At the time of realisation Imagine was one of the UK's fastest growing consumer specialist publishers. Imagine publishes consumer magazine titles in the videogames, computing, digital photography and leisure sectors and was launched in 2005 by three former directors of Paragon Publishing. The Imagine management team was led by Damian Butt.
In 2006, August Equity helped the group acquire a portfolio of magazine titles from Highbury Entertainment Limited (“Highbury”) which included key titles such as Play, X360, gamesTM, Advanced Photoshop, iCreate and Digital Photographer.
Since the initial acquisition of the Highbury titles, Imagine acquired a number of magazines, launched a host of their own titles and produced a bookazine range which significantly contributed to the growth of the business. In addition, Imagine significantly increased its export sales and concentrated on growing its subscriptions revenues. August Equity introduced an experienced chairman, Alistair Ramsay, to the board.
The realisation of Imagine was completed in 2010 via a refinancing and buy back which generated a 2 times money multiple return for August Equity managed funds.
2006
Expansion capital raised with August Equity
Imagine acquires portfolio of 24 magazine titles from Highbury
Imagine launches Next3 for PS3
Imagine launches Photoshop Creative eMag
Imagine launches ecommerce facilities at www.imagineshop.co.uk
2007
Imagine launches Corel Painter magazine
Imagine launches Photoshop Creative website www.photoshopcreative.co.uk
Imagine launches Advanced Photoshop website www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk
Imagine completes recapitalisation repaying the debt provided by August Equity managed funds
Imagine launches advanced new Digital Photographer website http://www.dphotographer.co.uk/
Imagine launches new iCreate website www.icreatemagazine.com
Imagine launches Computing Made Easy magazine
Imagine launches HD Review and Total PC Gaming magazines
Alistair Ramsay appointed as chairman
2008
Imagine launches new digital camera buying website www.digicambuyer.co.uk
Official Paint Shop Pro Photo magazine launched
X360 magazine Deputy Editor, Simon Miller, wins Rising Star award at Games Media Awards
Imagine appoints Ross Webster as commercial director
Imagine appoints two new editor in chiefs, Rick Porter and Debbi Allen, to run magazine divisions
Imagine acquires Total911 magazine and website www.total911.com
2009
Imagine goes live with its NowGamer videogames supersite www.NowGamer.com
Imagine acquires Linux User & Developer magazine and website www.linuxuser.co.uk
Imagine launches How It Works magazine and website www.howitworksdaily.com
Imagine launches Digital Artist magazine and website www.digitalartistdaily.com
2010
Imagine launches games™ website www.gamestm.co.uk
How It Works shortlisted for PPA award