Apprise Media to acquire Canon Communications.

Apprise Media LLC (New York), a niche media company backed by Spectrum Equity Investors (Boston, MA), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Canon Communications (Los Angeles, CA), a producer of print publications, trade shows and digital media for the high-growth $200 billion medical device manufacturing market and allied packaging, plastics and electronics markets. Apprise is acquiring Canon from Veronis Suhler Stevenson (New York), a private equity firm. With Canon, Apprise gains a strong operating base in business-to-business media. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Established in 1978, Canon Communications produces 15 trade shows, publishes 15 magazines and operates eight online properties serving the medical device, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, specialty packaging, electronics, semiconductor fabrication, plastics processing, and other advanced technology markets. The company's portfolio of titles includes MD&DI (Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry), Medical Product Manufacturing News, European Medical Device Manufacturer, Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News, IVD Technology, Medical Electronics Manufacturing, MX, Compliance Engineering, MICRO, Medical Device Register, Nutritional Outlook, Cosmetic/Personal Care Packaging, Injection Molding Magazine, The Almanac, Plastics Machinery & Auxiliaries, China Medical Device Manufacturer, and Modern Plastics Worldwide. Canon's show names include the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) and PLASTEC series, MEDTEC, WestPack, EastPack, SouthPack, MidPak, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, Pacific Design & Manufacturing, and OEM New England. The company was acquired by VS&A Communications Partners II, an affiliate of Veronis Suhler Stevenson, in October 1996.

Charles G. McCurdy, Chairman and CEO of Apprise Media, said, "we believe that the B2B media segment is in the early stages of a cyclical upturn and that well-positioned companies like Canon have strong growth potential. This is a segment we know very well, and we anticipate making follow-on acquisitions as appropriate." William Cobert, President and CEO of Canon Communications said, "the Apprise team has enormous experience in growing successful B2B media companies. We look forward to working with them to expand Canon's market position, both through strong organic growth and select acquisitions."

Formed in 2004, Apprise Media is a strategic management and investment company. Controlled by Charles G. McCurdy, a co-founder and former President of Primedia Inc., Apprise Media acquires and builds businesses in the targeted media and publishing sectors. Apprise and Spectrum Equity Investors (Boston, MA) have joined forces in an investment initiative that has committed $175-$200 million of Spectrum's capital for strategic investments in niche media and publishing businesses.