ITE acquires two Ukrainian exhibitions

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

ITE International Holdings BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of exhibitions business ITE Group plc, has acquired Kiev based Limited Liability Company BeautexCo from BCI R&R Limited, a company registered in Cyprus.

Beautex runs two exhibitions each year, Intercharm and Beautyexpo. Both are trade exhibitions for the professional beauty trade and cosmetic and aesthetic medicine industry in Ukraine.

On acquisition, Beautex had gross assets of nil. The exhibitions are forecast to generate revenues of €2.4m in the year ending 30 September 2012 and are expected to be earnings enhancing in ITE’s 2012 financial year.

Commenting on the acquisition, ITE’s Chief Executive Officer, Russell Taylor, said: “The addition of these two exhibitions to ITE’s Ukrainian business is consistent with our strategy of building market leading positions in core markets and sectors and will complement ITE’s existing activities in Kiev. These events have strong market positions in Ukraine and will benefit from access to ITE’s expertise and international reach.”

UK, London and Ukraine, Kiev

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Bloomsbury Publishing acquires Fairchild Books

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Bloomsbury Publishing’s US subsidiary, Bloomsbury Publishing Inc, has acquired Fairchild Books from Fairchild Fashion Media, a unit of Conde Nast, for $6,500,000. The consideration will be paid in cash from existing cash balances in three equal annual installments, commencing at completion.

For the year-ended 31 December 2011, Fairchild Books generated net profit before tax of $706,000 and as at 31 December 2011 had gross assets of $7,567,000.

Fairchild Books, based in New York, is a market-leading publisher of textbooks and educational resources for students of fashion, merchandising, retailing and interior design. It has a strong history dating back to the nineteenth century and a world-class reputation for producing student materials for the fashion and design industries.

The Fairchild Books list is highly complementary to Bloomsbury’s existing academic list in the Visual Arts, which was bolstered by the acquisition of Berg Publishers in 2008, the launch of the award-winning Berg Fashion Library www.bergfashionlibrary.com in 2010 and the acquisition of a fashion photography archive in 2011.

Following the acquisition, the business will be managed by Kathryn Earle, Bloomsbury’s Head of Visual Arts, and will report in to Bloomsbury’s Academic & Professional division.

Bloomsbury’s successful integration of the Continuum business, purchased in July 2011, was the cornerstone acquisition of the Academic & Professional division, providing it with critical mass and excellent opportunities for organic growth and digital exploitation.

Nigel Newton, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury commented, “The acquisition of Fairchild Books is part of Bloomsbury’s long term strategy to increase its Academic Publishing turnover in the USA, the largest market for English language textbooks.  There is an excellent fit between Fairchild Book’s list and Bloomsbury’s visual arts lists.

UK, London & USA, New York, NY

 

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WPP acquires stake in multinational retail marketing agency, Barrows

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

WPP has acquired a 35% interest in Barrows, specialists in retail marketing solutions. Barrows provides a diverse range of services – including retail strategy, shopper insight, design, manufacturing capabilities and innovative products – to blue chip clients in the fmcg sector.

Established in 1995, Barrows has offices in Brazil, South Africa, the UK and will shortly be opening in Singapore.

Barrows employs more than 400 people and its key clients and partners include the world’s leading fmcg companies across multiple geographies. The unaudited consolidated gross assets of the Barrows companies in which WPP is investing, as at 31 December 2011 were approximately US$18.3 million. Barrows’ total unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2011 were approximately US$62 million.

South Africa, Durban

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Games company Zattikka lists on AIM and makes three acquisitions

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Zattikka plc, a social and casual internet games development and publishing business, has listed in AIM. The Company has completed a placing with institutional and other investors, raising approximately £12.6 million, with proceeds to be used to fund the acquisition of three online games companies and ongoing working capital.

Zattikka is a newly-incorporated company, focused on developing and publishing interactive games entertainment products across internet connected platforms, through various media channels. These channels include PC web browsers, social networks, mobile devices (including smartphones and tablets), connected consoles, and other emerging platforms including IP TVs and set top boxes.

Contemporaneous with admission, Zattikka will complete the acquisitions of three online games companies:

  • Hattrick Holdings
  • Sneaky Games, Inc.
  • Concept Art House, Inc.

The acquisitions will provide Zattikka with products that can then be sold to end-customers in key European, US and Chinese markets, either directly through its own websites, or through third-party digital distribution channels or other new digital platforms.

The vision for the Company is to become a large scale, diverse games publisher with products operating across growth digital platforms, and with a targeted geographic emphasis in Europe, the US and China. The Company proposes to achieve this by developing Zattikka through strategic acquisitions and accelerating on-going organic growth.

Mark Opzoomer, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are delighted to list on AIM to provide the capital base and incentivise the entrepreneurs joining our group. We begin with a strong group of companies with operations in key gaming centres in the USA, China and Europe, a mix of revenues across subscriptions, virtual goods and work for hire with an exceptional team of talent. We have a great opportunity before us to accelerate the growth of this initial group across multi-platforms to create a world class games entertainment group.”

UK, London

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WPP to acquire Carnation Internet Tanácsadó Zrt in Hungary

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

WPP owned operating network Possible Worldwide, the global interactive marketing agency, is to acquire all of the shares in Carnation Internet Tanácsadó Zrt in Hungary (“Carnation”).

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Budapest, Carnation is a full-service digital marketing services agency with additional offices in Serbia, Austria and Romania, servicing a variety of clients throughout the Central and Eastern Europe region.   The agency employs more than 75 people and major clients include Coca-Cola, MTV, Procter & Gamble, and Telenor.

Carnation’s consolidated unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2011 were HUF 1,341 million with gross assets of HUF 1,431 million at the same date.

Hungary, Budapest

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OFT clears the merger between the Digital Property Group and Zoopla

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has today given clearance for the proposed merger between the Digital Property Group and Zoopla to go ahead. Digital Property Group is part of A&N Media, the consumer media division of DMGT. The merger will bring together Findaproperty.com, Zoopla.co.uk and Primelocation.com. The transaction is now expected to complete within the next few weeks.

Evidence received by the OFT during its investigation found that the merger would not result in reduced competition and consequently did not warrant reference to the Competition Commission for further investigation.

Mark Milner, CEO of the Digital Property Group said, “This is an important day for the industry, given the long-awaited balance in the market that this deal will deliver. It has been a long time coming and the enhanced value that the combined business will provide will make this deal a clear win for UK estate agents, letting agents and housebuilders.”

Martin Morgan, Chief Executive of DMGT said: “We are delighted that the merger has been approved. We now have the opportunity to challenge the market leader in the online property sector, to the benefit of both consumers and clients”.

See also – FindaProperty, Primelocation and Zoopla to merge to take on Rightmove posted on November 7, 2011.

UK, London

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DMGTacquires Jobrapido

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

A&N Media, the consumer media business of DMGT, has acquired Jobrapido, one of the world’s largest job search engines. Jobrapido will be combined with A&N Media’s existing digital recruitment group, which is now renamed as Evenbase in order to reflect the wider scope and international reach of the enlarged group.

This acquisition gives Evenbase – which includes Jobsite, OilCareers and Broadbean – access to one of the world’s largest databases of job seekers and a global footprint with strong positions in a number of key international markets.

The completion consideration is €30 million.  The Jobrapido management team is incentivised to enhance this valuation over the next few years through an earn-out arrangement based on achieving agreed financial and business performance objectives.  Jobrapido achieved revenues of c. €24 million and profits of c. €6 million during calendar year 2011.

Jobrapido was established in Italy in 2006 by its Chief Executive, Vito Lomele. It is the second largest international job search engine in the world, delivering last year 660 million visits from job seekers (most recently 32 million unique visitors in March 2012) in more than 50 countries.

Keith Potts, Evenbase Chief Executive, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to secure such a valuable asset for the group. Candidates are, and will always be, the raw material for recruitment. Jobrapido gives us access to job seeking candidates on a global scale and supercharges the transformation of our business model.”

Martin Morgan, CEO of DMGT said: “Bringing the Jobrapido team into the DMGT group is a great example of DMGT’s core strategy in action.  We seek out and acquire market leading businesses with strong positions in rapidly growing international markets. We have a strong culture of entrepreneurial management and like to retain and empower the people who built those businesses.”

UK, London & Italy, Milan

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UBM plc acquires Negocios nos Trilhos, South America’s leading railway industry exhibition

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

UBM plc has acquired Negocios nos Trilhos, South America’s leading railway industry exhibition, from Grupo Revista Ferroviária on behalf of UBM Live. In 2011 Negocios nos Trilhos generated revenues of approximately £1.6 million.  As at 29 March 2012, the business’ gross assets were £0.7 million.  The acquisition is expected to exceed UBM’s cost of capital criterion in its first full year of ownership.

Now in its fifteenth edition, Negocios nos Trilhos – literally, ‘Business on Rails” – is a cargo and public rail transport tradeshow which is held annually in Sao Paulo.  Last year’s show attracted 180 rail equipment and technology exhibitors from 14 countries and 7,000 railway professionals drawn from both the public and the private sectors. The 2012 event will take place 6-8 November.
The passenger and cargo railway industry in Brazil and other South American countries is expanding rapidly as the region’s economic development advances.  Brazil has also seen accelerated investment in mass transport systems driven by the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.

Negocios nos Trilhos is a complementary fit with UBM Live’s Intermodal transport exhibition in Brazil. The business also overlaps with UBM Global Trade’s US rail industry products.

Simon Foster, Chief Executive Officer of UBM Live said, “We are delighted to have acquired such a well-established and market-leading exhibition in this fast-growing industry. Negocios nos Trilhos will strengthen our position in the transport sector in Brazil and complement UBM’s US-based rail industry product set.”

Uk, London and Brazil, Sao Paulo

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Hearst Corporation acquires 20% stake in Stylus Media Group

March 28, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Hearst Corporation has acquired a 20 percent stake in Stylus Media Group, which provides business intelligence to consumer companies. The announcement was made jointly by Frank A. Bennack, Jr., CEO of Hearst Corporation, and Marc Worth, CEO and founder of Stylus. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Stylus tracks consumer behavior and cultural shifts across consumer industries, including automotive, technology, media, retail, fashion and hospitality. Stylus is used by design, marketing, branding and business development departments inside companies to stimulate new ideas about consumer products and services.

As part of the agreement, Kenneth A. Bronfin, president of Hearst Interactive Media, will join the Board of Directors of Stylus. The Interactive Media group will manage Hearst’s stake in Stylus as it does with its numerous portfolio businesses.

Since its launch in September 2010, Stylus has grown to cover 20 sectors across 50 countries with a worldwide staff of 100. More than 200 major corporations have subscribed to Stylus data, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Starwood Hotels, Mulberry, Sony, Ford, Colombia Sportswear, The Container Store, Marks & Spencer and Interbrand. Its mission is to become a global leader in primary research, tapping into opportunities in emerging markets and meeting demand from business and design professionals for research and information.

Commenting on the acquisition, Bennack said, “For all businesses to be competitive, spotting the next trend can mean success or failure. We believe that Stylus offers information that no company should be without. The growth potential is very promising, as is the benefit to our own brands and businesses.”

“This strategic partnership signals a wealth of new opportunities for Stylus,” Worth said. “Hearst’s global presence will help drive Stylus’ business forward in Asia and Latin America as well as its core markets of U.S. and Europe. Hearst’s investment in both technology and new media businesses makes it an ideal partner and will allow us to meet demand for cross-sector, cross-country design intelligence.”

“We have been quite impressed with the tremendous amount of progress that Stylus has made since its launch in terms of content development and brand-name client acquisition,” Bronfin said. “We look forward to working with Stylus as it expands its reputation as an authoritative business intelligence resource for design and creative professionals.”

USA, New York, NY & UK, London

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Fugro acquires marine survey and environmental consultancy specialist EMU

March 23, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

International geological consultancy Fugro has acquired UK-based marine survey specialist EMU for an undisclosed sum.

EMU is an independent marine survey and environmental consultancy specialist with annual revenues of over EUR 20 million. Based in Southampton, it also has premises in Portsmouth, Edinburgh, UK, Dinard, France and Perth, Australia. The company conducts ecological, geophysical, sediment sampling and hydrographical surveys, laboratory analysis, and provides environmental consulting and reporting services. It currently employs 150 highly-qualified and experienced surveyors, oceanographers and marine environmental scientists.

EMU has a broad client base in the oil and gas, renewables, engineering contracting, marine aggregate and government markets. The company will further internationalise its business, supported by Fugro’s global network.

The acquisition will contribute to Fugro’s strategy to provide its clients with fully-integrated solutions. EMU’s specialist services will further enhance Fugro’s capability to support clients’ projects from concept to completion.

The Netherlands, Leidschendam

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