Gmür wants to wrest RMB Switzerland from the Belgians

According to well-informed Belgian sources, former Plakanda owner Peter Gmür is negotiating with multimedia marketer RMB International(RMBI) for the spin-off of RMB Switzerland. It is unclear, however, whether Gmür is also asking for the hand of the Austrian RMBI subsidiary. Gmür himself could not be reached by the time of going to press. It appears that Gmür is negotiating as a private citizen and not in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Clear Channel Plakanda (CCP); in any case, he had already "categorically" denied a role for CCP in the RMB negotiations in February. Gmür is repeatedly mentioned as a private investor because he is said to have made a fortune in the hundreds of millions from the Plakanda sale to Clear Channel. Gmür's name was rumored to be involved in the founding of Mediahaus Seefeld, Andy Lehmann's media agency. He was also named as a partner in Qualiclick (and recently owner of Adlink shares). Gmür does not comment on this, but he did not want to deny a partnership with Qualiclick to WerbeWoche a fortnight ago.
Thomson is now Europe's number 1 cinema marketer
Meanwhile, it is also certain that French electronics manufacturer Thomson Multimedia will acquire almost the entire network of cinema, TV, radio and online marketer RMBI (excluding Switzerland and Austria). On Wednesday, May 8, Thomson and RMBI shareholders, international cinema chain UGC (67%) and Belgian public TV company RTBF (33%), signed the change of hands agreement. A corresponding report in the Belgian daily La Libre Belgique was confirmed by RMBI and RTBF upon request.
The network sold comprises around a dozen subsidiaries in as many European countries. With the purchase, Thomson becomes the largest cinema marketer in Europe. Thomson has already sold RMB Germany (in December) and, in April, its TV operations in Spain - the latter to the Arbo Multimedia group. (mk)