Nielsen completes the acquisition of Arbitron

October 1, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

nielsenNielsen Holdings N.V., a provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, has completed its acquisition of Arbitron Inc., an international media and marketing research firm.

“This is a great day for Nielsen and a natural step in our evolution,” said Nielsen Chief Executive Officer David Calhoun. “Arbitron will allow us to analyze and understand an additional two hours of the U.S. consumer’s day while bringing us another opportunity to provide advertisers with metrics on the effectiveness of the mediums that they advertise on.”

Arbitron is being rebranded Nielsen Audio and will be integrated into Nielsen’s U.S. Watch business segment, which provides information and insights primarily to the media and advertising industries across television, online, mobile and radio. With Arbitron, Nielsen now measures eight hours a day per person of dynamic media consumption.

“Our combined capabilities offer opportunities to measure unmeasured areas that are important to the industries and clients we serve, like streaming audio, out-of-home measurements for television consumption and deeper measurement of multicultural audiences in the U.S.,” said Calhoun. “Globally, this is an opportunity to expand our measurement of consumer behavior and introduce audio measurement capabilities in new markets.”

As previously reported on Fusion DigiNet, Nielsen entered into an agreement on December 17, 2012 to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48 per share or a total of $1.3 billion purchase price, funded by cash on hand and recent debt financing. Nielsen expects $0.26 of accretion to adjusted net income per share during the first full year of operations, and $0.32 of accretion to adjusted net income per share during the second year, reflecting an incremental $0.06 in year two.

USA, New York. NY

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Experian acquires The 41st Parameter, Inc

October 1, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

experianExperian, a global information services company, is to acquire The 41st Parameter, Inc, a  provider of fraud detection services, based in the US. The aggregate purchase price for all outstanding stock, stock options and warrants of 41st Parameter is US$324m, of which US$14m is subject to limited, two-year earn-out provisions, and will be funded from Experian’s existing cash resources.  The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

41stFor the year ending 31 December 2013, Experian expects 41st Parameter to deliver approximately US$26m of revenue, of which over 95% is booked and contracted. Revenues are licence-based and are recognised over the life of the contract, which is typically 2-3 years in duration. Client renewal rates exceed 95%.

Since incorporation, 41st Parameter has experienced strong growth, with compound annual growth in revenue over the past two years of over 40%. The contracted nature of the business model provides good forward visibility, and Experian expects to sustain growth in line with historic rates over the next twelve months. The acquisition is expected to be broadly EPS neutral in the year ending 31 March 2014.

Incorporated in 2004, 41st Parameter products use device identification to prevent fraud. Clients use 41st Parameter’s products to enable consumers to complete transactions on the web quickly and securely, reducing fraud losses while simultaneously authenticating consumers with minimal intrusion. Clients also use 41st Parameter products to enhance internal operational efficiency by reducing the number of false detections of potential fraud.  Its clients include financial institutions, travel web sites, eCommerce merchants and customers in the digital media segment.

Ireland, Dublin & USA, San Jose, CA

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RPS acquires geological consultancy and training company Ichron

September 26, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

RPSlogoRPS has acquired Ichron Limited, a UK based consultancy providing geological and training services to the international oil and gas sector, for a total consideration of £12.5 million.

Founded in 1995, Ichron has its offices and a geological sample preparation and analysis laboratory in Cheshire, UK. The company, comprising 46 permanent staff and additional part time specialist associates, works primarily on projects in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Its specialist services include reservoir geology, biostratigraphy and chemical stratigraphy.

ichron-logo@2x.jpgIchron provides RPS with further capability in the Group’s established and growing oil and gas consultancy markets.  The services provided by Ichron are complementary with existing RPS international capabilities.

The four vendors of the business, together with all employees, are remaining with RPS.

In the year ended 31 December 2012, Ichron had revenues of £6.3 million and profit before tax of £2.1 million, after adjustment for non-recurring items.  Net assets at 31 December 2012 were £1.1 million. Gross assets at 31 December 2012 were £2.2 million.

RPS is acquiring the entire share capital of Ichron for a maximum total consideration of £12.5 million, all payable in cash. Consideration paid to the vendors at completion was £6.6 million. Subject to certain operational conditions being met, two further sums of £2.6 million, will be paid to the vendors on the first and second anniversaries of the transaction. Following completion and on finalisation of the closing balance sheet, a further sum, estimated at £0.7 million, will also be payable to the vendors.

Alan Hearne, Chief Executive of RPS, said, “Ichron has an excellent reputation and track record. Its skills will add to our existing capabilities in growing specialist areas and provide us with a platform for further growth.

UK, Abingdon, Oxfordshire & Northwich, Cheshire

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September 20, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

nielsenNielsen Holdings N.V. , the global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, has reached an agreement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to gain clearance for its proposed acquisition of Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) which is now, subject to customary closing conditions, expected to close on September 30, 2013. The FTC has issued a Decision and Order dated September 20, 2013 that embodies the agreement.

As previously reported on Fusion Diginet, Nielsen entered into an agreement on December 17, 2012 to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48 per share or a total of $1.3 billion purchase price, funded by cash on hand and minor debt financing. Nielsen expects $0.26 of accretion to adjusted net income per share in the first full year of operations, and $0.32 of accretion to adjusted net income per share after the second year, reflecting an incremental $0.06 in year two.

“We are pleased to have the regulatory process behind us and are excited to be closing the Arbitron acquisition,” said David Calhoun, CEO, Nielsen. “We are looking forward to providing all of the benefits of the combined company to our new clients in the radio industry and their advertisers, driving incremental value for them as well as our shareholders.”

Nielsen’s agreement with the FTC is intended to preserve the competitive landscape in place before its announced intent to acquire Arbitron. It does not affect the strategic rationale of the acquisition or the anticipated benefits to Nielsen from the transaction. No Nielsen assets are affected by the FTC’s order. The FTC’s order effectively enables the continuation of a cross-platform project measuring TV, radio, PC, mobile and tablet engagement which was announced by Arbitron in concert with ESPN and comScore, Inc. in September 2012. In the event that an FTC-approved third-party elects to agree to licensing terms and other requirements, Nielsen would make available for license Arbitron PPM and related data as well as software and technology currently being used in the ESPN project for the sole purpose of cross-platform measurement1 for up to eight years.

A summary of Nielsen’s agreement with the FTC is available at http://nielsen.com/investors.

USA, New York, NY

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E.On to acquire UK energy management and efficiency firm Matrix

September 7, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

German utility E.On has agreed to acquire UK energy management and efficiency firm Matrix. the terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction needs the go-ahead from Austrian competition watchdogs and is expected to close next month.

Founded in 2003, Matrix helps businesses reduce their electricity consumption in offices and other commercial buildings by up to 40 per cent by using data stored in its energy management centre.

The energy management centre, which is located in Glasgow, creates a virtual image of the company based on this information which is then analysed to pre-empt any wastage, and currently has 31,000 data connections to customer sites in 22 countries globally.

Matrix employs around 340 staff throughout nine sites in the UK, including its headquarters in Bury.

Herve Touati, chief executive of E.On Connecting Energies which is making the acquisition on behalf of its parent, observed that in addition to expanding its presence in the energy efficiency market, the acquisition bolsters its existing portfolio of services.

He went on to say: “We see tremendous opportunities from the combination of Matrix’s deep data-led building energy expertise with our capital-led energy efficiency and on-site generation capabilities. This will allow us to provide our customers in the UK and continental Europe much greater control of their energy cost.”

In May last year there were media reports that Matrix investor Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) was looking at selling its stake in the company valued somewhere between GBP 60.00 million and GBP 80.00 million. At the time, the Bury-based business had earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of around GBP 8.00 million, according to sources.

LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, bought a stake in Matrix for GBP 10.00 million in 2010 when the firm was known as Green Sky Energy.

Germany, Düsseldorf & UK, Bury

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WGSN acquires Mindset Communicaco e Marketing Ltda in Brasil

September 4, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wgsnWGSN, the global trend forecasting service, has acquired Mindset Communicaco e Marketing Ltda, its marketing partner in the Latin American market.

Mindset is an advisory agency dedicated to research and analysis of future and current consumer behavior. It works with many leading companies in Brazil and brings a loyal subscriber base and great relationships with major retailers, merchandisers and designers across the region. Mindset has been a reseller of WGSN’s trend service subscription for nine years.

This agreement will provide Mindset access to WGSN’s infrastructure, wider global markets and their expertise in technology, content, operations and customer excellence. It will enable WGSN to be even closer to its customers in Latin America and create local content direct for that market. It will also enable other Top Right Group businesses to benefit from Mindset’s expertise in Brazil and across the LATAM region.

Julie Harris, CEO of WGSN and Planet Retail commented: “We are delighted to announce this acquisition, which not only further strengthens WGSNs position in the Latin American market, but is also part of a wider strategic objective to expand our trend, retail and intelligence services in new and developing markets.”

This is the group’s second acquisition this year following the purchase of certain online assets of Mudpie, a provider of fashion trend forecasting with more than 200 customers worldwide.

Top Right Group Latin America is headquartered in Sao Paulo and will shortly move to a new office near Faria Lima.

UK, London & Sao Paulo

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Enserve sells Inenco Group to Vitruvian Parners, Management and ICG

July 17, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

inencoEnServe Group, the energy and utility outsourcing business owned by private equity house Cinven, has sold its Energy division, Inenco Group, to funds managed by Vitruvian Partners, management and Intermediate Capital Group Plc. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Inenco Group provides businesses with strategic energy management procurement and risk management services. It has over 9,000 clients including corporate, public sector and SME customers. Its services are provided through three specialised brands Inenco, Inenco Direct and NIFES.

Cinven’s most recent portfolio company report on Enserve Group covers the year to March 2012. The Energy division of Enserve vitruvianproduced revenue for that year of £27M (2011: £27.7M) and EBITDA of £9.8M (2011: 8.2 million).

Cinven acquired the parent company EnServe Group (formerly Spice plc) in a public to private transaction in December 2010 for £360 million. The proceeds of the sale will be used to reduce bank debt at the parent company level and invest in the remaining divisions.

Michael Abbott, Chief Executive of Inenco Group, commented: “We’re really excited to be partnering with Vitruvian, who share our vision to consolidate our leading position in the UK and grow internationally with our fantastic client base. Vitruvian also has significant financial resources to support an acquisition programme to accelerate growth.” Abbott went on to say, “Inenco Group’s head office will continue to be based on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, with NIFES offices in Glasgow, Altrincham and London operating alongside Inenco Direct’s growing presence in Liverpool. Over the course of the next three years, we intend to create new employment opportunities to support the growth in demand for our services, which is fuelled by volatile and rising energy prices and a mass of energy efficiency/carbon legislation.”

UK, London and Lancashire, St Annes

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Accenture Completes Acquisition of Acquity Group

July 9, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

accenture1Accenture has completed its acquisition of Acquity Group Ltd., the second-largest independent digital marketing company in the United States, which provides strategy, digital marketing and technical services to help companies enhance their brand experiences and eCommerce performance.

The acquisition strengthens and expands the broad range of digital marketing services that Accenture provides clients through acquityAccenture Interactive. Accenture paid $13.00 per outstanding American Depositary Share, each of which represents two ordinary shares, or a total of approximately $316 million in cash for Acquity Group.

“Acquity Group’s skills and capabilities in eCommerce and leading digital platforms such as Adobe and hybris will complement Accenture’s strengths in strategy, analytics, technology enablement and marketing operations,” said Brian Whipple, global managing director of Accenture Interactive. “Together, we are better positioned to blend the creative process with technology at scale and deliver transformational solutions that provide innovative and engaging customer experiences across channels.”

USA, New York, NY & Chicago, IL

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IHS acquires Intellichem

June 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ihs_logo_mpIHS has acquired Intellichem, a strategic company that will strengthen IHS Chemical business in Latin America. Intellichem was founded by Dr. Rina Quijada. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Intellichem publishes a bi-weekly report (QuiMax, in partnership with MaxiQuim) on the olefin and plastics markets in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela. Intellichem also provides market intelligence on chemicals and plastics in Latin America.

“With Intellichem’s deep relationships throughout Latin America and its foothold in the chemical market advisory sector, we believe this acquisition gives IHS an important presence and significant growth potential in a key geography,” said IHS President and CEO Scott Key.

USA, Englewood, CO & Houston, TX

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IHS acquires PFC Energy

June 21, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ihs_logo_mpInformation company IHS has acquired PFC Energy, a global consulting firm specialising in the oil and gas industry. Its clients are oil and gas operators, national oil companies, service companies, investors, governments and other stakeholders. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PFC Energy was founded in 1984 and focuses exclusively on the energy sector, covering all phases of the energy value chain, and the pfc energyassets and activities of key countries and companies. It has 130 professional staff and is based in Washington, D.C. and also maintains offices in Houston, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Paris, Beijing and Singapore.

“The acquisition of PFC Energy brings energy information and research depth and strengthens our presence in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East,” said Scott Key, IHS president and chief executive officer. “For more than 25 years, PFC Energy has built a solid reputation as an integrated information, research and advisory firm covering the oil and gas value chain. This gives us the opportunity to expand the IHS presence in high-growth markets, and to leverage the skills and expertise of regionally located research colleagues who will support the growth of critical IHS energy solutions.”

USA, Englewood, CO & Washington, DC

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