Hearst Corporation completes UK portion of Lagardère Global Acquisition

August 6, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Hearst Corporation has completed the UK portion of its international transaction with Lagardère SCA.

The deal unites National Magazine Company, Hearst Corporation’s principal UK business, and Hachette Filipacchi UK Ltd. The new organisation has been rebranded as Hearst Magazines UK.

With the acquisition of Hachette Filipacchi, Hearst Magazines UK has the UK publishing rights to global media superbrands ELLE and ELLE Decoration, along with Psychologies; and the ownership of Red, All About Soap, Inside Soap, Digital Spy and Sugarscape.

The combined business, comprising 26 magazines, 22 digital assets and other branded properties, will make Hearst Magazines UK one of the biggest media players in the country, reaching more than 16 million adults in print and 20 million monthly unique users online.

This UK deal forms part of Hearst Corporation’s acquisition of Lagardère’s international press and magazine business, which includes nearly 100 titles, 50 websites and numerous mobile and tablet applications in 14 markets including the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, U.K., Japan, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, Germany and China (which will close later this year).

Arnaud de Puyfontaine, Chief Executive, Hearst Magazines UK, and Executive Vice President, Hearst Magazines International said: “This move consolidates our status as a leading UK media owner. NatMag and Hachette Filipacchi have built a stable of world-class brands,and this combined portfolio gives us a unique opportunity to develop and expand our commercial potential. We very much look forward to working with our new colleagues on this exciting venture.”

UK, London

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Intertek acquires environmental impact specialist RDC Environment

August 6, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Intertek has acquired RDC Environment, which specialises in environmental impact measurement, life cycle analysis (LCA), carbon footprinting, eco-labeling, greenhouse gas inventory and energy auditing for consumer products companies, and water and waste management projects for both private and public companies.

RDC Environment, established in 1992 and managed by Bernard de Caevel and Michael Ooms, provides companies with environmental impact solutions for their products, raw materials or packaging. RDC Environment also carries out water footprint and environmental analysis for public authorities.

“The European expertise offered by Intertek-RDC enhances Intertek’s existing network of qualified experts located in Asia and North America, to provide a global service for environmental impact solutions for companies, products,packaging and supply chains,” said Christophe Liebon, Vice President of Intertek Environmental Impact Solutions.

“The market is growing in Europe, particularly in France where possible future legislation on environmental labeling and the obligation for companies with more than 5,000 employees to perform carbon footprinting are under consideration,” said Bernard de Caevel, RDC Environment.

France, Heudeboulville & Belgium, Brussels

 

 

 

 

 

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Energy efficiency business Amantys closes $7 million Series A round

August 6, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Amantys, a UK based energy efficiency power electronics company, has closed a $7 million Series A round. The new funding enables Amantys to continue with the commercialisation of its digital power switching platform.

The new funding round has been led by Moonray Investors, part of Fidelity International and ARM Holdings plc (ARM). Moonray Investors has additionally purchased the remaining external minority interests in Amantys.

UK, Cambridge

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Thomson Reuters acquires precious metals consultancy GFMS

August 5, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Thomson Reuters has acquired analyst firm GFMS (formerly known as Gold Fields Mineral Services), a precious metals consultancy, specialising in research into the global gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“The strategy for our commodities business has been to deliver best-of-breed, specialist services and unique content to energy, metals and agriculture professionals via our next generation desktop Thomson Reuters Eikon,” said Shaun Sibley, global head, commodities, Thomson Reuters. “This investment coupled with our acquisition of Point Carbon last year is helping us deepen those propositions by bringing in specialist talent to our team which delivers invaluable insight, information and tools to our clients.

“Our clients will now have access to additional high-value GFMS content via Thomson Reuters Eikon in the future. We’re extremely pleased to join forces with GFMS and significantly strengthen our offering to the metals market,” added Sibley.

Both Philip Klapwijk, chairman of GFMS, and Paul Walker, CEO of GFMS, will remain with the business and take up new roles as global head of metals analytics and global head of precious metals respectively. They will report to Mitchel Ingham-Barrow who is Global Head of Metals at Thomson Reuters.

“This is an exciting time for GFMS as we become part of the large-scale and dynamic company that is Thomson Reuters, helping us to provide an even sharper focus on the global metals markets,” commented Philip Klapwijk, incoming global head of metals analytics, Thomson Reuters. “We see the Thomson Reuters Eikon desktop as one of the most innovative tools for metals professionals and we look forward to enhancing this proposition even further with the addition of our research and analysis.”

USA, New York, NY & UK, London

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A Fusion Deal: Carson Systems sold to Wellesley Information Services

August 3, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

carsonifiedFusion Corporate Partners are pleased to announce our latest deal: the sale of Carson Systems Ltd a UK-based producer of industry-leading events for Web developers, designers, and entrepreneurs, to US-based Wellesley Information Services (WIS). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Carson Systems produces events for web professionals and entrepreneurs. The company’s Future of Web Applications (FOWA), Future of Web Design (FOWD), and Future of Mobileity (FOM) series of events are annual gatherings of thought leaders, technologists, and investors. They have featured renowned speakers including Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh, O’Reilly Media founder Tim O’Reilly, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Digg founder Kevin Rose.

Carson Systems has been particularly effective using social networks and other information delivery mechanisms to build a community of developers, designers, and futurists who are passionate about technology and leveraging it to make a significant impact on business and society.

“Both WIS and Carson Systems have unique competencies within their respective core market spaces. We are confident that, through this acquisition, each organization can learn from the other’s expertise — and together we will be much better positioned to offer unmatched value and exciting new products for our customers,” said Benny DiCecca, CEO of WIS.

WIS is a portfolio company of UCG and a provider of SAP and IBM training and education. WIS serves more than 250,000 customers in over 100 countries, and offers a diverse set of resources including print journals, magazines, electronic knowledge bases, online communities, conferences, seminars, and books. This is WIS’s first acquisition in the UK and will position WIS to serve a brand new market space.

“Web and mobile application development represents technology’s future. Carson Systems has consistently been at the epicenter of this technological revolution, offering education and training to an exciting breed of entrepreneurial web developers and designers. The opportunities in this market are immense, and we are excited to bring WIS’s deep knowledge of the conference, publication, online education, and custom training business to help capitalize on them,” said DiCecca.

Mark Eisenstadt Partner at Fusion said, “Ryan Carson is passionate about bringing the latest and best practice to the web community. We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with Ryan and his team. Carson Systems is a high quality business and tailor-made for WIS. I am sure that WIS’s expertise as a leading provider of technology education combined with Carson’s ability to attract leading edge players in the technology market will ensure the business accelerates it’s growth to cater for this expanding marketplace’’

Fusion acted exclusively for the shareholders of Carson Systems Ltd. Mark Eisenstadt (meisenstadt@fusioncorp.co.uk) led the Fusion team and was supported by Paul Kelly (pkelly@fusioncorp.co.uk). Mogers Solicitors, headed by Tom Webb, provided legal advice to the vendors.

UK, Bath & USA, Dedham, MA

Other Fusion Deals:

Media and Information

Energy Services
Events, Broadcast and Other deals
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Kaplan acquires e-learning provider Structuralia

August 2, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Training and education provider Kaplan, has acquired Madrid-based Structuralia, the e-learning provider for the engineering and infrastructure sector in Spain. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Structuralia provides training to more than 85,000 staff employed at more than 1,350 companies.  Major clients include ACS, Ferrovial (operator of Indiana Toll Road and BAA-Heathrow Airport), Sacyr (builder of the new extension of the Panama Canal), OHL (designer, builder, financer and operator of University of Montreal Hospital; builder of New York Subway), and energy companies such as ENDESA, IBERDROLA and REE.

In partnership with five Spanish universities, Structuralia also offers 16 Master’s degree programs and 11 Executive Programs including an MBA for engineering professionals, and will be launching two further programs in the autumn.  University partners are: the University of Comillas (ICAI and ICADE Business School), the Polytechnical University of Madrid, and the Polytechnical University of Catalonia.
In Europe, Kaplan provides training towards professional qualifications and business programs, higher education programs and English language courses.

“Significant changes in the infrastructure industry through advances in technology and the new models of financing created by Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are generating a growing demand for further education for engineers and skilled tradesmen,” said Jose Wehnes, CEO of Kaplan Europe.  “We look forward to meeting that demand in Spain and beyond by developing Structuralia’s impressive learning solutions.

“Their focus on personal, portable and flexible training is closely aligned with Kaplan’s work on innovation in delivering high quality education and training to students whenever and wherever it best suits them.”

Juan José Gálligo, CEO of Structuralia since the founding of Structuralia ten years ago, who will continue in the company as CEO, said: “In 2001, a group of construction companies and engineers with a shared vision started Structuralia, and it has since enjoyed solid growth, strong margins and has built an enviable list of clients.  It was important to find a strategic buyer that could take us to the next stage in our growth.  With Kaplan’s 70 year history in providing education and training, and their global reach, we believe this is an excellent fit for developing our offering both in Spain and internationally.”

UK, London & Spain, Madrid

 

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Half Year Mergers and Acquisitions Trends Report for Private Equity in the Information Industry

August 1, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Berkery Noyes has released its Half Year Mergers and Acquisitions Trends Report for Private Equity in the Information Industry.

The report analyses merger and acquisition activity in the private equity market over the first half of 2011 and compares it with activity in the four previous sixth-month periods. Berkery Noyes includes in this report transactions made by financially sponsored acquirers within the Information Industry, including purchases made by subsidiaries or platforms of private equity firms.

Berkery Noyes data shows that transaction volume and aggregate value rose considerably over the second half of 2010.  Transaction volume gained 11 percent in the first half of 2011, rising to 171, while value rose a considerable 21 percent in the first half, hitting $11 billion.

“The data shows that the private equity market continues to improve in the number of completed deals from the trough of 2009,” said John Shea, COO of Berkery Noyes. “The upward trend has been lumpy, however, and will probably continue that way for some time.”

The report also highlights the activity of Thomas H. Lee Partners within the information industry this half as the most active financial acquirer, with 10 acquisitions.  Thomas H. Lee Partners also announced the highest valued transaction this half, the pending acquisition of Acosta, Inc., a subsidiary of AEA Investors LP, for $2 billion.

A copy of the First Half 2011 Private Equity Industry M&A Report is available here.

USA, New York

 

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Martini Media acquires TDP Media Group

July 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Martini Media has acquired TDP Media Group, a London-based European digital media company.

The two companies have operated a partnership since December 2010, and since that time Martini has used the presence in Europe to attract such clients as Phillips, Canon, Harrods and Porsche.

“We’re making possible a more effective way to mass market—starting with the most influential people and working out,” said Erik Pavelka, COO of Martini Media. “Because we aggregate the niche sites where uber-influencers go first for content and community in their passion areas, we offer a way for marketers to gain critical mass quickly. For publishers, we create a pipeline to premium advertising they wouldn’t normally get. Buying TDP gives us the stable base we need to expand rapidly in Europe and beyond.”

The combined network includes such advertisers as American Express, Burberry, Dell, Emirates and UPS. Lifestyle publishers include Bloginity, World Golf Tour, and Gayot, and B2B publishers include Reed Elsevier, United Business Media, and Architizer.

USA, New York, NY & UK, London

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Half Year M&A Trends Report for the Financial Technology and Information Industry

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Berkery Noyes has released its Half Year Mergers and Acquisitions Trends Report for the Financial Technology and Information Industry.

The report analyses merger and acquisition activity in the Financial Technology and Information market over the first half of 2011 and compares it with activity in the four previous sixth-month periods. This market includes information and technology companies in capital markets, payments, banking, insurance and other related professional financial services.

Berkery Noyes data shows that while total transaction volume for the period remained largely unchanged, transaction value nearly tripled, jumping from $7.0 billion in 2nd Half 2010 to $19.5 billion this period. The 187 percent increase can be attributed primarily to Deutsche Borse Group’s announced merger with NYSE Euronext for $12.4 billion.

Fiserv, Inc., a leading provider of financial technology solutions, was the most active acquirer in 1st Half 2011, with four purchases: CashEdge, Inc., Credit Union On-Line, Inc., Mobile Commerce Ltd, and Maverick Network Solutions.

For the full two-and-a-half period covered by the report, Morningstar, Inc., was the sector’s most active acquirer. The investment research and financial news provider made nine acquisitions.

A copy of the First Half 2011 Financial Technology and Information Industry M&A Report is available here.

USA, New York

 

Other Research Reports:

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USA: Publicis acquires an equity stake in social media agency Big Fuel

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis Groupe has acquired an equity stake in Big Fuel, the New York-based social media agency. According to the terms of the agreement, Publicis Groupe immediately acquires 51% of the new agency, and has the possibility of increasing its participation to 100% from 2014. Big Fuel will be aligned under the VivaKi organization and serve as a strategic social media “center” for the VivaKi agencies Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and Zenith Optimedia, complementing their existing teams.

With more than 170 employees, Big Fuel is a pure-play social media agency, with all employees dedicated to providing clients with social media services including strategic, creative, distribution, management and analytics. The company has grown from 30 employees in early 2010, and its 2011 revenue is expected to reach nearly $30M, a 500% increase year-on-year. It has been named social media agency of record for some major marketers, including GM and T-Mobile. Big Fuel also works with Colgate-Palmolive, Microsoft, Clorox, Children’s Place, Gore-Tex and Philips.

Big Fuel is headed by Jon Bond, CEO, who assumed the role in January of 2011. Bond runs the agency in partnership with Avi Savar, founding partner and Chief Creative Officer, and Mike McGraw, managing partner and COO.  Big Fuel will report into the VivaKi organization through Laura Lang, global CEO of Digitas and member of the VivaKi Board of Directors.

“Big Fuel is a dynamic social media agency with a scalable model that encompasses social tools, process, a content studio and a distribution network. As a result, it will extend the creative and content resourcing of Digitas and Razorfish,”said Laura Lang.  “They specialize in taking brands from content to commerce, and their social media operating system has earned them Social AOR status with some of the world’s most powerful marketers.  Sitting inside VivaKi, with its powerful media and digital agency networks, Big Fuel gives us unprecedented Paid, Owned and Earned capabilities, further enhancing the social media strategies of its sister agencies.”

Jon Bond, CEO of Big Fuel, says the deal will help support Big Fuel’s rapid organic growth. “Big Fuel’s founder Avi Savar had the vision to create one of the first full-service social media agencies,” said Bond.  “Now that social is revolutionising global marketing, this partnership gives the agency and its clients scale, impact, and a network around the world.”

France, Paris & USA, New York, NY

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