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VM Digital acquires majority of German horse classified site pferde.de, 15.09.2008

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Vienna, 15 September 2008 - Austrian investment company VM Digital has acquired the majority of Germany's leading horse portal pferde.de. 50.1% of the special interest web site operated by WIV GmbH in Frankfurt am Main is now owned by VM Digital, a 100% subsidiary of Vorarlberger Medienhaus, thus continuing its expansion strategy in Germany. "The future lies in digital business models that deal with special interests", states Helmar Hipp, managing director of VM Digital. According to a study conducted by TNS Infratest, 68 per cent out of 1.500 people asked use websites as source for information for their hobbies and leisure activities. "This trend is particularly evident in Germany, where special interest themes are experiencing a significant boom".

With pferde.de, VM Digital acquired one of the instigators of this trend, according to Helmar Hipp. The portal was launched in 1998 and is one of the horse websites with the most extensive reach in Europe. More than 130.000 horse enthusiasts are registered on the site; page views exceeded the barrier of 4 Million for the first time in May 2008. In the past 10 years the range of service has been expanded steadily and adapted to the needs of the Web 2.0 world. For example, users can discuss their personal experiences with Black Beauty, Fury & Co. With more than 10.000 horse- and classified ads, www.pferde.de is the leading classified website for steed and rider in Germany. Daily news and background information in the magazine, shopping tips and information on riding holidays complete the offering. "We are very pleased to have gained one of the most innovative publishers and protagonists in the online business as a new shareholder", emphasized Bernd Weidmann, managing director of pferde.de Dienstleistungen GmbH.

"Pferde.de is an excellent fit to our portfolio. The website has successfully combined a leading classified platform, a large and vibrant community, as well as content, to form a comprehensive special interest network", explains Helmar Hipp. In Germany the VM Digital or the VM Group respectively, already owns quoka.de, one of the major classified websites of the country. VM Digital targets companies that focus on classifieds, community, mobile and e-commerce. The current portfolio is comprised of websites such as vivatier.de, mascus.de, mamiweb.de, carsablanca.de and smash247.com

VM Digital Beteiligungs GmbH, domiciled in Schwarzach/Vorarlberg (Austria) is a subsidiary of VM Group (Vorarlberger Medienhaus), one of the most successful regional media companies in Europe. VM Digital focuses on investments and acquisitions in online media companies in the areas of classifieds, community, mobile and e-commerce, featuring strong growth and a link to the media business.

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