Loyens & Loeff advises DPG Media

Loyens & Loeff advises DPG Media on the acquisition of publishing company Sanoma Media Netherlands

Work highlight

22-04-2020

With the acquisition of Sanoma Media Netherlands, the Netherlands' largest publisher of magazines, DPG Media acquires a high-performing and complementary portfolio of news media, magazines, and online services. This acquisition will also allow DPG Media to compete on the advertising market with tech giants like Google and Facebook, and increase its digitalization process. In the EUR 460 million deal, various practice groups of Loyens & Loeff advised the media company on all aspects of the transaction.

In the Netherlands, DPG Media already owned a number of major newspapers, like de Volkskrant, Algemeen Dagblad, Trouw and Het Parool, the national radio station QMusic, and several websites, from a recruitment communication website to a price comparison website. Their portfolio is now further expanded with popular magazines like Margriet, Libelle, and Donald Duck, and the free news website Nu.nl, allowing the cross-media company to strengthen its position as local player on the advertising market.

Harmen Holtrop, partner at Loyens & Loeff: “As lead counsel to DPG Media, we advised the media company at every step of the acquisition. From due diligence in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, to representation before the Dutch competition authority, and assistance during all negotiations with Sanoma Media Netherlands. We are grateful to DPG Media for their trust in our team. Thanks to our international and multidisciplinary approach, we were able to offer them truly integrated advice.”