Affichage on a shopping spree

Outdoor advertising company Affichage gains market share in Eastern Europe and a percentage of Swiss Sportart AG Europlakat International (EPI), the joint venture between the Swiss poster company Affichage and the French outdoor advertising company JCDecaux, acquired Alma Quattro, the leading poster company in Serbia and Montenegro, back in February. This was announced by Affichage CEO Christian Kauter on April 30 in Zurich. Alma Quattro has a rapidly growing network of more than 1,000 poster sites as well as a concession for the city of Belgrade (population 1.8 million). The combination of Alma Quattro with the existing subsidiary Europlakat Yugoslavia gives EPI a market share of 60 percent in Serbia and Montenegro (9.1 million inhabitants). Affichage has also made an acquisition in Switzerland: Affichage increased its 60 percent stake in Sportart AG, which it had held since 2001, to 80 percent by acquiring the 20 percent of the Zurich soccer club GC (Grasshoppers) in mid-April. The remaining 20 percent is still held by Sportart founder and board delegate Martin Blaser. Sportart AG markets sports stadiums, sporting events and sports clubs (with a focus on football and ice hockey) and recently acquired the overall marketing of the Swiss Football Cup.
(mk)