WPP’s December acquisitions – Crystal Semantics, Vocanic, Social Lab, Fisheye Analytics, Richard Attias & Associates, ARMI, RC&M, ClickMedia and MASSCOM

December 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wppWPP ends the year with nine acquisitions.

1) Mindshare to acquire MASSCOM media agency in Philippines: December 20, 2013

WPP’s wholly owned operating company, Mindshare, a global media agency network, is to acquire the business and assets of Media Arts System and Services Company, Inc. in the Philippines.

MASSCOM was established in 1986 as an independent media agency, serving Unilever exclusively in the Philippines. MASSCOM provides media planning, strategy and buying services to Unilever, the global fast-moving consumer goods company and a top advertiser in the Philippines.

2) GroupM to acquire majority stake in social media marketing agency, ClickMedia in Vietnam: December 19, 2013

WPP’s wholly owned operating company, GroupM, WPP’s global media investment management arm, is to acquire a majority stake in ClickMedia, a social media marketing agency in Vietnam.

Established in 2008, ClickMedia is a full service social media marketing firm which provides social media strategy, campaign strategy and implementation, as well as social media listening, crisis prevention and management.

Clients include Unilever, FrieslandCampina, Piaggio and Estee Lauder. ClickMedia’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were VND 23.7 billion with unaudited gross assets at the same date of VND 12.0 billion. The agency employs 55 people.

3) Grey to acquire majority stake in RC&M, a rural communications and marketing services provider in India: December 18, 2013

WPP’s wholly owned operating company, Grey, the advertising network of Grey Group, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in RC&M, one of India’s largest rural communications and marketing services providers.

RC&M is a pioneer in experiential marketing in India, delivering integrated activation solutions, encompassing creative designing to production & implementation. With a formidable reach across 400,000 Indian villages and 5,000 towns, the company is a leader in the organised rural/semi-urban activation market.

Founded in 1990, RC&M is headquartered in Delhi, with offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

RC&M’s unaudited revenues for the year ending 31 March 2013 were approximately INR 360 million. The company employs more than 320 people and services clients in the automotive, industrial automation, FMCG and durable sectors.

RC&M marks WPP’s 12th acquisition in India in the last nine years.

4) Millward Brown acquires majority stake in ARMI-Marketing in Russia and Ukraine: December 18, 2013

WPP’s wholly-owned operating company Millward Brown, a global leader in brand, media and communications research, is to acquire a majority stake in ARMI-Marketing in Russia.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Moscow, ARMI is a leading provider of market research services in Russia and Ukraine. Clients include leading multinational and local brands, including two-thirds of Russia’s top 15 advertisers.

ARMI’s consolidated unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were approximately RUB 735 million. The company employs around 200 people.

5) WPP takes stake in Richard Attias & Associates: December 17, 2013

WPP has taken a 30% stake in strategic consultants Richard Attias & Associates.

Under the active leadership of founder chairman Richard Attias, RAA has built a reputation for helping governments and corporations articulate their global objectives.

Events led by Attias include the World Economic Forum in Davos and other regions, the Clinton Global Initiative, launch of the Euro in 2000, the 2008 Arab Strategy Forum, the APEC CEO Summit in Hawaii, the 15th African Securities Exchange Association in Marrakech, Doha GOALS Forum, The Middle East Peace Summit in Jordan, the contract for the signature of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in Marrakech, the Monaco Media Forum and the Nobel Laureates Conference. In 2010, Richard Attias founded The New York Forum, an annual meeting to promote economic leadership and in 2012, The New York Forum AFRICA, a pan-African business and investment platform. In 2014, RAA will be producing 14 symposiums.

Commenting on the partnership, WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell said, “By building this partnership with global influencer Richard Attias , WPP confirms its strategy to support countries to brand their nations and corporations to have access to faster growing markets. Our ambition is to create together with Richard a world champion in the field of strategic communication, international conferences and global action oriented events.”

RAA is based in New York, with other offices in Paris, London, Rabat and Dubai. RAA employs 50 people and has revenues of around US$35 million.

Public sector clients of RAA have included the African Development Bank, Bahrain, Brazil, China, Dubai, France, Gabon, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, UAE, UK, United Nations and the US.

6) Kantar to acquire Fisheye Analytics, a media monitoring and analytics services business in Singapore : December 16, 2013

WPP’s wholly-owned data investment management business Kantar, is to acquire the entire issued share capital of Fisheye Analytics Pte. Ltd., a media monitoring and analytics services business based in Singapore.

Founded in 2009 in Singapore with an R&D centre in Hyderabad, Fisheye employs 14 people. The company, which will become part of Kantar Media, works with some of the biggest sports governing bodies, international organisations and governments from Europe to Asia.

For the year ending 31 October 2013, Fisheye’s unaudited revenues were SGD 782,871, with gross assets as at the same date of SGD 332,162.

7) Ogilvy & Mather to acquire majority stake in social marketing agency, Social Lab in Belgium : December 12, 2013

WPP’s wholly-owned marketing communications network, Ogilvy & Mather, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Social Lab, a social marketing agency based in Belgium with offices in Paris and Amsterdam.

Founded in 2010 and employing 50 people, Social Lab specialises in social media marketing. Clients include IKEA, Club Med, Interbrew, L’Oréal, Galbani, Electrabel GDF Suez, Nespresso, Oasis, Delhaize and the National Lotery. Social Lab’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were EUR 3.1 million with gross assets as at the same date of EUR 0.4million.

8) GroupM to acquire majority stake in Vocanic, a social media marketing business in Asia : December 10, 2013

WPP’s wholly-owned operating company, GroupM, WPP’s global media investment management arm, is to acquire a majority stake in Vocanic Pte Ltd., a social media marketing business in Asia.

Based in Singapore with offices in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, Vocanic is a full service social media marketing firm. Established in 2005, Vocanic has 70 people providing social media strategy consulting, social technology, social media program and campaign management, community management and social media analytics.

For the year ending 31 December 2012, Vocanic’s revenues were SGD 4.3 million, with gross assets of SGD 2.1 million.

Vocanic’s client list includes blue chip business partners such as StarHub, Axis, EDB, SAP, Astro, Unilever, Dell, Symantec, Mead Johnson, Danone, WingTai Retail, MHD, and Standard Chartered Bank.

9) 24/7 Media acquires digital agency Crystal Semantics In the UK: December 9, 2013

WPP Digital’s marketing technology company 24/7 Media, has acquired the entire issued share capital of Crystal Semantics Limited. Crystal Semantics is a provider of semantic advertising solutions.

With its proprietary technology, Crystal Semantics accurately matches advertising to the meaning of a page of web content, greatly reducing the risk of inappropriate advertising placement. With the acquisition, the combined companies will provide distinct advantages to both advertiser and publisher clients through improved advertising relevance and enhanced brand protection. Founded in 2001 and based in London, Crystal Semantics is a major provider of online data services to advertising agencies, networks and exchanges.

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PA Group sell MeteoGroup to General Atlantic

December 17, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

meteoPA Group, the parent company of the Press Association, is to sell its weather business MeteoGroup to global growth investment firm General Atlantic.

MeteoGroup, Europe’s largest private sector weather business, provides weather services for corporate, industrial, media and consumer markets including key sectors such as transport, marine and energy.

Since PA’s acquisition of MeteoGroup in 2005, the business has enjoyed consistent double digit growth in both revenue and profit and has more than doubled in size, employing almost 400 people in 14 countries.

Clive Marshall, PA Group’s Chief Executive, said: “The sale of MeteoGroup will provide the capital to enable us to continue to invest in and diversify the Press Association business, as well as address our pension fund deficit.

“This sale, which follows the divestment of our interest in Canada Newswire in 2012, is part of the company’s strategy to focus our activities on the Press Association news and information business; develop new products and services for both media and non-media customers; and seek strategic acquisitions that help diversify the revenue and profits of the company.

“Our recent investments in Globelynx and Sticky Content – companies that provide services to both the media and corporate markets – are key elements in our diversification strategy.

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Axel Springer acquires N24

December 12, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

n24Axel Springer SE has  acquired  N24 Media GmbH, the 24 hour news channel. The N24 Group employs around 300 staff working including at its subsidiaries N24 and MAZ&More. N24 also produces the main news bulletins for SAT.1, ProSieben and kabel eins. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Axel Springer plans to combine N24 and the Welt group, which publishes a daily broadsheet Die Welt. According to Axel Springer, “N24 becomes the central moving image provider for all Axel Springer brands”.

The editorial team of WELT Group is extended to include the N24 digital editorial team. The joint WELT Group/N24  editorial team will in future produce both brands’ journalistic content for all the digital channels, as well as for the WELT Group’s print products. N24 also has a TV and program editorial team. The result is one of the largest multimedia editorial teams in Germany.

The management will be Jan Bayer, 43, President of WELT Group and Printing of Axel Springer, Torsten Rossmann, 50, Chairman of the N24 management board, and Stephanie Caspar, 40, Managing Director of WELT Group.

Jan-Eric Peters, 48, editor-in-chief of WELT Group, will be responsible for all content of the WELT Group and their joint digital services. Arne Teetz, 46, editor-in-chief of N24, will be responsible for all moving image content.

Stefan Aust, 67, previously a shareholder of N24, becomes publisher of the Group from 1 January 2014. Thomas Schmid, 68, will also remain publisher of the WELT Group until 30 June 2014.

Jan Bayer said, “N24 and the WELT Group complement each other perfectly and together represent the multimedia spectrum of journalism. N24 benefits through this partnership from the editorial quality and digital expertise of WELT Group. Axel Springer and WELT Group gain access to the moving image and live news competence of N24.”

Germany, Berlin

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Progressive Digital Media Group acquires Pyramid Research from UBM

December 12, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

progressiveProgressive Digital Media Group the provider of business information to the consumer and technology markets, has acquired the business and trading assets of Pyramid Research, a leading  of business information and market analysis for the Information and Communications Technology industry, from UBM for a gross consideration of US$3.3 million in cash payable on completion. Completion, which is subject to UK employee consultation, is scheduled for 2 January 2014 and will be financed from the Group’s existing cash resources.

pyramidresearchFor nearly 25 years, Pyramid has been providing practical advice on market and service opportunities to leaders in the converged communications, media and technology industries. Pyramid’s market analysis is centred on detailed primary research complemented with insightful analysis and dynamic modelling tools.  Pyramid has offices in London, Boston and Argentina with subscribers located across the globe.

“Pyramid is well known to us and we are delighted that the opportunity has arisen for this business to join the Group”, said Simon Pyper, Chief Executive of Progressive Digital Media. “Pyramid has a well regarded brand name, a portfolio of high quality data assets and moreover, an expanding presence in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.”

Owing to the subscription nature of the business the acquisition is expected to be earnings neutral in the first full year of ownership and earnings accretive thereafter. The net assets to be acquired on completion are expected to be approximately US$0.3 million.

UK, London

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GTI acquires Inside Buzz

December 5, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

inside buzzGTI Media, publishers of TARGETjobs, TARGETjobs Events and TARGETcourses, has acquired Inside Buzz. The Inside Buzz content will be available on TARGETjobs.co.uk. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Inside Buzz offers students independent reviews from company employees to help them understand company culture, working practices and, most of all, make a more informed decision about whether to make a job application. Since Inside Buzz was founded by Thomas Nutt in 2010, 5,500 employees have completed the workplace survey and have submitted 115,000 individual reviews and rankings on their employers. 

Graham Storey, GTI Media CEO, said: “We are delighted to add Inside Buzz’s innovative products to our graduate recruitment services and welcome Thomas and his team to GTI. We believe the insights that Inside Buzz offers to students will help them research potential employers and make more targeted applications.”

UK, Oxon, Wallingford

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ITE revenues up 12% following a year of Asian acquisitions

December 5, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ITEInternational trade exhibitions and conferences group ITE Group has announced preliminary results for the year to September 2013.  Revenues are up 12% to £192 and headline profits are up 12% to £59.4m. £106m of revenues are booked for 2014.

Russell Taylor, CEO of ITE Group plc, said, “”ITE has continued to expand its business this year through a mixture of organic and acquisition led growth.”

This year ITE has acquired Trade Link in India,  Platform Exhibitions in Turkey, 50% of ECMI in Malaysia and last month Sinostar in China.

Taylor went on to say, “Good organic growth across our core portfolios in Russia and the CIS together with a strong biennial performance from the Moscow International Oil and Gas Exhibition have combined with the newly acquired businesses in Asia to deliver record financial and operating results.”

ITE sept 13Click on the table for an enlarged view

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Pearson to acquire English language training company Grupo Multi in Brazil

December 5, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Pearson2Pearson is to acquire 100% of Grupo Multi, the adult English Language Training company in Brazil. Pearson will acquire Grupo Multi from the Martins family, the company’s 78% majority shareholders, and the investment firm Kinea for approximately £440m (R$1.7bn) in cash and the assumption of £65m (R$0.25bn) of debt.

multiGrupo Multi is the largest provider of private language schools in Brazil serving over 800,000 students across more than 2,600 franchised schools. It primarily delivers English language courses through a range of school brands including Wizard, Yazigi, Microlins and Skill. Pearson already has approximately 500,000 students in K12 schools through its sistemas business in Brazil.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest English Language Learning markets with the English Language Training market estimated to be worth £2bn (R$7bn) and a total of 2.8 million students enrolled across children, teenage and adult age groups. It is expected to grow rapidly supported by an expanding middle class population and greater coverage of the addressable market by franchise schools.

This growth is fuelled by the fact that English language fluency in Brazil is low by international standards. In addition, a shortage of English speakers in key sectors including tourism, transportation, and hospitality is considered to be one of Brazil’s challenges as it prepares to host high-profile global events including the World Cup and the Olympics.

John Fallon, chief executive of Pearson, said:

“Brazilians’ appetite for learning English as a global language of business and trade shows every sign of continuing to grow rapidly as Brazil becomes a global player in commerce, travel and a host of other industries.

Over the past twenty five years, Grupo Multi has become the most respected English learning company in Brazil by offering high quality affordable English language learning that has made a real impact on the lives of its students. We intend to sustain and grow the business, helping many more young Brazilians to acquire the English language skills that will help them succeed in their careers.”

The transaction is subject to a regulatory review that Pearson expects to be completed in the first half of 2014. In 2012, Grupo Multi generated operating profits of £42m (R$130m) and at 31 December 2012 had gross assets of £200m (R$667m). During 2014, Grupo Multi will be integrated into Pearson’s Professional Line of Business and Growth geographic segment. In 2015, Pearson expects a full year contribution from Grupo Multi to enhance adjusted earnings per share and to generate a return on invested capital slightly above Pearson’s weighted average cost of capital.

Morgan Stanley acted as financial adviser to Pearson on this transaction.

UK, London & Brazil, São Paul0

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Pearson to sell The Mergermarket Group to BC Partners

November 29, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

mergermarketPearson Plc is to sell The Mergermarket Group to BC Partners for an enterprise value of £382 million, payable in cash.

Mergermarket is a provider of global corporate financial news, intelligence and analysis to advisory firms, investments banks, law firms, hedge funds, private equity firms and corporations operating in 65 countries. The Company was founded in 1999 and acquired by Pearson in 2006 for £101m plus a subsequent earn-out.

bcpartnersMergermarket has grown substantially under Pearson’s ownership, reporting revenues of £100 million, operating income of £25 million and profit before tax of £23 million in the 12 months to 31 December 2012, and continues to grow strongly.  Over the same period, Mergermarket contributed 2.5 pence to Pearson adjusted earnings per share.  At 30 June 2013, Mergermarket had gross assets of £129m.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2014. Pearson intends to redeploy the proceeds from the sale in its global education business.

Nikos Stathopoulos, Managing Partner at BC Partners, said, “Mergermarket is a high quality company and a global market leader with an attractive business model, strong growth, and loyal customers. We are pleased to partner with CEO Hamilton Matthews and the whole of the Mergermarket team to continue to invest in the growth of the business through product development and geographical expansion to deliver value and innovation to customers”.

UK, London

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GreyPossible acquires the business of Media Republic in The Netherlands

November 29, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wppWPP has announced that GreyPOSSIBLE, the strategic partnership between WPP’s wholly owned businesses, advertising and marketing network Grey EMEA, and global interactive marketing agency POSSIBLE Worldwide, has acquired the business and assets of MR Development BV a creative digital marketing company in The Netherlands.

Media Republic will become part of GreyPOSSIBLE Benelux, formed in 2013 by the merger of Grey’s Amsterdam and Brussels operations with Possible Amsterdam.

Established in 2002, and based in Amsterdam, Media Republic’s clients include APG, Axe, de Bijenkorf, Bugaboo, DSM, Miele and Philips. Media Republic’s revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 was US$1.7 million with gross assets at the same date of US$582,000. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

UK, London & The Netherlands, Amsterdam

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Informa acquires a stake in Chinese company Baiwen

November 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

informa2Informa plc has acquired a stake in Baiwen, the owner and organiser of the annual China Beauty Expo (“CBE”). the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

CBE is the largest beauty trade event in China, comprising three co-located exhibitions that take place annually in Shanghai in May: Cosmetics China, Cosmetech and Beauty Shanghai. In 2013, the 18th edition of CBE attracted around 1700 exhibitors from 22 countries and some 250,000 visitors across a floor space of approximately 120,000 sqm.

CBEPeter Rigby, Chief Executive of Informa, said, ​”The acquisition of a stake in Baiwen is an exciting and strategically important move for Informa, increasing our exposure to the Chinese exhibition market and further strengthening our position in the beauty and aesthetics segment. We look forward to working closely with our partners at Baiwen to extend the strong growth record of CBE and leverage our collective expertise to exploit other opportunities.”

UK, London & China, Shanghai

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