Publicis Groupe acquires Eastwei Relations

November 19, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Publicis Groupe today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Eastwei Relations, one of China’s first independent public relations and strategic communications consultancies. Eastwei will be renamed Eastwei MSL and will be aligned under MSLGROUP, Publicis Groupe’s leading specialty communications, PR and events network.

Founded in 1994, Eastwei today employs more than 120 staff across its four offices in Beijing (its headquarters), Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. Eastwei’s key clients include IKEA, Sony, Singapore Tourism Bureau and Porsche. Over the last 15 years, Eastwei consultants have developed a wide range of China-specific, proprietary tools, processes and software for managing strategic communications campaigns. Last year, leading PR industry analyst, The Holmes Report, named Eastwei 2009 China Consultancy of the Year.

Johan Bjorksten, Founder and Chairman of Eastwei, has been working in China for more than 20 years and is recognized as one of the most successful foreign businessmen in the country. Bjorksten is a founding member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and a board member and China advisor to numerous international companies and organizations. Bjorksten is also a media celebrity in China, having hosted more than 400 of his own weekly Chinese TV and radio shows, and has written several books on Chinese business and language, including the recent local bestseller How to Manage a Successful Business in China. Following the acquisition, Johan Bjorksten will report to Glenn Osaki, President MSLGROUP Asia.

Olivier Fleurot, Chief Executive Officer, MSLGROUP, remarked, “Today marks the second investment in as many months by MSLGROUP in strengthening capabilities in the Asia region, following the acquisitions of 20:20 MEDIA and 2020Social in India. Eastwei MSL will become a key hub in the MSLGROUP global network for insight, strategic counsel and campaign execution in China and bring added service offerings to our clients in this important market.”

China has one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing communications markets in the world. According to ZenithOptimedia forecasts (October 2010), Chinese ad market year-on-year growth is expected to reach 14% in 2010, 13.4% in 2011 and 17.7% in 2012. Publicis Groupe is present in China through all of its global networks. The Groupe employs more than 3,700 professionals throughout more than 50 cities (including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou).

China, Beijing & France, Paris

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Expedia to acquire mobile travel apps business Mobiata

November 19, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Expedia has entered into an agreement to acquire Mobiata, creator of best selling mobile travel applications including FlightTrack. The deal marks Expedia’s most significant investment to date in addressing the mobile travel market, and accelerates the company’s ability to enable mobile travel shopping and booking across multiple platforms.

“With the pace at which mobile traffic to Expedia sites is exploding, we wanted the right team to help us address the sizable opportunity swiftly and successfully,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Expedia, Inc. “There’s simply no better company out there doing mobile travel apps with the same level of design sensibility and utility as Mobiata.”

In its first two years since it was founded in 2008, Mobiata has developed a host of best selling travel apps, including FlightTrack, which has ranked a Top 5 best selling iPhone travel app for 18 months straight; best selling itinerary manager app TripDeck™ and best selling hotel booking app HotelPal™.

“We are thrilled to be joining the biggest and best online travel company while maintaining the creative passion for mobile travel apps that makes Mobiata unique,” said Ben Kazez, president and founder of Mobiata. “Together with Expedia, we believe we can continue to revolutionize the way people plan, book, and manage travel – from anywhere on any device.”

Mobile traffic currently accounts for approximately four percent of all visitors to Expedia.com®, with mobile bookings up in 2010 nearly five times over the previous year. “Mobile and travel are just made for each other,” said Joe Megibow, VP of Global Analytics and Optimization for Expedia®. “The mobile device is always with us; it’s always on. Getting mobile right for our customers is something we take very seriously.”

With its experience offering mobile travel design and development services to third parties, Mobiata brings to Expedia the proven ability to design and execute the most compelling travel apps available to mobile users.

Mobiata will remain in its headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

USA, Ann Abbor, MI & Bellevue, WA

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Sittercity acquires in-home care website Sitters.com

November 19, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Sittercity.com has acquired Sitters.com website. Sitters.com is the third-largest in-home care website and has developed a significant sitter and parent network throughout its almost 10 year history. This acquisition will expand Sittercity’s current database of close to 2 million users. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sittercity.com helps people in need find experienced babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, dog walkers, housekeepers and tutors nationwide.

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of Sitters.com,” said Martin Clifford, CEO of Sittercity. “It significantly expands our portfolio and strengthens Sittercity’s competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

“For almost a decade, Sitters.com and Sittercity.com have been pioneers of the in-home online care industry,” said Mike Cravens, founder of Sitters.com. “Our two companies have revolutionized the manner in which parents and individuals are able to find in-home care providers, giving them the tools they need to find a safe, reliable sitter in their neighborhood.”

Cravens will become a strategic advisor to Sittercity as well as a stockholder.

USA, Chicago, IL

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Thomson Reuters Acquires Pangea3

November 19, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Thomson Reuters has acquired Pangea3, a fast-growing legal process outsourcing (LPO) provider serving corporate legal departments and law firms worldwide. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition extends the Thomson Reuters strategy to develop world-class information, software and workflow solutions for legal professionals around the world. Pangea3 is headquartered in New York and Mumbai, India, and has 650 employees at its major delivery centers in Mumbai and New Delhi. Pangea3’s client base includes Am Law 250 law firms and some of the world’s largest financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, food and beverage, technology and consumer goods companies. The firm offers a variety of services organized into four distinct lines of business including legal document review; corporate transactions; intellectual property; and risk management and compliance.

Peter Warwick, president and chief executive officer of Thomson Reuters, Legal, said legal process outsourcing adds a vital strategic complement to the Thomson Reuters portfolio of specialized information and workflow solutions, and will be key to helping law firms and corporate legal departments be more responsive and cost-effective. “Pangea3 is true to our mission to help the legal system perform better, every day, worldwide; we will now bring to the legal marketplace a responsive, high-quality, transformative resource for a broad range of legal support work. This is particularly important as law firms and general counsel adjust to the realities of the ‘new normal,’ where efficiency, quality and responsiveness are paramount,” he noted.

Pangea3 is seen as the world standard in the LPO marketplace, which is growing at more than 20 percent annually and projected to exceed U.S. $1 billion this year.

“The addition of Pangea3 to the Thomson Reuters family creates a solid foundation in the global solutions suite that is a perfect fit in our long-term growth strategy,” said Tony Abena, president and general manager, Global Legal Solutions. “With overlays in key  segments including our Corporate General Counsel, IP Solutions, Governance, Risk and Compliance and Law Firm businesses, we’re aligning ourselves more closely into general counsel and law firm workflows. Pangea3 brings to Thomson Reuters a broad and rapidly growing client base, and a reputation that is unmatched in the LPO marketplace. I’m very pleased to welcome the Pangea3 team to Thomson Reuters.”

“Joining forces with Thomson Reuters will further accelerate and expand our ability to provide impactful and transformative solutions to our corporate and law firm clients,” said David Perla and Sanjay Kamlani, co-CEOs of Pangea3. “Thomson Reuters is the perfect partner for Pangea3’s clients and team-members to continue to grow and solve the increasingly complex and expensive challenges facing legal professionals around the globe.”

“Pangea3 has been a valued provider for me, and is an attractive alternative for my clients,” said Jeff Jaeckel, a partner at Morrison & Foerster and head of Morrison & Foerster’s Washington, D.C. and Virginia Litigation Department. “We look forward to even bigger and better solutions as Pangea3 joins forces with Thomson Reuters.”

Founded in 2004 by Perla, formerly Monster.com vice president, Business & Legal Affairs, and Kamlani, who was OfficeTiger CFO and general counsel, Pangea3’s team of top-tier legal talent uses rigorous Six Sigma methodologies to ensure high-quality legal services. Perla and Kamlani will continue in their current roles, and all 650 Pangea3 employees will join Thomson Reuters, remaining based in their New York, Mumbai and New Delhi offices.
India, Mumbai & USA, New York, NY

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ZeniMax Media acquires game publisher Bethesda Softworks

November 19, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

ZeniMax Media Acquires European StudiZeniMax Media, parent company of noted game publisher Bethesda Softworks, today announced it has acquired a European development studio, MachineGames, based in Uppsala, Sweden.

Established in 2009 by the founding members of Starbreeze Studios, the creative team behind the award-winning title, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher’s Bay and the highly-regarded game, The Darkness, MachineGames is working on an unannounced project for ZeniMax publishing subsidiary, Bethesda Softworks, that is being built on id Software’s revolutionary id Tech® 5 engine technology.

Jerk Gustafsson, the studio’s CEO who will also oversee development as Executive Producer, expressed his studio’s enthusiasm at joining ZeniMax by saying, “Working with our new colleagues at id and the world class publisher, Bethesda Softworks, is a tremendous opportunity.”

“MachineGames has assembled a dedicated team that has extensive experience working together to produce quality games. We are excited to create a new AAA title for gamers on id Tech 5 that will push the game development envelope,” Gustafsson continued.

MachineGames joins a group of high-profile development studios which includes Bethesda Game Studios®, id® Software, Arkane® Studios and Tango Gameworks™. This deal reinforces Bethesda’s commitment to delivering premier titles to gamers worldwide.

“MachineGames shares our passion for creating ground-breaking gaming experiences,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “We are excited to have these accomplished industry veterans join ZeniMax Media’s group of world-class studios.”

Sweden, Uppsala & USA, Rockville, MD

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NBCU acquires TV prodco Monkey Kingdom

November 19, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

NBC Universal has acquired indie Monkey Kingdom for an undisclosed sum. Under the erms of the agreement NBCU will acquire 100% of the company and all Monkey library rights. This is NBCU’s second UK prodution company acquisition. NBCU also acquired Carnival Film & Television in 2008. It is the first acquisition by the studio since the appointment of Michael Edelstein as NBCU president of international TV production.

Monkey Kingdom was founded in 2001 by producers David Granger and Will Macdonald. The company delivers scripted, factual and entertainment programming in both the UK and the USA. Monkey has a proven ability to produce a wide range of content, as diverse as The Charlotte Church Show, The House Of Obsessive Compulsives, The Secret World of Sam King and Prince Charles’ Other Mistress, ensuring that ideas will always be given the best possible creative and production support.

UK, London & USA, New York, NY

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Federated Media acquires Foodbuzz

November 18, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Federated Media has acquired Foodbuzz, an online food community that, according to Federated Media, is the fastest growing in its space.

Foodbuzz has more than 4,400 independent food bloggers reaching more than 14 million unique users per month. Combined with Federated Media’s premier food sites, including Serious Eats and Bakerella, the new offering will give marketers increased opportunities to engage with audiences sharing recipes and recommendations.

Federated Media’s purchase of Foodbuzz comes on the heels of three other significant transactions: the acquisition of BigTent, the leading community platform for local groups, especially groups of parents; the acquisition of semantic-search technology from TextDigger; and a partnership with the Clever Girls Collective to reach audiences on more than 1,000 top-quality lifestyle blogs.

USA, San Francisco, CA

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UBM acquires Publishing Expo tradeshow for £320,000

November 11, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

United Business Media has acquired Publishing Expo, a tradeshow serving the UK publishing industry. UBM is acquiring the event on behalf of UBM Live from Legend Exhibitions Ltd for a total cash consideration of £320,000.

First staged in 2006, Publishing Expo () is the only major exhibition in the UK dedicated to the full range of digital and print publishing solutions. It comprises a two day exhibition and a free seminar programme addressing key issues in the publishing industries, as well as providing an opportunity to meet suppliers from all segments of digital and traditional media. The event attracts key decision-makers including senior production, circulation and distribution, marketing, design, editorial and sales staff from all types of publishing businesses, and increasingly those which are expanding into online and other digital publishing environments.

The 2011 edition of Publishing Expo will take place at Earls Court in London on 1-2 March and will be co-located with UBM Live’s existing complementary tradeshows Technology For Marketing & Advertising (www.t-f-m.co.uk) and the Online Advertising & Affiliate Expo. Publishing Expo will form part of UBM Live’s Marketing Technology and E Commerce Portfolio, which also includes Internet World and E Commerce Expo.

The acquisition is anticipated to exceed UBM’s cost of capital criterion in its first full year of ownership.

Simon Foster, Chief Executive of UBM Live said:

“The acquisition of Publishing Expo adds a further industry-leading event that complements our Technology For Marketing & Advertising and Online Advertising and Affiliate Expo events. Co-locating these events at a single venue at Earls Court in 2011 will enable us to provide the UK’s first comprehensive live event solution for marketing, advertising and media professionals and businesses.”

UK, London

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Private equity firm Wafra Partners acquires All Island Media

November 10, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Private equity firm Wafra Partners has acquired All Island Media, a shopper publication group serving the Long Island, New York local media market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

USA, New York, NY

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SB Nation acquires SportsRadioInterviews.com

November 10, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Online sports media company SB Nation has acquired SportsRadioInterviews.com. SportsRadioInterviews.com (SRI) is a streaming sports blog which provides analysis of breaking news, upcoming games and sporting events from a sports radio perspective. Co-founded by Jimmy Shapiro and Dan Zucker of www.zuckermediagroup.com, SRI has developed a unique style of breaking national sports news by pushing out local and syndicated sports radio station interviews.

“Our goal at SB Nation is to provide sports fans with news, opinion and analysis, regardless of where the information happens,” said Jim Bankoff, Chairman and CEO of SB Nation. “There is so much great content on the radio, SRI will be a great asset and compliment the entire SB Nation portfolio.”

SRI co-founder Jimmy Shapiro commented, “Creating this site has allowed us to leverage our relationships in the sports media business to build a category leader quickly. We are looking forward to continuing to grow the brand under Jim and his teams’ guidance.”

Shapiro will stay on as the Executive Editor of SportsRadioInterviews.

USA, Washington, DC

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