Photobucket and Ontela to merge

January 21, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Photo website Photobucket.com and Ontela, the imaging services for wireless carriers, are to merge their operations.

The combined company, which will be known as Photobucket Corporation.. The combination will bring together Photobucket’s audience of more than 22 million monthly unique users in the U.S. with Ontela’s software that is currently in use on more than 30 wireless carriers, including Verizon and T-Mobile. Photobucket will leverage Ontela’s wireless carrier relationships to provide distribution and consumer access to more than 140 million wireless subscribers, while Ontela will drive uptake of its mobile applications by capitalizing on Photobucket’s brand and highly active user base.

News Corporation, which acquired Photobucket in 2007, will hold a significant equity stake in the combined company and will be represented on the company’s board of directors. The Photobucket management team will continue to operate the business and play strong leadership roles in the combined company.

Tom Munro, Ontela’s chief financial officer, who will become president of the combined company said, “We are pleased to bring together these two dynamic companies that are at the leading edge of the explosion of content sharing in the digital photography space. We believe Photobucket’s vast consumer audience and content leadership – and the talented team of professionals who have driven the business – complements and brings great promise to Ontela’s technology leadership in mobile photo sharing applications.”

Jon Miller, chairman and CEO of Digital Media for News Corporation, who will serve as a director of the combined company, said, “In partnering with Ontela and its investors, we are able to maintain and expand our strong foothold in the online imaging category. As consumers evolve the ways in which they capture, consume and share their photos and video across multiple devices, there couldn’t be a more perfect partner for Photobucket to align with as it enters this new chapter.”

Photobucket is one of the largest standalone photo sites in the world. More than 11 million photos, graphics, and videos are uploaded to Photobucket every day and the site serves more than 100 billion images each month.

Ontela is a leading provider of services that get pictures off camera phones. Ontela’s proprietary technology automatically uploads pictures from phones, solving the last remaining problem with mobile photography – getting at the pictures. Ontela’s technology has been certified by 30 operators, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and Alltel on more than 100 handsets. It also is available preinstalled on devices from all five of the top global handset manufacturers.

Ontela’s investors will make an additional capital commitment as part of the merger and will hold significant equity positions in the combined company.

USA, Denver, CO and Seattle, WA

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MacTech Conference acquires US NSConference

January 20, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

MacTech Magazine and iDeveloper TV (part of The Mac Developer Network Limited) today announced that MacTech is acquiring the US version of NSConference and merging it into MacTech Conference: For Apple IT Pros and Developers. While iDeveloper TV will continue to operate NSConference UK independently, NSConference organizers will now be a part of the MacTech Conference team. The yet-to-be-announced MacTech Conference 2011 is slated for Fall 2011.

NSConference UK is March 21-23, 2011 in Wokefield Park, outside of London. The sold-out event focuses on sessions presented by some of the world’s top OS X and iOS developers.

MacTech Conference 2011 will be a US-based event that delivers content for both IT Pros, and OS X/iOS Developers on the Mac. NSConference’s head, Steve Scott (Scotty), will join the MacTech Conference 2011 team as Sessions Chair for the Developer Track, working with Edward Marczak (who will continue to oversee the IT Track as well as the sessions overall) andNeil Ticktin and Andrea Sniderman who oversee the entire event.

“It’s clear that we hit a home run with MacTech Conference 2010. When attendees give the event a standing ovation at the close, and 100% say that they would recommend the conference, you know you’ve done something right,” said Neil Ticktin, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of MacTech Magazine. “I’m incredibly proud of our team for 2010. And, with Scotty joining us as Sessions Chair for the Developer Track, it just gets that much better.”

“I couldn’t be happier to work with someone so well known and respected in the Mac development world,” said Edward Marczak, Executive Editor, MacTech Magazine, and MacTech Conference Overall Sessions Chair. “Working together, we’re going to be able to serve the Mac community much better than working separately.”

“NSConference has proven its ability to bring great content to a great base of attendees,” says Steve Scott (Scotty) from iDeveloper TV and Developer Sessions Chair for MacTech Conference 2011. “This deal allows iDeveloper TV to bring its intimate relationship with Mac OS X and iOS developers together with MacTech’s excellent conference skills to provide an incredible event for developers based in the USA.”

USA, Westlake Village, CA & UK, Tetbury

 

 

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Amazon to acquire LOVEFiLM International

January 20, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Amazon.com has reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares in LOVEFiLM International.

LOVEFiLM is a leading European subscription entertainment service which combines the benefits of online DVD and games rental-by-post as well as streaming films and TV shows instantly over the internet to PCs, internet enabled TVs and Playstation 3. LOVEFiLM operates today in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Amazon already has a significant minority shareholding in LOVEFiLM and does not itself operate any similar business in Europe.

“LOVEFiLM has been innovating on behalf of movie rental customers across Europe for many years and with the advent of the LOVEFiLM player, they are further delighting customers by streaming digital movies for their immediate enjoyment,” said Greg Greeley, Amazon’s Vice President of European Retail. “LOVEFiLM and Amazon have enjoyed a strong working relationship since LOVEFiLM acquired Amazon Europe’s DVD rental business in 2008, and we look forward to a productive and innovative future.”

“The deal is a winner for the members who love LOVEFiLM because of its value, choice, convenience and innovation in home entertainment,” said Simon Calver, Chief Executive of LOVEFiLM International. “With Amazon’s unequivocal support we can significantly enhance our members’ experience across Europe.”

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.

USA, Seattle, WA & UK, London

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Pilot magazine acquires Today’s Pilot

January 20, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Pilot magazine, the UK’s biggest-selling general aviation magazine, has acquired Today’s Pilot from Key Publishing.

Pilot magazine has been published for over 40 years and covers everything from gliders, microlights and helicopters to private, business and commercial fixed-wing flying. Today’s Pilot has been published for ten years and is particularly popular among student pilots.

Today’s Pilot Editor Dave Unwin will join the newly formed Pilot team, headed by Group Editor Nick Wall and Associate Editor Philip Whiteman. Unwin will become Pilot’s Flight Test Editor and also work on the Today’s Pilot section within Pilot. The first combined issue of Pilot incorporating Today’s Pilot will be the April issue, on sale March 2.

UK, Berkshire

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Mixbook acquires Scrapblog

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Personalized photo publishing business Mixbook has acquired Scrapblog, an online scrapbooking service. Terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“This acquisition solidifies Mixbook as the definitive source for online digital scrapbooking and personalized photo publishing,” said Andrew Laffoon, CEO of Mixbook. “Digital scrapbooking has surged in popularity over the past few years, with the scrapbook industry reaching billions of dollars in annual sales. Scrapblog’s users will now have access to an improved user experience via Mixbook’s thousands of free designs, state-of-the-art software and industry-leading customer service.”

“Scrapblog’s award-winning online scrapbooking service is a great match for Mixbook’s growing platform,” said Carlos Garcia, founder of Scrapblog. “I am excited that our users will be in trusted hands given Mixbook’s track-record of excellent service.”

USA, Silicon Valley, CA

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EWTN acquires National Catholic Register

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

EWTN Global Catholic Network has signed a letter of intent to acquire the National Catholic Register, a leading Catholic newspaper.

“I am very pleased and excited that the Register will now be a part of the EWTN family,” said Michael P. Warsaw, the Network’s president and chief executive officer.  “All of us at EWTN have great respect for the Register and the role it has played throughout its history. It’s a tremendous legacy that deserves to not only be preserved, but also to grow and to flourish.”

“I believe that EWTN will be able to provide the stability that the Register needs at this time as well as to give it a platform for its growth in the years ahead. We’re proud to be able to step in and carry on both the Register’s name and its tradition of faithful Catholic reporting on the issues of the day,” noted Warsaw.

Under the terms of the transaction, no cash will be exchanged between the parties. EWTN will take over the ongoing operational expenses of the Register and will assume the paper’s future subscription liabilities.

The acquisition of the Register is the latest in EWTN’s efforts to expand its news presence in the global Catholic digital and multimedia market. At the start of 2010, EWTN entered into a partnership with the Catholic News Agency (CNA), a Denver-based independent Catholic news media outlet with bureaus in North and South America and Europe. Under that agreement, EWTN and CNA are sharing news resources and have created a joint news service found at http://www.ewtnnews.com.  That arrangement was recently expanded to include a new original Spanish-language news service, EWTN Noticias, launched in January 2011.

The National Catholic Register grew out of Denver’s Catholic Register, which began on Aug. 11, 1905. Under the leadership of Msgr. Matthew Smith, the Register System of Newspapers was developed, with the first national edition appearing on Nov. 8, 1927. It was acquired by the Legion of Christ in 1995.

USA, Irondale, AL

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Comcast and GE receive regulatory clearance for NBC Universal transaction

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Comcast and General Electric have received regulatory clearance from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice for the joint venture that will consist of the NBC Universal businesses and Comcast’s cable networks, regional sports networks and certain digital properties. The joint venture will be 51 percent owned by Comcast, 49 percent owned by GE and managed by Comcast. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of January.

“This is a proud and exciting day for Comcast,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast. “We are grateful for the leadership of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney, the other FCC Commissioners and their staffs for the months of hard work that went into reviewing an unprecedented number of documents and public comments.”

“The NBC Universal joint venture will be well positioned to compete, innovate, and bring new choices to consumers,” Mr. Roberts continued. “Our original vision for the combination remains intact so that consumers will benefit, and our competitors will be treated fairly. We are pleased that many of the voluntary commitments we proposed beginning the day the transaction was announced and continuing throughout the process have been incorporated into the FCC’s Order.”

Under the terms of the transaction, GE will contribute to the joint venture NBC Universal’s businesses, including its cable networks, filmed entertainment, televised entertainment, theme parks and unconsolidated investments. Comcast will contribute its cable networks, including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel, its regional sports networks and certain digital media properties, and make a payment to GE subject to certain adjustments based on various events between signing and closing.

GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said, “NBCU has been a great business for GE over the past 20 years, generating an average annual return of 11 percent. Reducing our ownership stake from 80 percent to 49 percent allows GE to continue sharing in NBCU’s growth while also providing significant cash to invest in our high-technology infrastructure businesses, growing an attractive dividend, and continuing our buyback program. This transaction will have generated approximately $8 billion of cash at closing with an expected small after-tax gain. We are confident the NBCU team will continue to be in good hands under Brian Roberts, Steve Burke and the Comcast team’s leadership.”

“Bringing the legendary assets of NBC Universal together with the content assets and technology expertise of Comcast will create many new opportunities for consumers. The combination of these assets will allow us to bring the future of anytime, anywhere media faster to consumers in America and around the globe,” said Steve Burke, who will become Chief Executive Officer of NBC Universal at the official close of the transaction.
Additional information regarding the transaction can be found at http://www.comcast.com/nbcutransaction.

USA, Philadelphia, PA & Fairfield, CT

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Adobe acquires Demdex

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Adobe Systems Incorporated has acquired privately held Demdex, a leading data management platform company.

“Our customers rank among the world’s largest advertisers and publishers and they have been asking us to help them optimize how they buy and sell online ads,” said Brad Rencher, vice president and general manager, Omniture Business Unit, Adobe. “With the addition of Demdex, the Adobe Online Marketing Suite will enable advertisers to be smarter with their advertising spend and publishers to leverage their audience data to generate more revenue. With audience optimization, Adobe is literally changing how online ads are bought and sold.”

“Adding our technology to the capabilities and vision of Adobe is a powerful combination for advertisers and publishers,” said Randy Nicolau, chief executive officer, Demdex. “We will continue to evolve our technology as part of the Adobe Online Marketing Suite to help customers stay ahead of the rapidly evolving online ad market.”

“As a leading technology media company, our audience data is incredibly valuable to our business and our advertising partners,” said Vivek Shah, chief executive officer, Ziff Davis. “With Demdex becoming part of the Adobe Online Marketing Suite, we expect Adobe solutions to help us find even more ways to create value for our advertising partners and customers.”

“Online media is poised to capture a greater share of advertising revenue based on audience size, engagement and capabilities, but the complexity and isolation of metrics have impeded its past success,” said Andrew Frank, research vice president, Gartner, Inc. “The incorporation of data and technology into marketing and advertising processes will fundamentally change the nature of the online media business.”

USA, San Jose, CA

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Pearson acquires TutorVista – Expands Pearson’s education business in India

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Pearson has agreed to increase its shareholding in Indian education business TutorVista to a controlling 76% stake for a consideration of $127m.  Pearson acquired a minority stake in TutorVista in June 2009 and this transaction takes Pearson’s total equity investment in the company to approximately $139m.

TutorVista was founded in 2005 by Krishnan Ganesh and is headquartered in Bangalore. India’s government currently invests $40bn each year or three per cent of GDP in education, while Indian consumers spend more than $40bn on private educational institutions and services. Both segments of the market are growing rapidly as a result of government commitment to increase the quality of and access to learning opportunities as a means of sustaining economic growth and reducing poverty.

TutorVista will be integrated into the Pearson education business in India. Pearson expects the acquisition to enhance Pearson’s adjusted earnings per share and return on invested capital in 2012, its first full year.

Marjorie Scardino, Pearson’s chief executive, said: “TutorVista is an innovative and effective education company that we have worked with and respected for several years. This acquisition – which we believe is the largest transaction in education in India by any company – signals our excitement about the vitality of India’s education sector.”

India, Bangalore

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Axel Springer and SeLoger.com agree on a revised offer at €38.05

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Following an agreement reached between the two groups, Axel Springer is to file a friendly revised offer for the shares of SeLoger.com at a price of €38.05 per share. This price represents a premium of nearly 12% compared to the price of the initial offer filed by Axel Springer on 28 September 2010.

The Revised Offer will include a minimum acceptance threshold, set at 50.01% (including Axel Springer’s current 12.4 % stake) of the share capital and voting rights of SeLoger.com, below which the Offer will be unsuccessful.

Ralph Buechi, President Axel Springer International at Axel Springer AG said: “The agreement paves the way for a transaction based on mutual consent between Axel Springer and the Board and management of SeLoger.com. Our intention has been friendly from the beginning, and we strongly believe that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that we move ahead on agreed terms. This is especially true for the management and employees of SeLoger.com, who will now be able to fully focus on the business and continue with their excellent work. Following a careful assessment, the recent share price developments of the peer group as well as SeLoger.com’s recent upward revisions of their financial targets led us to reconsider our offer price, which is now even more attractive for the shareholders of SeLoger.com.”

Germany, Berlin & France, Paris

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