Disposal 75.1% Walker Media

RNS Number : 1274U

M&C Saatchi PLC

28 November 2013

 



M&C SAATCHI PLC

28 November 2013

Sale of 75.1% of Walker Media to Publicis Groupe

M&C Saatchi, the global marketing services business, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to sell a 75.1% stake in Walker Media to Publicis Groupe. Walker Media will form part of a new global network which will benefit M&C Saatchi's worldwide client base.

Walker Media is one of the leading media agencies in the UK and will become part of Publicis Groupe's ZenithOptimedia Group, and will be a key cornerstone of a new global media network to be launched in 2014. M&C Saatchi will retain a 24.9% stake in Walker Media and will have the right to appoint a minority of directors to the board, which initially will be David Kershaw, CEO of M&C Saatchi plc, and Jamie Hewitt, Group Finance Director of M&C Saatchi plc.

The consideration for the 75.1% stake is £36m, which equates to a valuation for the whole of Walker media of £48m, and will be payable in cash on completion of the transaction, expected on 27 November 2013. Walker Media had gross assets of £49.1m as at 31 December 2012 and operating profit of £5.2m for the 12 months ended 31 December 2012.

A majority of the cash proceeds will be used to return to shareholders. A further announcement will be made in due course on the method and timing of how this cash will be returned. The remainder of the cash proceeds will be used to fund future investments consistent with M&C Saatchi's strategy, purchase minority put options, and for general working capital purposes.

David Kershaw said: "This new network will be of great value to our worldwide client base. Walker Media will benefit from the geographic reach and scale opportunities within ZenithOptimedia and Publicis, whilst importantly retaining the integrity of the Walker Media brand."

Contacts:

M&C Saatchi                                     [phone]

David Kershaw

Tulchan Communications            [phone]

Lucy Legh

Susanna Voyle

Clarity                                                 [phone]

Lead Financial Adviser

Marcus Anselm

Numis Securities                             [phone]

Broker, Nomad and Joint Financial Adviser

Lorna Tilbian

Nick Westlake

Charles Farquhar

About M&C Saatchi

M&C Saatchi is a global marketing services business working across a wide variety of industry sectors. We are a federation of entrepreneurs, built through start-ups and owner managers with 26 offices in 18 countries all united by our commitment to our philosophy: Brutal Simplicity of Thought.

About Walker Media

Walker Media was formed in 1998 by Christine Walker and Phil Georgiadis with M&C Saatchi, and today counts over 130 employees. It is one of the leading media agencies in the UK, retaining a place in the top 10 UK media agency ranking, and commanding a list of long-standing blue chip clients, including Marks & Spencer, Dixons Group, KFC, Halfords and Weetabix.

 

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