Trillium Partners Limited (Trillium), the independent corporate finance advisory firm, has advised Electric Word plc (Electric Word), the AIM-listed specialist information publisher, in buying out the interest of its partner, Affiliate Media Inc (Affiliate Media), in its iGB Affiliate events and publishing business. The transaction was completed on 25th January, 2011.

In 2006, iGaming Business Ltd (iGB), Electric Word’s 70 per cent. owned subsidiary, entered into business with Affiliate Media to produce information serving affiliate marketing partners to the online gaming industry. This comprises a magazine and events business which are now branded iGB Affiliate and are wholly managed by Electric Word. Under the terms of the existing contract between Affiliate Media and iGB, Affiliate Media provides marketing support for the iGB Affiliate business in return for a fee. SBG Companies Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Electric Word, has now agreed to buy Affiliate Media out of its benefits and obligations under the existing contract.

Trillium specialises in M&A, financial restructuring and fund raising transactions and corporate finance advice. The firm has a core expertise in information products and digital media, providing support for clients as they undertake transactions to position themselves for sustainable future growth and profitability.

Trillium advised Electric Word on all aspects of the acquisition. In particular, Trillium: (a) facilitated and conducted bilateral and multi-party negotiations with various stakeholders including Electric Word, iGB, Affiliate Media and their advisers; (b) co-ordinated the acquisition process and communicated with Electric Word’s other advisers, as well as with Affiliate Media and their advisers; and (c) assisted Electric Word with modelling and valuation, and helped to explore funding options.

Julian Turner, Electric Word CEO, commented:
“Following on from our placing in November 2010, we are pleased to announce the completion of the planned buyout of our partner in the iGB Affiliate events and publishing business. This will increase Group earnings in the current year by consolidating our profits and improving the margins in this part of our Business Information division. Our partnership with Affiliate Media has been very successful for both sides and I’m pleased to say that we are continuing to discuss ways of working together on other projects in the future. Trillium co-ordinated the buyout process and the various parties involved extremely professionally, and ensured a timely and favourable outcome for Electric Word. We have worked with Trillium for a number of years, and greatly value their advice.”

Philip Mastriforte of Trillium added:
“Electric Word is an ambitious company looking significantly to grow its presence in a constantly evolving marketplace. We are pleased that Trillium has had the opportunity to assist Electric Word in an important transaction for the Group.”

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