MediaClash: open for business

Jane and Greg Ingham launch new company

29/01/07 — A new Bath–based media business has been created by former Future husband and wife entrepreneurs, Greg and Jane Ingham.

MediaClash is a diverse media business which intends to grow through launches and acquisitions. It has four areas of business: City–based magazines; customer publishing; online; and consultancy.

In September, the Inghams bought a controlling interest in Surf Media, which publishes Bath Life, Salisbury Life, Clifton Life, Wykeham Life [Winchester], Exeter Living and Bournemouth & Poole Living, has 30 staff and annual sales of £1.6m.

Surf has now been renamed MediaClash City, and is the cornerstone of the new company.

Commenting on the business, Greg Ingham said:

“There’s a chance to create something very special here. We’re a diverse media business which is focused on creating compelling content and value for key, targeted audiences – whether local or interest–based.

“We want to build a business to be proud of, one which melds creativity and an entrepreneurial approach to produce commercial success. And we want a company where people can build interesting, long–term careers.“

The Inghams joined Future in 1988 when sales were around £2m and it employed 40 people. When Greg stepped down as chief executive and Jane left as consultant in 2006, sales were £225m and there were 1,600 staff.

MediaClash is based in central Bath in a building the Inghams own. “Premises are often under–valued as a business culture driver. We’re very fortunate in having magnificent premises that’ve already helped with recruitment. We’ve got space for around 90 people – and intend to use it,” Ingham added.

ENDS

About MediaClash: MediaClash is a diverse, Bath–based media business created by Greg and Jane Ingham. Greg was Chief Executive of Future plc until June 2006 and Jane is a former Managing Director of Future UK.

MediaClash is active in four key areas of business: City magazines, customer publishing, digital communications and business consultancy. MediaClash plans to grow through launches and acquisitions.

Contacts:

Jane Ingham: 01225 461202 jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

Greg Ingham: 01225 443544 greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

Notes on Jane Ingham: Jane has a sales background and has worked for Amstrad and Future amongst others. At the latter, she joined as Marketing Manager in 1988 and rose to become MD, where she ran the company at its most successful time, with its best profits and margins. Jane was a key driver of the extraordinary growth Future experienced in the 90s, and was one of the quartet who led an MBO of Future in 1998. Since resigning as MD, she had been a consultant on Future’s most important business, with Sony. In recent years, Jane has also become a successful property developer.

Notes on Greg Ingham: Greg began as a journalist, launching trade mag CTW before joining Future in 1988 as Publisher. He became MD in 1993 and then chief exec in 1998, leading an MBO in that year and then an IPO in 1999. He stepped down from Future in June 06, after seven years as a public company CEO. He is a Strategic Advisor to internet company, Eurogamer; chairman of the Theatre Royal Bath; a non–exec of interactive DVD company, Bright Things; chairman of the DTI Games Forum; a Trustee of the Entertainment Software Charity; and a consultant to Future.


Company registration number: 4403199 | VAT Reg No: 879790543