Acquisition

RNS Number : 1341X

Keywords Studios PLC

17 February 2017

 

17^th February 2017

Keywords Studios plc ("Keywords", "the Group")

Acquisition of Spov Ltd,

Strengthening the Group's Art Services line of business

Keywords Studios, the international technical services provider to the global video games industry, today announces that it has acquired Spov Ltd. ("Spov") for a total consideration of up to £1.2m in cash from its founder, Allen Leitch. Based in London, UK, Spov provides creative development, cinematics, UI, visual effects and motion graphics services to the video game and film markets. (www.spov.tv)

Founded in 2007 by Allen Leitch, Spov maintains a small team of creatives in London and manages a network of highly experienced designers, animators, film makers and artists to produce intricate footage for use in video games, film and TV. The company has worked on titles that include Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Watch Dogs, The Division, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare; Batman: Arkham Knight and Marvel's Doctor Strange.

Fred Stockton, Global Art Service Line Director, Keywords Studios commented:

"We are thrilled to have Allen and the Spov team of talented creative professionals join the Art Service Line at Keywords Studios.  Their skills and experience will enhance our ability to provide a broader range of services to our clients.  Likewise, we look forward to meeting with Spov clients to share with them the full spectrum of capabilities that Keywords Studios has to offer.  This acquisition will strengthen our market position as a leading provider of digital art services and will contribute to our continuing growth in this area."

For further information, please contact:

Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com) Giacomo Duranti, Chief Operating Officer Fulvio Sioli, Regional Managing Director, Europe David Broderick, Chief Financial Officer	[phone]
Numis (Financial Adviser) Stuart Skinner / Kevin Cruickshank (Nominated Adviser) James Black / Tom Ballard (Corporate Broker)	020 7260 1000
MHP Communications (Financial PR) Katie Hunt / Ollie Hoare	020 3128 8794 [e-mail]

Certain information contained in this announcement would have constituted inside information (as defined by Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014) prior to its release as part of this announcement.

About Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com)

Keywords Studios is an international technical services provider to the global video games industry. Established in 1998, and now with facilities in Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal, Quebec City, Portland, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Tokyo, Singapore, New Delhi, Pune, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Manila, Hamburg, Paris and London, it provides integrated art creation, localisation, testing, audio and customer care services across 50 languages and 14 games platforms to a blue chip client base in more than 15 countries.  It has a strong market position, providing services to 21 of the top 25 most prominent games companies, including Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Konami, Riot Games, Sony, Square Enix, Supercell, TakeTwo, and Ubisoft. Recent titles worked on include Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Mortal Combat X, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Battlefield 1, World of Warcraft: Legion, Hearthstone, Clash Royale, and Mobile Strike. Keywords is listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (KWS.L).

About Spov (www.spov.tv)

Spov work at all stages of the production process, from the inception of creative concepts to research, scripting, storyboarding and into full production.

Founded in 2007 by designer and animator Allen Leitch, Spov's team bring a wealth of creative experience and enthusiasm. Above all, they approach their work with passion, commitment and a dedication to create compelling work that is original in concept and execution. Their professional approach and organisation allows them to deliver work which is both commercially and creatively outstanding.

 

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