Scripps Networks Interactive Acquires Asian Food Channel

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

afcScripps Networks Interactive Inc. has acquired Asian Food Channel (AFC), a food-focused pay television network. The Asian Food Channel, which is based in Singapore, reaches about 8 million subscribers in 11 markets.

“Asia and the rapid growth in pay television households throughout the region hold great promise for Scripps Networks Interactive and its international ambitions,” said Kenneth W. Lowe, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Acquiring the Asian Food Channel significantly expands our presence in key growth markets and provides us with a solid foundation on which to build a growing lifestyle media business in the region. The channel aligns perfectly with our lifestyle programming focus.”

The Asian Food Channel broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week and leverages a substantial library of acquired Asian and international video content as well as a growing number of originally-produced programs. The network generates revenues through regional and local advertising sales as well as fees from pay television operators.

Derek Chang, who was appointed recently as managing director of the Asia Pacific region for Scripps Networks Interactive, will oversee the management and integration of the Asian Food Channel. He also will oversee operations of Scripps Networks Interactive’s existing networks in the region.

USA, Knoxville, TN & Singapore

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Burda International GmbH takes over Gruner + Jahr activities in Poland

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Burda International GmbH is taking over all Gruner + Jahr activities in Poland, creating a media company with over 30 magazines, more than 20 online media services, established events and a strong book business

The takeover is subject to approval under cartel law, and a decision is expected in July. In future the company will be headed by Magdalena Malicka (formerly G+J) and Justyna Namięta (Burda Poland).  With a combined reach of 23 per cent, Burda becomes the second largest Polish magazine publisher.

Fabrizio D’Angelo, Managing Director Burda International, explains: “For Burda in Poland the strong position this creates is an excellent basis for expanding its core business of magazines, and provides optimal conditions for further investments in the digital future. This will enable us to make the very best use of the growth opportunities in the booming economic environment of Poland.”

Germany, Munich & Warsaw, Poland
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Publicis Groupe to acquire Neev in India

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

PublicisPublicis Groupe is to acquire Neev, an Indian technology services providers specialising in eCommerce, SaaS (Software as a Service) and cloud applications across web, social and mobile. Neev will be aligned with Razorfish, one of the largest interactive marketing and technology companies in the world; the acquisition triggers the launch of the Razorfish brand in India.

Founded in 2005 and based in Bangalore, Neev has  grown quickly and now employs a team of 250 specialists.

“Razorfish can now offer scaled expertise in India, complementing its already strong presence in Greater China and Australia,”says Vincent Digonnet, President APAC of Razorfish and Digitas networks. “At the core of Razorfish lies innovation and technology, and we can only launch the brand in a market with a very deep tech development capability. Neev is providing us with the right engine, including an ability to deliver sophisticated state of the art web, ecommerce, mobile and social solutions. In addition, the acquisition will support the development capabilitiesof Razorfish technology teams in the US.”

Earlier this year, Publicis Groupe acquired the digital agency Convonix based in Mumbai and back in 2012 acquired  iStrat (December 2012), Resultrix (August 2012) and Indigo Consulting (April 2012).

The agency will operate as Razorfish Neev led by Neev CEO, Saurabh Chandra . He will report into Kanika Mathur , Managing Director for Razorfish and Digitas India, with a direct connection to Ray Velez , Global CTO for Razorfish.

UK, London & India, Bangalore

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USA TODAY Travel Media Group acquires Tripology

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

USA TODAY LOGOUSA TODAY Travel Media Group has acquired Tripology. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Tripology is an interactive travel referral service focused on connecting travelers with experienced travel specialists. Available free to consumers, Tripology utilises proprietary technology to match traveler requests with travel professionals. USA TODAY plans to offer Tripology.com referral services across Gannett media outlets.

“The acquisition of Tripology fits well into our overall growth strategy. The USA TODAY Travel Media Group has been expanding its tripologydigital portfolio of travel news, products and services over the past year. For decades, we’ve provided our audience with helpful and easy to use travel content and now we’re adding more tools to help consumers with their travel experience,” saidJohn Peters , president of USA TODAY Travel Media Group. “Time-starved travelers researching and booking cruises, honeymoons, family reunions, and other complicated travel often require the services of a travel professional and Tripology can match them with a specialist.”

USA, McLean, VA

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Thomson CompuMark acquires the trademark business of Onscope

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

compumarkThomson CompuMark, a Thomson Reuters Intellectual Property & Science business has acquired the trademark business of Onscope, a provider of trademark searching, monitoring and online screening in Canada. The terms of the deal was not disclosed. Onscope’s search support services for the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and its linguistics and translation services were not included.

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Onscope is a  provider of trademark search and watch services offered in French and English.

“The addition of Onscope’s trademark business to our IP Solutions portfolio solidifies Thomson CompuMark as the preeminent source ofonscope trademark research and protection offerings across Canada,” said Viji Krishnan , vice president of Thomson CompuMark. “Onscope’s clients will benefit from the extensive trademark expertise Thomson CompuMark provides, including access to the world’s largest, global network of trademark data, around-the-clock service throughout the business week, and a host of offerings to drive brand value and protect intangible assets.”

USA, North Quincy, MA & Canada, Montreal, Quebec

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Bertram Books acquires academic library services contracts from Blackwell

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

SmithsnewsSmiths News PLC ‘s wholly owned book business Bertram Books, is to acquire certain European and African academic library services contracts from Blackwell UK Limited.  The acquisition is expected to be  completed on 20 May 2013 and the net consideration of around £2.1 million .

The acquisition brings with it a  customer base with a strong presence in Germany, France and South Africa.  The high  contracts being acquired generate revenues of £10.5 million at FY12 levels increasing Bertrams’ total international sales to £60 million.

The acquisition will be earnings neutral in FY13, adding an incremental £0.7 million in FY14.

Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths News PLC, said:

“We are delighted to be further extending our international books business offering following the completion of this complementary bolt-on acquisition.  Our ability to build both scale and reach will enable Bertrams to target key international markets as we continue to capitalise on expansion opportunities.”

UK, Wiltshire, Swindon

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Utilitywise plc acquires Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

utilitywise-logoUtilitywise,  a company that specialises in energy procurement and energy management services for businesses, has acquired Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited, a supplier of water consultancy services.

The acquisition will add Aqua Veritas’ product portfolio to Utilitywise’s  energy services. In addition, the acquisition secures ‘Osiris’ the intellectual property used to develop Utilitywise’s multi-utility reporting platform.

The initial consideration payable is £162,000, payable in cash on completion with a further deferred amount payable based upon 4 times Aqua Veritas’ adjusted EBITDA to April 2014 capped at £4 million. The deferred consideration will be financed equally from the Company’s cash resources and through the issue of new ordinary shares in Utilitywise. Aqua Veritas reported revenue of £1,296,288 in the year ended 31 March 2012.

Geoff Thompson, CEO of Utilitywise, commented:  “We have a stated strategy of supplementing our strong organic growth with selective aquavacquisitions which enhance our range of services. Aqua Veritas has an excellent reputation for high quality service in the market for water management solutions for businesses and a blue chip client base. It fits well with our core energy services and increases the range of products and services we can offer our customers.”

UK, South Shields & Leicestershire, Enderby

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Argonon buys factual indie Transparent TV

April 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

argononArgonon group has acquired UK indie Transparent Television which specialises in popular factual documentaries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Transparent has made factual documentaries (My Daughter Amy, Channel 4;Extraordinary People: The Baby with a New Face, Channel 5), formats (Restoration Roadshow, BBC Two) and features (Leslie Ash: Face to Face, ITV1). In 2013, two of its series ran on Channel 5, Great Northern Cookbook and Botched Up Bodies.

The deal sees Argonon wholly acquire Transparent Television for an undisclosed sum and founders Jazz Gowans and Richard Hughes transparent TV(pictured) become shareholders in the group.

“Their track record of delivering high quality, innovative and talked about TV shows based on popular themes makes them the perfect fit for Argonon,” says Argonon CEO James Burstall, who describes Transparent’s production team as “very clever….they can go to dark places, but still retain their integrity.”

UK, London

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April 9, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

tripadvisorTripAdvisor has acquired Jetsetter.com, a members-only private sale site for hotel bookings.  The Jetsetter brand will continue to operate out of New York City and will be incorporated into Smarter Travel Media. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Jetsetter is an outstanding brand and I am absolutely delighted to welcome the Jetsetter team to the TripAdvisor family,” saidSteve Kaufer , co-founder and CEO TripAdvisor, Inc.  “With Jetsetter and our own SniqueAway brand, we now have two leading travel private sale sites under one roof.  We are excited by the opportunities this provides to continually help drive amazing value for our travelers staying at some of the world’s most highly-rated hotels.”

USA, Newton, MA & New York, NY

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Next Fifteen Communications Group acquires Connections Media

April 9, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

next15Next Fifteen Communications Group plc has acquired an 80% stake in Connections Media LLC, a Washington DC based, full service digital agency specialising in politics and public affairs.

Connections Media has been acquired from Jonah Seiger (CEO & founder), Phil Lepanto (Chief Technology Officer) and Andy Weishaarcmlogo (Chief Creative Officer). The initial consideration is $1.85 million, paid in cash at completion. Deferred consideration may be payable over the course of the next 5 years subject to the achievement of revenue and profit performance targets. Any deferred consideration that becomes payable will be satisfied by cash or up to 25% in Next Fifteen shares, at the option of Next Fifteen.

 

For the year ended 31 December 2012 Connections Media had revenues of $2.65 million and profit before tax of $0.85 million. The gross assets at 31 December 2012 were $1.15 million. The business will be acquired with $0.55 million of net working capital.

Seiger, Lepanto, Weishaar and the Connections Media design, development and client services leadership team will remain with the company post-acquisition, with Seiger serving as CEO and Operating Manager.

“Connections Media is a great addition to the Group. As political and corporate worlds becomes more social and digital, the products and services offered by Connections Media become increasingly valuable. Being able to offer such services helps us accelerate our transition from being a PR only group into a full service digital and social communications group,” said Tim Dyson, CEO of Next 15.

UK, London & USA, Washington, DC

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