ITV

Tag: buys

  • Technicolor buys Mikros Image; strengthens position in animation market

    Technicolor buys Mikros Image; strengthens position in animation market

     

    MUMBAI: Technicolor has entered into an exclusive agreement with Mediacontech to acquire Mikros Image, a French production and postproduction company, implanted in Paris (France) and Montreal (Canada).

     

    Mikros Image is an award-winning French production services company that has long-standing relationships with a large number of French-based customers and encompasses aspects of production and postproduction for feature animation, advertising, feature film and TV. The feature animation division, mainly located in Montreal, has developed a proven and tested pipeline, built a strong team of artists and become a reference in this market. Its feature animation portfolio includesAsterix: le Domaine des Dieux, Mune le gardien de la lune and le Petit Prince.

     

    Mikros Image generated €44 million of revenue in 2014.

     

    The acquisition of Mikros Image would immediately strengthen Technicolor’s position in the animation market, which is identified as a major growth driver for the Group as part of its Drive 2020 strategic plan.

     

    The transaction complements Technicolor’s animation services, which recently grew with the acquisition of Ouido Productions, a French-based production house specializing in animated TV series. With Mikros Image, whose work in advertising includes campaigns for Evian, Dior and Audi, combined with MPC Paris’ advertising activities, Technicolor becomes the leader in France’s advertising market.

     

    Mikros Image would leverage Technicolor’s cutting-edge technologies, access broader resources to scale its offering and benefit from operational synergies. Mikros Image would retain its own brand, management and culture of creativity and would be added to Technicolor’s brands portfolio, that already includes MPC, Mr. X, Ouido and Technicolor. The Group’s strategy is to offer clients empowered and innovative brands that support clients’ service and market needs.

     

    “The acquisition of Mikros Image aligns with our strategic objective to grow in animation and advertising. Their proven expertise in feature animation film and advertising will strengthen our offering,” said Technicolor CEO Frederic Rose.

     

    The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2015 subject to the labor law requirements. The transaction is expected to be accretive on a full year basis.

     

  • Facebook buys WhatsApp for a whopping $19 billion

    Facebook buys WhatsApp for a whopping $19 billion

    MUMBAI: WhatsApp is an application that has seen exponential growth in the five years since its launch and it has become the most popular means of communication through mobile phones. In a deal announced today, popular social media website Facebook has acquired the messaging application for a whopping $19 billion.

     

    As per the terms of the transaction, $4 billion will be paid in cash to WhatsApp shareholders, $12 billion in Facebook shares and $3 billion in restricted stock units that will vest in the owners and employers of WhatsApp over four years after the deal is completed after regulatory approvals. WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will be joining the Facebook board of directors.

     

    After the acquisition, WhatsApp will continue to operate independently and will continue its policy of no advertising. Currently, the application has 450 million users and is adding a million users each day. A release from Facebook says that the acquisition supports Facebook’s and WhatsApp’s shared mission to bring more connectivity and utility to the world by delivering core internet services efficiently and affordably.

     

    “WhatsApp is a company of really hardcore engineers who are obsessing over perfecting messaging, not adding a lot of bloated features into a messaging app. Over time, I think people are going to pay for that,” said Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

     

    Facebook was advised by Allen & Company LLC and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and WhatsApp was advised by Morgan Stanley and Fenwick & West, LLP.

     

    Koum said, “WhatsApp’s extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide. We’re excited and honored to partner with Mark and Facebook as we continue to bring our product to more people around the world.”