Acquisition of Effie
08/08/2024 07:00
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RNS Number : 6320Z Ascential PLC 08 August 2024
7 August 2024
Ascential plc
Global benchmark in marketing effectiveness to join Ascential's LIONS
Division to amplify offer for Marketing and Creative Industries
Ascential plc (LSE: ASCL.L), the specialist events, intelligence and advisory
company has entered into an agreement to acquire the commercial assets of
Effie, the global benchmark in marketing effectiveness.
Effie will (subject to regulatory approval) join Ascential's LIONS Division,
which champions creative marketing that matters, driving growth through
creative, effective marketing.
Effie leads, inspires and champions the practice and practitioners of
marketing effectiveness globally, hosting the largest, most robust and
prestigious marketing effectiveness awards in the world. Effie provides
insights from over 125 markets, in addition to tools and training.
Ascential will also (subject to regulatory approval) embark on a long-term
partnership with the not-for-profit organisation, Effie Worldwide, Inc., which
will be preserved and transformed into a new global Foundation, The Effie
LIONS Foundation, Inc. ("the Foundation"). The Foundation will be dedicated to
educating the next generation of talent, offering training for all marketing
students, especially those under-represented in the marketing community.
Additionally, the Foundation will provide a home for LIONS' existing
not-for-profit initiatives and provide access to some of the LIONS Division
digital products, maximising reinvestment in the industry.
Philip Thomas, CEO, Ascential, commented:
"The coming together of LIONS and Effie is a powerful testament to the fact
that effectiveness and creativity in marketing are inextricably linked. All
enlightened businesses know that creative, effective marketing drives
growth. This historic partnership will complement the insights and
intelligence on marketing and creative effectiveness LIONS already offers via
WARC, The Work and Contagious, providing marketing leaders worldwide with the
data and evidence they need to make the case for creative marketing that
matters. Meanwhile, the creation of The Effie LIONS Foundation, Inc. will
educate and inspire our industry, and broaden the opportunities available to
everyone to build a career in creativity and marketing."
Traci Alford, President and CEO, Effie Worldwide, commented:
"We are excited to join LIONS with such a complementary, yet distinct,
portfolio of brands. Closer collaboration between Effie, as the definitive
marketing effectiveness benchmark globally, and the LIONS brands is an
exciting prospect for the industry as our ability to share insights and find
synergies in our data will help to dissect the role creativity plays in
driving marketing effectiveness overall. Together we will be able to better
understand the key drivers of growth and ultimately help all businesses
succeed."
Headquartered in New York, with offices in Beijing and the UK, Effie has a
network of 59 partners covering over 125 markets. Effie will continue to be
led by Traci Alford, President and CEO, Effie Worldwide.
A copy of this announcement will be available, free of charge, subject to
certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions,
on Ascential's website at
https://www.ascential.com/investors/recommended-offer-for-ascential-by-informa
(https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/isxdCVAZPFx5BrEgFGfquE1zjf?domain=ascential.com)
by no later than 12.00 noon (London Time) on the business day following the
publication of this announcement.
About Ascential
Ascential takes the world's leading brands to the heart of what's next for
their industries. We do this through our events, intelligence products and
advisory services. Our 700 people serve a global customer base from more than
100 countries in the large and growing Marketing and Financial Technology
sectors. Ascential plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: ASCL).
About Effie
Effie leads, inspires and champions the practice and practitioners of
marketing effectiveness globally. We work across 125 markets to deliver smart
leadership, applicable insights, and the largest, most prestigious marketing
effectiveness awards in the world. Winning an Effie has been a globally
recognized symbol of outstanding achievement for over 50 years. We recognize
the most effective brands, marketers, and agencies globally, regionally, and
locally through our coveted effectiveness rankings, the Effie Index. Our
ambition is to equip marketers everywhere with the tools, knowledge, and
inspiration they need to succeed.
Contacts
Ascential plc
Philip Thomas Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)203 657 8950
Mandy Gradden Chief Financial Officer
Rory Elliott Investor Relations Director
Media enquiries
Matt Dixon FTI Consulting LLP +44 (0)20 3727 1000
Jamie Ricketts
Edward Bridges
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