Nordic Capital-backed Siteimprove, a leader in website experience and digital marketing optimisation, has appointed Morten Hübbe as its new Chairman to accelerate growth. Morten Hübbe brings significant experience within financial services, software and technology as the Group CEO of Tryg and Deputy Chairman of SimCorp. In addition, Danish-based Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, with a focus on long-term ownership of Danish businesses, will become a strategic minority partner in Siteimprove to further support international expansion.
“Siteimprove is one of the leading SaaS companies globally with great potential for further growth. It has a world class product offering which reduces inequality in society by helping people with disabilities gain access to a digitalised world and it also drives growth across essential digital disciplines. Nordic Capital is enthusiastic about bringing further expertise to expand Siteimprove’s offering and international footprint. Morten Hübbe is a very experienced leader in the software and tech space and brings a unique set of skills and experience that will help Siteimprove scale and grow”, says Fredrik Näslund, Partner and Head of Technology and Payments, Nordic Capital Advisors.
Morten Hübbe is Group CEO of Tryg, one of the largest non-life insurance companies in the Nordic region and Deputy Chairman of SimCorp, one of the world’s leading provider of integrated investment management solutions. He has a proven track record of building strong fintech businesses. Morten holds 25+ years of insurance experience, of which nearly 20 years have been at the top executive level. In addition, he has Supervisory Board experience in Banking, Software and IT development. He has also recently been appointed the new Chairman of Conscia, another Nordic Capital portfolio company.
“Siteimprove is one of the fastest growing software companies in Denmark and it is truly exciting to be appointed Chairman of Siteimprove. The task is to continue growing on the back of Siteimprove’s strong people and product offering, its exciting customer portfolio and solid business plan. I’m looking forward to supporting the company with my experience on this journey,” says Morten Hübbe.
Siteimprove was founded in 2003 by its CEO Morten Ebbesen, and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since inception, the company has grown steadily, and today has offices across Europe, North America and Asia. Siteimprove has 550 employees in 15 countries and over 7,200 customers globally. The Company’s customer base derives mainly from financial services, healthcare, and the public sector, and includes some of the most well-respected organisations in the world.
In October 2020, Nordic Capital became the majority owner in close partnership with the CEO and founder Morten Ebbesen. In addition, Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, a well-established and dedicated long-term owner of Danish-based businesses, will now become a strategic minority owner to support sustainable value creation.
“Firstly, we are truly impressed with the competences and innovation power that we discovered in Siteimprove, and secondly, for Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, this is a chance to actively invest in a company that wants to grow internationally from their Danish base. That is the kind of situation that we exist to support,” says Claus Gregersen, CEO, Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker.
Technology & Payments is one of Nordic Capital’s focus sectors where it has extensive experience, a strong and active sector network, and a dedicated team with local presence across Northern Europe. Since 2018, Nordic Capital has made 18 platform investments in this sector including former and current investments such as Bambora, Trustly, Conscia, BOARD International and Signicat.
Footnote: “Nordic Capital” refers to any, or all, Nordic Capital branded or associated investment vehicles and their associated management entities. Nordic Capital is advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which is referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.
Press contacts
Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud, Communications Manager
Nordic Capital Advisors
Tel: +46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com
Siteimprove
Jesper Termansen, Chief Marketing Officer
Tel: +45 2479 8646
e-mail: jte@siteimprove.com
Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker
Tel: +45 3314 7222
e-mail: info@augustinusfabrikker.dk
About Siteimprove
Siteimprove is a SaaS solution that helps organisations achieve their digital potential by empowering teams with actionable insights to deliver a superior website experience and drive growth. Siteimprove has 550+ employees across 13 offices, helping over 7,200 customers globally. The company has 17+ years of digital expertise and partners with leading organizations such as the W3C, the UN, and Adobe. They also offer best-in-class technical support, academy courses, services, and technology integrations. www.siteimprove.com
About Nordic Capital
Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Core sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services and Industrials & Business Services. Key regions are Northern Europe and globally for Healthcare. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested more than EUR 15 billion in over 110 investments. The Nordic Capital vehicles are based in Jersey. They are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities based in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, the UK and the US, any or all of which are referred to as Nordic Capital Advisors. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com
About Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker
Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker is a subsidiary of the Augustinus Foundation, which is among the largest cultural foundations in Denmark. The industrial heritage stems from 1750 and the focus on value creation is based on this long-term tradition. As part of a strategy to be a long-term, committed and value-adding owner, the portfolio comprises considerable ownership in successful and iconic Danish businesses such as Tivoli, Jeudan, Royal Unibrew, STG, the furniture companies Fritz Hansen and GUBI as well as Gyldendal. Through ownerships the aim is to create value for the benefit of both Danish businesses and society. With a balance of more than DKK 30 billion, it is Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker’s investment return which facilitates the significant non-profit cultural, social and research-related pursuits of the Foundation. For further information about Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, please visit www.augustinusfabrikker.dk/en
Acquisition Brings Leading Work Management Platform for Marketers to Adobe Experience Cloud
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Workfront, the leading work management platform for marketers, for $1.5 billion, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. With more than 3,000 customers and one million users, Workfront is the solution marketers rely on every day to efficiently manage content, plan and track marketing campaigns, and execute complex workflows across teams.
Adobe solutions are at the nexus of creativity and customer experience management and mission-critical to marketers, creatives, analysts, and now, operations managers. Adobe Creative Cloud provides the world’s best creative apps and services to everyone, from students, to social media influencers, to professional photographers, filmmakers, and designers. Adobe Experience Cloud is the most comprehensive solution for content and commerce, customer journey management, and customer data and insights, all built on an open platform, enabling businesses of every size across every industry to deliver exceptional customer experiences at scale.
Satisfying the increasing expectations of B2B and B2C customers today requires large volumes of content and personalized marketing campaigns delivered at lightning speed and scale. This must be accomplished across increasingly dispersed teams, as remote work becomes prevalent in today’s environment and the future of work is redefined. The combination of Adobe Experience Cloud and Workfront will bring efficiency, collaboration, and productivity gains to marketing teams currently challenged with siloed work management solutions.
Workfront has deep leadership in orchestrating marketing workflows. Workfront’s platform is agile and uniquely architected for the enterprise, with extensive integration capabilities that can be easily configured to meet the varied needs of companies of all sizes.
Adobe and Workfront are longstanding partners with strong product synergies and a growing base of over 1,000 shared customers. Workfront is equipped with APIs that enable a seamless connection to Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Experience Cloud. Shared Adobe and Workfront customers include Deloitte, Under Armour, Nordstrom, Prudential Financial, T-Mobile, and The Home Depot.
“Adobe is the undisputed leader in content creation, management, delivery, and measurement and a trusted partner to digital leaders around the globe,” said Anil Chakravarthy, executive vice president and general manager, Digital Experience Business and Worldwide Field Operations, Adobe. “The combination of Adobe and Workfront will further accelerate Adobe’s leadership in customer experience management, providing a pioneering solution that spans the entire lifecycle of digital experiences, from ideation to activation.”
“Adobe and Workfront share a common affinity to help the modern marketer thrive in an ever-evolving, increasingly demanding setting,” said Alex Shootman, CEO, Workfront. “We’re excited to join Adobe and believe this will be a tremendous opportunity for our customers and partners.”
Upon close, Workfront CEO Alex Shootman will continue to lead the Workfront team, reporting to Anil Chakravarthy, executive vice president and general manager, Digital Experience Business and Worldwide Field Operations.
The transaction, which is expected to close during the first quarter of Adobe’s 2021 fiscal year, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Until the transaction closes, each company will continue to operate independently.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and future performance and reflect Adobe’s expectations regarding the ability to extend its leadership in the experience business through the combination of Adobe Experience Cloud’s capabilities in content creation, management, delivery and measurement, with Workfront’s work management products and other anticipated benefits of the transaction. Forward-looking statements involve risks, including general risks associated with Adobe’s and Workfront’s business, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: Adobe’s ability to further integrate Workfront technology into Adobe Experience Cloud; the effectiveness of Workfront technology; potential benefits of the transaction to Adobe and Workfront customers; the ability of Adobe and Workfront to close the announced transaction; the possibility that the closing of the transaction may be delayed; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Adobe and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, individuals should refer to Adobe’s SEC filings. Adobe does not assume any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements or other statements included in this press release.
About Workfront
Workfront is the leader in enterprise work management, trusted by more than 3,000 companies, one million users, and 10 out of 10 of the world’s top brands. Workfront was founded to help people, teams, and companies do their best work. For more information, visit www.workfront.com.
About Adobe
Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
© 2020 Adobe. All rights reserved. Adobe and the Adobe logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts
Public relations contact
Ashley Levine
Adobe
aslevine@adobe.com
Investor relations contact
Jonathan Vaas
Adobe
ir@adobe.com
Since 2016, Nevion has enjoyed a positive development with expanded gross margins, key new product launches, and success with several new strategic customers in both Europe, North America and Asia. The transaction is expected to close in early October 2020. Nevion was the last portfolio company remaining in Fund II and the process to liquidate the fund will commence in due course.
Read Sony’s full press release here.
Investment will enable the enterprise cloud leader to expand its digital solutions portfolio and geographic reach
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AHEAD, a leading provider of enterprise cloud solutions, today announced a definitive agreement for funds advised by Centerbridge Partners, L.P., a leading private investment firm, to acquire a majority stake in the company. In addition, funds managed by Berkshire Partners LLC will purchase a minority stake in AHEAD, while the AHEAD management team will continue to own a significant position in the business.
With support from Centerbridge, a deeply experienced investor in enterprise services, software and hardware businesses, AHEAD is well-positioned to accelerate its market leadership in enterprise cloud infrastructure and grow its offerings, including through the expansion of its services and partnerships, in the vital areas of intelligent operations and cloud-native application development.
Over the last five years, as a portfolio company of Court Square Capital Partners, AHEAD grew revenues from $365 million to more than $1.3 billion in 2020, in the process acquiring four firms. During this same period, AHEAD’s professional services business grew from $18 million to more than $100 million—an average annual growth rate of 41 percent—as the company expanded its services capabilities in the areas of cloud, enterprise service management and enterprise monitoring and analytics.
“We’ve enjoyed our partnership with Court Square and are thankful for their early support of the AHEAD journey. The Centerbridge investment will help us continue to innovate and enhance our offerings in an effort to help clients transform and create more agile and efficient applications, operations and platforms,” said Daniel Adamany, CEO of AHEAD. “This is a pivotal moment in our history, and we can’t wait to get to work with our new partners.”
“With its sophisticated enterprise software and hardware solutions, as well as its growing professional services business, AHEAD attracts a large and loyal customer base with a highly compelling growth trajectory,” said Jared Hendricks, senior managing director at Centerbridge.
“A client-focused culture is the foundation for the company’s product and service offerings, driving customer satisfaction and growth,” added Chris Litchford, managing director at Centerbridge. “We look forward to partnering with AHEAD on its next phase of innovation and growth.”
“We are grateful to have partnered alongside the AHEAD management team. The company has grown tremendously during our investment hold and we’re excited for the opportunity going forward for AHEAD and their new partners,” said Jeff Vogel, partner at Court Square.
Guggenheim Securities, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to AHEAD and Court Square on the transaction. Dechert LLP served as legal counsel to AHEAD and Court Square. Jefferies LLC, RBC Capital Markets and Deutsche Bank served as exclusive financial advisors to Centerbridge. RBC Capital Markets, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, KKR Capital Markets and Macquarie Capital are providing financing for the deal. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Centerbridge Partners. Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Berkshire Partners.
About AHEAD
AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in enterprise cloud infrastructure, intelligent operations, and modern applications, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation. Learn more at www.thinkahead.com.
About Centerbridge Partners
Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines—from private equity to credit and related strategies, and real estate—in an effort to find the most attractive opportunities for our investors and business partners. The Firm was founded in 2005 and as of June 30, 2020 has approximately $26 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies to help companies achieve their operating and financial objectives. For more information, please visit www.centerbridge.com.
About Berkshire Partners
Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, has made more than 130 private equity investments since its founding over 30 years ago. Berkshire has developed industry experience in several areas including business services & technology, communications, consumer, healthcare, and industrials. Berkshire has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.
About Court Square Capital Partners
Court Square is a middle market private equity firm with one of the most experienced investment teams in the industry. Since 1979, the team has completed over 230 investments, including several landmark transactions, and has developed numerous businesses into leaders in their respective markets. Court Square invests in companies that have compelling growth potential within the business services, general industrial, healthcare, and technology and telecommunications sectors. The firm has $7.0 billion of assets under management and is based in New York, N.Y.
Source: Business Wire
BOULDER, Colo. – March 9, 2020 – Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (“Zayo”) (NYSE: ZAYO), which
provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, today announced
the completion of its acquisition by affiliates of Digital Colony Partners (“Digital Colony”) and the
EQT Infrastructure IV fund (“EQT” or “EQT Infrastructure”). The close marks the consummation
of the $14.3 billion transaction, which represents the largest syndicated private equity
investment, the fifth largest Media & Communications LBO and the second largest LBO overall
since 2008.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was approved by Zayo’s stockholders at a
special meeting held on July 26, 2019, Zayo stockholders will receive $35 in cash per share of
Zayo common stock. As a result of the transaction completion, Zayo is now a privately held
company and its common stock has ceased trading on the NYSE.
Founded in 2007, Zayo has grown through both organic investment and 45 acquisitions to
become the leading independent provider of communications infrastructure. With deep, dense
metro and long haul networks across the U.S., Canada and Western Europe, Zayo serves many
of the largest and most innovative companies in the world. Before going public in 2014, Zayo’s
original private equity investors funded the company with just over $1 billion of equity; with
today’s transaction close, that equity is worth over $8 billion, creating material value for
shareholders. Beyond shareholder value, Zayo has also established itself over the past 13
years as a top employer along Colorado’s front range and as an active participant in the
communities in which it operates.
“We are excited to launch this new chapter of Zayo, as a private company under the ownership
of a consortium led by two highly experienced infrastructure investors who have a deep
understanding of our business and bring significant value to Zayo,” said Dan Caruso, Zayo’s
chief executive officer. “This is a great outcome for the company, its former shareholders, our
customers and employees, and our new ownership group. As a private company, we will have
greater flexibility to pursue our long-term strategy and leverage our fiber to fuel global innovation
for our customers.”
“EQT has a strong track record of supporting market leading companies and we look forward to
working with the entire Zayo organization as it embarks on its next phase of growth as a private
company,” said Jan Vesely, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure.
“Zayo is ideally positioned to meaningfully expand its offerings and services against the
backdrop of accelerating demand for innovative fiber infrastructure solutions.”
“Zayo has amassed a world class network that is unparalleled in the markets they serve,
supporting the world’s most innovative companies,” said Marc Ganzi, CEO of Digital Colony and
CEO-Elect of Colony Capital. “We believe that fiber networks are the crucial connective element
in the digital infrastructure ecosystem, and we look forward to partnering with the Zayo team to
execute on the plan of leveraging these powerful assets and driving growth with our customers
across multiple markets and verticals.”
Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan served as financial advisors to Zayo Group in connection with
the transaction and Skadden Arps served as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank
acted as financial advisors to Digital Colony and EQT Infrastructure and Simpson Thacher
served as legal advisor.
For more information about Zayo, visit zayo.com.
About Zayo
Zayo provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the
innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 133,000-mile network in North America
and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers.
Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks,
wavelengths, Ethernet, dedicated Internet access, and colocation services. Zayo owns and
operates a Tier 1 IP Backbone and 44 carrier-neutral data centers. Through its Cloudlink
service, Zayo provides low latency private connectivity that attaches enterprises to their public
cloud environments. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance,
healthcare and other large enterprises. For more information, visit zayo.com.
About Digital Colony
Digital Colony Management, LLC (“Digital Colony”) is the global digital infrastructure investment
platform of Colony Capital, Inc. (NYSE: CLNY) and a leading investor, owner and operator of
companies enabling the next generation of mobile and internet connectivity. Digital Colony was
launched in 2018 by Digital Bridge Holdings, LLC and Colony Capital to bring together Digital
Bridge’s industry, operational and investment expertise in the telecommunications sector with
Colony Capital’s global scale, operating platform and capital markets access. The inaugural
fund, Digital Colony Partners, LP, closed in May 2019, with $4.05 billion in commitments,
making it the first fund dedicated solely to investing in digital infrastructure. For more
information, please visit www.digitalcolony.com.
About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised
capital and around EUR 40 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds. EQT
funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR
21 billion and approximately 127,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to
achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More info:
www.eqtgroup.com.
For Zayo: Shannon Paulk, Corporate Communications
303-577-5897
press@zayo.com
Brad Korch, Investor Relations
720-306-7556
IR@zayo.com
CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN), a leading global provider of software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Platinum Equity in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $2.74 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the members of Cision Ltd.’s board of directors, an affiliate of Platinum Equity will acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Cision Ltd. for $10.00 per share in cash. The purchase price represents a 34% premium over Cision Ltd.’s 60-day volume-weighted average price ended on October 21, 2019.
A special meeting of Cision Ltd.’s shareholders will be held as soon as practicable following the filing of a definitive proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and subsequent mailing to its shareholders. Certain affiliates of GTCR, collectively holding approximately 34% of the outstanding shares of Cision Ltd., have entered into a voting agreement committing them to, among other things, vote in favor of adopting the acquisition agreement. The proposed transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020 and is subject to approval by Cision Ltd.’s shareholders, along with the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and antitrust regulatory approvals, as necessary. Upon completion of the acquisition, Cision Ltd. will become wholly owned by an affiliate of Platinum Equity.
Cision Ltd. may solicit alternative acquisition proposals from third parties during a “go-shop” period from the date of the agreement until November 12, 2019. There is no guarantee that this process will result in a superior proposal, and the agreement provides Platinum Equity with a customary right to match a superior proposal and termination fee if a superior proposal is accepted. Cision Ltd. does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the solicitation process unless and until the company determines such disclosure is appropriate.
“This transaction will provide shareholders with immediate and substantial cash value, while also providing us with a partner that shares in our commitment to customers and employees and can add strategic and operational value,” said Kevin Akeroyd, Cision’s Chief Executive Officer. “Based on our extensive engagement with Platinum over the past several months, we are confident that Platinum’s support will enable Cision to execute on its strategy and next phase of growth.”
Commenting on the transaction, Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei said: “Cision has a long history of leadership providing software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals and has developed a growing portfolio of earned media management offerings for the world’s leading brands. Platinum looks forward to nurturing Cision’s core business, supporting and anticipating the diverse needs of the company’s customers, and driving new opportunities for innovation. As a private company, Cision will be able to make strategic investments for sustainable and profitable growth, while remaining agile and focused on operational excellence. We are excited to partner with Cision’s management team as it embarks on this new chapter.”
Cision Ltd. will file its quarterly report on Form 10-Q reporting its third quarter financial results but does not intend to host a quarterly earnings call.
Financing & Advisors
Equity financing will be provided by investment funds managed, advised or sponsored by Platinum Equity. Platinum Equity has secured committed debt financing for the transaction from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Rothschild & Co is serving as lead financial advisor to Cision and its Board of Directors. Centerview Partners LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are also acting as financial advisors to Cision. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to Cision, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is acting as M&A legal counsel and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is acting as financing legal counsel to Platinum Equity.
For further information regarding the terms and conditions contained in the definitive merger agreement, please see Cision Ltd.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed in connection with this transaction.
About Cision
Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN) is a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals. Cision’s software allows users to identify key influencers, craft and distribute strategic content, and measure meaningful impact. Cision has over 4,800 employees with offices in 22 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information about its award-winning products and services, including the Cision Communications Cloud®, visit www.cision.com and follow Cision on Twitter @Cision.
About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $19 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 25 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 250 acquisitions.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the statements made concerning the proposed transaction, and are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “goal,” “can,” “seek,” “target” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should read any such forward-looking statements carefully, as they involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those projected or contemplated in any such forward-looking statement. Those risks, uncertainties and assumptions include: (i) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the price of the Company’s ordinary shares; (ii) the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the authorization of the merger agreement by the Company’s shareholders and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (iv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on the Company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; (v) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction; (vi) risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company related to the merger agreement or the proposed transaction, (viii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (ix) uncertainties as to Platinum Equity’s ability to obtain financing in order to consummate the merger; and (x) other risks described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, such as its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication or the date of any document incorporated by reference in this document. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements whether as the result of new developments or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and furnish to the Company’s shareholders a proxy statement. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, THE COMPANY’S SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT (IF ANY) BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders may obtain a free copy of the Company’s filings with the SEC from the Company’s website at http://investors.cision.com or by directing a written request to: Cision Ltd., Attn: Secretary, 130 E. Randolph St., 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers, and certain other members of management and employees of the Company may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders of the Company in favor of the proposed merger. Information about directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the proxy statement for Cision’s 2019 annual general meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on August 9, 2019. Additional information regarding the interests of these individuals and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation will be included in the proxy statement with respect to the merger that the Company will file with the SEC and furnish to the Company’s shareholders.
Contacts:
Cision Ltd.:
Investor Contact:
Jack Pearlstein
Chief Financial Officer
Jack.Pearlstein@cision.com
Media Contact:
Jenn Deering Davis
VP, Communications
Jenn.Deering.Davis@cision.com
Platinum Equity:
Dan Whelan
Principal, Platinum Equity
dwhelan@platinumequity.com
SOURCE Cision Ltd. Group, Inc.
SALT LAKE CITY – October 15, 2019 – HireVue, provider of the most comprehensive suite of AI-driven talent assessment and video interviewing solutions, today announced the completion of The Carlyle Group’s (NASDAQ: CG) majority investment in HireVue. Existing shareholders, including Granite Ventures, Sequoia and TCV, together with HireVue management, remain minority investors.
“I can’t imagine a better partner for HireVue than The Carlyle Group,” said Kevin Parker, Chairman and CEO at HireVue. “Together we’ll make swift progress on our broad, growth-focused agenda to deliver new hiring solutions and capabilities for the global enterprise.”
“We are delighted to partner with the HireVue team and to support its continued growth as it meets increasing demands for technology-driven interviewing and talent assessment capabilities,” said Patrick McCarter, Managing Director and Co-Head of TMT at The Carlyle Group.
The current executive team at HireVue continues to lead the company under the direction of Mr. Parker.
Equity capital for the investment came from Carlyle Partners VII, an $18.5 billion fund that makes majority and strategic minority investments primarily in the U.S. in targeted industries, including in technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) companies. TMT is a core area of focus for Carlyle, representing more than $30 billion of invested equity since inception.
About HireVue
HireVue is transforming the way companies discover, hire and develop the best talent by combining the power of video, games and AI for better hiring decisions. The HireVue Assessments and Video Interviewing Platform uses a ground-breaking combination of industrial/organizational science and rigorously tested, predictive artificial intelligence to help customers find and engage higher quality talent, faster. HireVue is available worldwide in over 30 languages and has hosted more than 11 million on-demand interviews and one million assessments. Its more than 700 customers worldwide include over one-third of the Fortune 100 and leading brands such as Unilever, Hilton, JP Morgan Chase, Delta Air Lines, Vodafone, Carnival Cruise Line and Goldman Sachs. For more information, visit www.hirevue.com.
HireVue Social Networks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/HireVue
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/HireVue
Facebook: www.facebook/HireVue
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/HireVue
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hirevue/
About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across four business segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $223 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2019, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,775 people in 33 offices across six continents.
Cynthia Siemens
Communications Director, HireVue
323-509-7361
csiemens@hirevue.com
Jenny Olson
mPR, Inc.
310-773-2568
jenny@mpublicrelations.com
Christa Zipf
The Carlyle Group
212-813-4578
christa.zipf@carlyle.com
team.blue today announces that Register Group, an international leader in digital services for professionals, will join the new European tech powerhouse. With this combination, team.blue will significantly reinforce its position as a leading digital enabler for companies and entrepreneurs across Europe.
Below is an extract of team.blue‘s full release. Read it here.
team.blue’s goal is to shape technology and create powerful digital enablement and presence tools for companies and entrepreneurs. The company was formed in 2019, following a merger between the Combell Group, a European leader in mass hosting services for SMEs, and the TransIP Group, a leading hosting and Virtual Private Server (‘VPS’) provider based in the Netherlands.
Hg, a strategic investor in both team.blue and Register Group, will invest further into the new combined group. Hg has a history of creating industry champions by scaling platforms internationally, whilst also helping to build businesses through transformational M&A, backing entrepreneurs and reinforcing organic growth through sector experience and operational support.
In team.blue, Hg is supporting the creation of a true European champion in digital services for professionals. The entrepreneurs behind team.blue have created a highly innovative business, with exceptional customer feedback and the ability to scale rapidly across geographies. We look forward to continuing our partnership.
Nick Jordan and Joris Van Gool, Hg
In connection with the transaction, Register is expecting to restructure its indebtedness which may include redemption or repurchase of debt securities issued by it.
5 July 2019 – Traviata II S.à r.l., a holding company owned by funds advised by KKR, today published the offer document for its voluntary public tender offer for the shares (ISIN: DE0005501357, DE0005754238) of Axel Springer SE (“Axel Springer”) following the permission by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (“BaFin”) to publish the offer document.
Beginning today Axel Springer shareholders can accept the offer and tender their shares at a price of EUR 63 per share, which represents a premium of 40 percent to the closing price of EUR 45.10 per share on 29 May 2019, i.e. the last close prior to the ad hoc announcement from Axel Springer confirming negotiations with KKR about a potential strategic investment. The relevant details as to how the offer can be accepted are set out in the offer document. To tender their shares, shareholders should contact their respective custodian bank.
The acceptance period will end at midnight (CET) on 2 August 2019 (shareholders should inquire with their custodian banks for any relevant deadlines set by custodian banks which may require actions prior to this date). Consummation of the tender offer is subject to various customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals such as merger control, foreign investment control and media concentration, and a minimum offer acceptance of 20 percent of Axel Springer’s share capital.
As announced on 12 June 2019, KKR’s offer is intended to enable a strategic investment in Axel Springer to support the company’s strategy in a partnership with Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner. Both have committed to form a consortium with KKR to jointly develop Axel Springer further and strengthen its position in a rapidly changing and challenging market environment. The formation of the consortium is subject to the successful closing of the voluntary public tender offer.
KKR and the existing shareholders’ companies of Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner have also entered into an investor agreement with Axel Springer. This agreement sets out, subject to their review of the offer document, that the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of Axel Springer support the offer and intend to recommend Axel Springer shareholders to accept it.
If the offer is successful KKR intends to propose to the other consortium members and to the Executive Board of Axel Springer to initiate a delisting of Axel Springer. In addition, KKR does not intend further post-transaction restructuring measures (e.g. conclusion of a domination and profit transfer agreement, squeeze-out or fundamental changes of the capital structure).
The offer document and a non-binding English translation are now available at
www.traviata-angebot.de/en. Copies of these documents can also be obtained free of charge at UniCredit Bank AG, MFM1EG, Arabellastraße 14, 81925 Munich, Germany (orders per fax: +49 89 378-44081; orders by email: tender-offer@unicreditgroup.de).
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KKR media contact Germany
| Raphael Eisenmann
Hering Schuppener Consulting Phone: +49 69 92 18 74-86 Mobile: +49 160 90 61 11 07 Email: reisenmann@heringschuppener.com
KKR media contact international Alastair Elwen Finsbury Phone: +44 207 251 3801 Mobile: +44 7557 549 325 Email: alastair.elwen@finsbury.com |
Stephanie Lichtenberg
Hering Schuppener Consulting Phone: +49 69 92 18 74-24 Mobile: +49 171 86 29 942 Email: slichtenberg@heringschuppener.com
|
Axel Springer SE media contact
| Edda Fels
Axel Springer SE Phone: +49 30 2591 77600 Email: edda.fels@axelspringer.de |
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.
About Axel Springer
Axel Springer is a media and technology company and active in more than 40 countries. By providing information across its diverse media brands (among others BILD, WELT, BUSINESS INSIDER, POLITICO Europe) and classifieds portals (StepStone Group and AVIV Group) Axel Springer SE empowers people to make free decisions for their lives. Today, the transformation from a traditional print media company to Europe’s leading digital publisher has been successfully accomplished. The next goal has been identified: Axel Springer wants to become global market leader in digital content and digital classifieds through accelerated growth. The company is headquartered in Berlin and employs more than 16,300 people worldwide. In the fiscal year 2018, Axel Springer generated 71 percent of revenues with its digital activities which also contributed 84 percent to earnings (adj. EBITDA).
Disclaimer and forward looking statements
This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares in Axel Springer SE. The terms and conditions of the public tender offer, as well as further provisions concerning the public tender offer are published in the offer document, the publication of which has been approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – BaFin) to. Investors and holders of shares in Axel Springer SE are strongly advised to read the offer document and all other documents regarding the public tender offer when they become available, as they will contain important information.
The public tender offer has been published exclusively under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and certain applicable provisions of U.S. takeover laws. The public tender offer documentation as well as further documents regarding the public tender offer are available at www.traviata-angebot.de. Any contract concluded on the basis of the public tender offer will be exclusively governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and is to be interpreted in accordance with such laws.
To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, and in accordance with German market practice, Traviata II S.à r.l., its affiliates or its brokers may purchase, or conclude agreements to purchase, shares in Axel Springer SE, directly or indirectly, outside of the scope of the public tender offer, before, during or after the period in which the offer remains open for acceptance. This applies to other securities which are directly convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable for shares in Axel Springer SE. These purchases may be completed via the stock exchange at market prices or outside the stock exchange at negotiated conditions. If such purchases or arrangements to purchase are made they will be made outside the United States and will comply with applicable law, including the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any information on such purchases will be disclosed as required by law or regulation in Germany or any other relevant jurisdiction and on http://www.traviata-angebot.de.
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements and forecasts which relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. The terms “intend”, “can”, “may”, “will”, “would” or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and other variable circumstances which may cause the statements to be inaccurate or materially differ from the actual result, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this announcement are made only as of the date hereof. We retain the right to revise any such statement and do not undertake, and specifically decline, any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments.
Montagu Private Equity (“Montagu”), a leading European private equity firm, announced today that it has agreed to sell Covidence to funds managed by EMK Capital LLP, a UK based private equity firm. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
Covidence is the global technology leader in the niche professional market of miniature covert video and audio surveillance equipment. The business was founded in 2007 and is based in Rønde, Denmark. Montagu led the buyout of Covidence in 2015.
Over its four years of ownership, Montagu has helped the business to grow its top line through the development of new products and platforms, and by enhancing the go-to-market strategy. Covidence achieved double digit annual sales growth over the period from 2015 to 2018.
William Blair acted as financial advisor to Montagu and Covidence.
Completion is expected in May 2019.
