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Envoy acquires one of the world`s top creative advertising agencies, Leagas Delaney 06:00 EST Monday, November 06, 2000 Billings soar to $750 million and Gross Margin run rate doubles to $165 million LONDON/NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO/TORONTO, Nov. 6 /CNW/ - Geoff Genovese, President and CEO of Envoy Communications Group (NASDAQ: ECGI/TSE: ECG) today announced the company has entered into an agreement to purchase the London- based, international advertising agency, Leagas Delaney. The acquisition, valued at up to approximately CDN $132 million, will drive Envoy`s Gross Margin run rate to CDN $165 million. With offices in London, Hamburg, Paris, Rome and San Francisco, the purchase of Leagas Delaney is part of Envoy`s strategy to build `best of breed` companies in each of its core disciplines - Marketing, Design and Technology - and provide its clients with unparalleled, international service. Leagas Delaney, rated one of the world`s top creative agencies, brings to Envoy a roster of marquis clients, including adidas, Barclays, Clarins, CNET.com, Goodyear, Harrod`s and Telecom Italia. An Envoy Audio conference discussing the highlights of the Leagas Delaney purchase will take place today at 10:00 a.m. EST (3:00 p.m., GMT). "Leagas Delaney is a world-class company, with an impressive track record of growth. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to work with such an extraordinary group of talented professionals," said Genovese. Tim Delaney, Leagas Delaney`s founder, CEO and Creative Director said that "We have always aimed to be ahead of the market in advertising creative terms, this merger gives us the opportunity to move even further ahead by working with like-minded professionals in areas like digital technology and retail design that are of increasing importance to our clients." "The merging of Leagas Delaney with Envoy is the perfect marriage. Envoy is leading the revolution in the convergence of marketing, design and technology and we are excited to be a part of the campaign, " said Bruce Haines, Chairman of Leagas Delaney. "Envoy`s integrated and international model - the blending together of traditional marketing with design and technology - represents the future of international marketing." Financial Highlights The acquisition is immediately accretive to Envoy`s earnings. Leagas Delaney is a growth company, achieving a 50% compounded growth rate over the last 2 years. The addition of Leagas Delaney to the Envoy Group will double the Company`s gross margin run rate to CDN $165 million, push Envoy`s billings to close to CDN $750 million, and will enhance the Company`s ability to cross- sell its `best-of-breed` services internationally. The purchase is worth a total consideration of up to approximately CDN $132 million. The down payment consideration is approximately CDN $55 million, of which approximately CDN $19.8 million will be satisfied by the issuance of Envoy shares valued at $8.00CDN. The balance of the purchase price is up to approximately CDN $77 million and is subject to meeting annual profit targets over a period of four years. Two-thirds of the balance of the purchase price will be satisfied by the issuance of Envoy shares valued at $8.00. The deal, subject to financing, is expected to close by the end of January, 2001. About Envoy Envoy (www.envoy.to) is an international company, committed to building the "best-of-breed" in each of its core disciplines: design, marketing and technology. Through the convergence of its core disciplines, the Envoy Communications Group of companies provides innovative business building solutions for marquis, international clients that include adidas-Salomon, BASF, CIBC, Castrol, CDNOW, FedEx, Hewlett Packard, Honda, Panasonic, Pizza Hut, Prudential (USA), Safeway, SalomonSmithBarney, Sprint Canada, Steelcase, TD Waterhouse (USA) and Wal-Mart. About Leagas Delaney Leagas Delaney was established in London in 1980. The Agency rapidly gained a reputation for outstanding creativity, winning many major awards for its work. Attracted by its high standards, AMV plc. acquired the Agency in 1986. Prior to the purchase of AMV by BBDO, Leagas Delaney management bought out the company in April 1998. Since that time, the company has seen explosive growth in its home market, the establishment of successful offices in San Francisco, Paris, Rome and Hamburg plus a stand alone new media company, The Digital Partners in London. Major Clients include adidas in all offices, Lycos and Goodyear across the European network, Barclays Bank, the BBC, Patek Philippe, Harrods and Hyundai in London, CNET.com, Red Envelope in San Francisco, Le Gan, Clarins, Canal J and ING in Paris, Telecom Italia and Stern Magazine in Hamburg. Audio Conference To participate in the Audio conference, please dial: In North America (888) 391-0090 and Internationally, (415) 247-8505 fifteen minutes prior to start time (10:00 a.m. EST, 3:00 p.m. GMT) Playback recording numbers are: North America (800) 633-8284, Internationally (858) 812-6440. To view accompanying slides, log on to www.envoy.to and click on the `Leagas Delaney` icon. Cautionary Statement Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E(i)(1) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Envoy`s actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these statements. Such factors include the following: general economic and business conditions, changes in demand for Envoy`s services, changes in competition, the ability of Envoy to integrate acquisitions or complete future acquisitions, interest rate fluctuations, currency exchange rate fluctuations, dependence upon and availability of qualified personnel and changes in government regulation. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by Envoy that Envoy`s plans and objectives will be achieved." ENVOY FACT SHEET ---------------- - Through the convergence of its three core disciplines of Marketing, Design and Technology, the Envoy Communications Group provides innovative business building solutions for international clients. - Rated by the National Post`s Business Magazine, November 2000 issue, as Canada`s 18th best performing company based on a three year shareholder return of 147.8% - Since listing on the TSE (TSE: ECG) in 1997, Envoy`s gross margin has increased by a compounded annual growth rate of 87%. - Envoy listed on the NASDAQ (NASDAQ: ECGI) in June 2000. - Envoy employs 575 professionals Envoy`s `Best of Breed` Core Disciplines Marketing --------- Hampel Stefanides: Envoy`s New York-based advertising agency provides internationally recognized creative and strategic planning services. Based in Toronto, The Communique Group of companies provides marketing services Advertising, Public Relations, and Event Marketing services. Design ------ Watt International has been an Envoy company since 1999 and has grown to become the world`s largest retail branding consultancy with offices across the US, Europe and Canada. FUSIONcreative is a Toronto-based corporate branding consultancy. Recently acquired by Envoy, the International Design Group (IDG) will be merged with the Watt Group to create Watt-IDG, a retail design powerhouse. Technology ---------- Sage Information Consultants has offices in New York and Toronto and provides leading back-end e-business solutions to international clients. Devlin Applied Design is a front-end e-business solution provider who creates award winning Web site design for leading international companies. The Envoy Group of Company`s has an impressive list of clients, including adidas - Salomon, Aer Lingus, Alliance Atlantis, Armstrong Industries, BASF, Canada Life, CIBC, Castrol, CDNOW, FedEx, Hewlett Packard, Home Depot, Honda, Hummingbird, Lexus, Loblaws, MAC Cosmetics, National Discount Brokers, Oxford Properties, Panasonic, PETsMart, Prudential (USA), Rogers Communications, Safeway, SalomonSmithBarney, Sprint Canada, Staples, Steelcase USA, TD Waterhouse and Wal-Mart. LEAGAS DELANEY FACT SHEET ------------------------- Founded in 1980 and headquartered in London, Leagas Delaney is rated one of the world`s top creative agencies. In 1995 Leagas Delaney opened its San Francisco office. Since 1998, the company has expanded to Rome, Paris and Hamburg. Leagas Delaney employs 300 professionals, 270 in the advertising group and 30 in the technology group. Leagas Delaney`s technology group, Digital Partners, was started in 1999 and now has offices in both San Francisco and London. Digital Partners provides e-business solutions to adidas, Patek Phillippe, Harrod`s, Epson and the MS Society. Major Leagas Delaney clients include adidas in all offices, Lycos and Goodyear across the European network, Barclays Bank, the BBC, Patek Philippe, Harrods and Hyundai in London, CNET.com, Red Envelope in San Francisco, Le Gan, Clarins, Canal J and ING in Paris, Telecom Italia, and Stern Magazine in Hamburg. COMBINED ENVOY & LEAGAS DELANEY FACT SHEET ------------------------------------------ With the purchase of Leagas Delaney, Envoy`s gross margin will double to $165 million and the organization will generate annual billings of $750 million Combined gross margin by core discipline: Marketing: $94 million ---------- Design: $41 million ------- Technology: $30 million ----------- With this acquisition, Envoy Communications Group (NASDAQ: ECGI, TSE: ECG) will become an internationally diversified business employing 875 people in 9 major markets around the world. Combined international platform Marketing: New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, Hamburg, Rome and ---------- Toronto Design: Leeds, Paris, San Francisco, Stockholm and Toronto ------- Technology: New York, London, San Francisco and Toronto ----------- The Envoy Group of Companies has an impressive list of clients, including adidas - Salomon, Aer Lingus, Alliance Atlantis, Armstrong Industries, Barclays, BBC, Canada Life, CIBC, Canal J, Castrol, CDNOW, Clarins, CNET.com, FedEx, Goodyear, Harrod`s, Hewlett Packard, Home Depot, Honda, Hummingbird, Hyundai, ING, Le Gan, Lexus, Loblaws, Lycos, MAC Cosmetics, National Discount Brokers, Oxford Properties, Patek Phillippe, Panasonic, PETsMart, Prudential (USA), Red Envelope, Rogers Communications, Safeway, SalomonSmithBarney, Sprint Canada, Staples, Steelcase USA, Telecom Italia, TD Waterhouse and Wal- Mart. For more information: Media Relations (US): Matt Messinger (201) 964-2377 mmessinger(at)mww.com Julie Joung (212) 827-3764 jjoung(at)mww.com Media Relations (UK): Gina Constantines 207-580-0222 ginac(at)keycommunications.co.uk Gilly Lloyd 207-580-0222 gillyl(at)keycommunications.co.uk Victor Wheeler 207-580-0222 victorw(at)keycommunications.co.uk Media Relations (Canada): Darren Karasiuk (416) 593-5080 x405 darrenk(at)communique.to Gruß Gerd |
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| aus der Diskussion: | ECG: Eine der grössten Übernahmen in der Internet-Geschichte 1 MRD DM |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | erfg (08.11.00 21:15:52) |
| Beitrag: | 5 von 5 (ID:2298131) |
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