Trillium Partners Advises Centaur Media On Significant Strategic Development In Digital Media

Trillium Partners Limited (Trillium), the independent corporate finance advisory firm, has advised Centaur Media plc (Centaur), the UK-listed B2B information and events group, on its acquisition of E-consultancy.com Limited (Econsultancy), a leading digital market information provider, for an initial consideration of £12 million and a deferred consideration of up to £38 million calculated by reference to EBITDA earned by the company in the 12 months ending 31 December 2015.

Econsultancy is a digital and events-led information provider to the global digital marketing and e-commerce community. At the heart of Econsultancy’s business is an extensive digital database of data, research and best practice content which can be leveraged to deliver high value paid-for information solutions for marketing and e-commerce professionals globally. Econsultancy is also one of the UK’s leading providers of information, training and events in the digital marketing sector and has applied this model in the USA, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Econsultancy’s revenues are generated from subscriptions, events, training, professional qualifications and media (including advertising, job listing and sponsored survey opportunities). It has approximately 110,000 registered users worldwide and approximately 5,000 subscribers. In the financial year to 31 December 2011, Econsultancy reported revenues of £6.6m (representing an increase of 50 per cent. on the prior period) and adjusted EBITDA of £1.1m.

The combination of Econsultancy with Centaur’s market leading publication brand, Marketing Week, is expected to create opportunities to grow revenue further and strengthen both brands. The acquisition is expected to accelerate Centaur’s transformation into that of a predominantly digital information and events business and to strengthen its position as a leading information provider to the global marketing community.

Trillium specialises in M&A, financial restructuring and fund raising transactions and corporate finance advice, with a core expertise in Information and Digital Media. In providing its advice to Centaur, Trillium: (a) conducted analyses in respect of the financial effects of the transaction; (b) evaluated transaction structuring options; (c) assisted Centaur with its negotiations with Econsultancy; and (d) coordinated the acquisition process. The acquisition was a Class I transaction which required the approval of Centaur’s shareholders.

Geoff Wilmot, CEO of Centaur, said:
“The earnings enhancing acquisition of Econsultancy provides us with an exciting opportunity to acquire a leading information brand in a high growth sector with global potential which fits well with Centaur products including Marketing Week and New Media Age.

“This was an important acquisition for Centaur and the quality of Trillium’s advice and support was central in ensuring a successful outcome.”

Stephen Routledge, Managing Director at Trillium, added:
“Trillium was pleased to act as financial adviser to Centaur, supporting our client in fulfilling its objectives. The acquisition enables access to a rapidly expanding market and will transform Centaur’s position within the marketing community.”

About Trillium Partners
Trillium Partners is an independent mid-market firm that advises listed companies, private firms and financial sponsors on M&A and Private Capital raising transactions valued at £20 million to £500 million in the B2B Information Services and Events, Consumer Media, Learning and Development, and Marketing Services.

Over the last 30 years, we have advised our clients on a comprehensive array of transactions in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia, with an aggregate value in excess of £10 billion. Underpinned by deep sector knowledge and insight, our expertise extends from private acquisitions and disposals to public offers and raising capital from the private equity, family office, banking and alternative finance communities for working capital, business development, acquisitions and buy-outs.


For more information regarding this transaction, please contact Stephen Routledge or Philip Mastriforte on +44 (0)20 3008 8375