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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Informa completes the disposal of its five Corporate Training businesses.

October 1, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

informa2Informa plc has completed  the disposal of its five Corporate Training businesses to Providence Equity Partners.

The initial consideration of $165m, consists of $100m in cash (net of indebtedness and working capital adjustments on completion) and a $65m vendor loan. The vendor loan is for a maximum term of 6.5 years and attracts a PIK interest rate of 1% in the first two years, rising to 10% in the third year with a further 1% per annum increase thereafter.

providenceequityMore more information see Fusion DigiNet’s July 2013 article here.

UK, London

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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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DMGT pre-close trading update

September 25, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

DMGTDaily Mail and General Trust plc has issued a pre-close trading update.

Ahead of the year end on 30 September 2013, the statement provides an update on the Group’s progress in the current year.

It covers the eleven month period to the end of August 2013 and includes comments on September.

Summary

  • Solid Group revenue performance, up 2% underlying#
  • Good revenue growth from B2B operations, up 6% underlying#
  • Resilient revenue performance at dmg media, down 2% underlying#
  • Active portfolio management; targeted acquisitions and non-core asset disposals
  • Share buy back programme of £69 million to date
  • Net debt/EBITDA ratio expected to be less than 2.0 at year end
  • Full Year guidance unchanged and in line with market expectations

DMGT results1 2013

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The full statement can be read here.

UK, London

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Euromoney revenues for the fourth quarter increase by 9%

September 24, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Euromoney logoEuromoney Institutional Investor PLC, the international online information and events group, has issued a pre-close trading update ahead of the announcement of its results for the year to September 30, 2013.

Since issuing its Interim Management Statement on July 25, 2013, trading has continued in line with the board’s expectations.  The recovery in US markets, and in particular in the profitability of US financial institutions, has continued, while European markets have remained weak and emerging markets have settled down after the uncertainty earlier in the summer.

Revenues for the fourth quarter are expected to show a headline increase of 9% on the same period last year, and an underlying increase, excluding acquisitions, of 5%.  The improvement in advertising highlighted in the July IMS has continued, with advertising revenues returning to growth for the first time in two years.  Underlying subscription revenues, excluding acquisitions, increased by 4%, helped by the reversal of timing differences from the third quarter.

Total revenues for the year to September 30, 2013 are expected to show a headline increase of approximately 2% on 2012, of which half has come from acquisitions.

Exchange rate movements have not had a significant impact on headline or underlying revenues.

The group expects to announce an adjusted profit before tax* of not less than £114 million for the year to September 30, 2013 (2012: £106.8 million) including a contribution from acquisitions, after financing costs, of nearly £2 million.

At current exchange rates, group net debt at September 30, 2013 is expected to be no more than £10 million, against £38 million at March 31.  This reflects the group’s traditionally strong second half operating cash flows as well as acquisition payments of £13m in the period.

The year end results will be announced on November 14, 2013.

UK, London

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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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David Levin to step down as CEO of UBM

September 16, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

David LevinDavid Levin is to step down as Chief Executive Officer of UBM plc by 31 July 2014.

UBM’s Chairman, Dame Helen Alexander is to lead a search for Levin’s successor. Levin will remain in his current role until a successor is found.

Levin joined UBM as CEO in 2005 and has led the transformation of UBM from a broad media conglomerate focused primarily on the UK and the US into an events and communications business with a significant proportion of its business in emerging markets.

David Levin, said, “I have really enjoyed leading the transformation of UBM’s business over the past eight years, together with a great group of colleagues. During this time UBM has completed more than 100 acquisitions and more than a dozen disposals, and we have returned more than £900m of cash to shareholders. UBM’s two main businesses, Events and PR Newswire, offer significant opportunities for growth, both organic and by acquisition. UBM has built its businesses in the emerging markets of China, India, Brazil, Turkey and the ASEAN region while strengthening its largest position in the USA. This has been underpinned by a profound shift in UBM’s culture. I feel that it is the right time to look for my next challenge. I look forward to the future and, in the meantime, it is business as usual.”

UK, London

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LexisNexis acquires Enclarity

September 15, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

enclarityLexisNexis Risk Solutions has acquired Enclarity, a health care provider data and information solutions company.

LexisNexis will add Enclarity’s health care provider data to its existing analytics platforms and workflows. The acquisition follows the transfer of clinical-analytics-focused MEDai into LexisNexis Risk Solutions from LexisNexis sister company Elsevier in July 2013 and the autumn 2012 purchase of EDIWatch, a provider of fraud, waste and abuse technology solutions.

“This acquisition demonstrates our continued commitment to helping health care organizations address cost-containment head-on by improving effectiveness and efficiencies, applying clinical analytics and reducing costs and offering greater identity transparency,” said Lee Rivas, CEO Public Sector and Health Care.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

USA, Georgia, GA

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Centaur Media plc – full year results

September 12, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

centaurCentaur Media plc, the business information, events and marketing services group, has published its full year results for the year to 30 June 2013.

Financial highlights

  • Adjusted EBITDA up 10% to £12.9m (2012: £11.7m)
  • Adjusted profit before tax up 8% to £8.6m (2012: £8.0m)
  • Reported loss before tax of £37.4m (2012: profit £2.7m) includes a non-cash impairment charge of £39.2m (2012: £nil)
  • Adjusted basic EPS up 7% to 4.5p (2012: 4.2p) with a proposed full year dividend of 2.4p (up 7%)
  • Cash conversion remains strong at 112% (2012: 120%)

Operational highlights

  • Revenue mix continues to improve
    • Digital contribution increased to 35%, paid-for content 28% and events 36%
    • Advertising revenues reduced as planned to 35% of total revenues
  • Refocus around market segments driving greater focus on delivery of revenue and cost synergies

The acquisition of Econsultancy.com Limited was completed in July 2012, Centaur reported that the integration is accelerating.

Note: The Econsultancy sale was a Fusion Corporate Partners deal. Fusion represented the shareholders of Econsultancy.

centaur results 13

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Mark Kerswell, Interim Chief Executive, commented, “We have continued to improve our revenue and earnings profile as well as accelerate the delivery of our strategic objectives. We now have a sharper focus on markets and customers and a strong pipeline of new digital platforms and event launches. We are better placed to exploit fully the numerous opportunities across the Group. “Our digital, subscription and events businesses are growing well, whilst our print, advertising funded businesses are stable. With deferred revenues up 27%, the outlook for 2014 is positive.”

UK, London

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Addison acquires majority stake in digital corporate communications agency, The Group, in the UK

August 19, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

WPP‘s wholly-owned company Addison Corporate Marketing Limited, a corporate communications agency, has acquired a majority stake in Emaxol Limited, the holding company of IR Group Limited, an online corporate communications agency. The combined business will trade as Addison Group. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in London in 1991 by Mark Hill, The Group employs 65 people and specialises in designing, building, hosting and developing corporate websites and digital consulting services. Clients include Tesco, BG Group, Centrica, Kingfisher, InterContinental Hotels Group, Tullow Oil, Cairn Energy, Petrofac and Rexam.

The Group’s consolidated unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 July 2013 were £5.9 million, with gross assets of £5.1 million as at the same date.

UK, London

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