TechMedia Network Acquires Bestofmedia Group

July 2, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

techmedianetworkTechMediaNetwork has acquired Bestofmedia Group, a global technology publisher and parent company to tech publications Tom’s Hardware, Tom’s Guide and Tom’s IT Pro. TechMedia Network’s portfolio includes TopTenREVIEWS, LAPTOP and Space.com. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, TechMediaNetwork’s CEO Greg Mason told WSJ that  “Most of this is a stock deal. The Bestofmedia Group investors are wholly invested in the value that we think we can create with the combined businesses in the next couple of years. But this was not an asset sale.”

Founded in 2000, Bestofmedia is a global tech publisher, with more than 30 million monthly unique visitors and media properties operating in eight different languages.  Dr. Thomas Pabst – the original Tom – founded Tom’s Hardware in 1996.bestofmedia

“When looking to increase our U.S. footprint, TechMedia Network immediately jumped to the forefront of potential partners with its growing audience of nearly 50 million monthly unique visitors and impressive content syndication network,” said Antoine Boulin, President, Bestofmedia Group. “Its portfolio of award-winning tech and science publications is a natural fit for our sites and the opportunity to marry their e-commerce engine with our world-class communities and our combined content expertise is an exciting prospect for the future of highly-specialized, vertical media.”

USA, New York, NY & France, Paris

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Hubert Burda Media acquires luxury publisher EMM in India

July 1, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

hubert-burda-media-logoBurda International has expanded its Asia portfolio with the acquisition of Indian media house Exposure Media Marketing (EMM). The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hubert Burda Media Pvt Ltd., a Burda International subsidiary incorporated in November 2011, received authorization from the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) of India for its acquisition of 100% of the equity shares of Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd., a company founded in 2003 by Rajiv and Parineeta Sethi.
 emm
“EMM is a perfect platform through which to expand our activities in the important and dynamic Indian market. According to the World Wealth Report, India experienced a 22.2 percent growth in its High Net Worth Individuals’ population last year. This surge is creating a market with increasingly sophisticated tastes, hungry for luxury experiences”, says Burda Asia CEO, Julie Sherborn. “EMM has a compelling portfolio, offering an exciting range of specialised brands targeting this growing segment. The acquisition conforms perfectly with our strategic focus in the pan-Asian region.”
Added Massimo Monti, Managing Director of Hubert Burda Media India: “One of the main strengths of EMM is the company’s database of affluent, influential individuals, constituting a very desirable target group for luxury advertisers. We are delighted that Parineeta Sethi will continue to work with the company as a member of the board of directors and will help further develop our magazine and event portfolio”.
EMM publishes the Indian editions of AsiaSpa, Millionaire Asia, Asia-Pacific Boating, Selling World Travel, Designer Mode and the customer publishing magazine for Audi. It also hosts a range of key events and trade fairs, including the Millionaire Summit, Precious Golf and the AsiaSpa Wellness and Beauty Exhibition.
“Our aim when we started the company 10 years ago was to identify key audiences and develop trusted brands to service those segments,” said Parineeta Sethi. “We are delighted to be joining the Burda International media group through which we can drive the brands to even greater effectiveness.”
Germany, Munich & India, Mumbai
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IHS acquires Intellichem

June 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ihs_logo_mpIHS has acquired Intellichem, a strategic company that will strengthen IHS Chemical business in Latin America. Intellichem was founded by Dr. Rina Quijada. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Intellichem publishes a bi-weekly report (QuiMax, in partnership with MaxiQuim) on the olefin and plastics markets in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela. Intellichem also provides market intelligence on chemicals and plastics in Latin America.

“With Intellichem’s deep relationships throughout Latin America and its foothold in the chemical market advisory sector, we believe this acquisition gives IHS an important presence and significant growth potential in a key geography,” said IHS President and CEO Scott Key.

USA, Englewood, CO & Houston, TX

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VML to acquire majority stake in digital marketing agency, NATIVE, in South Africa

June 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

VML2WPP‘s wholly-owned global digital agency VML, part of the Young & Rubicam Group, is to acquire a majority stake in NATIVE, a  South African digital marketing agency, subject to regulatory approval. Following the transaction, the agency will become NATIVE VML. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

NATIVE provides a full range of services including creative, design, technology execution, marketing analytics, digital media buying and social media management. The agency was formed in 2010 through a three way merger and employs 160 people in offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Clients include L’Oreal, Nedbank, Nestlé and Standard Bank.

NATIVE’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 28 February 2013 were approximately ZAR 80 million, with gross assets at the same date of approximately ZAR 39 million.

UK, London & South Africa, Johannesburg

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Hill + Knowlton Strategies acquires digital content creator Group SJR

June 27, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

sjr_infoWPP‘s wholly owned operating company, Hill + Knowlton Strategies has acquired SJR Group LLC. Group SJR develops and creates digital content enabling marketers to build brands and cultivate audiences. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Group SJR was founded in 2004 and is based in New York with an office in Los Angeles. Group SJR’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 May 2013 were $13.6 million. Clients include the Motion Picture Association of America, TED, GE, Xerox and Dell. The company employs 50 people.

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Zynga acquires Spooky Cool Labs

June 23, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ZyngaZynga has acquired Spooky Cool Labs, a Chicago based game studio focused on developing real-money online slot games. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

spookycoolZynga’s chief revenue officer Barry Cottle said, “We have a legacy in social casino franchises with Zynga Poker, and we believe that free-to-play social casino games for the Web and on mobile have the potential to reach and connect a much broader audience,”

Joe Kaminkow, founder of Spooky Cool, said “When we founded Spooky Cool Labs, we used to dream that someday we would be so good that an innovative company, like Zynga, would notice. Today is that day. We are proud to now be a part of the Zynga team and are confident that we bring a particular excellence in game development to the social casino genre. We are excited about our games which are fun to play and that include leading licensed content that resonate with players worldwide.”

The Spooky Cool team will stay in Chicago and work with Zynga’s San Francisco-based social casino gaming team. Joe Kamikow will work with Zynga as part of the company’s social casino team. However, he will also continue to lead game design at Aristocrat Leisure Limited, a land-based slots manufacturer based in Australia.

Earlier this month Zynga announced substantial cost reductions, including reducing its workforce by approximately 520 employees or approximately 18% of its global workforce.

USA, San Francisco, CA & Chicago, IL

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AP buys stake in Bambuser, strengthens live UGC video capability

June 21, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

The Associated Press has purchased a minority stake in Bambuser, the  live video service that allows users to broadcast, watch and share live video through mobile phones and computers. The investment builds on the exclusive editorial relationship that the AP has with Bambuser.

Under terms of the deal AP’s director of global video news, Sandy MacIntyre, will join Bambuser’s board as a non-executive director. It is the culmination of a three-year relationship with Bambuser that last year saw the AP sign an operational agreement providing news agency exclusivity for real-time video syndication of content from participating Bambuser users. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bambuser has a proven track record for enabling real-time creation, solicitation and distribution of user-generated content (UGC), especially for news-related content.

The AP already uses UGC-sourced and verified content as an everyday part of the news agency’s newsgathering activities, and there is increasing demand for live video content from broadcasters and online publishers. Through Bambuser, AP can source UGC video news live from the scene from eyewitnesses exclusively for its broadcast and online publisher customers. In addition, Bambuser provides the AP with access to an established community of video contributors who can act as effective “first responders” across the world. AP’s journalists also use Bambuser as a newsgathering tool when out in the field.

“User-generated video content of live and breaking news is the new frontier of news generation,” MacIntyre said. “Bambuser is the proven platform for eyewitnesses around the world to stream their video content and has been invaluable to the AP over the past year, allowing us to access footage of verifiable breaking news stories that would simply not have been possible before. Moreover, we have always been deeply impressed by the proven technology from the small but very talented team at Bambuser.”

MacIntyre added: “This investment by the AP is a natural extension of our existing relationship with Bambuser and will ensure that we retain our dominant capability in gathering and verifying UGC video news. The evidence that UGC is set to grow in importance and volume is plain to see. Nearly a fifth of the world’s population has a smartphone and that is a phenomenal eyewitness resource that Bambuser makes technologically possible. It means that anyone can be one button click away from generating live news that will change the way the world receives the “first word” of a story. With the AP and Bambuser working closely together, I firmly believe we can take UGC to new heights.”

UK, London

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McGraw-Hill Education acquire ALEKS Corporation,

June 21, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

McgrawhilleducationMcGraw-Hill Education is to acquire ALEKS Corporation, the privately held developer of the ALEKS® adaptive learning technology for the K-12 and higher education markets. The acquisition is McGraw-Hill Education’s first since it was acquired by funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, in March 2013. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur early in the third quarter of 2013.

aleksALEKS uses research-based, artificial intelligence to rapidly and precisely determine each student’s knowledge state, pinpointing exactly what a student knows and doesn’t know. ALEKS then instructs students on the topics they’re most ready to learn, constantly updating each student’s knowledge state and adapting to the student’s individualized learning needs. McGraw-Hill Education has marketed and sold ALEKS for math in the higher education space for more than 10 years.

In January 2013, McGraw-Hill Education acquired an equity stake in Area9 Aps, the Denmark-based adaptive learning company. McGraw-Hill Education and Area9 have worked together to develop products such as the LearnSmart Advantage adaptive learning suite, which includes SmartBook, the world’s first-ever adaptive e-book.

“At McGraw-Hill Education, our number one focus is providing solutions that generate improved results for students, educators, and institutions, and we believe that delivering personalized experiences through adaptive technology is a key ingredient to teaching and learning success,” said Buzz Waterhouse, president and chief executive officer of McGraw-Hill Education. “Through our acquisition of ALEKS, we’re working to grow and further develop the type of engaging, personalized experiences that we see as a central element in the future of education.”

McGraw-Hill Education will continue to sell ALEKS as a standalone solution over the near term, but the company plans deeper integration between ALEKS and its content and digital platforms.  As part of the acquisition, McGraw-Hill Education will maintain ALEKS Corporation’s current offices in Irvine, Calif.

USA, New York, NY & Irvine, CA

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Yahoo completes the acquisition of Tumblr

June 21, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

YahooYahoo! today announced it has completed its $1 billion pound plus acquisition of Tumblr. Tumblr will continue to operate as a separate business. David Karp will remain as chief executive officer.

tumblrOn the deal completion, Tumblr CEO David Karp said, “We are beyond excited to partner with Marissa (Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer) and the wonderful team at Yahoo! that we’ve already come to know well. Their support and belief in our vision gives us an opportunity now to be the most ambitious we’ve ever been.”

Previous reporting – Yahoo! to Acquire Tumblr for $1.1BN – promises not to screw it up

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IHS acquires PFC Energy

June 21, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

ihs_logo_mpInformation company IHS has acquired PFC Energy, a global consulting firm specialising in the oil and gas industry. Its clients are oil and gas operators, national oil companies, service companies, investors, governments and other stakeholders. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PFC Energy was founded in 1984 and focuses exclusively on the energy sector, covering all phases of the energy value chain, and the pfc energyassets and activities of key countries and companies. It has 130 professional staff and is based in Washington, D.C. and also maintains offices in Houston, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Paris, Beijing and Singapore.

“The acquisition of PFC Energy brings energy information and research depth and strengthens our presence in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East,” said Scott Key, IHS president and chief executive officer. “For more than 25 years, PFC Energy has built a solid reputation as an integrated information, research and advisory firm covering the oil and gas value chain. This gives us the opportunity to expand the IHS presence in high-growth markets, and to leverage the skills and expertise of regionally located research colleagues who will support the growth of critical IHS energy solutions.”

USA, Englewood, CO & Washington, DC

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