Common questions about Future plc

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Future plc founded and by whom?

Future plc was founded in 1985 by Chris Anderson. The company started as a small magazine called Amstrad Action based in Somerton, Somerset, England.

What major scandal did Future plc face in 2004?

Future plc faced accusations of corruption in 2004 when it published positive reviews for the video game Driver 3 in its magazines Xbox World and PSM2. This incident highlighted the ethical challenges of maintaining editorial independence while pursuing commercial interests.

When did Future plc announce job cuts and restructuring?

Future plc announced job cuts and restructuring in 2011 after issuing a profit warning. The company cut 55 jobs from its UK operation to transition from a print-heavy operation to a digital-first strategy.

What acquisitions did Future plc make between 2018 and 2019?

Future plc acquired the What Hi-Fi, FourFourTwo, Practical Caravan, and Practical Motorhome brands from Haymarket in 2018. The company also purchased Purch Group for $132 million by September 2018 and acquired Mobile Nations for $115 million in February 2019.

When did Future plc close its U.S. print publications?

Future plc decided to close all of its U.S.-based print publications by March 2014. The company shifted U.S. print support functions such as consumer marketing, production, and editorial leadership to the UK.