IHS acquires PCI Acrylonitrile, a U.K.-based chemical market advisory service

September 2, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

ihs_logo_mpIHS Inc. has acquired PCI Acrylonitrile, a provider of chemical market insight and consulting services for the global acrylonitrile and derivatives industry.

Based in the U.K., PCI Acrylonitrile publishes the Acrylonitrile Market Report, a monthly report focused on the global acrylonitrile industry and its derivatives. Led by Simon Garmston, founder of PCI Acrylonitrile, the company also provides annual market analysis as well as consulting services and hosts a key industry event focused on the acrylonitrile sector.

“The acquisition of PCI Acrylonitrile is a tremendous addition to our industry-leading chemical market advisory service covering the fibers and plastics businesses,” said Scott Key, IHS president and CEO. “The acrylonitrile analysis, combined with our IHS Chemical olefin, propylene market and special reports coverage, as well as the upstream market coverage we deliver at IHS, will provide unparalleled integrated analysis that is essential to our customers. We are excited to welcome Simon Garmston, who is recognized globally for his expertise in this highly specialized, but strategically important and growing chemical market.”

Acrylonitrile is an essential component for the production of fibers and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), a versatile, high-strength polymer (plastic) resin used to produce a variety of products in both civilian and military applications. PAN fibers are used to manufacture clothing and other ‘acrylic-based’ products. Additionally, PAN is used to produce high-quality carbon fibers, which are essential to high-tech communications infrastructure and production of aircraft, filtration systems, missiles, industrial and technology components, as well as numerous consumer goods.

USA, Englewood, CO & UK, London

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XLMedia plc acquires ExciteAd Digital Marketing for up to $19M

September 1, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

XLMedia, a provider of digital performance marketing services, has acquired ExciteAd Digital Marketing Ltd (EDM), a leading social and mobile gaming marketing company, for a consideration of up to US$19 million in cash and shares. The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

EDM, which trades under the name “DAU-UP” (www.dauup.com), specialises in social and mobile advertising specifically targeted at ‘user acquisition’ for social gaming applications. EDM’s principal geographical market is the US, in addition to other English and German speaking markets. EDM provides marketing services primarily to game developers in social and mobile platforms for either a performance based fee, such as CPI or cost per installation, or a management fee based on marketing spend.

For the 12 months ended 30 June 2014, EDM delivered revenues of $12.8m and profit before tax, excluding share based payments, of $3.0m (Management accounts, Non GAAP). EDM was established in 2010, is based in Israel and employs 27 staff.

Social Gaming, which involves playing online games (such as Casino themed, strategy and adventure based) on social media or community sites, is experiencing significant increased demand across web, smartphones, and tablets platforms. According to market specialists Technavio, the demand for these games is expected to continue to see continued growth with an estimated CAGR of 24% in the US alone between 2012 and 2016. This strong growth is driven by the tremendous demand in the mobile and smartphone markets and the free availability of many of these games.

Key Terms

XLMedia will acquire (on a debt free cash free basis) the entire issued share capital of EDM from its current shareholders which include Mr.Idan Nizri, the principal shareholder, founder and CEO, as well as other investors for a total consideration of up to US$19 million (approximately £11.4 million). XLMedia will pay US$12 million in cash immediately and two additional payments of up to an aggregate US$7 million will be payable based on EDM’s EBITDA performance during the first and second years after 1 July 2014, 71% of which may (at XLMedia’s discretion) be satisfied by the issue of new ordinary shares in XLMedia. The value of any new XLMedia Shares issued will be based on an agreed trailing average of the closing days trading price prior to election to issue the relevant shares. Each portion of any share consideration will be subject to an appropriate slow release arrangement. Mr. Nizri will remain with EDM for a minimum period of two years and shall be entitled to a seat on EDM’s board of directors.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Ory Weihs, CEO of XLMedia said,

“We are delighted to be announcing the acquisition of EDM, our largest transaction since listing in London. One of the main reasons behind our IPO was to enable the Group to act as a consolidator in highly fragmented markets. Since listing, we have been working hard to execute such deals and are therefore excited to conclude the acquisition of EDM,a global leader in the social and gaming marketing arena.

“EDM represents a highly complementary fit for our business, is immediately earnings enhancing, strengthens our reach in the US, delivers diversification into social gaming and extends our current gambling expertise and customer base. We look forward to working with the EDM team and to continue to execute our stated growth strategy.”

Lemesos, Cyprus & Tel Aviv, Israel

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GroupM has agreed to acquire digital search marketing agency Keyade in France

August 26, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

WPP’s wholly-owned operating company GroupM, WPP’s global media investment management arm, has agreed to acquire Keyade, a leading digital search marketing agency in France.

Founded in 2006 and employing around 75 people in Paris and Dubai, the agency specialises in performance-driven online media purchasing. Clients include La Redoute, Air France and Interflora.

Keyade’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 March 2014 were EUR 7.0 million with gross assets of approximately EUR 8.6 million as at the same date.

UK, London & France, Paris

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Millward Brown acquires research firm InsightExpress in the US Posted on August 26, 2014

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Millward Brown acquires research firm InsightExpress in the US

August 26, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

WPP’s wholly-owned operating company, Millward Brown, has acquired InsightExpress, a provider of media analytics and marketing accountability solutions in the United States. InsightExpress will be combined with Millward Brown Digital, the company’s US-based digital unit.

InsightExpress’ unaudited revenues for the period ended 31 December 2013 were US$26.4 million with gross assets of US$8.8 million as of the same date. The company has over 200 clients including NBCUniversal, Google, Netflix, Hulu and Microsoft. Founded in 1999, the company is based in Stamford, CT, with offices in New York, Chicago and San Francisco and employs 100 people.

UK, London & USA, Stamford, CT

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Ameresco acquires independent energy services provider Energyexcel

August 18, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

amerescoAmeresco, an energy efficiency and renewable energy company, has acquired the energy consultancy and energy project management business of Energyexcel LLP, an independent energy services provider located in Central London. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This is Ameresco’s second UK acquisition in 14 months. In June 2013 Fusion DigiNet reported that Ameresco acquired ESP, an energy management consulting company consisting of The Energy Services Partnership and ESP Response, located in Castleford, UK.

“We look forward to having the Energyexcel team join the Ameresco family, further supporting our commitment in the UK market and expanding our capabilities and value-added services to serve local and multi-national commercial, industrial and manufacturing customers in North America and Europe,” said David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. “Our acquisition of the Energyexcel business, combined with the capabilities of our recent acquisition of ESP, allows Ameresco to provide a comprehensive range of energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions and intelligent energy management services, addressing both sides of the customers’ meter, including energy supply, demand response, real-time energy data information and analytics, and utility invoice management. The experience and capabilities of these award-winning organizations allows Ameresco to advance its geographic expansion abroad while increasing our business in the commercial and industrial space.”

Energyexcel’s efficiency and project management services help commercial and industrial customers improve performance of existing energy systems, introduce new energy-efficient technologies and onsite generation, institute energy monitoring and targeting (M&T), reduce carbon emissions and track sustainability initiatives, comply with energy and climate change requirements, and realize energy cost savings to improve business performance. Some current Energyexcel customers include a large UK-based pharmaceutical company, four of the five largest supermarket chains in the UK, and a multinational chocolate bar manufacturer.

USA, Framingham, MA & UK, London

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POSSIBLE acquires mobile developer Double Encore in the US

August 6, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

WPP’s wholly-owned company, POSSIBLE, the global creative digital agency, has acquired Double Encore, Inc. in the United States.

Double Encore’s unaudited revenues for the period ended 31 December 2013 were US$8.0 million with gross assets of US$2.6 million as of the same date. Clients include Major League Soccer, JetBlue, PGA TOUR, Kingston Technology Company and Meredith Corporation. Based in Denver, Double Encore employs 55 people. The company develops mobile apps for brands for iOS and Android operating systems.

UK, London & USA, Denver, CO

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Bauer Media sets up €100M fund to be invested in European digital businesses

August 5, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

bvpBauer Media, one of the biggest media companies in Europe , has set up a €100 million fund to be invested in European digital businesses over the next ten years. The fund will be operated via a new VC arm, called Bauer Venture Partners (BVP).

BVP is looking for best in class tech companies and do not exclude any specific branches. They also say they are “We are stage-agnostic”. They will finance businesses in different stages (seed, early-stage, growth). They are looking for highly scalable business models in Europe.

Andreas Schoo, Member of the Executive Board of the Bauer Media Group, said the fund will give them access to “new technologies, teams and innovations in the digital field.”

Thomas Preuss, previously of German early-stage VC firm Neuhaus Partners, will act as managing partner for Bauer Venture Partners.

Germany, Hamburg

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Utilitywise plc – Year End Trading Update

August 5, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

utilitywise-logoEnergy management consultancy Utilitywise PLC has provided a trading update for its financial year ended 31 July 2014.

The announcement

Revenue and adjusted profit before tax is expected to be in line with market expectations. Net cash balances at 31 July 2014 stood at approximately £9.7 million, comfortably ahead of market expectations, in part as a result of improved commercial terms with a number of energy suppliers.  The Group’s  revenue pipeline, representing revenue secured but yet to be recognised, was £28.2 million as at 31 July 2014 compared to £16.6 million as at 31 July 2013 (31 Jan 2014: £23.8 million).

(Fusion DigiNet – As at 31 January 2014 the Company reported revenues from H1 2013 to H1 2014 of £21m.)

Trading remains strong and the Board is confident in the Group’s ability to deliver continued organic growth. The customer base continues to grow across all business units and the Group’s new business run rate remains in line with management expectations.

 Utilitywise expects to announce its full year results to 31st July 2014, in the final week of October 2014.

Geoff Thompson, CEO of Utilitywise, commented: “We are delighted to provide an update on what has been another period of growth for the business, both organically and through acquisition. The strong trading momentum from the first half of the year has continued into the second half and as a result, we anticipate results to be in line with market expectations which were revised upward at the time of the Group’s interim results. Progress with the strategic scaling of the business has continued as expected and the planned move to our new facility is on schedule for occupancy to commence in October, providing the necessary capacity to grow total Group headcount to 1,400 over the next two years. Additionally, following its acquisition in April, ICON is performing as planned, and the Board remains confident in the Group’s future prospects.”

The company has also announced that it is moving to larger premises at Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside.

UK, South Shields

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The Mission Marketing Group acquires Proof Communication

August 4, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

Marketing communications group The Mission Marketing Group plc has acquired Proof Communication Limited through its technology specialist Agency, April-Six Limited.

Proof is an independent science, engineering and technology PR Agency with an office in Central London offering specialist communication services to Clients including national laboratories, international science facilities, global technology businesses, multinational engineering companies and universities. 

The Acquisition is not a substantial acquisition as defined by the AIM Rules for Companies. The consideration for the Acquisition comprises an upfront element payable on completion, with a further deferred contingent payment in 2016 subject to the performance of the business. The vendor management team can elect to receive a proportion of consideration due in new or existing ordinary shares of The Mission Marketing Group. 

Executive Chairman of The Mission Marketing Group plc, David Morgan, said: “We are delighted to welcome another high quality business into the mission family. Proof is an excellent complement to our existing technology offering and we look forward to developing our capabilities further. “

 UK, London

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UBM acquires cruise and maritime media business Seatrade Communications

August 1, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

UBM plc Michael Duck Chris HaymanUBM has acquired Seatrade Communications Ltd.  Seatrade is a brand serving the international cruise and maritime community.  Its publications, events, management training, award schemes and websites cover all aspects of cruise and maritime activity. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Seatrade’s cruise sector events include Seatrade Latin America Cruise Convention and Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum, supported by Seatrade Cruise Review and the online portal Seatrade Insider. General Maritime events include Sea Asia in Singapore and Seatrade Middle East Maritime in Dubai, supported by the online Seatrade Global portal and Seatrade Magazine. In the Offshore Marine space it organises Seatrade Offshore Marine and Workboats Middle East in Abu Dhabi.

UBM’s events in the sector include Cruise Shipping Miami, Marintec China and Sea Japan.

Seatrade has been led by its Executive Chairman and owner Chris Hayman since 2003. Hayman will remain with the business as Chairman, ensuring continuity of relationships, content and strategic guidance. The business will remain headquartered in Colchester, UK, with its offices in Dubai, Singapore and China continuing to drive growth in these regions.

Michael Duck, UBM’s Global Maritime Director and Executive Vice President of UBM Asia said:

“We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Seatrade for many years, and are delighted to now bring UBM and Seatrade together as one business to better serve our community of customers, delegates and readers across the maritime world. The unified portfolio and management structure will create a simplified, coherent and stronger global offering for our clients. From both a company and personal perspective, I am delighted that Chris Hayman – who is widely known and respected throughout the maritime industry – will be staying with the business. We look forward to working with him and the world class teams at both UBM and Seatrade over the coming years.”

UK, London & Colchester, Essex

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