Decision Nº M/03/027 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2003-08-26

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: Guardian Media,Trader Media
• Date: 26 August 2003
• Decision Number: M/03/027
• Status: Cleared (Phase 1)
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Date: 26 August 2003

Determination of the Competition Authority

Determination No. M/03/027 of the Competition Authority, dated 26 August

2003, under Section 21 of the Competition Act, 2002

Notification No. M/03/027 - Guardian Media Group PLC proposed acquisition of

Trader Media Group Limited

Introduction

1. On 8 August the Competition Authority, in accordance with Section 18 (1) of the

Competition Act, 2002 (“the Act”) was notified, on a mandatory basis, of a

proposal whereby Guardian Media Group PLC (GMG), via a subsidiary, would

acquire sole control of Trader Media Group Limited (TMG) by acquiring BC

Partners’ (consisting of funds advised by BC Partners Limited, a private equity

group and certain other institutional and related shareholders) and other persons’

shareholding interests in TMG. The Authority, in accordance with s 23(1)(b) of

the Act, notified the parties that it considers the transaction to be a media merger.

The Parties

2. GMG is an unlisted UK based company. The GMG group has media interests in

national, regional and local newspapers, magazines, the Internet and radio

including The Guardian, The Observer and The Guardian Weekly. These titles

are sold within the State. It’s interests also include a number of Internet websites

including www.guardianunlimited.co.uk, and a shareholding interest in a UK

based classified advertising website, Fish4. It currently has a joint controlling

interest in TMG.

3. TMG is a UK based company. The principle activity of the TMG group is the

publication of specialist advertising-only publications including Autotrader and

associated websites, as well as other car-related publications. It publishes three

editions of Autotrader in Ireland, Dublin’s Autotrader, Ireland’s Autotrader and

Northern Ireland’s Autotrader and an associated Irish online service. These

publications and websites provide vehicle classified advertisements to Irish

customers.

Analysis

4. Market enquiries indicated that GMG’s publications and websites do not compete

against TMG’s publications or websites for classified advertising or readership

within the State. As there is no competitive overlap between the activities of the

parties within the State, the transaction will not have a significant impact on

competition within the State.

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