Verve Wireless acquires Deconstruct Media

February 4, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Verve Wireless has acquired Deconstruct Media, a mobile advertising technology company founded by a team of former Advertising.com product and engineering executives.  

Deconstruct’s product is an automated mobile display advertising system that allows mobile publishers to manage their ad sales and offer their ad inventory through a self-service interface. Advertisers, in turn, can review available advertising opportunities and can buy ad campaigns directly using a credit card. The system manages pricing, targeting, creative management and reporting. The Deconstruct system will be integrated into Verve’s Ad Manager platform.

“We were looking for the best mobile display self-serve toolset available and found it in Deconstruct Media.  When we understood who was behind it and their expertise in ad technology product development, we wanted to own it. We’re thrilled to have the Deconstruct team joining Verve,” said Tom MacIsaac, CEO of Verve. “Our mission is to monetize local mobile media and clearly the self-service channel is one of the keys to doing that in a scalable fashion.”

“Verve is a great fit for Deconstruct. With over 1000 local media publishers, Verve allows us to take the core advertising technologies we have built and rapidly deploy them to a category that should really benefit from self-service advertising,” said Brent Halliburton, founder and CEO of Deconstruct who will join Verve as VP of Product Management. “Verve’s multichannel approach will continue to unlock ad dollars for local mobile publishers and will now include a smart and easy-to-use self-service channel.”

Prior to founding Deconstruct, Halliburton was Senior Director of New Product Development at Advertising.com. He and the rest of the Deconstruct team, all former Advertising.com senior software developers, will be based out of Verve’s DC office.

USA, San Diego, CA & Washington, DC

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Dentsu Network West acquires digital creative agency Firstborn

February 4, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Dentsu Network West has acquired Firstborn, a leading New York-based digital creative agency specializing in design, development, production and digital strategy for top US national and global brands and advertising agencies. Firstborn develops multi-platform user experiences that extend across all media platforms, including web, mobile, broadcast and digital out-of-home. Firstborn will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Dentsu Network West.

“Firstborn’s digital creativity and technology expertise will accelerate our ability to offer the most innovative and forward-thinking solutions to our clients,” said Tim Andree, CEO, Dentsu Network West and Executive Officer at Dentsu Inc. “We are building a real network with the client at the center, comprised of the most respected and innovative companies in their arenas. This acquisition supports this mission, and our efforts to place digital at the heart of our growth strategy.”

Firstborn was founded in 1997, growing steadily into a current team of 65 employees made up of designers, producers, technologists and strategists. The company will continue to operate under the leadership of Founder & CEO, Michael Ferdman; President, Dan LaCivita; and Chief Creative Officer, Joon Yong Park.

“For the past 14 years, Firstborn has always been about two things – the work and the people that create the work.  The opportunity to align with Dentsu will give Firstborn’s work, and its people, a dominant global platform on which to drive innovation and effect measurable change in this industry,” remarked Michael Ferdman, CEO of Firstborn. “For years, Firstborn has had a lot of outside interest, but it wasn’t until now that a partnership made sense for both parties.  Timing is always crucial, and finding a partner with a history of respecting its agencies’ individual cultures made this deal a no-brainer.  I am excited for Firstborn’s next chapter; and in the meantime, we will continue to focus on doing what has always worked for us – letting the consistency and the quality of our work do the talking.”

USA, New York, NY

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Publicis Groupe increases its stake in Wefcos

January 28, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis Groupe has acquired Aude de Thuin’s remaining stake in Wefcos, the company that organises the Women’s Forum. Veronique Morali, President of Fimalac Developpement and of Terrafemina, has been appointed the President of Wefcos.

In September 2009, Publicis Groupe acquired a majority stake in Wefcos, the company responsible for organising the Women’s Forum, an event created and chaired by Aude Zieseniss de Thuin.After working closely with CEO Jacqueline Franjou for over a year, and following the success of the Women’s Forum in October 2010, Aude Zieseniss de Thuin has decided to focus on other projects both in France and abroad. She also decided to sell her remaining shares to Publicis Groupe.

“Over the past six years, the Women’s Forum has grown to become a prominent international event. I built this project and took it as far as I could. Now, the transition has gone well and the Forum’s future is in good hands. Publicis Groupe has everything it takes to take the Forum concept even further. The other minority shareholders who have helped me over the last six years will be keeping their shares. I now want to focus entirely on new projects,” said Aude Zieseniss de Thuin.

According to Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MSLGROUP, Publicis Groupe’s Public Relations & Events network, “Aude’s vision and determination are what made this Forum successful. Through this event she contributed to promoting the role of women in all sectors of society throughout the world. With the appointment of Veronique Morali, and building on the success of the last Forum, we can now work on the international development and enhancement of the concept. There is a lot to be done to further the cause and place of women in our societies.”

“I am very happy to be taking over as President of the Women’s Forum and am determined to make it even more of a center of discussion and progress for women in order to help them to play their rightful part in society. This commitment is perfectly in keeping with the activities and ambition of Terrafemina,” said Veronique Morali.Veronique Morali has served in the French civil service (Ministry of Finance), and is currently President of Fimalac Developpement, Terrafemina, Force Femmes, and a Director of The Coca Cola Company. She also serves on the supervisory boards of Cie Financiere Edmond de Rothschild and Publicis Groupe.

The Women’s Forum was created in 2005 to promote the viewpoint of women on the economic and social issues of our times, and has since taken on an international dimension unparalleled among comparable events. The purpose of the Forum is to organise thought, discussion and action at an event where women and men from all over the world address the most pressing issues of the moment. In 2010, the Forum was attended by 1300 participants from over 80 countries.

France, Paris

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Ogilvy & Mather acquires majority stake in Ogilvy South Africa

January 27, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Ogilvy & Mather has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Ogilvy South Africa, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals.  Completed, the deal will increase Ogilvy & Mather’s ownership of the agency from a 49.9 to 59 percent stake. The deal comes on the heels of another recent deal completed last April  the formation of a joint venture with African marketing services giant Scangroup.

Established in 1984, Ogilvy SA employs over 700 staff across 12 companies, with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.  It is the No. 1 agency network in South Africa in both revenue and creativity, according to AdReview’s most recent agency ranking.  In 2010, it was awarded the AdReview Ad Group of the Year.  It provides a diverse range of services to clients including advertising, digital and interactive, activation, promotions, internal marketing, CRM, shopper marketing, PR, channel planning and relationship marketing.  Ogilvy SA clients include a mix of local and multinational companies including BP, Cell C, KFC, MultiChoice and SABMiller.

Miles Young, Global CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, said, “Obtaining majority share of our South African operations was an inevitable next step for our growth strategy in Africa, which I passionately believe is one of the last great frontiers in global communications.  While the acquisition has made our majority ownership official, I’ve always felt that Ogilvy SA has embodied the Ogilvy values and spirit no less so than any of our wholly owned offices.  It is one of our network’s strongest performers in terms of creativity and business growth.  I toast all my partners in Ogilvy SA and welcome them officially to the Ogilvy family with which they have been associated for so long.  They are the ‘best of the best,’ and as a full part of our network they will give to us much more than just geographic presence.”About Ogilvy South Africa

USA, New York, NY & South Africa, Johannesburg

 

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Strobe Promotions, RedStapler and Zezza Network merge to form Tenthwave

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Strobe Promotions, RedStapler and Zezza Network have merged to form Tenthwave, a fully integrated digital marketing agency headquartered in New York.  Lead by former i33 Communications Founder and Chairman Drew Rayman, Tenthwave reunites Rayman with former colleagues Steve Caputo and Rob Kaplan; Brian Hack and Mike Mazar; and Eric Schwamberger, the respective founders of Strobe, RedStapler and Zezza.

Tenthwave will provide digital and social marketing, promotions, web design and development from ideation through implementation for clients including CBS Consumer Products, eBay, Visa, Pepperidge Farm, Jim Beam, Hearst Magazines, and Sports Illustrated, among others.  Drew Rayman and Steve Caputo will serve as the agency’s managing partners with Brian Hack, Eric Schwamberger, Mike Mazar and Rob Kaplan serving as agency partners.

USA, New York, NY

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Experian acquires a majority stake in Techlightenment

January 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Experian, the information services company, has acquired a majority stake in Techlightenment, a UK-based provider of social media marketing tools.

Founded in 2007, Techlightenment is a data-driven technology and marketing business that provides social media marketing services to multinational companies and global advertising agencies. Techlightenment uses its proprietary technology platforms to help its clients market and advertise effectively using social media. Techlightenment’s clients include GlaxoSmithKline, Universal Pictures and Dr Martens.

The acquisition is a further step in Experian’s strategy to grow its digital marketing activities. It extends Experian’s capability into the increasingly important social media channel, adding to Experian’s presence in the online, email and mobile channels.

Techlightenment’s revenue in the year to 28 February 2011 is expected to be approximately £5m, with gross assets at the year-end of £2.5m. The stake in Techlightenment was acquired from its founders. Techlightenment will form part of Experian’s UK Marketing Services division.

Germany, Dusseldorf & UK, London

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Cox Digital Solutions acquires Internet Broadcasting’s local network business

January 13, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Cox Digital Solutions, a digital media solutions provider for national, regional and local agencies, advertisers and publishers, has acquired the IB Local Network business and advertising sales group of Internet Broadcasting. Earlier this week it was announced that Adify and Cox Cross Media and merged to form Cox Digital Solutions.

With the acquisition, Cox Digital Solutions, a division of New Yorkbased Cox Reps, now has more than 150 employees across 10 markets.

“Today is a significant step forward in securing our position in the market,” said Steve Shaw, President of Cox Digital Solutions. “IB Local Network’s publisher relationships and media sales power are a natural fit with Cox Digital Solutions. This combination will enable us to meet a wider set of customer needs through a richer solution set, increase efficiencies, and significantly expand our opportunities for growth.”

With the sale of its local network business to Cox Digital Solutions, Internet Broadcasting (http://www.ibsys.com) is now able to fully focus on providing publishers with its digital publishing platform and services. “We can now concentrate on what has always been our core business –helping our media publisher clients use their content and consumer relationships to build a powerful digital presence by providing them with the most contemporary publishing platform and services available in North America,” said Roger Keating, Interim CEO of Internet Broadcasting and SVP Digital Media for Hearst Television. “At the same time, by placing the IB Local Network with an outstanding organization like Cox, we’re doing right by our former advertising clients and employees.”  

USA, New York, NY

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Omnicom Group’s Diversified Agency Services acquires licensing agency Nancy Bailey & Associates

January 13, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Omnicom Group’s Diversified Agency Services (DAS) has acquired Atlanta-based Nancy Bailey and Associates.  The agency, which was founded by Nancy Bailey in 1982, is one of the industry’s most successful corporate licensing firms.  Nancy Bailey & Associates will become a division of DAS’s Beanstalk, the leading global brand licensing agency and consultancy.  Nancy Bailey has been named a vice chairman of Beanstalk and will report directly to Beanstalk’s president and CEO Michael Stone.

“Nancy Bailey & Associates and Beanstalk are without question the two preeminent brand licensing agencies in the world.  Not only have they both been true pioneers in corporate licensing but they both continue to innovate and push the industry forward with their creativity and leadership,” said Tom Harrison, CEO of DAS.  “Together, they form the biggest, most experienced, successful and innovative licensing agency in the world.”

The new relationship allows Beanstalk and Nancy Bailey & Associates to combine their talents, expertise and relationships to better serve both agencies’ Fortune 100 clients including The Procter & Gamble Company.  Currently, both Beanstalk and Nancy Bailey & Associates represent a number of P&G brands.  The new combined entity will consolidate the agency P&G representation into one fully integrated global team across the U.S., Europe and Asia.

“Nancy Bailey has been both a good friend and fierce competitor for more than 25 years and there is no one in the industry outside of Beanstalk, for whom I have more respect or admiration,” said Michael Stone, president and CEO of Beanstalk.  “The merger of Nancy Bailey & Associates with Beanstalk is truly game changing for our businesses and for the licensing industry as a whole.”  

“I have been in the licensing business a long time and I can truly say that there is no organization other than Beanstalk with which I would rather merge my company,” said Nancy Bailey.  “Michael and his team have consistently been at the forefront of our industry, helping to raise the visibility of licensing as a strategic marketing tool through thought leadership and an incredibly impressive portfolio of work.  Combining our companies’ talent and experience will have a major impact in the industry and we are excited about the future together.” 

USA, New York, NY & Atlanta, GA

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Research shows smaller buyouts bounce back in 2010

January 11, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Source – Lyceum Capital and Cass Business School

The total value of smaller private equity buyouts completed during 2010 rose to over £2.5billion, a 150 per cent increase on 2009 levels, according to data from The UK Growth Buyout Dashboard.

The quarterly trend analysis of private equity transactions in the £10 million to £100 million segment produced by Lyceum Capital and Cass Business School shows 68 companies raised an estimated £2,504 million of buyout funding in 2010. This compares with 34 transactions and £1,045 million of funding during the previous 12 months.
The figures provide further evidence that increasing numbers of successful SMEs are seeking private equity investors’ capital and expertise to drive their post-recession expansion plans.

Commenting on the report, Andrew Aylwin, Partner at Lyceum Capital, said: “The long-term investment outlook is positive. There is a bed-rock of SMEs requiring capital to consolidate their performance and complete the transformation into more mature, high-growth enterprises. This growth will ensure the lower mid-market continues to be a highly attractive asset class for private equity investment that is capable of creating consistently strong returns for investors.”

To go to The UK Growth Buyout Dashboard click here

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US information industry M&A report shows deal value and volume Up 36%

January 7, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Berkery Noyes has released its 2010 Information Market M&A Trends Report. The report analyses merger and acquisition activity in the US Information Industry in 2010 and compares it with activity in the three previous years.

Highlights

  • Transaction volume in 2010 surpassed 2009 by 36 percent, climbing to 2,046 transactions.
  • Transaction value has increased by 36 percent as well, with $112 billion in aggregate acquisition value.
  • The median revenue and EBITDA multiple both increased over 2009, with the revenue multiple rising to 1.8 and the EBITDA multiple to 11.2, a 29 percent increase over the 8.7 of 2009.

“Multiples have started to make a return to pre-crisis levels,” said James Berkery, CIO of Berkery Noyes. “There are more deals happening and there are higher valuations. While we’re not at the levels we saw in 2007, I think we’re well on the road to recovery.”

Strategic acquirers have been the most common acquirer in the industry, yet financially sponsored transactions rose 39 percent by value over 2009 while losing 2 percent in volume over 2009. This trend of larger financially sponsored transactions is further evidenced by two of the top seven deals by value this year being made by financial acquirers: Interactive data Corporation’s acquisition by Warbug Pincus and Silver Lake Partners for $3.2 billion and Visma ASA’s acquisition by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. for $1.9 billion.

Google was not only the most active buyer in the information industry in 2010, with 28 acquisitions, but was also the most active buyer from 2007 through 2010, with 48 transactions during that time.

The largest transaction in 2010 was Intel Corporation’s announced acquisition of McAfee, Inc., for $7.55 billion.

To view the full report click here:

USA, New York, NY

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