April 22, 2008
On April 21, it was announced that Willkie client Wendel, the French listed investment company, is in exclusive negotiations to sell Editis, France’s second-largest publisher, to Spain’s Grupo Planeta, in a deal valued at over €1 billion. The talks, which have been widely reported in the international press, including the April 22 Financial Times, could lead to a signed deal by the end of June. It is expected that the transaction will create a new leader in European publishing. Planeta is the largest Spanish media group and the world-leader in Spanish-language publishing. With consolidated net sales of €5.5 billion in 2007, Wendel is one of Europe’s leading investment firms, investing in France and internationally. The deal is being handled by partners Daniel Hurstel and Marie-Hélène Raffin; and associates Olivier Lopez, Charles Cardon and Aurélia Charar.
