Electric Word acquires iGaming North America conference

electric wordElectric Word plc’s online gaming business iGB has acquired a 50% interest in SAM Media Ltd, a Nevada-based conference business that owns the annual iGaming North America conference. Electric Word’s interest is held through iGB’s wholly owned US subsidiary, iGamingBusiness North America Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and was acquired for a nominal sum.

igamingIn 2013, the iGaming North America conference achieved revenues of approximately $0.5m. The deal allows iGB to share in future profit growth above an agreed threshold and also gives each party a call option to acquire the others’ membership interest at a future date.

Julian Turner, EW’s Chief Executive, said: “The regulatory changes which continue to unfold in the USA make it a very interesting market for our online gaming information business. This deal builds on the launch of our iGaming North America magazine in 2012 and gives us a great opportunity to extend the brand further.”

UK, London and USA, Nevada

WPP acquires app creator Bottle Rocket

wppWPP is to acquire Bottle Rocket, a company that creates iPhone, iPad and Android apps for leading brands. The agency will work horizontally with other operating companies across WPP. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

bottle rocketFounded in 2008, Bottle Rocket’s unaudited revenue for the previous twelve months ended September 2013 was US $17 million. Clients include NPR, Scripps Networks, ABC News, National Geographic and NBC Universal. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has grown from about 45 employees in 2011 to 170 today.

UK, London & USA, Dallas, TX

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Bglobal plc to sell its metering business

bglobalAs a result of a strategic review the board of Bglobal plc has decided to sell its metering business, B Global Metering Limited.

The company is also implementing a number of other actions including taking significant cost out of Bglobal’s head office and re-focusing the business on its customers and implementing strict cash management procedures.

The company does not intend to sell Utiligroup Limited the data management software publisher it bought for £11.59 million in August 2011.  The sale of the Bglobal company as a whole was being considered. However, this no longer the case and as a result, the company is no longer in an “offer period” for the purposes of the Takeover Code.

John Grant, Chairman, notes that: “Since 15 August 2013, I, the Board, the management team and employees of the Company have – with the assistance of KPMG LLP – been working hard to review the strategic direction of the Company. As a result, we have already taken a number of steps to improve the current performance of Bglobal, and have decided to explore whether shareholder value can be further maximised through the sale of the metering business as we believe that a third party may be better placed to take this business to the next phase of its development. I would like to thank the customers and employees of the Company for their support during this review period.”

UK, Darwen, Lancashire

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Experian acquires Passport Health Communications for $850M

Experian, the global information services company, is acquiring Passport Health Communications, a  provider of data, analytics and software in the US healthcare payments market. The purchase price is $850 million. 

Founded in 1996, Passport Health is a data and software provider, with sales to over 2,500 hospitals in the US and more than 9,000 other healthcare providers. Its products are used by healthcare providers to manage payments between patients, commercial payers (such as insurance companies) and government programmes.

Passport Health’s revenues  are largely subscription based. The business has renewal rates of c. 95% and average contract duration of 3 to 5 years. In the year ending 31 December 2013, Passport Health is expected to generate revenue of US$121m, representing organic growth of 23%, and EBIT of US$30m. In the year ending 31 December 2014, Experian expects Passport Health revenue to reach approximately US$145m (of which 84% is already booked and contracted), with EBIT margins in the high twenties.

Don Robert, Chief Executive Officer of Experian, said, “Since entering the US healthcare payments market five years ago, we have steadily expanded our position through both organic investment and acquisition, and our business is growing strongly. We are now taking the next step and the acquisition of Passport Health will make us a clear leader in this high growth and attractive market. With our newly combined product range, we will offer our clients in the US healthcare industry a competitive one-stop-shop to manage risk and to satisfy their payments requirements. We are excited about the growth opportunities created by this combination and we greatly look forward to welcoming our new Passport Health colleagues to Experian once the transaction completes.”

Experian entered the healthcare payments market in 2008, with the acquisition of SearchAmerica, which focused on helping hospitals to manage their billings and cash flows. Experian further consolidated its position in 2011 with the acquisition of Medical Present Value, which extended its client footprint into physician practices and clinics and added new capabilities in insurance claims. Subsequently, Experian merged the two businesses to create Experian Healthcare, which in the year ending 31 March 2014 is expected to generate revenue of US$75m, with organic revenue growth in the mid-teens.

UK, Nottingham & USA, Franklin, TN

Utilitywise – audited results for the year: Utilitywise – acquisition analysis

utilitywiseUtilitywise, a utility cost management consultancy, has announced final audited results for the year ended 31 July 2013. These include certain amendments to the Company’s Income Statement from that presented with the Company’s preliminary results issued on 15 October 2013. This has led to additional revenue of £430,595 being recognised within the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2013 with a consequential increase in profitability, There is no impact on the Company’s cash flows. For full details go the the London Stock Exchange announcement here.

The revenue and EBITDA adjustments to the 2013 income statement of the Company are as follows:

Revenue £24.83M prelims: £25.25M (audited)
EBITDA £7.39M prelims: £7.82M (audited)

Highlights

  • Like for like revenue growth up 61%.
  • Acquisitions of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Ltd, Aqua Veritas Consulting Ltd and Energy Information Centre Ltd.
  • 15,333 customers and 44,361 meters at 31 July (30 September 2012: 11,400 and 32,972 respectively) with additional 550 customers and 23,000 meters added through EIC.
  • £16.6 million of secured contracts waiting to go live as at 31 July ( 31 July 2012: £7.1 million – 30 September 2013 (post period) £18.2 million).
  • Proposed final dividend payment of 1.8p, making total dividend for the year of 2.6p.

Geoff Thompson, Chief Executive of Utilitywise, commented

“Our first full year as a plc has proved a very successful one. As well as delivering very strong organic growth we have been able to invest and build for the future. Integration of the three businesses that we acquired is progressing well and we have entered the new financial year with an improved suite of products and services to satisfy the wider energy needs of all businesses, regardless of size.

“The market in which we operate remains highly fragmented and we have still attracted only a very small percentage of our addressable market. Through our strong relationships with energy supply companies and our ability to identify customers and deliver the optimum solutions, we remain confident in the continued success of the Company.”

Read the full announcement here

Utilitywise Acquisition Analysis

1. Acquisition of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited on 1 October 2012 for £1,040,821 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares, an element of which is contingent on the performance of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited to 31 July 2013. Contingent consideration has been included as a best estimate of amounts payable.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 1,040,821
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Property, plant and equipment   15,260
Receivables   122,289
Cash   159,152
Payables     (251,788)
Net assets   44,913
     
Goodwill   995,908
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   355,821
Shares issued   300,000
Contingent consideration    

385,000

Total  consideration   1,040,821

The goodwill reflects expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

The total value of the contingent consideration is based on a multiple of expected EBITDA capped at £385,000. This is split equally between cash and shares.  All of the contingent consideration is included in trade and other payables as it meets the definition of a financial liability.

Since the date of acquisition Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited has generated revenue of £916,913 and a profit before tax of £203,999 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £24,966,494 and profit before tax £6,053,067. 

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £49,403. These costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

2. Acquisition of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited on 16 April 2013 for £2,161,677 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares, an element of which is contingent on the performance of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited to 30 April 2014. Contingent consideration has been included as a best estimate of amounts payable.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 2,161,677
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Customer related intangible assets    

443,000

Technology based intangible assets    

241,000

Property, plant and equipment   12,158
Receivables   349,011
Cash   15,361
Payables   (566,494)
Deferred tax liability   (136,800)
Net assets   357,236
     
Goodwill   1,804,441
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   70,385
Liabilities settled   91,292
Contingent consideration    

2,000,000

Total consideration   2,161,677

 

Customer related intangible assets relate to customer relationships in place at the date of acquisition.

Technology related intangible assets relate to hardware design intellectual property.

The goodwill reflects the value of the workforce and expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

The total value of the contingent consideration is based on a multiple of expected EBITDA, capped at £4,000,000. This is split equally between cash and shares. All of the contingent consideration is included in trade and other payables as it meets the definition of a financial liability.

Since the date of acquisition Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited has generated revenue of £276,886 and a profit before tax of £168,198 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £24,940,096 and profit before tax £5,844,453.

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £70,892. These costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

3. Acquisition of Energy Information Centre Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Energy Information Centre Limited on 3 July 2013 for £18,201,154 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 18,201,154
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Customer related intangible assets    

6,239,000

Intangible fixed assets   108,025
Property, plant and equipment   3,845,911
Investments   200
Receivables   1,094,239
Cash   3,008,473
Payables   (3,386,677)
Deferred tax liability   (1,247,800)
Net assets   9,661,371
     
Goodwill   8,539,783
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   11,662,500
Shares issued   5,390,125
Deferred cash   1,148,529
Total consideration   18,201,154

Customer related intangible assets relate to customer relationships in place at the date of acquisition.

The goodwill reflects the value of the workforce and expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

Since the date of acquisition Energy Information Centre Limited has generated revenue of £531,444 and a profit before tax of £145,867 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Energy Information Centre Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £31,108,691 and profit before tax £7,901,001.

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £786,131. Of this amount £317,833 relate to the issue of new shares to fund the acquisition and have subsequently been taken to the share premium reserve. The remaining costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

UK, South Shields

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DMGT acquires DIIG EUROPE for £75M

dmg information, the business information division of DMGT, is to acquire DMGTDIIG EUROPE for £75 million, from Decision Insight Information Group, a portfolio company of the US private equity firm TPG Capital.

DIIG(E) is a UK and Ireland property searches group, primarily delivering residential and commercial property search results to legal professionals, and is based in Kent, England with additional offices in Edinburgh, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland. DIIG(E)’S business comprises SearchFlow Limited (England & Wales), Millar & Bryce Limited (Scotland), Rochford Brady Legal Services Limited (Ireland), Decision Insight Hub Limited and Decision First Limited.

The acquired businesses had revenues of £69 million and operating profit of £6 million for the year to 31 December 2012.

Suresh Kavan, CEO of dmgi, said: “Acquiring this group of outstanding companies will greatly increase our strategic reach at a time of great opportunity in the property information industry. We are delighted to welcome them to our portfolio of companies.”

UK, London & USA, Austin, TX

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Chime Communications to acquire Just Marketing

chime2Chime, the international communications & sports marketing group, is to acquire JMI, a global marketing firm focused on motor sports, for a maximum consideration of $70.6 million (approximately £43.7 million). The acquisition will be part funded through a placing of 8,533,334 new ordinary shares to raise approximately £25.6 million.

JMI is a global marketing firm focused on motor sports, operating primarily in Formula 1, NASCAR and IndyCar. JMI provides long-term sponsorship management and activation strategies, together with services including large-scale hospitality events, rights sales, and digital and experiential marketing initiatives.

Zakary C. Brown, the founder and CEO of JMI, has relocated to London and, following completion of the Acquisition, will sit on the boards of both JMI and CSM Motorsport Limited (“CSM Motorsport”) (a newly incorporated wholly owned UK subsidiary of Chime) as President and CEO. It is intended that the JMI business will be operated as a separate division within CSM.

Commenting on the Acquisition, Christopher Satterthwaite, Chief Executive of Chime, said: “This acquisition will give us a strong foothold in the United States, one of the largest sports marketing markets in the world, and will accelerate Chime’s strategy of becoming a global leader in sports marketing.”

UK, London & USA, Indianapolis

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Mecom Group makes further Danish disposals

mecomMecom Group‘s Danish subsidiary, Berlingske Media A/S, has agreed the sale to North Media A/S Group of its media centre in Frederiksberg publishing six free weeklies and its 60 per cent shareholding in Lokalaviserne Østerbro og Amager (“LØA”) publishing two free weeklies.

The total enterprise value of the Sale is DKK65 million (€8.7 million). The consideration is payable in cash at completion and the Group expects the reduction in net debt resulting from the sale to be approximately €8.3 million. The Sale is expected to complete on 1st November 2013.

The principle activity of both LØA and the Frederiksberg media centre is the publishing of various free weekly newspaper titles in Copenhagen. The combined profit before tax of the disposed businesses in 2012, including the 40 per cent minority share of LØA’s consolidated pre-tax earnings, was DKK19 million (€2.6 million), before allocations of central overhead. Berlingske Media A/S will continue to provide printing services to both the Frederiksberg media centre and LØA following completion of the Sale.

The sale will be effected by way of a transfer of the trade and assets of the Frederiksberg media centre and a sale of the Group’s shares in LØA and will result in the deconsolidation of approximately €8.4 million of gross assets from the Group’s balance sheet. Flemming Hansen will retain his position as Chief Executive Officer of LØA following completion of the Sale.

The proceeds of the Sale will be used to pay down outstanding bank borrowings.

Norway, Oslo, UK, London & Denmark, Copenhagen

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Square 2 Marketing acquires two inbound marketing firms

square-2-logoSquare 2 Marketing, an inbound marketing agency headquartered the United States, has acquired Elder Digital Marketing located in Beaconsfield, UK and Six Two Interactive, located in Bellevue, Washington.

Jonathan Elder, the founder of Elder Digital Marketing, will serve as the Regional Director in the UK office and will oversee all business development efforts in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Jason Gilbert, founder of Six Two Interactive, will be the Regional Director in Square 2 Marketing’s West Coast office and will support the acquisition of new clients west of the Mississippi.

“We’re excited to join forces with these two guys, they are both bright and innovative inbound marketers, and adding them to our leadership team makes us a much stronger company,” said Mike Lieberman, President of Square 2 Marketing. “We are on a mission to be the largest and most successful inbound marketing agency and these two acquisitions move us in that direction. Now, we are positioned to provide their clients and prospects with our innovative inbound marketing services to drive leads and help them close sales.”

USA, Warrington, PA & UK, Buckinghamshire & USA, Bellevue, WA

Wilmot abandons plans to make an offer for Centaur

centaurOn 24th September Geoffrey Wilmot, the former chief executive of Centaur Media plc, said that he was in talks with financial backers about making a bid for the Centaur business. He had until 5.00pm on Tuesday 22nd October to clarify his intentions, by either announcing a firm intention to make an offer or that he does not intend to make an offer.

Since then, Wilmot has engaged with an extended number of finance providers and these discussions have progressed significantly.

However, a stock market statement issued today said, “It has become apparent that the Board of Centaur’s views on the value of the Company materially diverge from those of Mr Wilmot and his potential financing partners. Accordingly Mr. Wilmot confirms that he currently does not intend to make an offer for Centaur.”

Geoff Wilmot left Centaur in May this year.

UK London

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