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by Drublic on February 17th, 2007

Drublic

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How did Guinness World Records get started? Is it a private company?

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  • by canadianhelper on February 17th, 2007

    canadianhelper

    History:

    On November 10, 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, went on a shooting party in North Slob, by the River Slaney in County Wexford, Ireland. He became involved in an argument: which was the fastest game bird in Europe, the golden plover or the grouse? That evening at Castlebridge House, he realised that it was impossible to confirm in reference books whether or not the golden plover was Europe's fastest game bird. [3]

    Beaver thought that there must be numerous other questions debated nightly in the 81,400 pubs in Britain and in Ireland, but there was no book with which to settle arguments about records. He realised then that a book supplying the answers to this sort of question might prove popular. [4]

    Beaver’s idea became reality when Guinness employee Christopher Chataway recommended University friends Norris and Ross McWhirter, who had been running a fact-finding agency in London. The brothers were commissioned to compile what became The Guinness Book of Records in August 1954. One thousand copies were printed and given away. [5]

    wiki

    Current Ownership Status: PRIVATE

    Guinness World Records is a division of HIT Entertainment ( http://www.hitentertainment.com/portal/flash/player.asp ).

    Sunshine Acquisition, a company set up by Apax Partners’ Funds, closes acquisition of Hit Entertainment
    May 26, 2005

    HIT Entertainment

    London, UK – Sunshine Acquisition Limited, a company formed by Funds advised by Apax Partners to acquire Hit Entertainment, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Hit for £489.4 million.

    Sunshine Acquisition’s 300p a share offer, structured as a Scheme of Arrangement, was approved this week at a court hearing.

    At a Court Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting on 28 April, the Scheme was approved by a majority in number of the Independent Scheme Shareholders present and voting (in person or by proxy) representing more than three-fourths in value of the Independent Scheme Shares present and voting (in person or by proxy). Of those votes cast, over 99% approved the Scheme; and at the Extraordinary General Meeting, HIT Shareholders passed the Special Resolution by the requisite majority. Of those votes cast, over 99% were in favour of the Resolution.

    -ENDS-

    About Apax Partners
    Apax Partners is one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, operating across the United States, Europe and Israel. Apax Partners has raised or advised approximately $20 billion around the world. With more than 30 years of direct investing experience, Apax Partners’ Funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. It pursues a multi-stage equity investment strategy, investing in late venture, growth capital and buyouts.

    Apax Partners’ Funds invest in companies across its chosen global sectors of Tech & Telecom, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare and Financial & Business Services. For more information visit: www.apax.com.

    About HIT Entertainment
    HIT is one of the world’s leading independent rights-owning children’s entertainment companies. At the heart of HIT’s portfolio are internationally renowned children’s properties, including Bob the BuilderTM, BarneyTM, Thomas & FriendsTM, Angelina BallerinaTM, PinguTM and Guinness World RecordsTM. Since the Company’s launch in 1989, HIT has developed activities spanning television and video production (with studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Japan and Canada.

    HIT is now one of the largest children’s video distributors in the UK and the US. With over 1,000 episodes of young children’s programming, HIT sells programmes to over 200 territories worldwide.

    In October 2004, HIT announced its plans to launch a dedicated 24-hour digital pre-school channel in the US in September 2005 together with Comcast Corporation (the largest US cable company), PBS (the US public broadcasting service) and Sesame Workshop (creators of Sesame Street and other award-winning series).

    For the financial year ended July 31, 2004, HIT reported turnover of £148.1 million, from its consumer product, home entertainment activities, television and stage show activities.

    http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=193622

    http://www.hitentertainment.com/biz/corpMilestones.html

    http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/corporate/corporate.aspx

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_Entertainment

    Comments

    • Great answer

      cambsman

      by cambsman on February 17th, 2007

    • Yep, very good, but can't rate. I never thought that the record book and the beer were the same Guinness.

      Drublic

      by Drublic on February 17th, 2007

    • Hey guys...further clarification. HIT WAS public but was taken private in 2005...see updated answer...

      canadianhelper

      by canadianhelper on February 17th, 2007

    • I've updated HIT Entertainment on Wiki!

      canadianhelper

      by canadianhelper on February 17th, 2007

    • Like
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