Acquisition

RNS Number : 4974O

Keywords Studios PLC

01 February 2023

 

1 February 2023

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

 Acquisition of 47 Communications, LLC ("47", the "Company")

Adds significant expertise and scale to Keywords' marketing and PR offering in the US

Keywords Studios, the international technical and creative services provider to the global video games and entertainment industries, today announces it has acquired 47 Communications LLC, a leading US-based PR and communications agency with expertise in the video game, technology, entertainment and digital lifestyle sectors.

Sibel Sunar, the CEO and vendor[1], established 47 in 2006.  The Company's talented team of 5 5 professionals delivers high quality PR, strategic communications and media advice to clients from high profile new ventures and start-ups to some of the largest global entertainment brands.  The Company provides a full range of counsel and services including strategic positioning, media training, influencer & analyst relations, social & digital strategy and thought leadership & events. Headquartered in Los Angeles, 47 has coast-to-coast coverage in the US with offices in New York, San Francisco and Denver. Sibel Sunar will continue to manage the agency supported by 47's senior leadership team of Laura Weir, BrianRubin-Sowers and Craig Sinel.  

47 will join Keywords' marketing businesses in the Engage service line, which brings together experts from its Marketing, Player Support, and Player Research units  to deliver holistic solutions to clients' player engagement needs. It complements the Group's existing full-service PR agencies: Indigo Pearl, based in London, England and the recently acquired LabCom, based in Milan, Italy. 

For the twelve months to 30 September 2022, 47 generated revenues of approximately $11 million. The consideration payable for the Company is in line with Keywords' targeted valuation range. The terms of the transaction include contingent consideration payable in a mix of cash and new ordinary shares depending on the future performance of the Company over the three years from completion. The new ordinary shares to be issued will be subject to orderly market provisions for a year. 

Bertrand Bodson, CEO of Keywords Studios commented:

"We are very excited that the team at 47 is joining the Keywords group.  47 has a well-earned reputation as the leading PR agency in the US market and we have long admired the quality of the team and the excellent services they provide. The acquisition of 47 is a key milestone in delivering on our strategy of building a complete marketing offering for our clients on a global scale. We are looking forward to working with the 47 team and are excited by the opportunities for our clients that this acquisition will bring."

Sibel Sunar  of 47, commented:

" 47 has entered a new phase of growth that Keywords will help take to the next level. Keywords is also growing in exciting ways with a talented group of companies and executive vision to provide premier marketing and communications services globally. We are excited to help be a part of this next chapter for both companies."

For further information, please contact:

Keywords Studios Bertrand Bodson, Chief Executive Officer Jon Hauck, Chief Financial Officer Giles Blackham, Investor Relations	[phone] [e-mail]
Numis Securities (Nominated Adviser & Broker) Stuart Skinner/Will Baunton	[phone]
MHP Group (Financial PR) Katie Hunt/Eleni Menikou/Charles Hirst	[phone] [e-mail]

About Keywords Studios ( www.keywordsstudios.com )

Keywords Studios is an international technical and creative services provider to the global video games and entertainment industries. Established in 1998, and now with over 70 facilities in 26 countries strategically located in Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Europe, it provides services across the entire content development life cycle through its Create, Globalise and Engage service lines to a blue-chip client base of over 950 clients across the globe.

Keywords Studios has a strong market position, providing services to 23 of the top 25 most prominent games companies. Across the games and entertainment industry, clients include Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Konami, Microsoft, Netflix, Riot Games, Square Enix, Supercell, TakeTwo, Tencent and Ubisoft. Recent titles worked on include Anthem, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, Clash Royale and Doom Eternal. Keywords Studios is listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (KWS.L).

About 47  ( www.fortyseven.com )

47 is a premium communications agency with expertise in technology, entertainment, games and digital lifestyle. Our people are storytellers covering all aspects of strategic business, consumer and trade PR. We are home to long-term careers for top talent, and to long-term partnerships with clients. Our clients range from the biggest names to the emerging, to the quirky with a great story. We never settle for just good, we strive for exceptional. Our modus operandum is Do the Right Thin g.

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[1] Ms Sunar's wholly owned company, Kibele Inc, sold the shares of the Company

 

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