UTV Media Announces Acquisition Of PR Firm

A successful media company in the UK and Ireland incorporating Radio, Television, New Media and Publishing has revealed that they have bought a social media agency with the hope of further expanding their multi-media business.

UTV Media today announced the acquisition of Simply Zesty, the market leading social media agency in the Republic of Ireland for an initial consideration of £1.7million up to a deferred final consideration of approximately £5million, depending upon future trading performance.

Simply Zesty was set up in 2009 and employs 22 staff at its Dublin offices and specialises in providing social media marketing services to assist businesses in creating innovative social media campaigns. With a blue chip client base of more than 100 companies, including Sony, Volkswagen Group and ebookers,com, Simply Zesty is also steadily building its international presence, which now represents more than 15% of revenues and is growing strongly.

John McCann, Group Chief Executive, UTV Media plc said: "The acquisition of Simply Zesty is part of our strategy to create a diversified multi-media business.

"The media agency is a very successful Irish business with an international presence in the fast-growing social media sector. This acquisition strengthens our existing New Media division and adds further impetus to our multi-media strategy.

"The social media presence of UTV Media’s radio and television stations in the UK and Ireland will also be enhanced by the acquisition of Simply Zesty, facilitating far greater integration of media across online and broadcast platforms."

Ken Fitzpatrick, CEO of Simply Zesty, said: "We at Simply Zesty are delighted to be part of the UTV Media Group. Simply Zesty has grown strongly as a social media marketing agency since its foundation, thanks to our great staff and clients both Irish and International. As part of UTV, we hope to develop our existing brand and business model at an accelerated pace."

Nigel Robbins, Group Commercial Director, UTV Media said:"It is the team at Simply Zesty that we are buying into, and the same creative flair and entrepreneurial spirit that got them where they are today will propel Simply Zesty onwards as they build on an impressive domestic and international client base, and integrate across our Radio, TV and New Media divisions.

"Simply Zesty’s well-proven social media expertise will ensure that advertising clients across UTV, whose campaigns require the most effective multiplatform spread, will continue to be extremely well served."

(LB/GK)