Verisk acquires energy information business Genscape from DMGT for GBP 297M

September 6, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Verisk logoThe Daily Mail and General Trust, owner of the Mail titles, has sold its energy information business Genscape for GBP 297 million to US firm Verisk. Genscape collects data and offers forecasts and analytics to customers in the market, as well as providing software solutions.

New York-listed Verisk, which also provides risk analysis to the insurance sector, acquired the energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie for GBP 1.85 billion in 2015. Genscape will become part of Wood Mackenzie.

DMGT chief executive Paul Zwillenberg said, “This transaction marks another major milestone in DMGT’s continued transformation and is in line with our strategy. It will further increase the focus of the portfolio and will result in DMGT operating in five sectors, compared to ten in 2016.”

He added that the sale of Genscape was “consistent with our strategic priorities” and would add more than GBP 200 million net cash to the company’s balance sheet.

UK, London, USA, Louisville, KY & Jersey City, NJ

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Media Production and Technology Show acquires BVE assets

August 22, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Media Business Insight logoMedia Business Insight’s Media Production and Technology Show has acquired assets related to Broadcast Video Expo from ITE Group following its decision to close the event.

The Media Production & Technology Show is the number one event for all those working in content creation within the film, TV and video industry. The show plans to significantly extend and enhance its offering to more technology manufacturers, suppliers, content and new partners for the event.

Taking place on May 13th-14th 2020 at London Olympia, MPTS will now be the UK’s biggest show for the broadcast production and technology sector.

MBI has acquired the rights to BVE’s intellectual property, marketing data, and marketing channels.

Charlotte Wheeler, MPTS Event Director said, “Our visitor numbers were up by 25% this year and we had a record rebook level with exhibitors. We are building on the success we’ve had in developing our show over the last four years and the brilliant relationships we have with the industry and our customers.

“People in the market have often said they’d prefer one UK show and now we are able to focus on delivering the biggest and best event for exhibitors and visitors. We are looking forward to working with exhibitors and visitors who have attended BVE in the past to deliver a fantastic event for the whole industry in May 2020.”

MPTS will extend its features to include new industry partnerships, a dedicated Technology Theatre, a Technology Networking Zone and a larger Broadcast Sports Theatre & Zone.

UK, London

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CloserStill Media acquires eCommerce trade shows in Spain

July 31, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

CloserStill Media logoCloserStill Media, organiser of eCommerce Expo in the UK as well as eCommerce Expo Asia, has acquired two eCommerce events taking place in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain, from organiser E World for an undisclosed sum.

In addition to the eShows, CloserStill also acquired the 1-2-1 eForum events held each year in the Spring and Autumn which hosts Spain’s largest online retail buyers for two days.

The eShows in Spain become part of CloserStill’s expanding portfolio of enterprise technology events, which includes events in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Singapore and Hong Kong attended annually by more than 75,000 delegates with more than 1,200 speakers and 900 exhibitors.

The E World team, headed by managing director Agustin Torres, has joined CloserStill Media Tecnología in Barcelona. CloserStill plans to expand its technology events portfolio in Spain with a roll-out of its international technology brands from 2020.

Sophie Baker-Davis, head of CloserStill’s technology portfolio, said, “We are excited about the opportunities in the Spanish marketplace. The online retailing world is making great strides in Spain. We are delighted to be working with Agustin and his team and look forward to investing with him to accelerate the growth and importance of the eShows to the e-commerce sector and to integrate them into our international technology and e-commerce network”.

The next upcoming event is eShow Madrid 2019 on 29-30 October, which will see the introduction of a new VIP Concierge programme and takes place at IFEMA with over 10,500 delegates and 130 exhibitors expected.

UK, London & Spain, Madrid & Barcelona

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Ubisoft acquires Green Panda Games

July 31, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Ubisoft logoUbisoft has acquired a 70% stake in Green Panda Games, a leading publisher of free-to-play mobile games, specialized in hyper-casual games. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2013 and based in Paris, Green Panda Games develops and publishes games in the idle genre. With a 30-person team, Green Panda Games has launched more than 55 games since its creation, downloaded by some 85 million players worldwide. Many of its games have been instant hits, such as Bee Factory, Sushi Bar and Terrarium. Green Panda Games will bring to Ubisoft a sharp editorial vision in the idle games segment, data-based iterative creative processes and expertise in both user acquisition and ad monetization strategies.

Commenting on the deal, Jean-Michel Detoc, Executive Director of Ubisoft Mobile, said, “This acquisition strengthens our position in the hyper-casual market, particularly within the idle games segment. Bringing Green Panda Games into the Group fits seamlessly with our aim of offering a diversified and high-quality line-up of mobile games to an ever-wider audience. We are very excited that this talented team is joining Ubisoft’s creative force”.

France, Montreuil & Paris

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Future plc acquires SmartBrief for USD 45M

July 29, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Future plc logoFuture plc has acquired SmartBrief Inc., a US-based digital media publisher of targeted business news and information for USD 45 million. The initial amount will include a cash consideration of USD 32.2 million funded from the Group’s existing debt facilities, with a further USD 12.8 million to be satisfied through the issue to the vendors of 1,027,492 new ordinary shares. The agreement also includes a deferred consideration based on certain financial targets achieved over the year ending 31 July 2020, which is subject to a cap of USD 20 million.

Leveraging proprietary technology and editorial expertise, SmartBrief delivers relevant industry news in partnership with trade associations, professional societies and corporations. SmartBrief owns a database of over 5.8 million subscribers made up of senior executives, thought leaders and industry professionals.

Founded in 1999 and based in Washington DC, SmartBrief creates and distributes more than 250 digital newsletters, allowing advertisers to target and engage with decision-makers and influencers across multiple sectors including food and travel, business, education, finance, health care, retail, tech, marketing and advertising. During 2018 Future extended its successful consumer strategy into B2B through the acquisition of NewBay Media in the US, which enabled Future to access the B2B market with several market-leading titles.

Zillah Byng-Thorne, CEO of Future, said, “The acquisition of SmartBrief will substantially boost our presence and market position in the B2B sector and enhance our technology capabilities.”

“SmartBrief is a leading, respected provider of sector-focused newsletters and daily email briefings covering a range of key verticals. The addition of SmartBrief’s must-read information products to our portfolio will further extend the reach of our B2B operations. The acquisition will be earnings enhancing, and we have identified several exciting opportunities to leverage SmartBrief’s proprietary technology in both our B2C and B2B business.”

UK, London & USA, Washington DC, WA

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Terrapinn acquires Accounting Business Expo and Accountech Live

March 18, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

TerrapinnGlobal events company Terrapinn the global events company has acquired Accounting Business Expo and Accountech Live, the two market leading exhibitions in Australia in the Accountancy and Finance Management field. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Accounting Business Expo and Accountech Live were acquired from National Media, a leading Australian exhibitions organiser. Accounting Business Expo is an independent and vendor neutral showcase for tools, technologies and services for accounting professionals, while Accountech Live is a comprehensive showcase of tech innovation in cloud accounting and the rapidly growing add-on ecosystem.

Terrapinn’s CEO, Greg Hitchen, said, “Accounting Business Expo and Accountech.Live are world-class events in terms of scale and quality of content and bolster our global portfolio of accounting and finance expos. Terrapinn is already a world leader in this sector, with expos in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and Johannesburg.”

UK, London & Australia, Bundall, QLD

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Comcast acquires cybersecurity developer BluVector

March 4, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Comcast Corporation logoThe Comcast Corporation has acquired BluVector, a company that uses advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide cybersecurity protection to companies and government agencies. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With a proprietary machine-learning engine, BluVector detects, analyses, and contains a wide range of sophisticated cyber-threats including “fileless malware,” zero-day malware and ransomware. BluVector has won a wide array of cybersecurity industry awards and recognition for its innovation and unique technological approach. It is a trusted partner to both Fortune 500 companies and large government agencies working to tackle some of the nation’s most critical challenges. The two companies will work together to grow BluVector’s existing business and also collaborate on the development of new cybersecurity technologies.

Don Mathis, General Manager of Growth at Comcast, said, “BluVector is a global leader in leveraging AI and machine learning to defend against advanced cyber threats. We’re thrilled that BluVector is part of Comcast and are excited to support its continued growth, even as we explore new opportunities to leverage BluVector technology and expertise.”

Eric Malawer, a veteran leader with more than two decades of experience in data analytics, artificial intelligence, national intelligence and digital security, has been named CEO of BluVector and will lead the company as it continues to grow its business as part of Comcast. Malawer previously served as cybersecurity staff director for the House Committee on Homeland Security, and prior to his role at BluVector, he launched three AI and security companies. BluVector founding CEO Kris Lovejoy, who recently left to assume another role, will continue to serve as an advisor and consultant to BluVector and Comcast.

USA, Philadelphia, PA & Arlington, VA

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Nielsen acquires Sorensen Media

February 21, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

NielsenMeasurement and data analytics company Nielsen has acquired Sorenson Media, an addressable TV technology provider that will help transform TV from a one-to-many to a one-to-one medium by powering addressable ad delivery and measurement. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With the deal, Nielsen announced the launch of a new technology, product and commercial initiative, Nielsen Advanced Video Advertising, that will focus on expanding and innovating addressable advertising for Smart TVs and beyond.

Over the last several years, Nielsen has made a number of strategic acquisitions that have strengthened its technology offerings and positioned it to thrive in the addressable TV future. It acquired Qterics, a Smart TV software and privacy management company. Integrated into the firmware layer of millions of Smart TVs, Gracenote’s ACR technology provides the ability for real-time, frame-level ad detection regardless of source or platform. And the most recent acquisition of Sorenson Media completes Nielsen’s go-to-market technology stack with an end-to-end ad delivery solution enabling addressable advertising for TV at scale.

David Kenny, CEO of Nielsen, said, “It’s clear that a significant portion of TV advertising will be addressable long into the future. With the continued evolution of our Total Audience measurement, underpinned by decades of trust, transparency and independence, it was evident that we needed to bring our unique set of technology assets and talent to tackle the greatest challenges the TV advertising industry is facing. And with the Sorenson Media acquisition, we can create improved value and efficiency across the entire media chain – from ad targeting and delivery to measurement and attribution – and make addressable TV more of a reality.”

UK, Oxford & USA, Salt Lake City, UT

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Bauer to acquire Wireless Local Stations

February 14, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Bauer Media GroupBauer Media Group is to acquire Wireless local stations across England and Wales. Wireless is made up of fifteen licences across Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Staffordshire and South Wales. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Paul Keenan, CEO of Bauer Media and European Radio, commented, “We are delighted with our acquisition of Wireless local licences. This group of established, successful stations complements our existing portfolio and extends our reach and local advertising offer to new areas of the UK.”

Wireless local stations, with a weekly reach of 850,000 listeners, build on Bauer’s previous successful acquisitions of Celador Radio and Lincs FM Group.

He added, “The Wireless local stations acquisition further underlines our belief in the UK and in radio. Outstanding content and growing audiences have driven three years of consecutive records for UK radio ad revenue. As the medium grows ever-more digital and adapts to new listening devices the opportunity expands to offer new and interesting services for listeners and advertisers. It’s a very exciting time to be in the audio business.”

UK, London & Germany, Hamburg

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RTL Netherlands acquires media company BrandDeli

December 20, 2018 — Fusion DigiNet

RTL NetherlandsRTL Netherlands is to acquire BrandDeli, the sales house for the Discovery, Fox and Viacom brand portfolio for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is the result of RTL Netherlands, Discovery Benelux, Fox Networks Group Benelux and Viacom International Media Networks entering into a strategic sales partnership as of 1 January 2019.

RTL will be granted the right to sell advertising space for at least three years for the Discovery, Fox and Viacom brand portfolio, offering a wider range of spot time, branded partnerships and online (video and display) advertising space.

Advertisers will have access to a larger overall reach, especially in younger target groups in both daytime and prime time slots. Discovery, Fox and Viacom also keep the opportunity to sell their own airtime.

Ton Rozestraten, CCO RTL Netherlands, said, “In five years, BrandDeli has grown into a successful company that we look at with admiration. Cooperation enables us to market an even wider and more varied range of products with the beautiful brands that BrandDeli represents. It fits in with our growth strategy to strengthen our position as a local player within the globalising playing field. Like no other, we are able to reach the masses with high-quality programmes and digital propositions. By combining this strength with BrandDeli’s rich cross-media offering (apps, social media, linear TV and websites), we offer advertisers access to an even more varied and growing fan base.”

Netherlands, Hilversum & Amsterdam

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