New company acquires titles from CMP Media.

UP Media Group (UPMG; Atlanta, GA), a new company, has acquired CMP Media's (Manhasset, NY) PCB Group (Atlanta, GA), including Printed Circuit Design, Circuits Assembly and PC FAB magazines, as well as two PCB Design Conferences. No terms were given.

The three magazines were acquired by CMP as part of its purchase of Miller Freeman assets in 2000. Miller Freeman had acquired the titles from PMSI Communications (Alpharetta, GA) in 1990 (HF merged PMSI's Printed Circuit Assembly with its own Circuits Manufacturing to form Circuits Assembly). All three magazines are published monthly. PCD was launched in 1984 and PC FAB was launched as Printed Circuit Fabrications in 1978. UPMG was founded by former PMSI, Miller Freeman and CMP executive Peter Waddell

UPMG said both editorial and sales staff for all three magazines will remain intact as well as the Conferences management. Waddell said the "formation of UPMG is a positive step toward growing and strengthening the PCB enterprise that formerly existed within CMP Media...UPMG (now) publishes and produces the most respected magazines, conferences and trade shows in the markets we serve. We are a company intent on driving and influencing the industries we serve, not just on reporting what others are doing." Waddel said the company will explore expanding the titles' brands through shows and related publications and will consider additional asset acquisitions or start--ups later in 2002.