Enthuse buys 51% stake in AA Media Ltd

Enthuse Group, a specialist international publishing firm, has announced the acquisition of a 51% stake in AA Media Ltd.

Under the terms of the acquisition, the balance will be held by AA plc and AA Media will continue to use the AA brand as defined under a brand licensing agreement.

AA Media produces atlases, maps and travel guides alongside British travel writing, sold through online platforms like Amazon and a number of national retailers. It also has a hotels rating business and a merchandising portfolio.

Enthuse Group said it would work with the AA to grow the business, leveraging existing partnerships and digitising its range of products and services.

Owen Davies, c.e.o. of Enthuse Group, said: “It has been a great year for the group and we are pleased to announce our new joint venture with AA plc. AA Media is a fantastic business with a beloved and trusted brand. We are delighted to welcome the AA Media team to Enthuse and we look forward to accelerating the opportunities to digitize and expand the business.

“2018 was a transitional year for the Group and today’s joint venture partnership continues the momentum.  We have increased our range of titles and our geographical footprint and the new joint venture gives us a significant position in the important hospitality and travel sector.”

Enthuse Group has a stable of 30 magazines, events and online communities, including Model Engineer, first published in 1898. It boasts its speciality is “breathing new life into heritage brands”.

AA Publishing made £2.6m through Nielsen BookScan's TCM in 2018, down 17% year on year.