Russian mediacorp to spend $120 mln on web entertainment

RBC's board of directors approved $120 mln investment amount targeting company's expansion in the general interest web segment within Russia, former USSR republics and Eastern Europe. At the moment RBC (which was mostly known for its business targeted projects) is now concentrating on developing entertainment websites. According to RBC's chairman German Kaplun this amount will be spent within the next two years. "We plan to extend our staff up to 500 people (150 at the moment) and to make purchases. Although there's not so many objects to invest in Russia, there are few, same thing in Eastern Europe', he told in an interview to RBC Daily. He also specified that $10 mln will be invested to venture projects, RBC plans to hold not less than a half share of each. Describing the nearest future German Kaplun said that company's Internet business is being separated into Media Mir company with Michael Gurevich as a head of it. This company is already working on few startups and will negotiate on future partnerships and purchases. "We expect this project will have $70-100 mln turnover in three years", he said, "with 75% advertising and 25% services parts in revenue".