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I Feel Good Holdings (IFG), the fledgling publishing group headed

by Loaded founder James Brown, has entered the men's magazine market by

acquiring notorious lad's mag Viz, as well as Bizarre and Fortean Times,

from John Brown Publishing for pounds 6.4m.

The surprise acquisition gives stability to IFG, the publisher of men's

listings titles and the official monthly title of Leeds United, Leeds,

Leeds, Leeds, and takes its overall monthly sales to over 300,000.

The company plans to use revenues generated from the titles to launch

further web sites and magazines, including a men's lifestyle title,

planned for the end of the year - as well as further acquisitions.

As part of the deal, IFG acquires John Brown Holdings, the titles'

holding company, along with its editorial, ad circulation and production

staff. IFG chief executive Brown said no jobs would be lost as a result

of the takeover.

John Brown Publishing's finance director, Tom Gleeson, becomes managing

director of IFG.

The sale of Viz, Bizarre and Fortean Times sees John Brown Publishing

scale down its interests in consumer publishing to concentrate on

contract publishing.

The UK's second-biggest contract publisher, it produces titles for

Waitrose, Orange and WH Smith

According to chairman John Brown, the company is currently considering

the future of Bare, its women's consumer title.

Brown ruled out an exit from consumer publishing altogether, saying he

would consider further launches in future.