Sanoma is a leading consumer media and learning company in Europe. Sanoma is the market leader in Finland and the Netherlands with a broad presence across multiple platforms. The company’s history dates back to 1889 with the establishment of the newspaper Päivälehti in Finland.

Sanoma Group included two reportable segments in 2015: Consumer Media and Learning. Net sales and profits were reported for three strategic business units: Sanoma Media Netherlands, Sanoma Media Finland and Sanoma Learning.

The Learning segment, which is surveyed in this ranking, includes the Sanoma Learning strategic business unit. Sanoma Learning is a leading European provider of learning materials and solutions in print and digital format for primary, secondary and vocational education, primarily in Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

Consumer Media is responsible for magazines, TV, as well as online and mobile operations in Finland, the Netherlands and Belgium. The segment consisted of two strategic business units in 2015: Sanoma Media BeNe and Sanoma Media Finland.

Analysis & Key Developments

Financial

In fiscal 2015, Sanoma’s net sales decreased by 9.7% and amounted to 1.72 billion EUR, down from 1.9 billion EUR in 2014. The decline was due to divestments as well as lower print circulation and print advertising sales, while new media sales recorded good growth. When adjusted for changes in the group structure, net sales decreased by 63.4%

The Learning segment’s net sales declined by 4% to 281 million EUR, against 292 million EUR in 2014, when adjusted for acquisitions and divestments. Operating profit in the Learning segment dropped from 55 million EUR in 2014 to 33 million EUR.

Internal Organization

Harri-Pekka Kaukonen abruptly stepped down as Sanoma’s President and CEO in September 2015. Susan Duinhoven, former CEO and Chair of the Executive Board from Koninklijke Wegener, succeeded Kaukonen as President and CEO of the Sanoma Group and chairman of the EMG.

Divestment

In May 2015, Sanoma announced the divestment of three of its Belgian magazine titles. The transaction was closed in September and Sanoma reported a capital loss of 12.2 million EUR as a result.

In November 2015, Sanoma divested its majority ownership in the Finnish book-printing company Bookwell. As a result of the transaction, Sanoma reported a 3.9 million EUR capital loss.

In March 2016 Sanoma sold the company’s remaining Russian assets. Following the announcement in December 2015, the transaction included Sanoma’s 50% stake in Fashion Press, the remaining operations in United Press and the 50% stake in Mondadori Independent Media. The transaction is a part of Sanoma’s strategic plan announced in 2013 to redesign its consumer media operations.

Acquisition

Sanoma acquired 71% of Dutch social media creator agency Social1n uencer BV between February and November 2015. Social1infuencer BV employs 13 people.

In March, Sanoma increased its ownership in the Finnish mobile marketing company Routa from 25% to 51%. Mobiilimarkkinointi Routa employs 77 people.

In October, Oikotie, part of Sanoma Media Finland, acquired the Jokakoti real estate classified service and all of the shares of the Jokakoti Oy real estate business.

International

Sanoma’s net sales by country in 2015 include 44.5% from the Netherlands, 37.1% from Finland, 11.5% from Belgium and 6.9% from other countries.

Digital

During fiscal year 2015 Sanoma’s Learning segment recorded a growth in digital and hybrid solutions, with a 15% growth in footprint markets.

The digital learning platform Bingel was introduced in Finland and Sweden.

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