Acquisition(s)

16 May 2013

                           St Ives plc - Acquisition                           

St Ives plc ("St Ives" or "the Group") is pleased to announce that it has today
acquired Branded3 Search Ltd ("Branded3"), a leading search engine optimisation
and digital marketing agency.

The acquisition of Branded3 is a continuation of St Ives' strategy to create a
complementary range of digital and marketing services that will enable the
Group to add further value to existing and new clients.

Established in 2003, Branded3 employs approximately 50 staff, with offices in
central London and Leeds. It has a strong B2C and B2B client base across a
range of vertical sectors that includes entertainment, finance, travel and
other sectors.

In the financial year ended 31 January 2013, Branded3 generated adjusted*
EBITDA of £1.7 million on revenue of £4.1million; gross assets were £
3.0million. (* Before items of a one off nature.)

St Ives has agreed to acquire all of the issued share capital of Branded3, on a
cash and debt free basis, for £10.7million, to be satisfied by approximately £
8.6 million in cash and approximately 1.4 million of newly issued St Ives
shares. Further consideration of up to £14.3 million may be payable (to be
satisfied approximately 75% in cash and 25% in shares) dependent on incremental
financial performance for the years ending 31 January 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Branded3 will operate as a subsidiary of St Ives and will continue to be
managed from its current locations by its existing management team, which
includes Vin Chinnaraja and Patrick Altoft, the vendors and co-founders of the
business

It is expected that the acquisition will be earnings enhancing in the current
financial year.

Patrick Martell, Chief Executive of St Ives, said:

"With the acquisition of Branded3 we are adding significant depth to our
digital offering and further enhancing the range of marketing services we can
provide for our existing and prospective clients. Our combination of insight
led innovation and trusted execution across digital and physical media creates
a unique integrated offering in the market, which this acquisition complements
well. I am delighted to welcome the Branded3 team to the Group and look forward
to supporting their growth plans."

Commenting on the acquisition, Branded3's CEO Vin Chinnaraja, said:

"We have achieved another major milestone in our growth plans and becoming part
of a synergistic, forward-thinking group where there is huge potential for
collaboration is a real boost for us. I am really looking forward to working
with the St Ives team to fulfil our ambitious plans."

Director of Search and co-owner of the agency, Patrick Altoft, said:

"Branded3 already has a strong reputation as one of the most respected search
agencies in the UK. With the support from St Ives Group, we can continue to
grow both in the UK and internationally by being part of a larger group whilst
still retaining our own identity and culture as an independently managed
specialist agency."

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For further information please contact:

St Ives plc 020 7928 8844

Patrick Martell, Chief Executive

Matt Armitage, Finance Director

MHP Communications 020 3128 8100

John Olsen / Ian Payne / Giles Robinson