Mecom to conduct a strategic review including, potentially, further disposals. Tom Toumaziz to step down as CEO

July 19, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

The Board of Mecom Group plc has confirmed that it will be conducting a strategic review to examine all options for maximising shareholder value, including, potentially, further disposals.

Tom Toumaziz is to step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer in September.   Until then and as part of the transition he will assist Stephen Davidson, who will resume his previous role as Executive Chairman, in setting up the strategic review and in other matters.   Mr Toumazis will not be replaced as Group Chief Executive Officer.

The Group is announcing its interim financial results, which the report will be in line with market expectations, on 25th July.

Commenting, Tom Toumazis, said, “When I agreed to join the company in May last year, Mecom was a larger and different group to what it is today.  We had only just received an approach from Gremi to acquire Presspublica and approaches to acquire Edda were still some way off.   Both of these businesses have subsequently been sold, at very attractive valuations. All three of our remaining divisions are run by highly experienced executive teams and the Board and I have concluded that, particularly in light of the strategic review we are announcing today, the divisions will require much less central leadership than would normally be provided by a Group Chief Executive.”

Stephen Davidson, Executive Chairman, said, “Today’s announcement of a review of Mecom’s options is a logical step for the Company in light of the significant recent changes in the operating environment.”

Norway, Oslo & UK, London

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CrowdGather acquires psychology message board PersonalityCafé.com

July 19, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

CrowdGather has acquired the domain name, website, mobile app and assets related to Personalitycafe.com.

Founded in 2008 as a way to explore your personality type and to find others like you to interact with, PersonalityCafe.com has grown into one of the leading and most active communities focused on psychology on the Internet. Members discover their Myers Brigg personality profile and come to PersonalityCafe.com to explore the inner workings of their psyche in a positive and fun environment.

The site offers users an interactive discussion forum with over 2.6 million posts, personality quizzes developed by psychologists and a mobile app as well as a video sharing section, psychology articles, and blogs. It’s a great place to go for learning more about your personality type.

“We are excited to add Personalitycafe.com to our portfolio of communities. The site offers significant opportunities to engage a valuable demographic,” said Sanjay Sabnani, CrowdGather’s Chairman and CEO. “As part of our growth strategy, we continue to seek targeted acquisitions that will help increase our traffic and expand our reach as a leading network of forums.”

USA, Woodland Hills, CA

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The Weather Channel Companies acquire Weather Underground

July 19, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) are to acquire Weather Underground, a provider of Web based weather data. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Everyone in the weather space is familiar with the strength of Weather Underground and its innovative method of presenting weather data. Weather Underground will add a great complementary, brand to our portfolio, a brand with a distinct, loyal, and active user base that will enable us to reach a unique segment of users,” said TWCC chairman and CEO David Kenny. “Most importantly, this acquisition will grow the weather expertise that is central to everything we do and will result in better forecasts and weather data for users on all of our platforms.”

Weather Underground’s site wunderground.com and its portfolio of mobile applications will continue to operate and its employees will become a part of TWCC. In addition, Weather Underground’s San Francisco headquarters will become a regional office for TWCC. Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. served as TWCC’s financial advisor in the transaction and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP acted as legal advisor. Weather Underground was advised by Digital Capital Advisors, LLC.

USA, Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA

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RPS acquires Australian consulting firm Manidis Roberts for up to A$30M

July 19, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

RPS Group plc has acquired Manidis Roberts Pty Ltd, an Australian consulting firm, for a maximum consideration of A$30 million (£19 million).

Founded in 1988, MR is an environmental and project management consultancy headquartered in Sydney.   It currently employs about 90 staff and has developed a significant profile based upon the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects.  These often last several years, providing long term revenue streams.  MR has particular expertise in the water, transport and power supply sectors, all of which are expected to grow in coming years. MR will further expand the RPS presence in New South Wales, complementing the skills of our urban planners, water, environmental and cultural heritage specialists and surveyors based in Sydney and Newcastle.

In the year ended 30 June 2011 the audited accounts for MR show revenues of A$27.2 million (£18.0 million, at an exchange rate of A$1.51 to £1) and profit before tax of A$5.8 million (£3.8 million).  Based on unaudited management accounts up to 31 May 2012 and an estimate of performance in June 2012, the revenue up to 30 June 2012 was in the order of A$23.7 million (£15.7 million) and profit for that period (after adjusting for non-recurring costs) was approximately A$5.2 million (£3.4 million).  Gross and net assets at 30 June 2012 were approximately A$ 9.4 million (£6.3 million) and A$6.4 million (£4.2 million) respectively.

RPS has acquired the entire share capital of MR for a maximum total consideration of A$£30 million (£19.9 million), all payable in cash.  Consideration paid at completion was A$18 million (£11.4 million), funded from the Group’s existing resources.  Subject to certain operational conditions being met, two further sums of A$6 million (£4.0 million), will be paid on the first and second anniversaries of the transaction.  If these operational conditions are not met, the deferred payments will not be made for 10 years.  The deferred amounts include the payment of market rate interest.  The vendors of the business are directors, staff and former staff.  The director and staff vendors are remaining with RPS.

Alan Hearne, Chief Executive of RPS, commented, “Although parts of the Australian economy are still feeling the effects of the global financial crisis, the RPS board continues to see selective investment in our Australian business as an attractive part of our strategy.  MR has an impressive track record and profile in markets likely to expand in coming years, particularly the provision of water, transport and power supply infrastructure.  We also see significant opportunities to introduce their skills to the energy infrastructure markets on both the east coast and in Western Australia”.

UK, London & Australia, Sydney

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Zimbio acquires online home decor magazine Lonny

July 18, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Zimbio Inc., parent company of entertainment news website, Zimbio.com, and fashion and beauty website StyleBistro.com, announced today it has acquired Lonny, a monthly online magazine that focuses on home decor. Zimbio gains the founding editorial team, the Lonny website, its library of past issues, and an archive of thousands of original photographs.

Launched by designer and editor Michelle Adams and photographer Patrick Cline in October 2009, Lonny has featured the work of design luminaries including Bunny Williams, Kelly Wearstler, Albert Hadley, Vicente Wolf, and Cath Kidston. In just two-and-a-half years, Lonny has developed a passionate following of young, affluent professionals with a special affinity for design. By supplying dynamic, accessible interiors, and consistently unearthing new products and resources, the magazine has introduced a broad range of exciting style discoveries to an enthusiastic readership.

“Lonny’s combination of category-leading editorial and stunning photography has attracted an incredibly loyal and passionate audience. They’ve become hugely influential in a very short time,” said Tony Mamone, CEO of Zimbio. “We plan to leverage our technology platform and publishing tools to grow the content, reach a larger audience, and give Lonny fans more ways to access and interact with it.”

Zimbio plans to invest in the Lonny team and technology, both to grow the existing publication and enhance the web experience with easy access to back issues and a fully searchable image collection. Zimbio also intends to bring Lonny content to more platforms including tablets and smartphones.

Founders Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline will continue to run Lonny. Adams, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Lonny, also started Rubie Green, an organic textiles company.

USA, San Carlos, CA

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Open Air Publishing raises $800,000 in seed financing

July 18, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Digital publisher Open Air Publishing has closed an $800,000 seed round of financing, including investments from SV Angel, Charles River Ventures, and 500 Startups. The New York City-based startup builds interactive how-to books made for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, each featuring video, slideshows, and other highly tappable content.

Since its launch in May 2011, the company has released four fully digital books for iPad. The funding announcement coincides with the release of all four titles for the iPhone:  Master Your DSLR Camera, Speakeasy Cocktails, The Better Bacon Book, and Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide by FOOD52. All have cracked the U.S. top 100 overall rankings on the App Store.

Investors participating in this seed round are: SV Angel, Charles River Ventures, 500 Startups, The Social+Capital Partnership, Richmond Park Partners, David Tisch (BoxGroup), Advancit Capital, DEV (Digital Entertainment Ventures), Graph Ventures, Red Swan, Lars Albright, Sam Stahl, and Josh Mohrer.

“The iOS platform invites a reinvention of the e-book, and Open Air Publishing is building tools and processes to define the publishing/studio hybrid model needed to make true e-book content,” said Jon Feldman, Founder & CEO of Open Air Publishing.  “We’re excited to have this great group of investors and advisors on board as we hit our next phase of growth. We’ve doubled the team to six and plan to have nine new titles out by the end of this year.”

“Our transition into the iPhone market gives us access to a market that is four times the size of the iPad’s,” Feldman said. “This launch will allow us to expand our reach to a larger and more diverse set of readers.”

USA, New York, NY

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Independent News & Media PLC to explore “strategic options” for its South African operation

July 18, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Independent News & Media PLC has just announced announced that it has appointed Investec and Canaccord Genuity Hawkpoint to explore a range of strategic options for its South African operation.

According to the announcement, “This process follows informal and unsolicited expressions of interest in respect of INM SA at a time when INM continues to assess a range of strategic options to delever its balance sheet.  No divestment decisions have been taken by the Company.”

Earlier today INM announced that Donal Buggy is to leave the group on 5th October, He will will be replaced as Group Chief Financial Officer by Eamonn O’Kennedy. Eamonn joined INM in 1999 as Group Finance Manager in the Group’s Head Office. In 2007, he was appointed Finance Director of the Group’s Irish operations and was appointed Finance Director of the Island of Ireland operations in 2011.

UK, London & Ireland, Dublin

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The Dallas Morning New acquires Pegasus News

July 18, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

The Dallas Morning News has acquired Pegasus News, an online news and information business serving Dallas-Fort Worth, from PanLocal Media LLC, a subsidiary of Archstream LLC of Dallas.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Rich Alfano, General Manager of The Dallas Morning News’ Arts and Entertainment business, said, “Pegasus News allows us to reach more consumers and strengthens our ability to provide the latest and most relevant information about places to visit, events, music and restaurants.  Pegasus News’ hyperlocal data provides consumers with information on approximately 225,000 places, 5,000 events, 4,200 restaurants, 2,500 bands and Friday Night specials.”

USA, Dallas, TX

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Publicis Worldwide in the USA, and the Kaplan Thaler Group to merge

July 18, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis New York, part of Publicis Worldwide in the USA, and the Kaplan Thaler Group, part of the Paris-based Publicis Groupe, will merge to form Publicis Kaplan Thaler, effective immediately. The combined New York-based entity, with over 650 employees, becomes the U.S. flagship agency within the Publicis Worldwide Network of over 200 offices in 82 countries. Publicis Kaplan Thaler will be Publicis Worldwide in the USA’s flagship New York agency.

Publicis Kaplan Thaler will be led by Linda Kaplan Thaler as Chairman and Robin Koval as CEO. Rob Feakins, President and Chief Creative Officer for Publicis New York will continue in that role and lead creative for the expanded entity.

Susan Gianinno, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Worldwide in the USA stated, “Publicis Kaplan Thaler will build on the strong performances of Publicis New York, which includes the successful integration of digital agency Modem, and the Kaplan Thaler Group, to create a more dynamic New York base. Publicis Kaplan Thaler is poised to lead the change for its clients and the industry.”

In making the announcement, Publicis Groupe COO and Executive Chairman of Publicis Worldwide, Jean-Yves Naouri, said, “New York is the largest communications community in the world. We are deeply committed to building a stronger base of operations in this market – one that attracts and retains the best talent in the world to build our clients’ brands.”

Publicis Kaplan Thaler is designing new offices and will be headquartered in one location starting in early 2013.

France, Paris & USA, New York, NY

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Publicis Groupe acquires CNC – Communications & Network Consulting AG

July 18, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis Groupe has acquired strategic communications consultancy CNC – Communications & Network Consulting AG . CNC will become part of MSLGROUP, the strategic communications network of Publicis Groupe. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Munich, CNC is an international strategic communications consultancy group. CNC, which employs around 100 professionals, is present in 14 cities across Europe, Asia, North and South America. Since its founding in 2002, the consultancy has regularly achieved double-digit annual growth.

CNC advises large corporations, mid-cap companies, institutions and individuals on all aspects of strategic communications within their specific markets. CNC’s services range from strategic communications and reputation management to financial communications, crisis counseling including litigation advisory, branding and public affairs.

CNC has been involved in more than 100 German IPO transactions with a total volume of more than €180 billion and has a particularly strong focus on cross-border mandates.

CNC will be aligned to MSLGROUP. Its leadership under CEO Dr. Christoph Walther remains unchanged.  MSLGROUP CEO Olivier Fleurot and MSLGROUP President for the EMEA region, Anders Kempe, will join CNC’s supervisory board where Mr Kempe will become Chairman.

Maurice Levy, Publicis Groupe Chairman and CEO, said,”CNC is one of the premier strategic and financial public relations firms in Europe, with a client base that is outstanding. I have followed CNC’s success story with interest and I am impressed by the company’s entrepreneurial spirit. The skill set will fit perfectly into our group and our strategy to make Germany one of our key hubs.”

France, Paris and Germany, Munich

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