Philadelphia Newspapers and Philly.com Successfully Emerge From Bankruptcy

October 11, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

The Philadelphia Media Network has completed its acquisition of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com, enabling the newspapers and web site to formally emerge from federal bankruptcy.

The sale brings a successful close to the arduous 20-month long bankruptcy proceeding, overseen by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stephen Raslavich, which began when former owners Philadelphia Newspapers LLC filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in February 2009 after defaulting on its debt of more than $400 million.

“We are pleased to finally begin operating the newspapers and Philly.com, and we believe that the company has tremendous potential as we build out our brands in the great city of Philadelphia, the fourth largest media market in the nation,” said Publisher and CEO Gregory Osberg.  “We are committed to the long-term growth of the newspapers and the web site, and can’t wait to get started.

“We have some of the finest journalists in the world working in Philadelphia, and we will dedicate ourselves to creating compelling content across a variety of platforms that will make it easy, informative and fun for our customers to get relevant regional news and information for their business and personal lives.”

Osberg, who grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Conestoga High School in 1975, takes over as Publisher and CEO after a 30-year news career as President and Worldwide Publisher of Newsweek and Newsweek.com, as well as various leadership positions at CNET and U.S. News and World Report.  He has been a pioneer at integrating various platforms of content and business operations.

USA, Philadelphia, PA

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ITV plc sells Screenvision assets to Shamrock Capital for US $80m

October 11, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

ITV plc has reached agreement with Shamrock Capital Growth Fund II, a leading, US-based private equity fund focused on media, entertainment and communications investing, to sell its 50% stake in Screenvision for a cash consideration of US $80m. Completion of the transaction is subject to US Hart Scott Rodino anti-trust clearance.

Commenting on the transaction Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of ITV plc, said:

“This is another important step for ITV as we progress our transformation plan to focus the business on its core objectives of UK multi-platform broadcasting and global content. The proceeds of this sale will positively impact our net debt which decreased by £175m in the six months to 30th June 2010.”

UK, London & USA, New York, NY

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A Fusion Deal: IPC sells Model Collector and Stamp Magazine to MyHobbyStore.com

October 11, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

IPC Media has confirmed the sale of two further niche and specialist titles, Model Collector and Stamp Magazine to MyHobbyStore.com

Model Collector, the UK’s best-selling die-cast title, offers the avid collector all the essential knowledge to get the most out of their hobby. Accessible, informative and entertaining, Stamp Magazine offers essential information on all aspects of stamp collecting. It features news from the world of philately, auctions and exhibitions and the latest issues and valuable errors as well as readers showcasing their collections.

The deal sees MyHobbyStore acquire the brands – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of either title.

MyHobbyStore publishes some of the best known specialist hobby magazines in the UK, including popular titles such as RCM&E, Model Engineer, Model Boats and Good Woodworking.

IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “MyHobbyStore is a publisher which is passionate about hobbies: the perfect new home for Model Collector and Stamp Magazine. My personal thanks go to both teams for all of their hard work, particularly over the course of the strategic review and acquisition negotiations. They have done a fantastic job and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

MyHobbyStore CEO Owen Davies adds: “Stamp and Model Collector are wonderful additions to our growing portfolio of special interest hobby magazines. Our plan is to grow these sectors by developing online communities and e-commerce opportunities on our leading edge technology platform.

Fusion provided general advice to the owners of MHS.  The Partners responsible for the project were Mark Eisenstadt and Paul Slight.

UK, London & Kent

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A Fusion Deal: eLitigation business Legal Inc is acquired by Grant Thornton

October 11, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Legal Inc Ltd has been acquired by Grant Thorton as a key addition to its Forensic Team.   Established in 2005 and based in London, Legal Inc is the leading independent UK specialist in eLitigation, eDisclosure and eCourt services.

Legal Inc is able to handle and decipher huge complicated files for its accounting and legal and government clients.  As the company says: ” Our aim is always to be an ally in the fast-changing world of information management, where our know-how and, experience and market awareness can assist you in you in meeting today’s challenges.  The exponential growth of edata, the impact of disruptive technologies and a changing rulebook make for a ‘shifting sands’ environment. Add in operational pressures that revolve around efficiency, risk, cost control and client satisfaction and you can understand why so many organisations look to leverage Legal Inc to improve legal delivery and enhance business returns.”

 

Paul Slight was the Partner responsible for the transaction.  Fusion acted exclusively for the shareholder vendors.

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Amazon acquires BuyVIP

October 7, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Amazon is to acquire Madrid based BuyVIP.com, a fashion and lifestyle online buying community with more than 6M members in Spain, Germany and Italy.  BuyVIP offers members time-limited campaigns from top fashion and lifestyle brands at low prices, generally 30 to 70% below the retail price..

BuyVIP was founded in 2006 with the launch of its German and Spanish websites at the same time.  It is rumoured the price paid is somewhere between $60M and $80M.   The transaction is expected to close in Q4.

Source: Press Release

USA, San Francisco, CA

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More IPC title sales

October 7, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

IPC is continuing its structured divestiture exercise for its special interest titles and it was confirmed today that Kelsey Publishing, who recently acquired Cage and Aviary Birds have added Aeroplane, Miniworld, Ships Monthly, Park Home & Caravan magazines to its stable as well.

It is also rumoured in the Guardian that Chelsea Magazine Company has acquired World Soccer, Racecar Engineering and Classic Boat and that Caravan is about to be sold to Warners Group Publishers.

Source : guardian.co.uk and press release

UK, London & Kent

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Fremantle Media acquires 60% of @Radical.Media

October 5, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Freemantle has taken a 60% stake in @Radical.Media a global transmedia business that creates innovative advertising and branded entertainment content.  The deal represents Freemantes first move into the branded entertainment space.

The companies have had a successful relationship since 2008 and have worked together on several highly acclaimed TV series Iconoclasts on the Sundance Channel, Britney: For the Record, and the table tennis tournament Hardbat Classic on ESPN.

Financial details of the transaction were not announced.

Source:  Press Release

FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG

USA, Burbank CA & New York, NY

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IPC sells two more titles

October 5, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

IPC has announced the sale of two further titles as part of its structured sell off of niche specialist titles.

Web User, reported to be still the UK’s best selling Internet magazine has been acquired by Dennis.  This is the fifth acquisition by Dennis in the last 18 months.

Guitar & Base has been sold to Anthem Publishing, publisher of Music Tech and Guitar Tech and a range of other music and food related titles.

UK, London & Kent

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Deltek to Acquire INPUT

September 30, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Deltek, a provider of enterprise applications software and solutions for project-focused businesses, is to acquire INPUT for $60 million in an all cash transaction. The transaction is expected to close on October 1st, 2010.

The addition of INPUT’s industry leading opportunity intelligence and business development capabilities to Deltek’s comprehensive portfolio of government contracting solutions and its govWin network expands Deltek’s product offerings to manage all facets of the government contracting value chain from opportunity identification to project delivery.

Based in Reston, VA, INPUT has nearly 200 employees and had revenues of $26.2 million for 2009 – an increase of 13% from 2008. With more than 2,100 customers, INPUT enables companies to successfully identify and develop new business opportunities with federal, state and local government and other public sector organizations. Many of the largest government contractors and agencies rely on INPUT for the latest and most comprehensive opportunity database and market research information. INPUT powers an active network of over 30,000 members that collaborate on federal, state and local government opportunities, develop teaming relationships and win new business.

“Our entire INPUT team is extremely proud of the great company that we have collectively built over the years,” said Peter Cunningham, Chairman of INPUT. “Our services provide a unique combination of content and context (software). This is the direction for the information services industry in the 21st century, and we are ahead of the game. The combination of INPUT with Deltek makes for a perfect match to accelerate our growth and commitment to our members. Deltek’s enterprise software capability, industry expertise, and customer list are completely synergistic with INPUT’s capabilities and customer base, creating a combined organization that no competitor can match. Our association with Deltek will provide a wonderful opportunity for our 2,100 member organizations to get increased value from our services and for our staff to have an almost unlimited career growth opportunity. I cannot imagine us finding a finer and more appropriate partner to carry out our mission.”

“Acquiring a market leader like INPUT is a landmark move for Deltek,” said Kevin Parker, President and CEO of Deltek. “We are fully committed to investing in INPUT to expand its offerings, deliver new capabilities, and ensure that its customers continue to receive tremendous value from its products and services. We also look forward to combining INPUT’s world-class business development and market research capabilities with our existing solutions. Together, we are now powering the entire government contracting value chain, while providing our customers with the timely, data-driven market research they need to navigate their way to success. This move solidifies Deltek’s standing as the premier government contracting solutions provider and thought leader in the market today.”

USA, Herndon, VA

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Marketron Acquires mSnap

September 30, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Marketron, a provider of business software solutions and services for the media industry, has acquired mSnap, the largest broadcast-based mobile advertising network in the U.S. and a leading provider of mobile advertising solutions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Mobile is one of the fastest growing advertising segments in our industry and mSnap has established itself as an innovative leader in the category,” said Mike Pallad, Executive Vice President of Sales for Citadel Broadcasting. “The acquisition of the company by Marketron, which offers a host of cross-channel solutions for media companies, will increase mSnap’s capabilities and development. We’re proud of our partnerships with Marketron and mSnap and look forward to the benefits this merger will offer our stations and advertisers.”

“We are excited to join Marketron, as the company provides the technology and services integral to the success of thousands of media organizations around the world,” said Tim Favia, CEO of mSnap. “By combining our expertise in mobile advertising technology with Marketron’s software, services and distribution, we will enable media companies to leverage the mobile ad medium, and for the first time be able to sell, fulfill and account for it. This combination also provides significant scale to our network, increasing our leadership position and making us more relevant to advertisers as they move to the mobile medium.”

This acquisition enables Marketron to accelerate the growth of the already largest broadcast-based mobile network, consisting of 30 million unique subscribers and 1,400 premium publishers and serving 250 million advertising messages per month. The acquisition helps Marketron solidify mobile’s position as a growing advertising channel in the digital space, offering benefits to media companies and advertisers alike. 

USA, Hailey, ID

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