Russian online media major Rambler, controlled by oligarch Alexander Mamut, is considering an initial public offering, the RBC news website reported, citing the head of the company Raphael Abramyan, who sees the company being listed in two to three years.
An exchange for the listing has yet to be chosen, Abramyan said.
In April Russia's largest bank Sberbank acquired 46.5% in Rambler Group and said it would invest in the media holding. Most recently the bank said that it will promote Rambler’s online cinema Okko in its branches, and will grant the Rambler Group access to its client base.
Online media assets are in focus in Russia, as prior to the deal between Sberbank and Rambler one of Russia's big four telecoms operators Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) said it was considering the acquisition of the so-called “Russian Netflix," online cinema provider ivi.
Rambler was formed in 2013 when tycoons Alexander Mamut and Vladimir Potanin joined their video assets. The holding includes online and traditional cinemas, anchor portal Rambler.ru, a number of popular internet publications and portals such as Lenta.ru, Gazeta.ru, Afisha, and others. In 2016 Mamut bought out Potanin’s stake for about $295 million.
This article first appeared in bne IntelliNews.
