Penton Media Acquires Hillgate Communications Ltd.

Posted on February 22, 2001

Penton Media, Inc., a business-to-business media company, announced it has acquired Hillgate Communications Ltd., London, a publishing company with titles serving the Internet/Broadband and information technology sectors in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Penton CEO Thomas L. Kemp says in a statement, "The Hillgate Communications acquisition is an important part of our strategy to expand our business globally. This is a perfect strategic addition to the fast-growing exhibition and online media businesses of our Penton Media Europe."

Penton Media Europe has maintained a licensing partnership with Hillgate to publish its Internet World, ISPWorld, Service Management, and m-Commerce World magazines. Hillgate also independently publishes IT Consultant, a monthly publication aimed at 15,000 information technology management consultants. This acquisition brings all the magazines fully under Penton Media Europe's direction and establishes a European publishing headquarters for all Penton's European markets.

Hillgate will operate from its Central London offices. Its current management team, including Managing Director Simon Moss and Sales Director Sean Alison, continue to manage the business as it becomes part of Penton Media Europe, which is headquartered in West London and overseen by Center.

``This is exciting news for everyone at Hillgate and provides an unprecedented opportunity to further build upon our existing portfolio, while rapidly expanding by both market and geography,'' said Moss. ``Penton and Hillgate are very similar in outlook, ambition, professionalism and drive, and are perfectly matched to support and develop a genuine tripod proposal to the key technology companies driving the new economy.''