Lagardère seen as digital doorway for Hearst

Hearst, the US publisher of Cosmopolitan and Esquire, will use the acquisition of Lagardère’s international magazine business to test new digital business models in emerging markets and increase its global footprint, executives said.

The €640m ($920m) deal, which closed on May 31 after being announced in January, will give Hearst nearly 100 titles in 14 countries outside of France. The acquisition also involves 50 websites and several mobile and tablet applications, which Hearst will integrate into its existing push to bring its content to tablets such as the iPad. Hearst Magazines already had an international footprint, and the Lagardère deal will make it among the largest global magazine publishers. Cosmopolitan has 60 editions, making it the world’s most-published magazine