The Economist Group
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The Economist Group is a group of companies that sell publications and services under The Economist brand, such as The Economist (called a newspaper for historical reasons, but to all appearances a weekly news magazine), Economist.com, Economist Intelligence Unit, Economist Conferences, Intelligent Life and The World In. The Group’s other global brands include CFO, a publication for senior financial executives (CFO, CFO Europe, CFO Asia, CFO China, CFO.com), Roll Call and European Voice (aimed at decision-makers in Capitol Hill and Brussels respectively).
The Economist Group is an associate and not a subsidiary of Pearson PLC. The Financial Times Limited, which is a Pearson sudsidiary, owns 50% of the share capital of The Economist Group but does not have a controlling interest. The bulk of the remaining 50% is owned by individuals including members of the Rothschild banking family of England. The Economist Group operates as a separate and independent business.
In 2005, the Economist Group's turnover was £197m resulting in an operating profit of £23m (£23m in 2004, £21m in 2003, £9m in 2002). Income streams are split roughly 50-50 between advertising and other areas, such as subscriptions.
In July 2004, The Economist Group launched an upmarket lifestyle magazine called Intelligent Life, an annual publication. This magazine is to be redesigned as a quarterly from September 2007.
Its latest major project is the recently unveiled Project red stripe, which aims to come up with new businesses.
[edit] Governance
Current members of the board of directors of the Economist Group are: Sir Robert Wilson (non-executive chairman), Helen Alexander CBE, Sir David Bell, Rona Fairhead, John Gardiner, Philip Mengel, John Micklethwait, Nigel Morris, Simon Robertson, Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, and Chris Stibbs.
Current trustees of the company are: Lord Renwick of Clifton, Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone, and Clayton Brendish. Former trustees include Lord Alexander of Weedon.
(See Economist Group Annual Report 2006)
