Ringier China will take over 100% of Shanghai Expat as of October 1, 2012, as well as with the key management and operation team. The deal signifies a huge step for two successful companies working together as one to serve the expatriate community of China. The experience, knowledge, and synergy of the combination will surely create an even better platform for expat consumers.

Shanghai Expat was founded 12 years ago by Mr. Michael Connolly, an expat from the United States. With a strong community focus and the most popular English-language online forum in China, Shanghai Expat helps expats living and working in Shanghai to gain valuable information by serving the community both online and offline. The website generates over 250,000 monthly unique visitors and 6 million page views per month along with 107,000 registered members. Shanghai Expat also enjoys connecting with the community through two very successful weekly events attracting over 120 people each week.

Ringier is the largest internationally operating Swiss media company, producing over 120 newspapers and magazines. It also runs printing plants, several radio and TV stations and well over 80 web and mobile platforms with a worldwide staff of approximately 8,000 employees. With its 180-year history, Ringier stands for a pioneering spirit and individuality as well as independence, freedom of expression and diversity of information. The company’s hallmarks are excellence in products, journalistic quality and exceptional entertainment. Founded in Switzerland in 1833, Ringier has been family run for five generations.

Ringier set its foot in the China market in early 1990s. In cooperation with its publishing partners in China, Ringier (China) publishes a range of popular consumer titles such as the “Betty’s Kitchen” monthly cooking magazine, the “City Weekend” bi-weekly English city lifestyle magazine, the “Shanghai Family” monthly parenting magazine, the “CAAC” inflight monthly magazine, as well as the multimedia line extensions for these publications such as websites, online video programs, mobile applications, digital magazines, events, books, and custom publishing service. Ringier has business operations in major cities in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, with a total number of over 400 employees.

The acquisition of Shanghai Expat is an optimal addition to Ringier China’s online portfolio. The complementary brand positioning and product strengths of Shanghai Expat, City Weekend and Shanghai Family will now make Ringier China the clear market leader in the competitive English-language print and digital media market. Meanwhile, the acquisition means an unparalleled highest reach of both in-bound English-speaking tourists and local expat residents, which will enable the company to continue bringing more attractive and innovative offers onto the market for its target audience and business partners.