Milestone Acquires Disorder UK Magazine

Milestone, the AIM quoted (AIM: MSG) provider of digital media and technology solutions, is pleased to announce that it has acquired all rights and title to the publication, Disorder UK Magazine ("Disorder"), for a consideration of £1.

The magazine was originally founded in 1999 by Davide Wheller as a fanzine on the principal that new talent is vital to the UK's arts and culture industry. In 2004, with the strong support of Channel 4 / 4Talent, Disorder launched the first glossy print magazine into newsagents. In 2011, there was an article in the Guardian proclaiming Disorder "the best youth publication in the UK."

Disorder UK magazine is involved in the engagement and delivery of industry focused training programmes as part of its operation, and in collaboration with Job Centre Plus and various colleges has successfully trained an initial 360 young people to a BTEC qualification level with over 68% of them being in sustainable employment after 12 months.

The magazine is now headed by Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Hardy, who has a proven history in publishing having started her own magazine (FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE) in 2008 which she grew into a well respected fashion and music publication selling in over 30 countries worldwide. Sarah joined Disorder magazine in 2012 bringing with her enviable experience and contacts in the fashion, music and publishing industries.

The magazine involves unemployed young creatives in every aspect of production; from styling and fashion shoots to interviewing bands and writing features on film, fashion, music, gaming and new technology. This has proved invaluable to those looking for a career in fashion, music, design, journalism, photography and styling, and the experience in essential skills, industry contacts and experience has allowed many young people to create careers for themselves.

Anthony Webb, having joined the Milestone team in April 2014, will help expand and commercialise the magazine and the brand, bringing a number of new revenue streams to the Company. Anthony is well versed in the marketing, brand development and digital marketplace and is credited with being part of the team that helped build Rio Ferdinand's No 5 magazine into one of the worlds most successful multi-platform publications as well as representing a number of brands, talents and government organisations in this space. He brings with him a number of brands and celebrity clients who are interested in the youth marketplace and the Company's engagement platform, the Passion Project.

The magazine remains true to the ethos of breaking new talent on its pages as well as behind the scenes, featuring acts, trends and entertainment. The re-launch edition features Moko on the cover, an up-and-coming artist who Disorder is backing as the next big thing in music. Past covers have helped propel the careers of bands such as The Horrors and N-Dubz, while others have featured industry icons including The Killers, Arcade Fire and My Chemical Romance.

As part of the agreement, Mr Davide Wheller, the magazine's original founder, will join the Milestone team as the magazine's Executive Editor. Davide will be responsible for ensuring that the magazine continues to publish bi-monthly with increasing readership levels. He will also be working closely with Milestone's wholly owned subsidiary, Relative, to develop a digital offering to complement the printed version of the magazine.

The upcoming edition of the magazine will be published at the end of April 2014 and distributed through universities, select bars, cafes, culture centres, fashion and record stores nationwide.

Deborah White, Chief Executive, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Davide and his team to the company and are excited to have the magazine as an extension of our existing portfolio of products. The magazine will enable us to extend the reach of the Passion Project by engaging with more young people in a practical manner, helping them to develop careers in the creative industry whilst generating new business opportunities and revenues for the group."

Davide Wheeler, Disorder UK Magazine, commented:

"I am very pleased to be working with Milestone Group as they share the magazine's belief in promoting youth culture and helping young people into employment. This relationship is an important step in the development of the magazine and offers exciting potential in terms of audience expansion, new revenues and additional social impact."