SKU Logistics acquires Dawson Marketing Services for £200K

May 3, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

smithnewsSmiths News PLC, the has sold Dawson Marketing Services Limited and its trading subsidiary, Marketlink Marketing Communications Limited to SKU Logistics in Swindon for £200,000.  SKU Logistics was previously part of Smiths News.

In an announcement Smiths News said, “The Group has chosen to divest MMC as it is not core to our stated strategy of being a leading player in chosen specialist distribution markets.”

In the year ended 31 August 2012, MMC generated revenues of £6.0m and operating profit of £0.1m.

UK, Swindon, Wiltshire

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RWS Holdings acquires PharmaQuest for £2.3M

May 3, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

RWS1RWS Holdings plc, a provider of intellectual property support services and commercial translations, has acquired PharmaQuest Limited for £2.3 million in cash.

PharmaQuest specialises in providing translation and linguistic validation of patient reported outcome measures resulting from clinical pharmaquest-logotrials conducted globally.  The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Oxfordshire, employing seven people.  Customers include pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organisations and academia.

PharmaQuest’s latest financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2013 show turnover of £1.4 million and adjusted profit before tax of £600,000.  Net assets acquired were less than £100,000.

Andrew Brode, Executive Chairman of RWS said, “We are pleased to have acquired PharmaQuest, whose progress we have monitored for several years.  It is an attractive business with excellent margins and good growth prospects in a rapidly expanding, specialist sector.”

UK, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire & Banbury, Oxfordshire

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Independent News & Media PLC – results for year ending 31 December 2012

April 26, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

inmIndependent News & Media PLC has announced the Group’s results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2012. A detailed presentation on these results is available on the Group’s website inmplc.com.

The Group’s interim management statement in respect of the period from 1 January 2013 to 19 April 2013 is also published today.

Financial & Operating Highlights

  • Revenues of €539.7 million, down 3.3%
  • Operating Profit, pre-exceptionals, of €59.7 million, down 20.9% – delivering an operating margin of 11.1%
  • EBITDA, pre-exceptionals, of €80.7 million (including dividends received of €11.1 million) for FY 2012 – down 21%
  • Operating Costs were reduced by €2.5 million despite inflationary cost increases in South Africa in excess of 5.7%, the year-on-year impact of the acquisition of International House Dublin (‘IHD’) and the launch of GrabOne. Excluding IHD and GrabOne, costs reduced by €9.2 million
  • Continued progress in digital, with revenue growth of 21.4% mainly driven by the successful rollout and full year impact of GrabOne in the Island of Ireland
  • Net exceptional charges after tax totalled €273.7 million primarily driven by non-cash asset impairments in APN and Island of Ireland and costs relating to headcount reductions of over 200 in 2012

INM results 2012-1

Strategic Highlights

A restructuring agreement has been reached with its banking syndicate, to effect an amendment to its Master Facility Agreement, which will become effective following the sale of its South African business.

INM says –  this will put it on a secure financial footing with a sustainable debt level, on completion of all stages. On full completion, the new bank deal will give INM the flexibility to reposition itself to embrace opportunities in the digital arena and deliver further significant cost reductions, whilst continuing to invest in the Group’s core print titles.

INM recently announced the sale of its South Africa business for R2 billion (approx. €167m) before expenses – all net proceeds will be used to pay down bank debt.

More details (London Stock Exchange)

Ireland, Dublin

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IPC Media sells Horse Magazine to MyTimeMedia

April 25, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Horse-June13rIPC Media has sold Horse magazine to MyTimeMedia. Horse was published within the IPC Inspire portfolio.

MyTimeMedia publishes specialist hobby magazines , including popular titles such as Hi Fi News, Home Cinema Choice, Homemade with Love, Stamp Magazine, The Woodworker and Model Engineer.

IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “MyTimeMedia is passionate about hobbies, so it is the perfect new home for Horse.  My personal thanks go to each member of the team for the great work they have done on Horse and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

MyTimeMedia CEO Owen Davies adds: “We are delighted to welcome Horse magazine and its staff to our business. The magazine will be a perfect fit with our print portfolio and we look forward to developing the website to increase its reach within the equestrian community.”

UK, London

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Euromoney Institutional Investor acquires a majority stake in the Centre for Investor Education in Australia

April 19, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Euromoney logoEuromoney Institutional Investor PLC, the international online information and events group has acquired  a 75% stake in the Centre for Investor Education (CIE).

Based in Melbourne, Australia, CIE was founded in 1997 and is a provider of investment forums for senior CIEexecutives of superannuation funds and global asset management firms.  Principal events include the Chief Investment Officers Symposium and the Major Market Players Symposium, both held annually in Australia, as well as the International Investing Symposium which was held in Tokyo earlier this month.  CIE was acquired in 2010 from its founder, Melda Donnelly, by Erling Sorensen and Jamie Nemtsas who have expanded its portfolio of events and will remain shareholders in CIE until December 2015.

The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing for Euromoney in financial year 2013. Euromoney has paid an initial A$14.4 million (£9.9 million) cash consideration for a 75% interest in CIE, to be adjusted up or down dependent on CIE’s results for the year to December 2013.  Euromoney will acquire the remaining 25% of CIE’s equity in two instalments based on CIE’s profits for the years to December 2014 and 2015.  The acquisition will be funded from Euromoney’s existing committed borrowing facility.  CIE recorded an unaudited pre-tax profit of A$1.5million (£1.0 million) on revenues of A$4.3 million (£2.9 million) for the year to December 2012.

“We are delighted to acquire CIE,” said Richard Ensor, Chairman of Euromoney.  “Euromoney expects to benefit from the rapid growth of Australia’s asset management industry.  This acquisition of the high-quality CIE business gives us the opportunity to consolidate further our position in this premium segment of the events market.  We look forward to working with Erling Sorensen and Jamie Nemtsas to develop CIE further.”

UK, London & Australia, Melbourne

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Scripps Networks Interactive Acquires Asian Food Channel

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

afcScripps Networks Interactive Inc. has acquired Asian Food Channel (AFC), a food-focused pay television network. The Asian Food Channel, which is based in Singapore, reaches about 8 million subscribers in 11 markets.

“Asia and the rapid growth in pay television households throughout the region hold great promise for Scripps Networks Interactive and its international ambitions,” said Kenneth W. Lowe, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Acquiring the Asian Food Channel significantly expands our presence in key growth markets and provides us with a solid foundation on which to build a growing lifestyle media business in the region. The channel aligns perfectly with our lifestyle programming focus.”

The Asian Food Channel broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week and leverages a substantial library of acquired Asian and international video content as well as a growing number of originally-produced programs. The network generates revenues through regional and local advertising sales as well as fees from pay television operators.

Derek Chang, who was appointed recently as managing director of the Asia Pacific region for Scripps Networks Interactive, will oversee the management and integration of the Asian Food Channel. He also will oversee operations of Scripps Networks Interactive’s existing networks in the region.

USA, Knoxville, TN & Singapore

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Burda International GmbH takes over Gruner + Jahr activities in Poland

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Burda International GmbH is taking over all Gruner + Jahr activities in Poland, creating a media company with over 30 magazines, more than 20 online media services, established events and a strong book business

The takeover is subject to approval under cartel law, and a decision is expected in July. In future the company will be headed by Magdalena Malicka (formerly G+J) and Justyna Namięta (Burda Poland).  With a combined reach of 23 per cent, Burda becomes the second largest Polish magazine publisher.

Fabrizio D’Angelo, Managing Director Burda International, explains: “For Burda in Poland the strong position this creates is an excellent basis for expanding its core business of magazines, and provides optimal conditions for further investments in the digital future. This will enable us to make the very best use of the growth opportunities in the booming economic environment of Poland.”

Germany, Munich & Warsaw, Poland
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USA TODAY Travel Media Group acquires Tripology

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

USA TODAY LOGOUSA TODAY Travel Media Group has acquired Tripology. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Tripology is an interactive travel referral service focused on connecting travelers with experienced travel specialists. Available free to consumers, Tripology utilises proprietary technology to match traveler requests with travel professionals. USA TODAY plans to offer Tripology.com referral services across Gannett media outlets.

“The acquisition of Tripology fits well into our overall growth strategy. The USA TODAY Travel Media Group has been expanding its tripologydigital portfolio of travel news, products and services over the past year. For decades, we’ve provided our audience with helpful and easy to use travel content and now we’re adding more tools to help consumers with their travel experience,” saidJohn Peters , president of USA TODAY Travel Media Group. “Time-starved travelers researching and booking cruises, honeymoons, family reunions, and other complicated travel often require the services of a travel professional and Tripology can match them with a specialist.”

USA, McLean, VA

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Thomson CompuMark acquires the trademark business of Onscope

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

compumarkThomson CompuMark, a Thomson Reuters Intellectual Property & Science business has acquired the trademark business of Onscope, a provider of trademark searching, monitoring and online screening in Canada. The terms of the deal was not disclosed. Onscope’s search support services for the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and its linguistics and translation services were not included.

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Onscope is a  provider of trademark search and watch services offered in French and English.

“The addition of Onscope’s trademark business to our IP Solutions portfolio solidifies Thomson CompuMark as the preeminent source ofonscope trademark research and protection offerings across Canada,” said Viji Krishnan , vice president of Thomson CompuMark. “Onscope’s clients will benefit from the extensive trademark expertise Thomson CompuMark provides, including access to the world’s largest, global network of trademark data, around-the-clock service throughout the business week, and a host of offerings to drive brand value and protect intangible assets.”

USA, North Quincy, MA & Canada, Montreal, Quebec

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Bertram Books acquires academic library services contracts from Blackwell

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

SmithsnewsSmiths News PLC ‘s wholly owned book business Bertram Books, is to acquire certain European and African academic library services contracts from Blackwell UK Limited.  The acquisition is expected to be  completed on 20 May 2013 and the net consideration of around £2.1 million .

The acquisition brings with it a  customer base with a strong presence in Germany, France and South Africa.  The high  contracts being acquired generate revenues of £10.5 million at FY12 levels increasing Bertrams’ total international sales to £60 million.

The acquisition will be earnings neutral in FY13, adding an incremental £0.7 million in FY14.

Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths News PLC, said:

“We are delighted to be further extending our international books business offering following the completion of this complementary bolt-on acquisition.  Our ability to build both scale and reach will enable Bertrams to target key international markets as we continue to capitalise on expansion opportunities.”

UK, Wiltshire, Swindon

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