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

Related articles:

Posted in e-Commerce, ~Europe. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »

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

Related articles:

Posted in Marketing/Advertising, ~Europe, ~North America. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

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

Related articles:

Posted in Marketing/Advertising, ~Asia, ~Europe. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

AOL’s Advertising.com Group Acquires Buysight, Inc.

December 10, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

AOL’s Advertising.com Group has acquired Buysight, Inc., a provider of retargeting and intent-based targeted advertising. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Advertising.com Group clients include

Based in Sunnyvale, California and founded in 2008, Buysight offers ad targeting and retargeting services to the likes of ADTECH, The AOL On Network, goviral and Pictela. The company was funded by ONSET Ventures and Rembrandt Venture Partners.

“Our acquisition of Buysight is the perfect complement to our powerful suite of offerings for advertisers, agencies and publishers seeking to maximize their brands online,” said Ned Brody, CEO, Advertising.com Group. “We strongly believe that both brand and performance display, as well as mobile and video campaigns benefit from dynamic, targeted creatives and messaging. The acquisition of Buysight brings proven Dynamic Creative Optimization and machine learning capabilities which will further enhance AdLearn, our market-leading optimization engine, and its ability to provide brands and performance marketers a comprehensive and integrated optimization solution across channels.”

USA, New York, NY & Sunnyvale, CA

Related articles:

Posted in Marketing/Advertising, ~North America. Tags: , . Leave a Comment »

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

Related articles:

 

Posted in Content Media, Games, Internet Media, Marketing/Advertising, Publishers, ~Europe, ~North America. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Advanstar Global acquires ENK International

December 7, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Advanstar Global LLC, an events and information services company that also owns Advanstar Communications, has acquired ENK International LLC. ENK arranges fashion events that features Fashion Coterie, Intermezzo, and Accessory Circuit in New York, Las Vegas, Europe and Asia. ENK and Advanstar Communications will be operated separately.

The acquisition is a major addition to Advanstar Global’s global portfolio, which already contains MAGIC, PROJECT, FN Platform, Licensing International, other tradeshows, conferences, and events. Advanstar Global’s financial sponsors include Anchorage Capital Group LLC, Ares Management LLC, and Veronis Suhler Stevenson.

Advanstar Global’s CEO, Joe Loggia, stated, “Having ENK, MAGIC and PROJECT within the same family of companies provides the fashion industry a choice of intimate and customized environments that satisfy their market needs. This allows us to be more responsive to our customers as we work to coordinate dates and venues, which makes the process more valuable for exhibitors and retailers. Moreover, Advanstar Global has made significant investments in new technology that will enable our company to further drive value, service and solutions across the entire fashion marketplace.”

USA, Wilmington, DE

Posted in Conference/Exhibitions/Events, Content Media, ~North America. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

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

Related articles:

Posted in Conference/Exhibitions/Events, Content Media, ~Asia, ~Europe. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »

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

Posted in Broadcasting, Conference/Exhibitions/Events, Content Media, Publishers, ~Europe. Leave a Comment »

TV production company Tinopolis acquires Passion Distribution Limited

December 3, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

tinopolisTinopolis, one of the UK’s largest independent TV production and distribution companies, has acquired Passion Distribution Limited , a  global media distribution company. The transaction adds significantly to Tinopolis’s existing distribution business and is the latest acquisition in its strategy of expanding its international reach and capabilities. It follows the acquisitions in 2011 of A. Smith & Co and Base Productions, both of which are Los Angeles-based and are major suppliers to US networks and cable channels.

Passion Distribution was incorporated in 2008 by Sally Miles and has established itself as a leading television programme and formats distributor with an extensive catalogue of content in various genres including factual entertainment, reality, documentaries, lifestyle and game-shows. Passion distributes content exclusively for numerous UK and North American producers and broadcasters to media platforms across the world and has exclusive distribution agreements with broadcasters and production companies including Scripps Networks, The Oprah Winfrey Network, World of Wonder and Sundance Channel.passion distribution logo

The acquisition of Passion will significantly expand Tinopolis’s ability to maximise the value of its portfolio of companies, programmes and formats. Tinopolis and Passion will continue to grow Passion’s existing business and brand through investment in third party content and co-productions with the support of the wider group. Passion, under the continued leadership of Sally Miles, will inherit Tinopolis’ existing distribution arm MINT with its catalogue of over 2,500 hours of content, its many formats and  sales staff.

Ron Jones, Executive Chairman of Tinopolis, commented: “Tinopolis’s strategy is to develop and grow as a Group that is successful creatively and financially with a strong international reach. With over 40% of our business now outside the UK, we needed a distribution business that could match this and in Sally and her team we have found our ideal partners.”

UK, Carmarthenshire & London

Related articles:

Posted in Broadcasting, Content Media. Leave a Comment »

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

Related articles:

Posted in Content Media, Internet Media, ~Europe, ~Middle East & Africa, ~North America. Tags: , . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Newer posts »