PubliGroupe sells "persönlich" to Matthias Ackeret

The sale of the holding in the "Persönlich" Verlags AG is the outcome of PubliGroupe's strategic reorientation, which began prior to the purchase of PubliGroupe by Swisscom and continues to be implemented in consultation with the new owner. In addition to Matthias Ackeret, Manfred Klemann is also involved as an investor. In 2000, Manfred Klemann founded "Wetter.com", Europe's largest online weather portal. He resides in Switzerland and runs a book publishing business well as an Internet company.

Arndt C. Groth, CEO of PubliGroupe: "'persönlich' and 'persoenlich.com' have become established under Matthias Ackeret's leadership as the leading Swiss industry platform for media, advertising, marketing and communication with a highly successful combination of print and online. The sale to the managing director guarantees continuity in terms of ownership and journalistic quality. PubliGroupe is very pleased to have found this solution with a committed journalist and a well-coordinated team."

The Swiss business magazine for communication "persönlich" is the leading trade magazine in Switzerland. The magazine is the official publication medium of the Swiss Marketing Association (Gesellschaft für Marketing - GfM) and maintains partnerships with the most important industry associations and institutions. At present "persönlich" has a circulation of 7,000 copies. The leading online portal for the communications industry generates in average over 550,000 page impressions per month and sends a daily newsletter to some 20,000 subscribers. The "persönlich" publishing house employs a staff of seven individuals.