ZeniMax Media acquires games development shop Tango Gameworks

November 3, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

ZeniMax Media, parent company of game publisher Bethesda Softworks, has announced game designer and director, Shinji Mikami, has joined ZeniMax in a deal where ZeniMax acquired Tango Gameworks, the development shop founded and run by Mikami. Best known as the creator of the Resident Evil series, Mikami is a 20-year veteran of the industry who has developed numerous award-winning titles.

“It’s refreshing to find a publisher who understands, trusts, and supports the development of blockbuster games and works to make it a collaborative effort,” said Mikami. “The library of AAA franchise titles ZeniMax owns speaks for itself. We are very excited to be joining ZeniMax and working with a company that is dedicated to creating the best games ever made.”

Based in Tokyo, Mikami has an extraordinary track record as one of the world’s most successful game developers. Five of his projects, including Resident Evil, have scored 90 or above on Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com.

The development studio Mikami founded, Tango Gameworks, is dedicated to AAA multi-platform game development and has attracted some of Japan’s most accomplished and experienced developers who served key roles on game franchises like Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and Final Fantasy. Tango will continue to be run by Shinji Mikami, and he will serve as the creative lead for all future projects.

“Shinji Mikami has earned a stellar reputation as one of the industry’s finest game developers,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “He has repeatedly created hit titles that have earned praise from fans and critics around the world. We share his vision for innovative, genre-defining games and look forward to working with Shinji and his team at Tango.”

Tango joins a distinguished group of development studios at ZeniMax that includes Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and Arkane Studios. This most recent acquisition reflects Bethesda Softworks’ unwavering commitment to delivering premier titles to gamers worldwide.
USA, Rockville, MD & Japan, Tokyo

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Omnicom Group’s Diversified Agency Services acquires The Core, a UK design and communications agency

November 3, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group has acquired The Core, an award-winning design and communications agency with offices in Hull, Leeds and London, UK.

The Core will remain an independent brand, but will operate as an aligned agency to DAS’s Hornall Anderson in Seattle, WA.

Founded in 1990 by Creative Director Alastair Whiteley, The Core offers clients a range of services including branding, packaging design, innovation and advertising.

“It has been great to see The Core grow and develop as an agency over the last 20 years,” said Tom Harrison, CEO of DAS. “We have been impressed with their approach to creative development and client service. They are producing innovative work that is adding value to their clients across existing and emerging channels.”

Whiteley, who will continue in his current position, noted, “We are honored to be joining the group – one of the largest and most respected agency networks in the world. Our ambition is to continually improve our business while exploring ways we can mutually benefit from geographic reach, expertise and client base. We will continue to strive to deliver exceptional, relevant work and provide our clients with the high level of personal service they have come to expect.” For more information visit  www.coredesign.co.uk

UK, London & USA, New York, NY

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Sempra Energy Solutions sold to Noble Group

November 3, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

 

Sempra Energy and The Royal Bank of Scotland today completed the sale of the San Diego-based Sempra Energy Solutions unit of their RBS Sempra Commodities joint venture to Noble Group.

The final purchase price was $318 million in cash, plus the assumption of all debt.

The remaining principal North American assets of RBS Sempra Commodities are being sold to JP Morgan Ventures Energy. That transaction, which was announced Oct. 7, is expected to close next month. In July, Sempra Energy and RBS completed the sale of the joint venture’s global metals and oil businesses, and European natural gas and power businesses to JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2009 revenues of more than $8 billion. The Sempra Energy companies’ 13,800 employees serve about 25 million consumers worldwide.

USA, San Diego, CA

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Thomson Reuters acquires Highline Financial

November 2, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Thomson Reuters has acquired Highline Financial, a financial information and analytics provider focused on the US banking sector. The acquisition supports Thomson Reuters strategy of providing timely, accurate and high quality information by expanding its offering to include differentiated financial content and analytics for the banking and capital markets sector.

Market dynamics are creating a strong need for deep data and analytics as the financial sector experiences a tremendous level of new regulatory oversight, post crisis performance monitoring, bank closures and overall industry consolidation. The combination of Thomson Reuters and Highline Financial will provide Thomson Reuters clients with access to Highline Financial’s comprehensive public company and regulatory database which comprises 20 years of historical data covering 20,000 financial institutions, with over 24,000 filed and calculated financial data points and ratios maintained in the system on a daily basis. Highline Financial clients will benefit from having access to the depth and breadth of Thomson Reuters global content, support and infrastructure. The information will be available on Thomson Reuters Eikon, Thomson Reuters recently launched next-generation desktop, in 2011.

“The recent turmoil in the markets makes access to financial data more important than ever to our clients,” said Neil Masterson, Global Head of Investment Banking, Thomson Reuters. “With the acquisition of Highline Financial, Thomson Reuters can provide the banking and capital markets sector with the financial industry-specific analytics they need to drive deal activity.”

“This acquisition will create a significantly larger financial information and analytics platform for Highline Financial by enabling the company to leverage Thomson Reuters global reach and expertise to better serve its clients,” said Terry Waters, President & CEO, Highline Financial. “Both companies are committed to providing the most timely, accurate and complete financial information available and the combination of the two creates an industry leader in this space.”

Highline Financial is a portfolio company of Spire Capital Partners.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

USA, New York, NY

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GfK acquires custom research network Interscope

November 2, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

 The GfK Group has acquired 100% ownership of US company Interscope, LLC. Interscope is a leading marketing consulting organization that focuses on helping companies build their brands at retail.  The acquisition contributes to the growth of GfK Custom Research North America.  Interscope will remain in their Westport, CT location.

Interscope complements GfK Custom Research North America’s expanding shopper marketing and insights practice.  By combining GfK’s research expertise and analytical capabilities with Interscope’s consulting discipline and training expertise the company has created a truly integrated shopper marketing practice.  The synergies resulting from this combination will lead to a compelling and unique value proposition for clients. 

“The acquisition of Interscope enhances our ability to provide custom shopper insights solutions and to develop executable strategies and tactics that our clients can use to build healthier brands and strengthen customer loyalty at retail,” said Thomas Finkle, Chief Client Services Officer, GfK Custom Research North America. 

“This new combined approach of fusing shopper research, category management and shopper marketing into a common growth platform adds great value to our clients and the marketplace,” said Gary Schanzer, one of the Interscope principals.

In 2010, Interscope had a staff of 22 employees. Interscope’s clients span leading companies in the consumer packaged goods, general merchandise, apparel, technology and healthcare industries.

USA, New Yoyk, NY & Westport, CT

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UBM acquires Lead in Research for £1.45m

November 2, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

United Business Media has acquired Lead in Research (LIR), a boutique sales leads business on behalf of UBM Built Environment from its founder, Mark Hurley. The consideration will be satisfied by an initial cash payment of £1.15 million with a further deferred performance-related consideration of up to £300,000, payable at the end of 2010.

The acquisition of LIR is a complementary addition to UBM Built Environment’s existing Barbour ABI business, facilitating expansion beyond ABI’s construction leads offering into the post-construction lead supply market.

LIR uses planning applications and a wide range of other sources to compile detailed information on relocation, refurbishment and business expansion projects taking place across the UK. LIR’s analysis identifies businesses in likely imminent need of products and services relating to new, relocating and expanding operations. LIR’s subscription-based customers are principally providers of goods and services to commercial properties, with a focus on the furniture, telecoms and recruitment sectors. LIR also provides data to its customers via its website, weekly HTML bulletins and newsletters.

LIR employs five staff and in the financial year to May 2010 generated revenues of £0.4 million. The acquisition is anticipated to exceed UBM’s cost of capital criterion in its first full year of ownership.

Adrian Barrick, CEO of UBM Built Environment, said, “I am very pleased to announce this acquisition, which will enhance our current product offering and complement UBM Built Environment’s existing ABI business. We are pleased to have acquired a high quality product that we can use to respond to our clients’ requests for additional product offerings in post-construction lead supply, as well as helping us to attract new customers. We believe that LIR will provide further synergies – for example, with our Property Week brand – and generate strong revenue growth in the future”.

UK, London & Warwick

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Kabam Acquires Social Game Developer WonderHill

November 1, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

Kabam, a leading developer of real games for social networks best known for creating the breakout social game, Kingdoms of Camelot, has acquired high-end social game developer, WonderHill. The San Francisco-based WonderHill developed the strategy social game Dragons of Atlantis and other quality games including the popular Facebook game Tattoo City and the MySpace title GreenSpot. Under the arrangement, WonderHill will officially become Kabam’s San Francisco studio, adding experienced development talent, IP, and over 2 million monthly active players to Kabam’s rapidly growing portfolio.

“Due to the traction of our strategy game, Dragons of Atlantis, we’ve been called on by a large number of potential acquirers”.

“WonderHill’s talent, analytics technology, and culture of quality game development fits extremely well with our existing approach and portfolio,” said Kabam CEO Kevin Chou. “WonderHill’s new direction in Flash-based strategy games with Dragons of Atlantis makes them a perfect complement to Kabam as we aggressively grow our business in deeply engaging social games. With our recent infusion of seasoned executive leadership, we have a solid foundation in place to integrate outstanding development talent like WonderHill.”

WonderHill founders James Currier and Stan Chudnovsky will stay on as advisors while the development team of approximately 25 will transition into Kabam employees. The new Kabam San Francisco will complement Kabam’s Redwood City headquarters by continuing to build titles like Dragons of Atlantis while also creating new, yet to be announced projects that will aid in further building out Kabam’s diverse portfolio of real social games.

“Due to the traction of our strategy game, Dragons of Atlantis, we’ve been called on by a large number of potential acquirers,” said WonderHill CEO James Currier. “Kabam’s strategy to focus on deep strategy games is the same as ours, so rather than competing, combining with them gives us both a better shot to build the dominant company in the space. They’ve got the right culture, the right focus, and enormous momentum. We’re proud to be associated with these guys. Watch this space.”

With the acquisition, Kabam continues its explosive growth. The company has expanded from 20 employees in one office at the beginning of 2010 to over 200 staff in four offices on three continents today. The company recently announced it added executives from Blizzard, PlayFirst, and PayPal to its management team, continuing the trend of growing its talent pool as it aggressively expands for its next operational phase—evolving and increasing its leadership in making rich and engaging social games. WonderHill is Kabam’s first acquisition, and terms of the deal were not disclosed.

USA, Redwood City, CA

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IPC Media sells Railway Magazine to Mortons Media Group

October 31, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

IPC Media has sold The Railway Magazine to Mortons Media Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Railway Magazine is renowned for offering a clear and trusted voice for the railway community, covering all aspects of the scene: from steam through to modern rail developments.

The deal sees Mortons acquire the brand – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of the title.

Part of the Mortons of Horncastle Limited group, Mortons Media Group is one of the UK’s largest independent publishers, producing a large range of magazine titles in classic and modern motorcycle sectors, scootering, heritage railways, heritage transport, lifestyle and farming.

IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “With brands like Heritage Railway and Rail Express in its portfolio, Mortons provides an ideal home for The Railway Magazine. The continued commitment and focus of the magazine’s team through IPC’s strategic review is a real credit to their professionalism. I’d like to thank them personally and wish them all the very best for the future.”

Mortons managing director Brian Hill adds: “We are proud to welcome such an historic and authoritative title as The Railway Magazine into the Mortons family. We look forward to working with Nick Pigott and his editorial team to further develop its position as the market leading title in the railway sector.”

Staff transfer to Mortons with immediate effect.

UK, London & Lincolnshire
 

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IPC Media sells Hi-Fi News to MyHobbyStore

October 31, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

As part of the review of IPC Media’s niche and specialist titles, the company has sold Hi-Fi News to MyHobbyStore.

Published since 1956, Hi-Fi News delivers the latest news, analysis and opinions on new technologies, products and formats from hi-fi to home entertainment.

The deal sees MyHobbyStore acquire the brand – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of the title.

MyHobbyStore publishes some of the best known specialist hobby magazines in the UK, including titles such as RCM&E, Model Engineer, Model Boats and Good Woodworking. IPC Media announced the sale of Model Collector and Stamp Magazine to MyHobbyStore earlier this month.

IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “MyHobbyStore, with its passion for hobby brands, is the perfect new home for Hi-Fi News. As Hi-Fi News joins Stamp Magazine and Model Collector at MyHobbyStore I’d like to thank the team for all of their hard work, particularly over the course of the review process and acquisition negotiations. They have done a fantastic job and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

MyHobbyStore CEO Owen Davies adds: “Hi-Fi News is an outstanding magazine written for enthusiasts by enthusiasts. We are delighted to welcome the highly dedicated and experienced team to join our growing number of specialist titles.”

Staff transfer to MyHobbyStore with immediate effect.

UK, London

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Apax to sell Hit Entertainment

October 31, 2010 — Fusion DigiNet

According to the Telegraph, private equity firm Apax will put Hit Entertainment – owner of Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina – up for sale following interest from US groups including Mattel and Disney. Apax is close to appointing either UBS or Bank of America Merrill Lynch after shortlisting the two banks to manage the sales process. The private equity group hopes to sell the business for as much as $1.5bn (£950m).

UK, London

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