 countries. Meanwhile, Lonely Planet's website receives 4.3 million unique visitors a month and Lonely Planet's travel video site, , is establishing a valuable online community of independent travellers, allowing travellers to upload and watch their own video as well as view videos created by Lonely Planet.
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Welcoming the transaction, Maureen and Tony Wheeler concluded: "We will remain completely focused on the delivery of unique content to our travellers around the world. We are very optimistic about the prospects for the Lonely Planet brand under the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide umbrella."
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The deal team was led by David King, Chief Financial Officer, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide and Ian Watson, International Director, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide. Worldwide's advisors in Australia included Deloitte Corporate Finance and legal advisors Blake, Dawson Waldron.
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Ali Jeremy
Jennie Allen
Chris Charlton
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Notes to Editors:
About Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Limited () is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ). The company exists to maximise the value of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's assets around the world for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights.
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The company has six core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Content & Production, Magazines, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment and Digital Media. In the year to end March 2007, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide generated profits of Β£111.1 million on sales of Β£810.4 million.
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About Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is the world's most successful independent travel information company. The company has been providing travellers with compelling, reliable and independent travel advice for over 30 years.
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With offices in Australia (head office), the UK and the USA, Lonely Planet books are sold in over 200 countries via a global distribution network. Lonely Planet publishes over 500 titles and more than 6.5 million Lonely Planet books are sold annually.
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The company has an award-winning website (), a web-based stock photography agency () and a television production house, Lonely Planet Television ().
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This acquisition was approved by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Trust. More information can be found at:
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