Thomson Reuters has completed its acquisition of Manatron

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Thomson Reuters has completed its acquisition of Manatron following regulatory clearance in the U.S. and Ukraine.

Manatron is a provider of property tax automation and land registry software for governments and municipalities around the world, and was acquired from Thoma Bravo LLC, a private equity firm.

Manatron’s flagship solution, Government Revenue Management (GRM), is an integrated suite of web-based property recording, assessment and tax software that automates the operational, informational, and planning needs for assessors, auditors, treasurers, tax collectors and other government officials. Manatron’s software solutions are being used by governments to replace antiquated systems to help improve customer service, streamline processes and manage the growing velocity of legislative changes.

“The government tax automation space is a growing sector and a natural fit with our strategy to improve workflow efficiency for our clients through innovative technology,” said Brian Peccarelli, president of the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters.

The acquisition of Manatron will strengthen the expanding Tax & Accounting business as well as create a new government business group headed by Bill McKinzie, senior vice president and general manager of the government sector for the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters.

USA, New York, NY

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Live Gamer acquires gamerDNA Media and BrandPort

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Live Gamer has acquired New York-based video game ad network gamerDNA Media, and engagement advertising platform BrandPort. The two additions will form Live Gamer Media, a new business unit complementing Live Gamer’s microtransaction offerings.

The pairing of gamerDNA Media and BrandPort offers advertisers a single source for targeting gamers, including both hardcore gamers, and casual/social gamers.

“Launching Live Gamer Media through the acquisitions of two impressive companies — gamerDNA and BrandPort — offers advertisers a one-stop partner for connecting with gamers in a whole new way,” said Andrew Schneider, president and co-founder of Live Gamer, “We’ve brought together the reach of display with the innovation and high-engagement levels of virtual goods incentive video — both gamers and advertisers win.”

USA, New York, NY

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FriendFinder Networks acquires PerfectMatch.com

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

FriendFinder Networks has acquired PerfectMatch.com from Matrima, Inc. PerfectMatch.com is an online relationship service helping adults seeking successful, lasting connections.

“This is an exciting opportunity for FriendFinder Networks as it expands our presence in the general audience social networking arena,” says Marc Bell, Chief Executive Officer of FriendFinder Networks Inc. “This is the first step in an acquisition strategy that will strengthen our business and continue our growth.”

PerfectMatch.com founder Duane Dahl will join FriendFinder Networks as General Manager of the Company’s general audience dating websites group.

USA, Sunnyvale, CA

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Half Year M&A Trends Report for the Financial Technology and Information Industry

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Berkery Noyes has released its Half Year Mergers and Acquisitions Trends Report for the Financial Technology and Information Industry.

The report analyses merger and acquisition activity in the Financial Technology and Information market over the first half of 2011 and compares it with activity in the four previous sixth-month periods. This market includes information and technology companies in capital markets, payments, banking, insurance and other related professional financial services.

Berkery Noyes data shows that while total transaction volume for the period remained largely unchanged, transaction value nearly tripled, jumping from $7.0 billion in 2nd Half 2010 to $19.5 billion this period. The 187 percent increase can be attributed primarily to Deutsche Borse Group’s announced merger with NYSE Euronext for $12.4 billion.

Fiserv, Inc., a leading provider of financial technology solutions, was the most active acquirer in 1st Half 2011, with four purchases: CashEdge, Inc., Credit Union On-Line, Inc., Mobile Commerce Ltd, and Maverick Network Solutions.

For the full two-and-a-half period covered by the report, Morningstar, Inc., was the sector’s most active acquirer. The investment research and financial news provider made nine acquisitions.

A copy of the First Half 2011 Financial Technology and Information Industry M&A Report is available here.

USA, New York

 

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Move acquires social search platform SocialBios

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Move, Inc., an online real estate firm, has acquired SocialBios, a social search platform. SocialBios allows individuals and companies to create one social hub for their  online profiles through interactive ‘About Us’ pages that simplify the discovery of shared connections on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare and Google without sacrificing their privacy. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Real estate is inherently a social business. Today’s search experience is highly interactive and instant with the explosion of mobile in real estate. We’re uniquely positioned to lead our industry and connect people naturally through their social graph,” said Scott Boecker, chief product officer at Move, Inc.  “This acquisition brings a new element of discovery and creativity to our online real estate marketplace as we evolve our web, mobile and social search experiences.”

As part of the acquisition, SocialBios founder Ernie Graham and co-founders Ira McMahon and Andrew Van Tassel have joined the product development team at Move, Inc. Graham, who will head up Move’s social product strategy and development team, will work with the Move’s franchise and broker customers to develop social graphing strategies that help them facilitate more connections between their agents and brokers with consumers.

The SocialBios office and team of social experts will be based in Denver, Colorado. The SocialBios website, products and brand will remain in production and available to real estate professionals.

USA, Cambpell, CA & Denver, CO

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USA: Publicis acquires an equity stake in social media agency Big Fuel

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis Groupe has acquired an equity stake in Big Fuel, the New York-based social media agency. According to the terms of the agreement, Publicis Groupe immediately acquires 51% of the new agency, and has the possibility of increasing its participation to 100% from 2014. Big Fuel will be aligned under the VivaKi organization and serve as a strategic social media “center” for the VivaKi agencies Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and Zenith Optimedia, complementing their existing teams.

With more than 170 employees, Big Fuel is a pure-play social media agency, with all employees dedicated to providing clients with social media services including strategic, creative, distribution, management and analytics. The company has grown from 30 employees in early 2010, and its 2011 revenue is expected to reach nearly $30M, a 500% increase year-on-year. It has been named social media agency of record for some major marketers, including GM and T-Mobile. Big Fuel also works with Colgate-Palmolive, Microsoft, Clorox, Children’s Place, Gore-Tex and Philips.

Big Fuel is headed by Jon Bond, CEO, who assumed the role in January of 2011. Bond runs the agency in partnership with Avi Savar, founding partner and Chief Creative Officer, and Mike McGraw, managing partner and COO.  Big Fuel will report into the VivaKi organization through Laura Lang, global CEO of Digitas and member of the VivaKi Board of Directors.

“Big Fuel is a dynamic social media agency with a scalable model that encompasses social tools, process, a content studio and a distribution network. As a result, it will extend the creative and content resourcing of Digitas and Razorfish,”said Laura Lang.  “They specialize in taking brands from content to commerce, and their social media operating system has earned them Social AOR status with some of the world’s most powerful marketers.  Sitting inside VivaKi, with its powerful media and digital agency networks, Big Fuel gives us unprecedented Paid, Owned and Earned capabilities, further enhancing the social media strategies of its sister agencies.”

Jon Bond, CEO of Big Fuel, says the deal will help support Big Fuel’s rapid organic growth. “Big Fuel’s founder Avi Savar had the vision to create one of the first full-service social media agencies,” said Bond.  “Now that social is revolutionising global marketing, this partnership gives the agency and its clients scale, impact, and a network around the world.”

France, Paris & USA, New York, NY

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Sandow to acquire branding agency Seesaw

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Sandow is to acquire Seesaw, a leading full-service digital strategy and media agency built on brand development and product innovation, graphic and industrial design and full-service web, design and development. Seesaw will be re-branded as Wonder. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wonder strengthens and extends the marketing platform Sandow, coming shortly after the recent acquisitions of Materials Connexion and Culture & Commerce. While Wonder will remain primarily externally focused, it will also provide a range of marketing services to support and enhance the Sandow brands.

“Wonder is a unique company that understands the value of innovation, which is why they will be a core asset to Sandow,” saidAdam I. Sandow, Chairman and CEO of Sandow Media. “This acquisition shows our commitment to expanding our presence within the branding, design and digital industry, and our integrated resources will lead to substantial agency growth under the leadership of Randy Herbertson and Chris Dowling.”

USA, New York, NY

 

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Publicis Groupe acquires a majority stake in DPZ

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis Groupe has acquired a majority stake in DPZ, one of Brazil’sleading advertising agencies. According to the terms of the agreement, Publicis Groupe immediately acquires 70% of the new agency, and has the possibility of increasing its participation to 100% over the next two or three years. DPZ will retain its name and will operate within Publicis Groupe on a stand-alone basis.  The agency remains under the leadership of its three foundersRoberto Duailibi, Francesc Petit and José Zaragoza, and the management of current CEO Flavio Conti.

Founded in 1968, DPZ is one of the largest independent advertising agencies in Brazil with approximately 230 employees. The agency is headquartered in São Paulo, with offices in Rio, Brasilia and Vitoria. DPZ’s key clients include prominent international and local brands such as Azul Linhas aéreas (airline), Bombril (cleaning products), Campari, Coca-Cola, Itaú (banking), Sadia (food and beverage), Vivo (telecommunications). The agency has seen double-digit organic growth over the past three years, and DPZ’s 2011 revenue is expected to reach €40 M, with margins above those of Publicis Groupe’s average.

DPZ has received a long list of industry accolades, making it one of the most-awarded agencies in Brazil. Known for its innovative and irreverent style, the agency won its first Cannes Lion in 1972, and Brazil’s first gold Cannes Lion in 1975.  DPZ has also been repeatedly recognized at the Brazilian “Colunistas” award, the most important award within the Brazilian ad industry, as well as the “Cabore” awards (another very important national award). The agency’s well-established reputation illustrates its strong and lively creativity.

The history of DPZ is intertwined with the history of Brazilian advertising. DPZ has not only become an icon for the advertising industry in Brazil, but also a reference in Brazilian advertising for the rest of the world. During its 43 years of history, DPZ has participated in creating prestigious brands and some of the most memorable campaigns and characters of Brazilian advertising. DPZ has also served as a university for Brazil’s marketing community, as many of the country’s leading ad men and women initially trained at DPZ.

The acquisition of DPZ illustrates Publicis Groupe’s strategic commitment to expanding its operations in the dynamic Brazilian market and across Latin America. Today’s announcement is the fourth transaction for Publicis Groupe this year in Brazil, following the acquisitions of Tailor Made and GP7, as well as the increased participation (60%) in Talent Group.

According to the most recent ZenithOptimedia forecasts (April 2011), Brazil will have a 9.5% increase over the course of 2011, followed by 7.0% and 7.2% growth in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Brazil is growing fast and is expected to become the sixth ad market in the world in 2011. Brazil is already Publicis Groupe’s sixth largest market with nearly 1,500 permanent employees throughout the country.

Maurice Lévy, Chairman & CEO of Publicis Groupe declared, “Our strategy is to strengthen our two pillars of growth: digital and fast-growing markets. Brazilalong with China are of utmost importance to Publicis Groupe. This acquisition is a key step of our expansion into this promising market. DPZ‘s exceptional creativity and iconic status put Publicis Groupe in a stronger position to provide the very best to our clients and to attract talent and grow organically. We are proud that DPZ – after a thorough process –chose to join Publicis Groupe, and we are pleased to welcome the agency‘s management and teams on board.  We are committed to Brazil not only because of the exceptional growth of this important market, but also because it is a formidable reservoir of talent and a country of entrepreneurs with great brands and ambitious companies.“

The founders of DPZ, José Zaragoza, Francesc Petit and Roberto Duailibi added, “We are very happy about joining Publicis Groupe and adding to its global reach and considerable resources. DPZ sees this association as a wonderful opportunity for both our teams and our clients, especially given the powerful resonance of the Publicis Groupe brand all over the world.”

France Paris & Brazil, São Paulo

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Zondervan acquires The Beginner’s Bible

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

The Beginner’s Bible has been acquired from Mission City Press by Christian children’s publisher Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan.

The concept for the product was first developed in 1985 and The Beginner’s Bible was introduced in 1989 as a complete storybook Bible.  Zondervan entered into a distribution agreement with Mission City Press in 1997 and has served as the exclusive publisher of The Beginner’s Bible since 2004 with Zondervan’s children’s group, Zonderkidz, managing the publishing program.  To date, over six million copies of The Beginner’s Bible have sold in all editions and it is available in more than 20 languages worldwide.

“Zondervan has enjoyed a great partnership with Mission City Press as both organizations have long shared a common vision to bring God’s Word to life to the youngest generation,” said Scott Macdonald, President and CEO of Zondervan.  “We are honored that Mission City Press trusts us to carry forward this wonderful brand and we intend to continue to enhance and develop it to impact more young hearts for Christ.”

USA, Grand Rapids, MI

 

 

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WeddingWire acquires ProjectWedding.com

July 19, 2011 — Fusion DigiNet

WeddingWire, a wedding technology company, has acquired ProjectWedding.com. Project Wedding, formerly a wedding property of eHarmony, Inc. and network partner of WeddingWire, provides wedding ideas, inspiration and advice for engaged couples.

“The WeddingWire team is thrilled to welcome Project Wedding to the WeddingWire family of brands,” says Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire.  “This acquisition joins together two of the largest online wedding properties.  For our local and national advertisers, we now offer significantly greater reach and scale.  For our engaged couples, we will continue to invest in the unique and thriving communities on both properties.”

Over 1 million brides and grooms visit Project Wedding each month to interact with the supportive community, read curated editorial content and find the best local wedding professionals.  The acquisition of Project Wedding continues the rapid growth of WeddingWire’s digital footprint, which includes leading wedding planning sites, social media applications and mobile offerings.

“WeddingWire is an innovative leader in the wedding category and will continue to make Project Wedding a valuable resource for brides who want to find the best local vendors to make their wedding days memorable,” says Greg Steiner, eHarmony’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

USA, Bethesda, MD

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