Evolve Media acquires BabyandBump.com

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Evolve Media has acquired BabyandBump.com, which will become a part of its Momtastic division, an online destination and community for mothers.

BabyandBump.com is an online community dedicated to offering a friendly environment for both current and expecting mothers to engage in discussions about all things family related. Launched in 2007 by a set of expecting parents, BabyandBump has grown to become a leading destination for mothers seeking to read and discuss a variety of topics ranging from conception and pregnancy to parenting and family.

“BabyandBump.com is a perfect example of what Momtastic represents: a rapidly growing community that continuously keeps its female users drawn in through fresh conversations and engaging topics,” says Brian Fitzgerald, President and Co-Founder of Evolve Media Corp. “We are excited to welcome BabyandBump.com into the Momtastic family, and look forward to having its community further enrich our pregnancy and parenting offerings.”

The acquisition of BabyandBump.com follows Evolve’s recent acquisition of PregnancyForum.co.uk, a UK-based pregnancy community website.

USA, Los Angeles, CA

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Advantage IQ and Ecos to become Ecova

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Advantage IQ, a utility expense, energy and sustainability management firm serving large commercial and industrial companies throughout North America, and Ecos, an Advantage IQ subsidiary delivering electric and gas utility demand-side management services, are joining forces to become Ecova.

“As Ecova we can leverage the deep expertise of several incredible companies working in both energy supply and demand-side management, for a comprehensive solution to help our customers see more, save more, and sustain more,” said Jeff Heggedahl, CEO of Ecova. “The world is changing. Financial pressures are causing companies and utilities to look more closely at how they can save money and resources. Energy management is a key strategy for cost-savings—and a way for organizations to improve their environmental performance and reputations with stakeholders.”

Ecova’s subsidiary, Ecos, will immediately begin merging its operations into Ecova but continue as a separate legal entity through the end of the year. Ecova is the largest non-regulated subsidiary of Avista Corp.

USA, Spokane, WA

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GE Energy Financial Services acquires portfolio of performing energy project finance assets

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE, is acquiring a diverse pool of nearly $1 billion in senior secured energy project finance assets located in more than a dozen countries. GE Energy Financial Services is acquiring the portfolio from the Bank of Ireland, which is selling non-core loans as part of its de-leveraging plan.

The loans are secured by long-lived energy infrastructure assets with an average loan size of approximately $35 million.

“With our industry expertise and specific knowledge of these assets, we see great value in this transaction and were able to execute in a timely and efficient manner. These assets increase our portfolio and make us more globally diverse,” said Matt O’Connor, a managing director and leader of the Financial Institutions Group at GE Energy Financial Services.

GE Energy Financial Services’ debt finance group provides a full complement of debt products and services to the energy industry, including corporate, structured, project, and acquisition financing. Its GE Capital Markets affiliate provides arranging and syndication services for many of these facilities.

USA, Stamford, CT

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Matchbin acquires NAVTEQ’s Radio and Television Advertising Group to form Radiate Media

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Matchbin, a provider of content management, advertising and local marketplace solutions for media companies, has acquired NAVTEQ’s Radio and Television Advertising Group, which as part of NAVTEQ Media Solutions provides content and advertising solutions for broadcast radio and television, forming Radiate Media, a media technology services company.

“Technology is changing the way advertisers, large and small, can promote themselves,” said Chris Rothey, former head of NAVTEQ Media Solutions, who will become Radiate Media’s new chief executive officer. “This enhanced offering will help our media partners revolutionize the industry in this evolving landscape and build strong relationships with local businesses.”

USA, Malvern, PA

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Reader’s Digest Association plans to sell Allrecipes

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet
The Board of Directors of The Reader’s Digest Association has initiated a process to explore a possible sale of Allrecipes in order to accelerate its focus on its master brand strategy.

“The exploration of a sale of Allrecipes demonstrates our commitment to enhancing shareholder value and sharpening our strategic and financial focus on our core master brands, such as Reader’s Digest, Taste of Home and The Family Handyman,” said Robert E. Guth, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Allrecipes is a terrific business with an exceptional team, and impressive user growth over the last five years. We believe there will be strong interest in this category-leading asset.”

“Allrecipes has thrived over the last six years under the RDA umbrella,” said Lisa Sharples, President, Allrecipes. “We are excited about building on our significant success in expanding our user community to date and look forward to growing the Allrecipes brand with a new partner.”

Allrecipes is the world’s largest digital food brand, with over 24 million monthly unique users globally, nine million downloads of mobile apps, the number one how-to recipe channel on YouTube, and receives 700 million annual visits from home cooks who discover and share food experiences through recipes, reviews, photos, profiles, and blog posts. For 14 years, the Seattle-based site has served as a dynamic, indispensable resource for cooks of all skill levels seeking everyday and special occasion meal solutions, plus practical cooking information.

Morgan Stanley and Evercore Partners are acting as financial advisors to assist the Company with the strategic review process.

USA, New York, NY & Seattle, WA

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kgbdeals acquires New York City’s TheDealist

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

kgbdeals has acquired TheDealist, a New York City based independent daily deal website.  The acquisition further expands kgbdeals’ presence in New York City, which was its first market to launch in 2010.

Patrick Albus, CEO, kgbdeals USA said,  “We welcome TheDealist’s members and merchant partners to the kgbdeals family, and look forward to providing them with an expanded range of products and services.  We are also excited to add innovative co-founders, Eli Brill and Isabella Chung, to our leadership team.”

USA, New York, NY

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Berkery Noyes releases third quarter 2011 M&A Update for the Media & Marketing Industry

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Berkery Noyes has released its Third Quarter 2011 Mergers and Acquisitions Update for the Media & Marketing Services Industry.

The report analyses merger and acquisition activity in the sector across the three-month period and compares it with similar activity for the six previous quarters.

Overall, the report showed third quarter transaction volume in the Media & Marketing Services Industry increased 14 percent over the previous period, a partial recovery from the second quarter’s 24 percent decline. Transaction value, however, fell 23 percent in the third quarter, sliding from $13.5 billion to $10.4 billion.

Enterprise value multiples have been rising on a yearly basis according to Berkery Noyes research. Third quarter transactions in the Media & Marketing space commanded a median EBITDA multiple of 14.5, a 58 percent increase over the previous quarter, and a revenue multiple of 2.2, which continues to be the highest revenue multiple in the last seven quarters.

Publicis Groupe SA announced the most acquisitions in the Media & Marketing sector, with a total of 17 transactions year-to-date according to the report. The firm’s most recent purchases include Schwartz Communications, Inc., one of the largest independent public relations agencies in the U.S., and DPZ, one of Brazil’s leading advertising agencies.

“Interestingly, DPZ was Publicis Groupe’s third acquisition this year in Brazil,” said Berkery Noyes Managing Director Evan Klein. “As one of the top ten ad markets in the world, I have to think Brazil will continue to garner interest from advertising agencies in the near term.”

Third Quarter Key Highlights

  • The most active acquirer through Q3 2011 was Publicis Groupe SA with 17 acquisitions, including the acquisitions of Schwartz Communications, Inc., and DPZ during Q3 2011. Publicis Groupe SA also became majority stakeholder in Big Fuel Communications, LLC, and Spillmann/Felser/ Leo Burnett.
  • The largest Q3 2011 transaction was Bloomberg L.P.’s acquisition of BNA, Inc. for $963 million.
  • There were 124 financially sponsored transactions in the 1st 3 Quarters of 2011, with an aggregate value of $8.74 billion, representing 12 percent of the total volume and 24 percent of the total value, respectively.

A copy of the Third Quarter 2011 Media & Marketing Services Industry M&A Update is available here.

USA, New York, NY

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PennWell Acquires LED Lighting Event – The LED Show

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

PennWell Corporation, a diversified global media and information company, announced today that it has acquired the assets of The LED Show, a conference and exhibition serving the lighting design and technology segment of the LED industry.

Launched in 2009 by lighting designer and founder James Highgate, The LED Show is held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada and attracts leading LED manufacturers displaying the latest technology and products.  The LED Show was last held in July 2011 for architects, electrical engineers, home builders, hotel engineers and designers, with 87 exhibitors and an attendance of more than 3,000 from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Korea, Japan, China, England, The Netherlands and Greece.  The 2012 LED Show will take place July 30-August 1, 2012, again in Las Vegas, and Highgate will continue as a consultant to PennWell.

The LED Show is PennWell’s third acquisition in the LED and lighting industry and will be part of its LEDs & Lighting Media Group which includes the Strategies in Light conferences and exhibitions held annually in the U.S., Europe, Japan and China; the Strategies Unlimited research company focused on photonics, LEDs and lighting; and LEDs Magazine, the leading magazine and website for the global LED industry. PennWell will manage the business from its Technology Group offices in Nashua, New Hampshire under the direction of Christine Shaw, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher, LEDs & Lighting Media Group.

PennWell President and CEO Robert F. Biolchini said, “The acquisition of The LED Show expands our presence in the fastest growing segment of the LED industry, as advances in lighting technology and design are expected to proliferate over the next decade.  We look forward to marrying PennWell’s conference and exhibition capabilities with James Highgate’s deep knowledge of the manufacturers and lighting specialists that will ensure the continued growth of this event.  With the addition of The LED Show to our portfolio, PennWell has achieved a dominant position serving the full spectrum of the LED industry.”

USA, Tulsa, OK

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Ogilvy & Mather Russia to acquire digital agency Promo Interactive

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Ogilvy & Mather Russia is to acquire Promo Digital LLC, trading as Promo Interactive, formerly a part of the Next Media Group, subject to regulatory approvals.

The proposed acquisition will significantly strengthen Ogilvy’s digital offering to its clients. Promo Interactive is one of Russia’s leading digital agencies with a team of 53 employees and prestigious clients such as MTS, LG and Gazprom. The agency has a history of heavily investing in R&D, placing it in a position to offer clients state-of-the-art digital solutions in multi-media, mobile and infotainment.

Following completion, Promo Interactive and OgilvyInteractive will have a combined 71 employees, offering a broad scope of digital services.

Tatiana Azarova, OgilvyInteractive/OgilvyOne’s Managing Director said: “The addition of Promo Interactive will greatly enhance our digital offer. Evgeny and I have already discovered many opportunities to offer our clients solutions that will enhance the efficiency of digital channels. Together we will have the team to make digital work much more productively to deliver the results that clients now need.”

In commenting on the proposed acquisition, Miles Young, Global CEO of Ogilvy & Mather said, “We very much see Russia as a priority market in the context of our BRIC strategy. In this respect, digital is particularly important for our clients who are seeking to grow in Russia. Promo Interactive is quite simply the best independent company in the market, it’s one that we’ve been following for a long time and it will significantly enhance our ability to create end-to-end programs in the Russian Federation.”

Russia, Moscow

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Silverpop acquires location-based marketing platform PlacePunch

October 26, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Silverpop, a provider of a scalable, integrated email marketing and marketing automation platform, today announced its acquisition of Atlanta-based PlacePunch, a location-based marketing platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PlacePunch makes it easy to engage customers via location check-ins incorporated into multi-channel campaigns. Its suite of marketing programs instantly works across all major location-based social networks such as Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter.

“Today, marketers must listen carefully to their customers and deliver the most relevant content at the moment they want it most,” said Bill Nussey, president and CEO of Silverpop. “Our acquisition of PlacePunch, a true pioneer in the location-based marketing space, provides a remarkably powerful opportunity for our customers to market to people who have clearly indicated an interest in their company and a desire to purchase its products or services.”

Co-founder Adam Steinberg will be joining Silverpop as Segment Marketing Director for Social Media. Co-founder Chris Glace will serve as a Product Innovation Architect after integrating PlacePunch into Silverpop Engage.

USA, Atlanta, GA

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