Decision Resources Group Acquires Abacus International

December 15, 2012 — askhabra

decision-resources-printDecision Resources Group, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd. announced on 4th December its acquisition of Abacus International, a UK based provider of evidence-based global market access solutions for many healthcare companies worldwide. Abacus will become part of the Market Access Business Unit at Decision Resources Group which currently includes the brands: Fingertip Formulary, HealthLeaders-InterStudy, PharmaStrat and Pinsonault. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1995, Abacus has experience “across a wide range of disease areas,” providing services to its healthcare (many of which pharmaceutical) clients at all stages of their product life cycles including analysis of clinical evidence, development of technical health economic models and pricing input amongst others. With over 55 staff, Abacus is one of the largest independent health economic consultancies in Europe. The firm also offers software solutions in the form of in-house produced web and mobile applications.

Abacus states on its website that its current management team will remain in place and that it will “continue to deliver its services as normal.” The firm will also remain headquartered in Bicester, UK.

Peter Hoenigsberg, CEO of Decision Resources Group said “Abacus is an important acquisition in Decision Resources Group’s overall strategy to expand our market access capabilities and offer our clients the most innovative, high-value advisory solutions.” He continued “It also serves to boost our position in Europe as an important resource for healthcare firms worldwide.” The firm’s press release for the acquisition states that  “The acquisition is part of Decision Resources Group’s overall strategy to acquire and/or build leading brands that can leverage each other’s thought leadership to create meaningful products and services for the healthcare industry.” View the press release here.

US, Massachusetts & UK, Bicester

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Reed MIDEM acquires LeWeb

December 14, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

midemLogoReed MIDEM, part of Reed Exhibitions and an organiser of international tradeshows and conferences, has acquired LeWeb, an internet conference and networking events business.

Launched in Paris in 2004 by Loic and Geraldine Le Meur , LeWeb brings together the key players in the international internet ecosystem including entrepreneurs and visionaries, investors and venture capitalists, technology businesses, large companies, digital marketers and journalists. In addition to its annual Paris gathering, LeWeb launched a London event in June 2012.

Commenting on the acquisition, Reed MIDEM Chief Executive Officer Paul Zilk said, “LeWeb fits very well with Reed MIDEM. We share the same ambition for developing premium international events where participants network and build relationships, do business, launch new products and discover the latest innovations.

France, Paris

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Publicis Groupe acquires UK digital agency Outside Line

December 13, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

PublicisPublicis Groupe has acquired British digital agency Outside Line, a specialist in social and experiential media. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2000 and based in London, Outside Line has become one of the top 5 independent social agencies in the UK according to New Media Age (Top 100 agencies report). The skill-set of the agency’s 68-strong team ranges from digital design and development to content creation, customer relations management and experience-driven social media marketing. Outside Line’s client list includes Andy Murray , Arla Foods (Cravendale and Lurpak), British Gas, Queen and Virgin Galactic, and its award-winning campaigns include “Music Inspired” for Beck’s, “Newsroom Blog” for British Gas, “Milk Matters” for Cravendale, and “Food Beats” for Lurpak.

Outside Line will be integrated into the Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide network, working alongside the Saatchi & Saatchi London office and further improving the agency’s ability to deliver highly creative and effective multi-channel digital output at a faster, more efficient and cost-effective rate. Ant Cauchi and Lloyd Salmons , in addition to their current roles as Outside Line’s co-founders, will take senior roles as digital directors at Saatchi & Saatchi London , and will be responsible for integrating existing business and growing digital revenue. They will work closely with Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative partners Kate Stanners and Paul Silburn , director of strategy Richard Huntington , as well as the director of integration Matt Groves , while reporting to Saatchi & Saatchi London’s CEO Magnus Djaba .

“Outside Line is a perfect cultural fit for Saatchi & Saatchi,” said Magnus Djaba, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi London . “Both our agencies share an exciting vision. We’re driven to create interactive social currency that is world-class, both online and offline – work that people share online, tweet about, and talk about in pubs, playgrounds and by the coffee machine. We’re thrilled to be able to seize this opportunity to strengthen our digital core and further boost our service to clients in this crucial sector.”

France, Paris & UK, London

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Palamon Capital Partners acquires a majority interest in on-line beauty retailer feelunique.com

December 10, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

UK based Private Equity firm, Palamon Capital Partners, has acquired a majority interest in on-line beauty retailer feelunique.com.

feelunique.com has revenues of more than £30 million of annual revenue and the deal values feelunique.com at £26 million.

feelunique is an on-line retailer of premium products in haircare, skincare, cosmetics and fragrances, selling full-permissioned stock from almost all of the major brands including Dior, Lancôme, Clarins, Guerlain, Yves Saint Laurent, Benefit and Kerastase. The Company has built a strong reputation for its customer service and website editorial content, which is directed by Newby Hands, a beauty journalist and Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Director-at-Large. It was founded in 2005 and employs more than 125 staff at its headquarters and logistics centre in the Channel Islands.

Palamon will purchase a majority shareholding from the founders and earlier-stage investors and will provide further capital to support the Company’s growth plan. Sirius Equity will invest alongside Palamon in the transaction. Following Palamon’s investment, Sirius co-founders Robert Bensoussan will join the Board of the Company as Chairman and Jim Sharp will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Mr Bensoussan also is Chairman of L K Bennett, a board member of Interparfums and former investor in and CEO of Jimmy Choo.

Dan Mytnik, Partner at Palamon commented: “We are delighted to be investing in feelunique, a high growth business that is ideally placed to benefit from the fast expanding on-line retail beauty sector with its established platform, a strong business model and entrepreneurial management team. We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with founders, Aaron Chatterley and Richard Schiessl, and to welcome Robert Bensoussan and Jim Sharp to the Board. The expertise of Robert and Jim in the luxury branded sector will be invaluable in taking the business to the next level.”

UK, London & Channel Isles, Jersey

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Publicis Groupe acquires AR New York

December 10, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

PublicisPublicis Groupe has acquired AR New York, a full-service advertising agency dedicated to the luxury goods, fashion and beauty industries. AR New York will become part of Publicis Worldwide, the Groupe’s historic advertising network. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AR New York has helped to build a number of iconic global brands, including Asprey, Banana Republic, Brioni, Brooks Brothers, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, DFS, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Moët & Chandon, Neiman Marcus, Salvatore Ferragamo, Smartwater, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Valentino, Versace, Vogue Magazine and Waldorf Astoria. The agency was founded in 1996 by Raul Martinez and Alex Gonzalez. Current CEO Dianne desRoches joined as a third partner in 2000. Their team comprises some 50 communications professionals based in Manhattan.

AR New York will retain its name within the Publicis Worldwide global network, and will continue to service its core luxury and fashion markets. Founding partner Raul Martinez (Chief Creative Officer) and Dianne desRoches (CEO) will remain at the head of the agency, and will report to Jean-Yves Naouri, Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Groupe and Executive Chairman of Publicis Worldwide.

“The luxury market is an advertising segment ripe with investment opportunity,” said Jean-Yves Naouri. “It is forecast to grow by up to 7% in 2012, defying global turmoil and breaking into new markets. We are especially pleased to welcome the AR New York teams to Publicis Worldwide. They are passionate about the powerful influence of contemporary arts, design and culture on consumers’ engagement with brands, and this vitality and focus is the drive behind the award-winning work they create for their clients.”

France, Paris & USA, New York, NY

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Publicis acquires iStrat and MarketGate in India

December 10, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

PublicisPublicis Groupe has acquired two different agencies in India : iStrat, an integrated digital agencies, as well as MarketGate, a Mumbai-based strategic business and marketing consulting firm.

iStrat was founded in 2003 and provides solutions across all forms of digital marketing. The agency services a broad range of clients, including Alpha G:Corp (real estate), the Confederation of Indian Industries, Dupont (luxury accessories), Hero Corp (motorcycles), Hindware (kitchen and sanitary appliances), Maruti Suzuki, the NASSCOM software trade association, and Nestlé. The agency, which is headquartered in Delhi and employs a team of 50, provides the full range of digital communications services including e-commerce store fronts, search engine optimization, social media, and rich media.

MarketGate, which was founded in 2005, delivers services in business growth planning, marketing strategy, brand positioning, portfolio strategy, brand architecture development, and marketing skills development. The agency’s 7 consulting experts aim to rejuvenate brands and power their growth by deploying marketing processes throughout their clients’ organizations. Clients include Colgate, Dabur (foods/personal care), General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, Godrej (personal care), HSBC, ICICI (financial services/banking), Madura Garments (fashion), Mahindra & Mahindra (automobile), MTR (foods), and Radio Mirchi Viacom.

As a part of this acquisition Publicis Groupe will also acquire MarketGate Dimensions, a subsidiary providing research-based solutions to business, marketing and brand issues, with offices in Mumbai, Delhi & Bangalore. Its client list includes Glenmark (personal care), Kellogg’s, Maruti Suzuki, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom 18.

iStrat will be rebranded Publicis iStrat and will operate as a unit within Publicis Modem, Publicis Worldwide’s global digital network. Its founders Navneet Singh Sahni (CEO) and Sonya Sahni (Head of Marketing) will continue to lead the agency. MarketGate will retain its name and will operate within Publicis Worldwide.  It will also continue to be led by founders Shripad Nadkarni (CEO) and Sharda Agarwal (Executive Director).  Both iStrat and MarketGate leadership will now report into Nakul Chopra, CEO South Asia for Publicis Worldwide.

“We’ve recently made a number of smart, bold moves in India, and we’re going to continue doing so,” declared Jean-Yves Naouri, Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Groupe and Executive Chairman of Publicis Worldwide, during a press conference held in Mumbai today. “Building digital capabilities is a fundamental part of the Publicis strategy, and today’s acquisition of iStrat and the strengthening of our digital arm in this promising market is a key step towards realizing our growth goals. In addition, MarketGate is a fast-moving strategic outfit with strong skill-sets, an impressive range of clients and thorough knowledge of the Indian market and its consumers,” he continued.

France , Paris & India, Delhi & India, Mumbai

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NewBay Media acquires Intent Media Limited

December 7, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

New Bay IntentNewBay Media has acquired Intent Media. Intent, based in the U.K., produces business publications, websites and events within the entertainment, technology and leisure markets. Its brands include Pro Sound News Europe, TVB Europe, Installation, MCV, and ToyNews among many others.

NewBay, was formed in 2006 by the sale of United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division. It is backed by The Wicks Group of Companies, www.wicksgroup.com a New York-based private equity

“Strategically, our plan has always included international expansion, and I am pleased that we were able to do this with a company that so perfectly complements our own portfolio and mission,” states Steve Palm, President and CEO, NewBay. “The addition of Intent immediately enhances our ability to serve the Broadcast, Pro Audio and AV markets. Further, Intent’s terrific team and operating platform open up new opportunities for global expansion of our powerful U.S. brands, as well as development of Intent’s market-leading Gaming, Music and Computer/Mobile Retailing brands into the U.S.”

Intent will operate in parallel to NewBay’s existing business. Stuart Dinsey, Intent’s Founder and Managing Director, will continue his role under the new ownership and will help manage NewBay’s European efforts, operating from Intent’s offices in Hertfordshire and London.

This is the sixth major acquisition of brands by NewBay in as many years, adding assets from United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division in September 2006, from IMAS in July 2007, from Reed Business Information-US in December 2009, from Penton in February 2011, and from Future PLC in January 2012.

USA, New York, NY & UK, Hertford, Hertfordshire

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ITE Group acquires a minority stake in ABEC in India

December 4, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

ITEAirgate Holdings Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of exhibitions business ITE Group, has acquired 28.3% of the shares of Asian Business Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd. (ABEC) from Qatari Investment bank QInvest. The total consideration is c. INR (Indian Rupees) 1,227 million (£14 million), which is payable in cash on completion. The acquisition will be funded from existing cash resources and agreed debt facilities. There are arrangements in place to enable ITE to increase its shareholding in future.

ABEC generated profits of INR 140 million (£1.6 million) in the year ended 31 March 2012 on revenues of c. INR 1.1 billion (£12.5 ABECmillion) and had gross assets of INR 1,724 million (£20 million) at completion.

ABEC run 19 exhibitions in India across 11 vertical markets including construction, architecture, design, education, lifestyle, real estate, and oil & gas. ABEC’s 8% market share makes it India’s largest private exhibition organiser.

Commenting on the acquisition, ITE’s Chief Executive Officer, Russell Taylor, said:

“ABEC has a quality portfolio of events with strong market positions in sectors where ITE has an established presence such as construction, oil & gas and security. ABEC’s events in the construction and design sector total more than 65,000m2 net of sold exhibition space, giving ITE an interest in India’s dominant trade shows for this growing sector.

“With expertise in this sector and its strong international sales network, ITE can deliver significant value to ABEC’s business. Along with ITE’s current business in India, this gives ITE a leading position in a dynamic region with an exhibition industry that is currently experiencing strong growth.”

ITE also announced its preliminary results today for the year to 30th September 2012. The financial highlights are below:

  • Revenues up 11% to £172m ; Headline profits up 3% to £53m
  • Net cash of £20.0m at 30th November 2012
  • £95m of revenues booked for 2013

Full details here

UK, London & India, Mumbai

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LDC Completes the £7.3m Buyout of HMV’s Live Music Division MAMA Group

December 4, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

ldc_logoLloyds Development Capital has completed the £7.3 million buyout of HMV’s Live Music division, MAMA Group, which is the UK’s second-largest live music business.

MAMA holds over 2,700 events annually in the UK, with up to one million people visiting its venues and 150,000 attending its festivals every year.

The transaction provides a strong platform for CEO Dean James, supported by a very experienced management team, to pursue a focused buy-and-build strategy targeting both UK and overseas opportunities. Future international acquisitions will increase the global influence of the Group and its brands, and enhance the prospect for faster growth from global sponsorship and promotions.

MAMA runs a nationwide network of live music venues with capacities ranging up to 2,300  These include, The Forum, The Garage,mama-logo Camden Barfly, Jazz Cafe and The Borderline in London as well as the Edinburgh Picture House, the Manchester Ritz and the Birmingham Institute regionally.

MAMA’s stable of festivals includes international music brands Global Gathering, Godskitchen and UK based events Lovebox, The Great Escape and Wilderness, curated in association with Secret Garden Party.

MAMA also owns music magazine The Fly.

LDC has a growing track record in the leisure sector. Recent investments include Boom Pictures, Ocean Outdoors, WRG Creative, and Orion Media.

Alistair Pendleton, LDC Investment Director, comments:

“Live Music is a growing and increasingly important sector of the UK economy and in supporting the MBO of MAMA Group we believe we are backing the best management team and the most recognised, successful brand in the business.

“MAMA Group is renowned for its iconic venues, where some of the world’s most successful music artists have performed and hugely popular music festivals, both in the UK and overseas, which have attracted strong followings and showcased some excellent new artists. Management have an exciting buy-and-build strategy and LDC has the resources, skills and track record to help them accelerate their plans and develop the Group into a globally-recognised business and brand.”

UK, London

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MyHeritage acquires Geni.com and raises $25m in new funding round

December 1, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

MyHMyHeritage, the online family history network, has acquired Geni.com and closed a new USD$25M funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with existing investors Index Ventures and Accel Partners also participating. Geni.com Founder David Sacks and BVP Partner Adam Fisher are joining the MyHeritage Board of Directors.

The purchase of Geni.com is the eighth and largest acquisition made by MyHeritage since the launch of its online family history network in 2005. It extends MyHeritage’s network to 72 million registered users, 1.5 billion profiles and 27 million family trees.

The new investment round will be used by MyHeritage to boost growth of its historical content services and expand commercial operations worldwide. In addition to acquiring significant record collections from Europe and rolling out global crowd-sourcing projects, the funds will enable MyHeritage to explore additional M&A opportunities and ramp up its international marketing operations. The latest funding round brings the total funds raised so far by MyHeritage to USD$49 million.

“Today’s news is a major turning-point for the family history industry, giving us significant new resources to extend our market leadership and deliver new value to families worldwide,” said Founder and CEO of MyHeritage, Gilad Japhet. “Well established as an innovative and social brand, Geni.com is a natural addition to MyHeritage and together we look forward to taking collaborative family history to new heights.”

Founded in 2007, Geni.com will continue to operate as a separate brand based out of its California office, which will also serve as the main engineering hub for MyHeritage in the US, alongside its main content offices in Utah. The entire staff at Geni.com will join the MyHeritage team.

The services of MyHeritage and Geni.com will initially run independently. MyHeritage plans to give respective users the option to collaborate on family history research by enabling two-way information flows between the sites that will facilitate new family discoveries and provide greater value to the users of both services.

USA, Los Angeles, CA & Provo, UT& Israel, Tel Aviv

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