REG - Keywords Studios PLC - Acquisition

Keywords StudiosAnnouncement

01/02/2023 07:00

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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 55 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, Brian Rubin-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                                    +353 190 22 730

 Bertrand Bodson, Chief Executive Officer            investors@keywordsstudios.com

 Jon Hauck, Chief Financial Officer

 Giles Blackham, Investor Relations

 Numis Securities (Nominated Adviser & Broker)       +44 20 7260 1000

 Stuart Skinner/Will Baunton

 MHP Group (Financial PR)                            +44 20 3128 8794

 Katie Hunt/Eleni Menikou/Charles Hirst              keywords@mhpgroup.com (mailto:keywords@mhpgroup.com)

 

About Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com
(http://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 (https://www.fortyseven.com/) )
(https://www.labcompr.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 Thing.

 

 

 

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

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