Prysm Group has acquired Naidex, the UK’s largest disability, rehabilitation and homeware event

July 25, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

NaidexB2B trade exhibition organiser Prysm Group has acquired Naidex, from i2i Events. Naidex is the UK’s largest disability, rehabilitation and homeware event, with around 200 exhibitors and over 9000 visitors.

“Naidex is, quite simply, exhibition royalty, and I can’t tell you how excited we all are to have acquired it,” said Nick Moss, MD of Prysm Group. “We are going to pour our hearts and souls into making the 43rd edition of Naidex a truly memorable event for the independent living sector, and the entire team can’t wait to get started.”

Prysm Group has a portfolio of over 25 shows across the UK, from ‘The Business Show’, which attracts over 25,000 businesses each year, to the niche, industry specific events, such as ‘Legalex’, ‘Elite Sports Performance’ and ‘Farm Business Innovation’.

Alison Willis, portfolio director, i2i Events, said: “Naidex has built a strong, loyal customer base thanks to the very hard work of the dedicated event team. i2i is dedicated to enhancing customer value and extending its global footprint, particularly through our large-scale events that we can geo-clone internationally.

 

UK, Bristol and London

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Ocean Media Group acquires Mercury Events Ltd, organisers of the Wedding Fairs and the Baby & Toddler shows

July 25, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

OMG_logoOcean Media Group has acquired Mercury Events Ltd, organisers of the Wedding Fairs and the Baby & Toddler shows. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

David Watt, CEO at Ocean Media commented: “This exciting acquisition significantly reinforces our position as the number one player in the wedding market. As well as adding strength and depth to our teams, this purchase creates an ideal platform to improve and grow our portfolio of consumer wedding shows”.

Matt Miller will join Ocean Media as Managing Director of the new Consumer Division.

Miller said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to combine the analysis, expertise and best practice which sits within both organisations to develop an extensive set of wedding and baby shows that offer superb value to all our exhibitors and to every visitor. We will be working very closely with our partners in both industries to grow the market to everyone’s benefit”.

He added: “Our values and vision for how we operate are very much the same. We’re aiming to serve our industries with an emphasis on innovation, integrity, and with a single-minded philosophy to produce shows that add genuine value to their markets every time they run”.

UK, London

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Questex acquires UK’s The Annual Hotel Conference

July 13, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

questexBusiness information and events company Questex has acquired The AHC Company Limited, organizer of The Annual Hotel Conference. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The agreement merges the collective resources of Questex, organizers of the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Berlin and The AHC. Founders Chris Eddlestone and Jonathan Langston and their team will continue to lead content development and management of the event.

“We are tremendously pleased to team up with Chris and Jonathan and combine our resources to enhance the value provided to the UK hotel industry by this important event,” said Kerry Gumas, Questex president and chief executive officer.

“From its beginnings as a small, invitation-only gathering targeting the regional individual and small-chain hotel owner and operator, The AHC has grown over its 13-year lifetime into one of the UK’s largest hotel industry events outside London,” said Eddlestone. “With Questex’s significant scale and resources, we expect the event will grow at a faster pace, with new marketing opportunities for our supporters and partners.”

This year’s The AHC will be held Oct. 12- 13 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate hotel. It is expected to draw around 700 delegates. The event, themed Performing in Transient Times, will bring individual, boutique and consortium hotel owners, operators and managers together with developers, investors, bankers, advisors, government agencies, designers, architects, consultants, tourism leaders, regional tourist board representatives and other stakeholders for relevant and inspirational educational content and peer-to-peer networking.

The AHC was cofounded by 30-year industry veteran Eddlestone, global head of hospitality and leisure services at Squire Patton Boggs, an international law firm; and Langston, a renowned industry consultant and commentator with a 30-year track record who most recently served as the UK chief operating officer for CBRE Hotels Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

USA, Newton, MA & UK, Manchester

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UBM divests electronics media portfolio

June 3, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

UBMUBM plc has sold its electronics media portfolio to the distributor Arrow Electronics Inc. for $23.5 million in cash.

The portfolio comprises the US and Asian versions of EE Times, EDN, ESM, Embedded, EBN, TechOnline and Datasheets.com.  In 2015 these assets generated revenues of $19 million. $16 million from online and $3 million from print.  The sale is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearance in China.

Tim Cobbold, CEO of UBM plc, said: “In line with our ‘Events First’ strategy this transaction further improves the alignment between our portfolio of Events and Other Marketing Services.”

UK, London & USA, New York, NY

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UBM buys Business Journals Inc for $69M

April 22, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

BJIUBM plc has acquired the Business Journals Inc (BJI), a producer of fashion trade shows in New York and Las Vegas, for $69m in cash.

BJI serves the men’s apparel and women’s apparel and accessories markets under the following tradeshow brands: AccessoriesTheShow, EDIT, FAME, Moda, MRket and Stitch.  These shows run multiple times a year and in some cases are located in the same venues as UBM shows.  BJI also operates several websites and publications serving the fashion sector.

In 2015, BJI’s revenues were approximately $40m – $33m from Events and $7m from Other Marketing Services.The company is expected to make a modest post tax contribution this year.

Tim Cobbold, CEO of UBM plc, said:

“We are delighted to have acquired BJI. This transaction is very much in line with our ‘Events First’, strategy. It adds to our presence in North America and also in the fashion sector, both of which were already strong following UBM’s acquisition of Advanstar at the end of 2014. We see excellent opportunities to deliver an improved experience for customers and to realise the operational benefits which scale will bring.”

UK, London & USA, Norwalk, CT

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Euromoney sells Gulf Publishing Company and the Petroleum Economist

April 1, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

Euromoney plcEuromoney Institutional Investor PLC, the international online information and events group, is selling its energy publishing businesses, Gulf Publishing Company in Houston and the Petroleum Economist in London, to a consortium led by Gulf’s CEO, John Royall and media investor Russell Denson, for a cash consideration of $18 million. Euromoney has owned Petroleum Economist since 1989 and Gulf since 2001. The transaction is expected to close on April 30, 2016.

Commenting on the announcement, Euromoney CEO Andrew Rashbass, said: “In line with our strategy, we are selling these businesses because they are not core for us. We believe the new owners, with their base in Houston, Texas, are better positioned to develop these businesses. John Royall has been a valued and respected colleague at Euromoney. I have no doubt he will continue to show outstanding leadership of these businesses under their new ownership.”

John Royall said: “Euromoney has been a great home to these businesses. We and our partners look forward to building an independent and innovative media company that will take advantage of opportunities in the global energy industry.”

UK, London & USA, Houston, TX

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DVV Media Group GmbH acquires Road Transport Media Ltd

January 25, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

DVVHamburg-based DVV Media Group GmbH has acquired Road Transport Media Ltd (RTM), based in Sutton, Surrey.

With its print, web and event portfolio, RTM is a leading provider of specialist information and media services for the road freight industry and commercial vehicle sector in the UK. Its portfolio includes long-established print titles Commercial Motor, Motor Transport, and Truck & Driver. With a combined circulation of more than 40,000 copies, RTM reaches all relevant players in the industry. RTM also has a comprehensive online presence, including a digital marketplace, as well as smartphone apps.

commercial_motorRTM runs various events such as Freight in the City, Tip-ex, and Tank-ex. Its flagship Motor Transport Awards, which has been taking place in London for more than 30 years, highlights outstanding achievements in the area of road freight transport and is attended annually by more than 1,500 senior industry decision makers.

DVV Media UK is the publisher of rail and air freight industry titles including Railway Gazette International and Air Cargo News. With the acquisition of RTM, DVV Media Group is significantly expanding and strengthening its presence in the UK market.

CEO, Martin Weber says: “The acquisition of Road Transport Media is an important milestone in the further development of our international publishing activities.”

currentcoverDVV Media Group GmbH, a sister company of the Rheinische Post Media Group, has more than 200 employees and produces over 30 business to business publications in the transport & logistics, maritime, rail, public transport, travel/conferences, and defence sectors. The publishing portfolio includes newsletters, specialist books, reference works, websites and apps. DVV Media Group also organises events and conferences.

Germany, Hamburg & UK, Sutton, Surrey

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A Fusion Deal: Creditflux sold to Mergermarket Group

January 6, 2016 — Fusion DigiNet

CreditfluxFusion Corporate Partners are pleased to announce the completion of the sale of Ceditflux to Mergermarket Group.

Fusion Corporate Partners acted as corporate advisor for Creditflux. The Fusion team was led by Paul Slight, Director at Fusion. The terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Founded and headquartered in London, Creditflux is the authoritative provider of intelligence, analysis, data and events covering CLO and credit fund pricing, investments, trading and returns.

“I am delighted that Creditflux is joining forces with Mergermarket Group, a company which shares our relentless focus on providing original and insightful intelligence to the fixed income community,” said Mike Peterson, Managing Editor and founder of Creditflux. “The combination of Debtwire, Xtract Research and Creditflux will create an information power house for the global credit market.”

The acquisition accelerates the global expansion of Mergermarket Group’s extensive real-time fixed income intelligence and data provision. The company’s Debtwire and Xtract Research products already deliver insight and analytics on corporate high yield, distressed and restructuring situations.

mergermarket“We are very excited to fortify the growth story of our global fixed income division with the acquisition of Creditflux, a highly regarded and trusted source of CLO and credit fund intelligence and data,” commented Hamilton Matthews, CEO of Mergermarket Group. “For the past decade, Debtwire and Xtract Research have blazed a trail of market-leading coverage in the field of corporate debt analysis. Creditflux provides valuable analysis of fixed income investors, giving our valued subscribers access to deeper analysis of the full credit investment cycle.”

Paul Slight, Director at Fusion, said “We have known Mike and the key shareholders at Creditfux for many years and they thoroughly deserve their reward for the hard work that has gone into building a business brand of high editorial integrity. The fit with MergerMarkets was evident from the start at a business and cultural level and I am sure Mike and his team will be able to take advantage of the commercial knowhow and international presence MergerMarket offers. This is the second transaction we have concluded with MergerMarkets in the last 3 months and on both occasion they have acted with the highest level of sensitivity during both the negotiations and completion process”

UK London

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The Fusion Team has completed over 80 UK and cross border Media, Business Information & Technology, Exhibitions & Conferences, Energy & Environmental Services, Business Support Services, TV Broadcast & Production, Healthcare and Online Commerce transactions.

Recent transactions include:

Media & Business Information

Business Support Services and Energy & Environmental Services

Exhibitions & Conferences

Healthcare

Broadcast

 

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UBM sells PR Newswire to Cision

December 15, 2015 — Fusion DigiNet

 

PR NewswireUBM plc has agreed to sell PR Newswire to Cision, a provider of public relations software, for $841m.

Cision, which is controlled by Chicago-based private equity group GTCR, acquired media monitoring group Gorkana from private equity group Exponent for £200m last year.

PR Newswire had revenue of 195.8 million pounds in 2014, about 26 percent of UBM’s total revenue.

Terms of the deal:

  • The total sale price is $841m, $810m in cash and $31m of preferred equity
  • The total sale price of $841m is a circa 11.2 times multiple of PR Newswire’s 2014 adjusted
    earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The cash value of $810m represents a circa 10.8 times multiple.
  • £245m is proposed to be returned to shareholders by way of a special dividend.
  • Net cash proceeds received on completion are expected to be approximately £498m after adjustments for transaction expenses, debt-like items, tax and a contribution of £10m to UBM’s pension scheme

The agreement is subject to anti-trust clearance in the US. Completion is expected late in Q1 2016

Tim Cobbold, Chief Executive of UBM plc, said: “Today’s announcement represents a significant step in the execution of UBM’s “Events First” strategy, the objective of which is to become the world’s leading focused B2B Events business. The Board is confident that this transaction realises excellent value for our shareholders.

Following the successful acquisition of Advanstar in 2014, the disposal of PR Newswire further increases our focus on the attractive, high growth and high margin events sector with more than 80% of UBM’s continuing revenues generated in Events. In addition, the retained sales proceeds will increase our capacity to invest in bolt-on acquisitions to strengthen the portfolio and grow the
business faster, whilst maintaining appropriate financial discipline.”

UK, London & USA, Chicago, IL

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A Fusion Deal: WTG sells HR Directors Business Summit and Pan European HR Summit to Blenheim Chalcot

November 18, 2015 — Fusion DigiNet

Fusion Corporate Partners are pleased to announce the sale of HR Directors Business Summit and Pan European HR Summit by WTG to Blenheim Chalcot and its portfolio company Contentive

HR DirectorsFusion Corporate Partners acted as corporate advisor for WTG. The Fusion team was led by Mark Eisenstadt, director at Fusion. The terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Louis Warner, CEO, Contentive said: “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues at HR Directors Summits. We are looking forward to continuing to grow and develop these great events, serving the HR Director communities worldwide.”

Contentive.jpgSusanna Kempe, Group CEO, WTG Events said: “The Blenheim Chalcot group have an extraordinary track record of building and developing successful businesses, Contentive being one of these, and I could not think of a better new owner of our HR portfolio. The new owners will continue to invest in the brands and add exciting digital capabilities to deliver a 365 day, 24/7 platform of intelligence and connections. I would like to thank the team for their loyalty and hard work over the years and wish them well in their new home.”

UK, London

Recent Fusion transactions include:

Media & Business Information

Business Support Services and Energy & Environmental Services

Exhibitions & Conferences

Healthcare

Broadcast

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