B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Cannes Lions
  • NRL
  • AFL
  • WPP
  • State of Origin
  • B&T Women in Media
  • Thinkerbell
  • Pinterest
  • imaa
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Meta
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • ARN
  • Foxtel
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Private equity firm Catalyst buys RBI Australia
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Media > Private equity firm Catalyst buys RBI Australia
Media

Private equity firm Catalyst buys RBI Australia

Staff Writers
Published on: 11th January 2013 at 9:40 AM
Staff Writers
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

The sale of Australia’s largest business to business publisher is expected to be finalised soon, with private equity firm Catalyst Investment Managers picking up the company.

Reed Business Information Australia (RBIA), which counts B&T, Australian Doctor, Money Management, and Australian Mining amongst its stable of print and digital titles, will be renamed under a new company created with funds managed by Catalyst.

The Australian arm of Reed Business Information was put on the market last March as it increasingly diversified from the parent group’s long-term plans of a paid content models and data services.

However, the complex nature of the business, which includes online directories sites including HotFrog and GoHospitality, led to protracted negotiations.

No sale price has been revealed, but the deal is expected to be completed in the next three weeks, with a new strategic plan put in place for the business after that.

Catalyst’s other investments, which total $3bn, include Global TV, a leading provider of equipment for the Australian production industry and broadcasters.

RBIA CEO Jeremy Knibbs said the sale to Catalyst will provide a “step change” for the organisation, and increase innovation, allowing it to “focus on the specific and changing needs” of audiences and advertisers.

In an email circulated to staff Knibbs said there will be “no shocks or radical changes” which have not already been contemplated, adding perceived private equity tactics of shedding staff and stripping out cost bases is “not an attractive approach” for Catalyst.

The current management team will also stay in place, and a board featuring key RBIA management, two senior Catalyst staff and independents will make overarching decisions going forward.

In a statement Trent Peterson, managing director of Catalyst, said: “There are significant growth opportunities available to the business. The company will continue to innovate and proactively manage the transition to a multi channel environment.

“The important role of leading and niche publications with multi channel operations and deep reach into target audiences is only increasing.

“RBIA’s broad portfolio of titles and formats, spanning a wide range of channels to market and industry verticals, puts the company in a strong position to deliver outstanding results for its customers.”

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

Share
Staff Writers
By Staff Writers
Follow:
Staff Writers represent B&T's team of award-winning reporters. Here, you'll find articles crafted with industry experience spanning over 50 years. Our team of specialists brings together a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to delivering insightful, topical, and breaking news. With a deep understanding of advertising and media, our Staff Writers are dedicated to providing industry-leading analysis and reporting, both shaping the conversation and setting the benchmark for excellence.

Latest News

Megan Moloney.
Shout Digital Pinches We Lysn’s Megan Moloney As Chief Customer Officer
10/07/2025
Mark Bouris.
NOVA Entertainment Partners With Mark Bouris’ Mentored Studios Podcast Platform
10/07/2025
Samsung Mobile Unveils New Galaxy Z & Watch8 Series In National Campaign
10/07/2025
MiQ Sigma: The Brain Behind Programmatic’s Next Evolution
10/07/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?