Axel Springer acquires N24

December 12, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

n24Axel Springer SE has  acquired  N24 Media GmbH, the 24 hour news channel. The N24 Group employs around 300 staff working including at its subsidiaries N24 and MAZ&More. N24 also produces the main news bulletins for SAT.1, ProSieben and kabel eins. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Axel Springer plans to combine N24 and the Welt group, which publishes a daily broadsheet Die Welt. According to Axel Springer, “N24 becomes the central moving image provider for all Axel Springer brands”.

The editorial team of WELT Group is extended to include the N24 digital editorial team. The joint WELT Group/N24  editorial team will in future produce both brands’ journalistic content for all the digital channels, as well as for the WELT Group’s print products. N24 also has a TV and program editorial team. The result is one of the largest multimedia editorial teams in Germany.

The management will be Jan Bayer, 43, President of WELT Group and Printing of Axel Springer, Torsten Rossmann, 50, Chairman of the N24 management board, and Stephanie Caspar, 40, Managing Director of WELT Group.

Jan-Eric Peters, 48, editor-in-chief of WELT Group, will be responsible for all content of the WELT Group and their joint digital services. Arne Teetz, 46, editor-in-chief of N24, will be responsible for all moving image content.

Stefan Aust, 67, previously a shareholder of N24, becomes publisher of the Group from 1 January 2014. Thomas Schmid, 68, will also remain publisher of the WELT Group until 30 June 2014.

Jan Bayer said, “N24 and the WELT Group complement each other perfectly and together represent the multimedia spectrum of journalism. N24 benefits through this partnership from the editorial quality and digital expertise of WELT Group. Axel Springer and WELT Group gain access to the moving image and live news competence of N24.”

Germany, Berlin

Related articles:

Posted in Broadcasting, Content Media, Internet Media, Publishers, ~Europe. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Progressive Digital Media Group acquires Pyramid Research from UBM

December 12, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

progressiveProgressive Digital Media Group the provider of business information to the consumer and technology markets, has acquired the business and trading assets of Pyramid Research, a leading  of business information and market analysis for the Information and Communications Technology industry, from UBM for a gross consideration of US$3.3 million in cash payable on completion. Completion, which is subject to UK employee consultation, is scheduled for 2 January 2014 and will be financed from the Group’s existing cash resources.

pyramidresearchFor nearly 25 years, Pyramid has been providing practical advice on market and service opportunities to leaders in the converged communications, media and technology industries. Pyramid’s market analysis is centred on detailed primary research complemented with insightful analysis and dynamic modelling tools.  Pyramid has offices in London, Boston and Argentina with subscribers located across the globe.

“Pyramid is well known to us and we are delighted that the opportunity has arisen for this business to join the Group”, said Simon Pyper, Chief Executive of Progressive Digital Media. “Pyramid has a well regarded brand name, a portfolio of high quality data assets and moreover, an expanding presence in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.”

Owing to the subscription nature of the business the acquisition is expected to be earnings neutral in the first full year of ownership and earnings accretive thereafter. The net assets to be acquired on completion are expected to be approximately US$0.3 million.

UK, London

Related articles:

1. Progressive Digital Media Group

2. UBM

Posted in B2B Services, Consultancy, Content Media, Information Management, Market Data & Information, ~Europe, ~Latin America and Caribbean, ~North America. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

GTI acquires Inside Buzz

December 5, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

inside buzzGTI Media, publishers of TARGETjobs, TARGETjobs Events and TARGETcourses, has acquired Inside Buzz. The Inside Buzz content will be available on TARGETjobs.co.uk. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Inside Buzz offers students independent reviews from company employees to help them understand company culture, working practices and, most of all, make a more informed decision about whether to make a job application. Since Inside Buzz was founded by Thomas Nutt in 2010, 5,500 employees have completed the workplace survey and have submitted 115,000 individual reviews and rankings on their employers. 

Graham Storey, GTI Media CEO, said: “We are delighted to add Inside Buzz’s innovative products to our graduate recruitment services and welcome Thomas and his team to GTI. We believe the insights that Inside Buzz offers to students will help them research potential employers and make more targeted applications.”

UK, Oxon, Wallingford

Related articles:

Posted in Content Media, Internet Media, Publishers, ~Europe. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »

ITE revenues up 12% following a year of Asian acquisitions

December 5, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ITEInternational trade exhibitions and conferences group ITE Group has announced preliminary results for the year to September 2013.  Revenues are up 12% to £192 and headline profits are up 12% to £59.4m. £106m of revenues are booked for 2014.

Russell Taylor, CEO of ITE Group plc, said, “”ITE has continued to expand its business this year through a mixture of organic and acquisition led growth.”

This year ITE has acquired Trade Link in India,  Platform Exhibitions in Turkey, 50% of ECMI in Malaysia and last month Sinostar in China.

Taylor went on to say, “Good organic growth across our core portfolios in Russia and the CIS together with a strong biennial performance from the Moscow International Oil and Gas Exhibition have combined with the newly acquired businesses in Asia to deliver record financial and operating results.”

ITE sept 13Click on the table for an enlarged view

Related articles:

Posted in Company Results, Conference/Exhibitions/Events, Content Media, ~Asia, ~Europe. Leave a Comment »

Pearson to acquire English language training company Grupo Multi in Brazil

December 5, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Pearson2Pearson is to acquire 100% of Grupo Multi, the adult English Language Training company in Brazil. Pearson will acquire Grupo Multi from the Martins family, the company’s 78% majority shareholders, and the investment firm Kinea for approximately £440m (R$1.7bn) in cash and the assumption of £65m (R$0.25bn) of debt.

multiGrupo Multi is the largest provider of private language schools in Brazil serving over 800,000 students across more than 2,600 franchised schools. It primarily delivers English language courses through a range of school brands including Wizard, Yazigi, Microlins and Skill. Pearson already has approximately 500,000 students in K12 schools through its sistemas business in Brazil.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest English Language Learning markets with the English Language Training market estimated to be worth £2bn (R$7bn) and a total of 2.8 million students enrolled across children, teenage and adult age groups. It is expected to grow rapidly supported by an expanding middle class population and greater coverage of the addressable market by franchise schools.

This growth is fuelled by the fact that English language fluency in Brazil is low by international standards. In addition, a shortage of English speakers in key sectors including tourism, transportation, and hospitality is considered to be one of Brazil’s challenges as it prepares to host high-profile global events including the World Cup and the Olympics.

John Fallon, chief executive of Pearson, said:

“Brazilians’ appetite for learning English as a global language of business and trade shows every sign of continuing to grow rapidly as Brazil becomes a global player in commerce, travel and a host of other industries.

Over the past twenty five years, Grupo Multi has become the most respected English learning company in Brazil by offering high quality affordable English language learning that has made a real impact on the lives of its students. We intend to sustain and grow the business, helping many more young Brazilians to acquire the English language skills that will help them succeed in their careers.”

The transaction is subject to a regulatory review that Pearson expects to be completed in the first half of 2014. In 2012, Grupo Multi generated operating profits of £42m (R$130m) and at 31 December 2012 had gross assets of £200m (R$667m). During 2014, Grupo Multi will be integrated into Pearson’s Professional Line of Business and Growth geographic segment. In 2015, Pearson expects a full year contribution from Grupo Multi to enhance adjusted earnings per share and to generate a return on invested capital slightly above Pearson’s weighted average cost of capital.

Morgan Stanley acted as financial adviser to Pearson on this transaction.

UK, London & Brazil, São Paul0

Related links:

Posted in Training/Education, ~Europe, ~Latin America and Caribbean. Tags: , . Leave a Comment »

Pearson to sell The Mergermarket Group to BC Partners

November 29, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

mergermarketPearson Plc is to sell The Mergermarket Group to BC Partners for an enterprise value of £382 million, payable in cash.

Mergermarket is a provider of global corporate financial news, intelligence and analysis to advisory firms, investments banks, law firms, hedge funds, private equity firms and corporations operating in 65 countries. The Company was founded in 1999 and acquired by Pearson in 2006 for £101m plus a subsequent earn-out.

bcpartnersMergermarket has grown substantially under Pearson’s ownership, reporting revenues of £100 million, operating income of £25 million and profit before tax of £23 million in the 12 months to 31 December 2012, and continues to grow strongly.  Over the same period, Mergermarket contributed 2.5 pence to Pearson adjusted earnings per share.  At 30 June 2013, Mergermarket had gross assets of £129m.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2014. Pearson intends to redeploy the proceeds from the sale in its global education business.

Nikos Stathopoulos, Managing Partner at BC Partners, said, “Mergermarket is a high quality company and a global market leader with an attractive business model, strong growth, and loyal customers. We are pleased to partner with CEO Hamilton Matthews and the whole of the Mergermarket team to continue to invest in the growth of the business through product development and geographical expansion to deliver value and innovation to customers”.

UK, London

Related links:

Posted in Content Media, Internet Media, Market Data & Information, Publishers, ~Europe. Leave a Comment »

GreyPossible acquires the business of Media Republic in The Netherlands

November 29, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wppWPP has announced that GreyPOSSIBLE, the strategic partnership between WPP’s wholly owned businesses, advertising and marketing network Grey EMEA, and global interactive marketing agency POSSIBLE Worldwide, has acquired the business and assets of MR Development BV a creative digital marketing company in The Netherlands.

Media Republic will become part of GreyPOSSIBLE Benelux, formed in 2013 by the merger of Grey’s Amsterdam and Brussels operations with Possible Amsterdam.

Established in 2002, and based in Amsterdam, Media Republic’s clients include APG, Axe, de Bijenkorf, Bugaboo, DSM, Miele and Philips. Media Republic’s revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 was US$1.7 million with gross assets at the same date of US$582,000. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

UK, London & The Netherlands, Amsterdam

Related articles:

 

 

Posted in Marketing/Advertising, ~Europe. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Informa acquires a stake in Chinese company Baiwen

November 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

informa2Informa plc has acquired a stake in Baiwen, the owner and organiser of the annual China Beauty Expo (“CBE”). the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

CBE is the largest beauty trade event in China, comprising three co-located exhibitions that take place annually in Shanghai in May: Cosmetics China, Cosmetech and Beauty Shanghai. In 2013, the 18th edition of CBE attracted around 1700 exhibitors from 22 countries and some 250,000 visitors across a floor space of approximately 120,000 sqm.

CBEPeter Rigby, Chief Executive of Informa, said, ​”The acquisition of a stake in Baiwen is an exciting and strategically important move for Informa, increasing our exposure to the Chinese exhibition market and further strengthening our position in the beauty and aesthetics segment. We look forward to working closely with our partners at Baiwen to extend the strong growth record of CBE and leverage our collective expertise to exploit other opportunities.”

UK, London & China, Shanghai

Related articles:

Posted in Conference/Exhibitions/Events, Content Media, ~Asia, ~Europe. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Tarsus Group – Mexico Acquisition

November 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

TarsusTarsus Group is to acquire a 50% interest in a company that owns two major exhibitions in Mexico from E.J. Krause & Associates (“EJK”) to establish a joint venture with EJK.

EJK was founded in 1984 and is one of the largest privately held exhibition companies in the world. Headquartered in the US EJK has offices on three continents and produces over 80 events in 16 different industries.

The JV owns two events held in Mexico:

  • Plastimagen (2013: 17,400 net sqm), a leading exhibition in Mexico for the plastics industry, focussing on plastics processing and ancillary equipment, attracting engineering and production professionals from plastics processing, packaging and manufacturing companies. It is run on an 18 month cycle with the next edition scheduled to be held in November 2014; and
  • Expo Manufactura (2013: 4,300 net sqm), a metalworking/manufacturing exhibition, featuring machine tools, assembly technology, fabricating, software, coil winding and welding technologies.   Visitors include production and engineering professionals from across a wide spectrum of Mexican manufacturing industries. The show takes place annually, with the next edition due to be held in March 2014.

The JV provides the Group with an important hub in the growing Mexican exhibition market and it will be one of the top three largest international exhibition companies in Mexico. Under the terms of the Acquisition EJK will continue to manage the events post Acquisition.

The JV will also provide a platform for Tarsus to launch new exhibitions in Mexico, primarily drawing on Tarsus’s existing major brands. Concurrently Tarsus has agreed to collaborate with EJK by launching replications of existing EJK brands into territories in which Tarsus has a suitable launch platform.

The first of these will be in Indonesia where the Group has agreed with EJK to launch an edition of EXPO COMM in Jakarta. EXPO COMM is an ICT exhibition with a global schedule of events in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. It covers telecommunications, broadband, wireless 3G/4G, unified communications and network infrastructure. The first event is scheduled to be held in November 2014.

Douglas Emslie, Tarsus Group Managing Director, said:

“Mexico is a large and fast-growing market that has close trading ties with the US. The Mexican exhibition market is highly fragmented at present and offers exciting potential for growth.

“This agreement with EJ Krause enables Tarsus to acquire a stake in two leading events in Mexico – Plastimagen and Expo Manufactura. The joint venture fits our aim to  quicken the pace of our earnings by investing in quality assets in high growth markets.

“I am excited by the opportunity to work with EJ Krause to launch collaborative replications of Tarsus’ brands in Mexico and EJ Krause’s brands in emerging markets where Tarsus has an established footprint, initially  with an edition of EXPO COMM in Indonesia.”

UK, London & USA, Bethesda, MD & Mexico, Col. Del Valle

Related articles:

Posted in Conference/Exhibitions/Events, Content Media, ~Europe, ~Latin America and Caribbean, ~North America. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

WPP acquires majority stake in Cerebra Communications in South Africa

November 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wppWPP has acquired a majority stake in Cerebra Communications, an integrated strategic communication agency based in Johannesburg. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2006 and employing 35 people, Cerebra builds, engages and activates brand communities for clients including Nedbank and Vodacom. Cerebra’s services include community management, crisis management, social business strategy and creative communication campaigns. Cerebra will retain its independent positioning and will work closely with other WPP companies in South Africa and across Africa.

Audited revenues for the year ended February 2013 were approximately ZAR 17 million, with gross assets at the same date of approximately ZAR 4.1 million.

UK, London & South Africa, Johannesburg

Related articles:

Posted in Marketing/Advertising, ~Europe, ~Middle East & Africa. Tags: . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Newer posts »