The Management Board of Telegraaf Media Groep (TMG) has appointed Philip Alberdingk Thijm (51) as the new general manager of its subsidiary Keesing Media Group (KMG), the leading publisher of puzzle magazines in Europe. For the last few years Alberdingk Thijm has managed Sky Radio Group (SRG).

At KMG Alberdingk Thijm will focus on increased internationalisation and the growth of digital applications. Alberdingk Thijm has substantial experience at national and international media companies. In the Netherlands, for example, he worked at Wolters Kluwer, PCM and FD Mediagroep, before entering into service at TMG three years ago as CEO of SRG, which has since shown a significant improvement in both listening figures and returns.

"Philip's experience and track record give us a lot of confidence in his ability to continue to expand the already successful Keesing internationally and take it into our extensively digitalised world," says Fred Arp, CFO of Telegraaf Media Groep.

"With puzzle media Keesing has found a very good niche in the market. This market is still surprisingly full of development opportunities. For example here the public is actually rejuvenating, partly due to the huge opportunities offered by digital platforms. Moreover, we sell our titles in seven European countries - so there are still many opportunities," says Philip Alberdingk Thijm.

Alberdingk Thijm will continue to combine his new job with his current role at SRG until 1 October 2014 at the latest, until a successor has been found.

distributed by