Keesing expanderar i Norden, förvärvar förlaget Onni Kustannus i Uleåborg, Finlands näst största korsordsförlag

Keesing Media Group and Onni Kustannus Oy have reached agreement on a takeover whereby Keesing with immediate effect assumes ownership of the magazine portfolio and puzzle brands assets of Onni Kustannus, the second largest puzzle publisher in the Finnish market. The deal will ensure Keesing a strong position in Finland and add this to the leading positions in the markets in Sweden and Denmark together with the steadily growing business in Norway. This expansion is in line with Keesing Media Group ongoing buy and build strategy and will mark an important milestone for the continuous growth in The Nordics.

Onni Kustannus Oy, established in 2008, has built a significant product portfolio over the years, currently counting 20 popular monthly and bi-monthly puzzle magazines and seasonal booklets, including well-known titles like 100 Ristikkoa, Pommin Helppo Ristikkopaketti and Ristikko Pommi. The main content type is classical Finnish crosswords, but also other language puzzle variations and logical puzzles like sudoku are part of the portfolio. The household brands of Onni Kustannus are known for their high quality and challenging fun, and the products are distributed all over Finland and on sale in all major retail chains.

By acquiring the brands and portfolio of Onni Kustannus, Keesing significantly expands its activities in the Finnish market, adding to the existing product assortment in the Swedish speaking parts of Finland and the B2B comics and leisure content via the PIB Features brand. The acquisition gives Keesing the possibility to pursue the big ambitions and grow all business areas, build on the print product portfolios and further boost partnerships with other media companies and platforms, also introducing the increasingly popular digital braintainment solutions and formats to the Finnish market.

– This is an exciting moment in our Nordic expansion and a significant step-up for us in Finland. The team of Onni Kustannus has developed an impressive portfolio of high quality puzzle magazines and I am very pleased to add these premium brands to our business, says Anders Juhlin, Managing Director Keesing Nordics & Germany

– It is with great confidence that we hand over our beloved crossword magazines to Keesing Suomi. With Keesing as owner, our magazines and the brand Onni Kustannus have the best conditions tocontinue growing and keeping Onni magazines as Finland’s most loved crossword magazines also inthe future, says Taina Särkelä, founder and CEO of Onni Kustannus.

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About Keesing Media Group

Keesing Media Group is the biggest braintainment company in the world, producing more than 200 million puzzlemagazines and booklets per year, as well as a range of online braingames. Keesing was founded in 1911 by Amsterdambased journalist Isaäc Keesing, and is now global market leader in print and online puzzle formats. The company offers puzzle enthusiasts all over the world challenging and innovative game concepts. The headquarters are in Amsterdam, and the company has offices in 12 countries. Check www.keesing.com.

For more information

Anders Juhlin, MD Keesing Nordics & Germany

+46 706 29 26 62

a.juhlin@keesing.com