Diversified Communications has sold two of its Australia-based show portfolios - Good Food & Wine Shows and Fitness & Health Expos - to their international director, Matthew Pearce, and finance director, Steve Malbourne.

Pearce and Malbourne have stepped down to launch their new company, Talk2 Media & Events. All of the product and support teams that serve the two groups of shows have all been offered roles withTalk2 Media & Events.

“This is an exciting and mutually beneficial business decision. We are pleased that our Australia division can now focus on our trade events, while knowing our consumer events are in the best of hands,” said Theodore Wirth, president and CEO of Diversified Communications.

He added, “Diversified is proud of the business opportunities we give our employees. This, however, is the first time employees have launched a business through the acquisition of our products. We wish Matt and Steve and their staff great success as they continue to grow these exceptional consumer products.”

With Pearce’s departure, Diversified Communications Australia will now solely be led by General Manager David Longman and his leadership team.

Longman was promoted to general manager in October of 2014 after 10 years with the company. 

“This decision allows the Australian division to focus on our core capabilities and business investments around the trade show and conference models. We will continue to seek launch and acquisition opportunities within the trade show and conference markets and are keen to explore industry specific content opportunities in Australia.” Longman said.

He added, “Matt and his team are passionate about consumer events. Knowing the staff and the brands are in good hands was an important part of the decision to divest. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Matt and Steve and the teams involved in these consumer events for their dedication to Diversified; and whilst we wish Matt, Steve and his team all the very best for the future, we are equally excited for what lies ahead for Diversified Communications Australia.” 

Wirth and his corporate team will directly oversee Diversified Communications’ Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong divisions. T

hey will be working with Longman, Kavin Kittiboonya – managing director of Diversified Communications Thailand and Stuart Bailey – managing director of Diversified Communications Hong Kong.

Bailey will take on oversight responsibilities of HRM Asia, Diversified’s division in Singapore. He will be working with Joanna Bush, the newly appointed executive general manager of HRM Asia.

“We look forward to working more closely with these strong leaders to provide corporate support as they continue to grow their businesses and produce valuable media solutions to their diverse industries,” Wirth said.

He added, “Our Asia-Pacific divisions have portfolios of market-leading trade shows, publications and digital communities serving the food and beverage, business management, travel and transportation, building and construction, oil and gas, waste and recycling, education, technology and retail business sectors.”