Deals

Diversified Communications UK is delighted to announce the acquisition of Digital Construction Week – the UK’s leading trade show dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing, and operation. Digital Construction Week (DCW), which has grown rapidly since its launch event in 2015, has become known for its comprehensive, high-quality seminar and conference programme and for the seniority of delegates who annually attend. The latest edition, held at ExCeL London on 17-18 October, was its most successful to date, with over 6,500 visitors, 200 exhibitors, around 250 speakers presenting across six stages, and dedicated thought leadership conference stream. The event complements Diversified’s industry leading, international event portfolio, which already includes: GEO Business in London; Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Amsterdam; DesignBUILD in Sydney; AEC Next Technology Expo & Conference and SPAR 3D in Anaheim, California; International LiDAR Mapping Forum in Denver, Colorado; and Commercial UAV Expo Americas in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LONDON (Reuters) – Martin Sorrell’s new company S4 Capital (SFOR.L) said on Monday it was in advanced talks to buy MightyHive, a San Francisco-based programmatic advertising group that partners with major brands.

The award-winning Nineteen Group today announces that it has acquired Western Business Exhibitions (“WBE”). The acquisition of WBE adds another ten events to the Nineteen Group portfolio and seven market-leading trade publications.

Fairfax shareholders gave “overwhelming” support for the multi-billion dollar merger. The deal was possible after Australia relaxed its media ownership laws last year. The new business will be called Nine, losing the well-known Fairfax name.

Johnston Press, which owns papers including the  i, The Scotsman and The Yorkshire Post, has been saved at the eleventh hour. Newly-formed company JPIMedia announced it had bought Johnston Press on Saturday after the publisher put itself into administration. The publisher had been looking to refinance £220m of debt due to be repaid in June next year.

Centaur, an international provider of market intelligence and specialist consultancy, announces that it has appointed Livingstone Partners and Cavendish Corporate Finance as advisers to assist with its divestment programme. As announced in October, following a strategic review Centaur is accelerating the simplification of the Group’s structure to improve operational execution and to focus attention on the leading brands within its marketing division.

Martin Sorrell is closing in on his second acquisition since starting his new S4 Capital group and is in talks to buy MightyHive, a US programmatic advertising company, according to people briefed on the plans.

Healthcare knowledge provider BMJ has acquired a minority interest in health tech startup, Patchwork (formerly known as Locum Tap), to help hospitals better manage demand for NHS locum staff, it has announced.

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory announced today that it has acquired eVision Industry Software BV, a global provider of industrial operational risk management software, for $145 million, excluding a deferred contingent consideration.

Endeavor Business Media has acquired Vendome Group’s Healthcare Informatics brand, the Nashville-based b2b firm announced Friday.

Rockville, Md.-based b2b media and information company Access Intelligence—parent company to Folio:—has acquired P3C Media, owner and operator of the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Conference and Expo, for an undisclosed sum, the two firms announced Monday.

In a trading update Centaur announced that their board had reviewed the groups dstructure.

It said: In recent months, Centaur has received approaches for a number of its assets from potential trade and private equity buyers who recognise the intrinsic value in these businesses, which operate in fast-changing market segments and where leading brands can fetch attractive valuations. The Board believes this value is not reflected in Centaur’s current share price.

UK marcoms group Next Fifteen Communications (Next15) has acquired insight-led US B2B demand generation company Activate Marketing Services. The deal is valued at an initial $9m in cash, with up to $48m to be added over the next five years.

Ascential plc (LSE: ASCL.L), the global specialist information company focused on the digital economy, announces the acquisition of Flywheel Digital LLC (“Flywheel”), a leading US-based provider of managed services to consumer product companies trading on Amazon, for an initial cash consideration of $60 million plus earn out payments payable over three years.

German broadcaster Prosieben has acquired US online dating website Eharmony in the first major deal since it launched an e-commerce partnership with investment firm General Atlantic.

Touch Medical Media Announce the Acquisition of Heart International, a Leading Cardiology Journal, and Form a Strategic Partnership with Interventional Academy, Owner of the Complex Cardiovascular Catheter Therapeutics (C3) Global Summit

CloserStill Media has acquired a majority stake in Focuszone Media, Inc., operating as The eLearning Guild, for an undisclosed sum.   The eLearning Guild has a 40,000+ membership community of learning and development professionals in the United States and around the world.

UK-based Tarsus Group has bought the remaining 50% share of its joint venture in Mexico with E.J. Krause for $18m. The global organiser has also announced deals in Southeast Asia and the United Arab Emirates.

Terrapinn, the global events company, announced today that it has acquired Solar and Storage Live from Solar Media. Solar and Storage Live is the UK’s leading solar and storage exhibition, conference and awards.

Private Equity Funds managed by Blackstone announce the acquisition of the National Exhibition Centre Group , a leading live events venue operator in the UK, from LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group.