Gloo Networks plc, a technology company established to acquire and operate companies in the media sector, is seeking admission of its shares to trading on AIM.
The Company, which is led by digital transformation experts Rebecca Miskin, Chief Executive Officer (pictured), and Juan Lopez-Valcarcel, Chief Product and Operations Officer, intends to acquire and operate trusted consumer brands in the media sector, with an enterprise value in the range of GBP250 million to GBP1 billion.
Gloo is seeking to benefit from the changing relationship between consumer brands, media owners and the advertising industry; this relationship continues to experience structural change, driven by the evolving prevalence of internet usage and the increasing adoption of data analytics, allowing businesses to better understand and serve consumers. The convergence of the internet and media sectors has created multiple investment opportunities with numerous companies or businesses identified within Gloo’s target universe.
Gloo intends to acquire businesses that appeal to attractive socio-economic groups, and through the use of data and technology, transform these businesses to fully realise their digital potential, thereby unlocking value and increasing profitability.
Gloo expects its initial capital raise of up to GBP30 million to receive strong backing from major institutional investors, with significant additional capital expected to be raised at the time of the target acquisition. The principal focus for a platform acquisition is the UK, the US and (to a lesser extent) Europe.
Miskin joined Gloo from Hearst Magazines UK, where she worked as Digital Strategy Director and Change Agent. Hearst Magazines UK is the publisher of leading titles such as Cosmopolitan, Elle and Men’s Health, and is part of Hearst Corporation, one of the world’s largest diversified media and information companies spanning print, television and digital.
Lopez-Valcarcel was previously Chief Digital Officer for Pearson International. Pearson is the world’s largest education company by revenues, the parent company of the Financial Times and the owner of stakes in Penguin Random House and The Economist Group.
Miskin and Lopez-Valcarcel will work with Marwyn, the asset management and corporate finance group, which was founded in 2002 by James Corsellis and Mark Brangstrup Watts. Marwyn Value Investors LP (MVI LP) is planning to subscribe as a ‘conerstone’ investor in Gloo and will make a sizeable investment in the company.
MVI LP’s current investments include Entertainment One, the FTSE-250 listed TV and film content production and distribution business, BCA Marketplace plc, Europe’s largest used vehicle auction operator acquired by Haversham Holdings via a GBP1.3 billion reverse takeover in April 2015, and Zegona Communications plc, which recently announced an agreement to acquire the Telecable Group for an enterprise value of EUR640 million.
Robert Ware, chairman of Marwyn Value Investors Limited, says: "We are delighted to be backing Rebecca [Miskin (Chief Executive Officer)] and Juan [Lopez‐Valcarcel (Chief Product and Operations Officer)] as a leading management team in executing digital transformations. Their expertise in the use of technology and data analytics with reference to media brands represents a significant opportunity for value creation.
“The investment in Gloo Networks is consistent with the Marwyn’s strategy of supporting high quality management teams in launching acquisition vehicles targeting significant growth in shareholder value. This cornerstone investment follows on from Marwyn’s support in launching Haversham Holdings plc which subsequently acquired the BCA Group of companies in April 2015 for GBP1.3 billion, and Zegona Communications plc which recently announced an agreement to acquire the Telecable Group for an enterprise value of EUR640 million."
Miskin, Gloo Chief Executive Officer, says: “Content consumption is at an all-time high, whilst technology is disrupting media and enabling a deeper understanding of an audience than ever before. We have an exciting opportunity at Gloo to create a new blueprint to enrich the user experience, and unlock the full potential of brands. Gloo intends to acquire businesses with leading brands and, through data and technology, release and transform their real potential. We look forward to working with outstanding talent and the world’s most advanced technologies to unlock value for shareholders. London is fast becoming the global capital for fintech and fashion-tech; media-tech should be there too.”
