Media and Games Invest acquires programmatic advertising specialist Platform 161 as well as the remaining minority stake in ReachHero

Deutsche Übersetzung

  • Strategic acquisition of Platform 161 strengthens media segment and customer acquisition in gaming
  • Additional revenues of over EUR 10 million and EBITDA of over EUR 1 million expected
  • Increase of ReachHero stake to 100% enables further synergies

13. July 2020 - Media and Games Invest plc ("MGI", ISIN: MT000000580101; Symbol: M8G) acquires 100% of the shares of Platform 161 Holding BV including its subsidiaries. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. MGI expects the acquisition to generate additional revenues of at least EUR 10 million and an additional EBITDA of more than EUR 1 million on a twelve-month basis.

Platform 161 (also known under the former brand name ClickDistrict) is a leading demand-side platform (DSP) for programmatic advertising that automates the purchase of advertising space and advertising inventory. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the company has offices in Madrid, Hamburg, Istanbul, New York and Stockholm. Programmatic Advertising is currently the fastest growing segment in the digital advertising market. In Germany, almost every second advertising euro in 2019 was spent online via Programmatic Advertising. Customers are provided with customized advertising in real time - with data-supported, automated and customized buying and selling and bidding for digital advertising spaces.

With the acquisition of Platform 161, founded in 2008, MGI's media segment will be further expanded. Following the recent acquisitions of Applift, Pubnative and the key assets of Verve Wireless, this is another strategic acquisition that expands the group's technological expertise, product portfolio, customer base and sales organization in the digital media sector and opens up new markets.

MGI agreed with the founders and minority shareholders of the influencer subsidiary ReachHero, which successfully operates an influencer agency business and a digital SaaS influencer platform, to acquire their remainig block of shares and subsequently will hold 100% of the shares. ReachHero works closely with Mediakraft and Adspree in MGI's media business and offers a comprehensive package of services to both advertisers and influencers under the joint brand Media Elements. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The acquisition of the minority interests enables the further integration of the company and will lead to further positive synergy effects. A buyout of the minority interests of Mediakraft Turkey is also close to completion.

MGI combines M&A and organic growth in the synergetic sectors online games and digital media and has acquired more than 30 companies and assets in the past six years. By integrating and focusing on synergies, MGI is building leading platforms in both the gaming and media segments while leveraging the strong synergies between these segments.

Remco Westermann, CEO of MGI: "For online games, digital media is an important part of the value chain. The competition over valuable customers is primarily decided by intelligent and efficient marketing. A strong media segment within the MGI Group improves the efficiency of customer acquisition for existing games as well as for the release of new games. In addition, advertising space on the company's game portals can be efficiently marketed via the media segment. Thus, advertising revenues in the gaming segment are growing."

Marco Kloots, CEO of Platform 161 comments: “This is a great next step for our company. We believe in the strategy that MGI is pursuing and are excited to become part of this fast-growing group. Platform161 has a very strong product offering and MGI brings us strategic value that enables us to scale our business and make Platform161 an integrated part of MGI & Verve. I'm excited to join the MGI Group with our company.”

About Media and Games Invest plc:

Media and Games Invest plc, MGI, is a fast and profitable growing company in the synergetic sectors of digital media and online games. The company combines organic growth with value-generating acquisitions. The MGI Group has successfully acquired over 30 companies and assets over the past six years. The acquired assets and companies are integrated and amongst others technology is actively used to achieve efficiency gains and competitive advantages. Media and Games Invest is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on XETRA.

Disclaimer

This press release contains possible forward-looking statements that are based on the current assumptions and forecasts of the company management of Media and Games plc or companies associated with it. Various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors, could mean that the actual results, financial circumstances, the development or performance of Media and Games invest plc and the companies associated with it may deviate significantly from the estimations presented here. Neither Media and Games Invest plc nor the companies associated with it are obligated to update this sort of forward-looking statement or adjust them to future results or developments.

Press contact:
edicto GmbH
Axel Mühlhaus / Dr. Sönke Knop
Telephone: +49 69 9055 05 51
Email: MGI@edicto.de

Issuer
Media and Games Invest plc
Sören Barz, Head of Investor Relations
St. Christopher Street 168
Valletta VLT 146, Malta
Email: Soeren.barz@mgi.group

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About Verve Group SE

Verve (Ticker: VER) is a fast-growing, profitable, digital media company that provides AI-driven ad-software solutions. Verve matches global advertiser demand with publisher ad-supply, enhancing results through first-party data from its own content. Aligned with our mission, “Let’s make media better,” the company focuses on enabling better outcomes for brands, agencies, and publishers with responsible advertising solutions, with an emphasis on emerging media channels. Verve’s main operational presence is in North America and Europe, and it is registered as a Societas Europaea in Sweden (registration number 517100-0143). Its shares are listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm and the Scale segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The company has three secured bonds listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Open Market. Verve's certified advisor on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market is FNCA Sweden AB; contact info: info@fnca.se.

Contact

Stureplan 6 114 35 Stockholm Sweden

investors@verve.com

www.investors.verve.com