The GBP 1 billion global publishing company Emap Publishing (Nederland) B. V, a subsidiary of Emap plc, has decided to pick up 40.1 per cent stake in India's special interest magazine publishing company Next Gen Publishing Ltd at a cost of about Rs 30 crore (USD 7.5 million).

Commenting on the tie-up, H.S.Billimoria, Chief Executive Officer, Next Gen Publishing said, "The entry of Emap as a partner throws open vast opportunities for Next Gen to become a leading media group in the country."

With a market cap in excess of GBP 1.8 billion, Emap plc is a dominant publishing company in Europe across radio, events, television and digital media segments. The company drives over 200 business-to-business events, publications and information products.

The partnership translates into an FDI of about Rs 30 crores, which Next Gen would use to fund its expansion plans, including the launch of new titles. Already, the Mumbai-based company publishes one of Emap's bestselling titles, Car, a leader in its category, and is poised to launch another, FHM, which is the world's most read men's magazine.

In addition to these, Next Gen publishes the Forbes Yellow pages and five other titles across a range of special interest segments. These funds will power the next wave in Next Gen's ambition to emerge as a leading player over several media platforms.

Maanvi Publishing House (MPH) has entered into an agreement with US-based motivational books publisher, Executive Excellence Publishing. According to the deal, Maanvi Publishing House would publish and market the Indian edition of "Leadership Excellence" magazine, for which it would pay four per cent royalty to the American company.

According to a PTI report, the magazine would initially publish content from American thought leaders and corporates. Eventually, one-third of the magazine's Indian edition's content would be contributed by Indian writers, including bureaucrats.

Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL), publishers of 'Dainik Jagran', India's largest read daily (Source: IRS 2007 Round 1), has reported total revenues of Rs 192.27 crore for Q1FY08, an increase of 34.69% as compared to Rs 142.75 crore in Q1FY07.

• Revenues at Rs 192.27 crore, up by 34.69 % from Rs 142.75 crore
• Advertisement Revenues at Rs 126.74 crore, up by 42.05% from Rs 89.22 crore
• EBIDTA at Rs 60.35 crore, up by 50.32% from Rs 40.15 crore
• PAT at Rs 34.71 crore, up by 51.62% from Rs 22.89 crore
• EPS (non-annualised) of Rs 5.76, higher by 51.58% from Rs 3.80
• EBIDTA margins increased to 31.39% from 28.12%
• Net margin increased to 18.05% from 16.04%

* E-sense to launch a tabloid for the Mumbai youth
E-sense, a newly set up company, is planning to launch a 16-page tabloid targeted at the Mumbai youth in the age group of 16 to 30 years. According to the managing director and CEO of E-sense, Rahul Bage, the company is a pioneer in the concept of targeting only the youth. He said that by launching a tabloid for the youth the company is creating a new market for itself and would therefore be free from competition.

* Nai Dunia to unveil its Jabalpur edition August
Indore-based Hindi daily, Nai Dunia, is all set to launch its Jabalpur edition by August end. Nai Dunia will offer 24 pages of information, daily updates and columns.

* Dainik Bhaskar Group launches Young Bhaskar
Dainik Bhaskar Group has launched ‘Young Bhaskar’, its fortnightly children’s magazine, in English. ‘Young Bhaskar’ is targeted at children aged 8-14 years. Priced at Rs 3, the magazine will cover current issues, stories, contests, jokes and so on in an infotainment format. The group had launched a Hindu magazine, ‘Bal Bhaskar’, for kids, a month ago.

* Nai Dunia launches its magazines Sehat and Spectrum
Hindi daily, ‘Nai Dunia’, has launched two fortnightly magazines, ‘Sehat’ and ‘Spectrum’. Sehat is aimed at readers of all age groups and will cover various aspects of health. The magazine would focus on overall physical fitness, diet plans and as well as spiritualism. Besides, the magazine would also provide interactive columns relating to teenage troubles and beauty tips. Spectrum is aimed at kids in the six to sixteen years' age group. The magazine will carry short stories, comics, riddles, general knowledge, personal experiences, jokes, etc.

* Divya Bhaskar launches its Kutch edition
The Bhaskar Group launched Divya Bhaskar in Kutch on July 30. The launch of this edition would make it Kutch’s first mainline daily and the newspaper’s eighth edition in Gujarat. According to Sanjay Bhatla, senior general manager, Divya Bhaskar, Mumbai, Kutch is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and is also Gujarat’s largest district, which makes it an important market for the company.