Alma Media

Alma Media is a Finnish listed media and digital-services company headquartered in Helsinki. Its roots lie in newspaper publishing, but its business has developed into a broader portfolio combining journalism, professional information, digital marketplaces and online services. The group serves consumers, professionals, employers, jobseekers, property buyers and sellers, vehicle users, and businesses seeking specialized information or skills-development services. The present Alma Media corporation began operating in 1998 after the consolidation and restructuring of Finnish newspaper and media assets. Its historical lineage reaches further back through Finnish printing and newspaper enterprises. Important predecessor publications include Satakunnan Kansa, founded in 1873; Aamulehti, founded in 1881; Kauppalehti, founded in 1898; and Iltalehti, founded in 1980. The company's development reflects the wider transformation of the Finnish media sector from print-centered publishing toward diversified digital content and platform businesses. Alma Media has commonly organized its activities into three broad areas: Alma Consumer, Alma Talent and Alma Markets. Alma Consumer has included national and regional news media, notably Iltalehti, Aamulehti and Satakunnan Kansa, together with lifestyle-oriented digital services and the Alma Manu printing operation. Alma Talent has comprised business, financial, technology and professional publications such as Kauppalehti, Talouselämä, Tekniikka & Talous, Tivi, Mikrobitti, Arvopaperi and Mediuutiset, as well as books, events, training and information services. Alma Markets has operated digital marketplaces and services in housing, recruitment and mobility, including Etuovi.com, Vuokraovi.com, Autotalli.com, Monster.fi, Jobs.cz, Prace.cz, Profesia.sk and related services. A major strategic turning point came in 2005, when Alma Media divested its broadcasting operations and concentrated more clearly on newspapers, business information and online marketplaces. This helped define the group as a combination of content businesses and digital services rather than a traditional newspaper publisher alone. The acquisition of the Czech recruitment-services company LMC in 2011 strengthened the international recruitment and e-recruitment portfolio, including Jobs.cz, Prace.cz and LMC's employer software services. Alma Media's portfolio has changed over time through acquisitions, divestments and organizational adjustments. Its services have extended from Finland into Nordic, Baltic and Central European markets, although the Finnish consumer and professional media businesses remain central to the group's identity. The company is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki under the ticker ALMA. Its overall positioning is that of a diversified media and information group using trusted content, professional expertise and digital marketplaces to connect audiences with information, opportunities and services.

Alma Media's history is rooted in the development of Finnish printing and newspaper publishing. One early predecessor was the Finnish Literature Society's Printing Company, which began operating in 1849 and printed the newspaper Suometar. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, several publications that later became associated with Alma Media were established. Satakunnan Kansa began in 1873, Aamulehti in 1881 and Kauppalehti in 1898. Other regional newspaper foundations included Pohjolan Sanomat in 1915, Kainuun Sanomat in 1917 and Lapin Kansa in 1928. Iltalehti was launched in 1980 and later became one of the group's best-known consumer media brands. A significant corporate step occurred in 1988, when Tampereen Kirjapaino Oy and Uusi Suomi Oy merged. The resulting publisher, later known as Aamulehti Corporation, became one of Finland's major newspaper companies. Over time, the business expanded beyond newspapers into online services, television and radio. Alma Media officially began operating in 1998, establishing the corporate structure associated with the modern group. The company undertook a major strategic restructuring in 2005. It sold its broadcasting operations and concentrated on newspaper publishing, business information and online marketplaces. This decision marked a clearer separation from the broader broadcasting model and strengthened the group's focus on content and digital services. As internet use changed media consumption, Alma Media developed digital editions, online advertising, classified services and specialized information products alongside print publications. The group's professional-media activities grew around business, financial, technology and industry publications. Alma Talent's portfolio has included Kauppalehti, Talouselämä, Tekniikka & Talous, Tivi, Mikrobitti, Arvopaperi, Mediuutiset and the Swedish publication Ny Teknik. In addition to periodicals, the professional business has offered books, events, training and information services intended for professionals and companies. Alma Media also expanded into digital marketplaces. Its market-services portfolio has included housing platforms such as Etuovi.com and Vuokraovi.com, recruitment services such as Monster.fi, Jobs.cz, Prace.cz and Profesia.sk, and mobility services such as Autotalli.com and AutoJerry.fi. The 2011 acquisition of Czech company LMC strengthened the recruitment business through Jobs.cz, Prace.cz and LMC's e-recruitment software. The group consequently developed an international footprint extending beyond Finland into Nordic, Baltic and Central European markets. In Finland, Alma Consumer has represented the continuing importance of national and regional journalism. Its activities have included Iltalehti, Aamulehti, Satakunnan Kansa and other regional or local titles, together with digital consumer services. Across the group, acquisitions, divestments and reorganizations have periodically changed the exact portfolio. The enduring strategic direction, however, has been a transition from a traditional newspaper publisher into a diversified media and digital-services company built around consumer reach, professional knowledge and online marketplaces.

1. 2011LMC acquisition expands recruitment services

   Alma Media acquires Czech recruitment-services provider LMC, including businesses connected with Jobs.cz, Prace.cz and e-recruitment software.

   Source
2. 2005Broadcasting operations are divested

   Alma Media exits broadcasting and focuses its strategy on newspapers, business information and online marketplaces.

   Source
3. 1998Alma Media officially begins operating

   Finnish media assets are reorganized into the Alma Media group.

   Source
4. 1988Tampereen Kirjapaino and Uusi Suomi merge

   The two Finnish media companies combine, creating a major newspaper publisher later known as Aamulehti Corporation.

   Source
5. 1980Iltalehti is founded

   Iltalehti begins publication and later becomes Alma Media's best-known national consumer news title.

   Source
6. 1898Kauppalehti is founded

   The business and financial publication that later forms part of Alma Talent is established.

   Source
7. 1881Aamulehti is founded

   Aamulehti begins publication and later becomes one of Alma Media's important regional news brands.

   Source
8. 1873Satakunnan Kansa is founded

   The regional newspaper later associated with Alma Media is established.

   Source
9. 1849A predecessor printing company begins operations

   The Finnish Literature Society's Printing Company begins operating and prints Suometar, providing an early historical link to Alma Media's publishing lineage.

   Source

A Finnish media and digital-services group combining mass-market journalism, professional information, recruitment and specialized online marketplaces.

• IltalehtiConsumer news media1980

  A Finnish national consumer news brand covering domestic and international current affairs, politics, society, lifestyle, entertainment and sports. It is one of Alma Media's most recognizable mass-market media properties and operates across digital and publishing channels.

• KauppalehtiBusiness and financial media1898

  A Finnish business and financial publication serving executives, investors and other professionally oriented readers. Its subject areas include companies, markets, economic developments and business decision-making, delivered through editorial and digital information services.

• TalouselämäBusiness and economic media

  A Finnish business and economic media brand focused on companies, management, markets, economic policy and trends affecting organizations and professionals. It forms part of Alma Media's professional-media portfolio.

• Tekniikka & TalousTechnology and industry media

  A professional publication covering technology, engineering, industrial activity, innovation and the relationship between technical development and business. It serves readers interested in industrial applications and technology-driven companies.

• Etuovi.comReal-estate marketplace

  An online Finnish housing and real-estate service connecting users with property listings and housing-related information. It represents Alma Markets' real-estate marketplace activities.

• Monster.fiRecruitment platform

  A Finnish online recruitment service supporting job discovery and employer recruitment. It belongs to the group's career and labor-market platform activities.

• Jobs.czRecruitment platform

  A Czech job board associated with Alma Media's Central European recruitment business. It connects employers and jobseekers and forms part of the recruitment portfolio strengthened through the LMC acquisition.

• Prace.czRecruitment platform

  A Czech recruitment website providing job listings and employment-related services for jobseekers and employers. It was among the services connected with LMC when Alma Media acquired the company.

• AmpparitDigital news aggregation

  A Finnish digital news service that aggregates and presents news content from multiple sources. It is recognized as one of Alma Media's online consumer services.

• Alma Talent publicationsProfessional publishing

  A group of business, financial, technology and healthcare publications including Tivi, Mikrobitti, Arvopaperi, Mediuutiset and the Swedish technology title Ny Teknik. The wider Alma Talent offering has also included books, events, training and information services.

• 2011Acquisition of LMCM&A

  Alma Media sought to strengthen its recruitment and e-recruitment activities outside Finland.

  What changed. The company acquired Czech recruitment-services provider LMC, associated with Jobs.cz, Prace.cz and the LMC G2 e-recruitment solution.

  Aftermath. The transaction expanded Alma Media's recruitment presence in Central Europe and reinforced its digital marketplace strategy.

  Source
• 2005Refocus on publishing, business information and online marketplacesStrategy

  Alma Media had expanded across newspapers, broadcasting and other communications activities. The company undertook a major restructuring as digital services and online marketplaces became more strategically important.

  What changed. The group divested its broadcasting business and concentrated its portfolio on newspaper publishing, business information and online marketplaces.

  Aftermath. The restructuring helped establish Alma Media's later identity as a diversified content and digital-services group rather than a company centered on broadcasting and print alone.

  Source

• 2011Alma Media acquires Czech recruitment-services provider LMC

  Alma Media acquired LMC, a Czech provider associated with the Jobs.cz and Prace.cz job boards and the LMC G2 e-recruitment solution.

  M&A
  Source
• 2005Alma Media exits broadcasting and refocuses its portfolio

  The company divested its broadcasting business and placed greater strategic emphasis on newspaper publishing, business information and online marketplaces.

  Other
  Source
• 1998Alma Media begins operating as a new corporate group

  Following the restructuring and consolidation of Finnish media assets, Alma Media officially began operating as a listed media group.

  Other
  Source

1. Alma Media
2. Alma Media official website