Merlin Entertainemts Group buyout of Tussauds International

[birdie100]

I thought it would be important to inform you that Blackstone, via Merlin, have bought out the Tussauds brand. Here's the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6419019.stm

As a Legoland employee, this is a huge change - in a little over two years we've gone from being a part of Lego to a part of a vast nigh on

[exo attack]

I have one word: Woah.

Maybe lego will be more recognised/popular because of this.

[birdie100]

Who knows? There's two ways that Blackstone may play this - either try to integrate the companies - eg unified rewards (Legoland use Sainsbury's nectar points, Tussauds only use Tesco Clubcard points for redemption etc.), stronger cross branding, unified season pass for all the attractions etc. Or, they may keep them separate to make the public feel that there isn't a duopoly of power between Merlin and Disney (and would any self respecting teenager go to Thorpe park if they knew it was part owned by Lego!). Hmm, still, on a personal level, hope they do integrated staff bonuses. Work at legoland and free entry to Thorpe park. Sounds like fun to me ; *sweet* -)

[Zaktan of the Shadows]

Intresting... very intresting. 24% of the buisness? Thats still pretty high.

-ZotS