UBM buys live events communications company for US$6.5m

US - United Business Media has acquired a live event communications firm to extend its publishing position in the B2B marketplace.

Virtual Press Office serves 500 trade shows and conferences with around 10,000 global customers, providing events support from online press kits to social media publicity.

UBM, which already owns the PR Newswire communications business, bought the US-based company for US$6.5m and now intends to integrate it with PR Newswire’s Global Events platform.

As a result of the deal, the top tier of existing VPO executives, including CEO Peter Brand, will lead the global events team at PR Newswire.

“VPO’s global reach will help UBM move further into international events markets,” said a spokesman for UBM.