Demonstrating the disruptive force of fast growing mobile games market, German outfit Bob Mobile (ISIN DE000A0HHJR3) has acquired Dutch mobile specialist CLIQ.
The deal's value was 20 million ($25 million) in cash - part funded by a bank loan - and 1.9 million new shares in Bob Mobile (worth around 36 million or $46 million on today's share price).
Who, what?
Despite being companies we hadn't heard much about before, picking apart the deal provides a fascinating view in terms of how content-focused corporates are reacting to current market forces.
Starting with CLIQ, it's the result of a 2010 merger between Dutch mobile sales and marketing outfits Triscreen Media Group and Blinck International.
You might not have heard of it - its highest profile brand is perhaps the Yamoja entertainment store - but it's a sizeable business, with a predicted 2011 turnover of 60 million ($76 million) and pre-tax of 16.5 million ($21 million).
However, it around 6.8 million ($8.5 million) of debt.
Bob's mates
It's expected the combined entity will have fiscal 2012 sales of over 95 million ($120 million), with pre-tax profits 18 million ($23 million).
In addition, it will have over nine million customers, consisting of around 2.5 million active subscriptions, 2.5 million registered online players and 4 million other customers, in 40 countries.
As well as CLIQ, Bob Mobile (which is an umbrella company, floated on the Frankfurt exchange) consists of mobile and online publisher Just A Game and German mobile content specialist Guerilla Mobile.
Bob Mobile's just acquired the remaining 48.8 percent of the latter than it didn't own, issuing 362,500 news shares (worth around 7 million or $9 million).
All together now
The result of all this corporate activity is the Bob Mobile is looking to the future, with CLIQ and Guerilla Mobile focused on mobile entertainment content, and Just A Game focused on online and mobile games.
CLIQ's CEO Luc Voncken will step up, becoming CEO of Bob Mobile.
And as part of this push, it's signed a licensing and distribution deal with Polish developer Vivid Games for its Ski Jumping 12 iOS game. Versions for Android and PC will follow, with CLIQ handling global distribution.
"I'm pleased Luc Voncken will lead the mobile unit and Just A Game into the future and to establish Bob Mobile as a world leader in digital entertainment with a strong focus on gaming," said Remco Westermann, chairman of the board.
"I am confident that together we will be able to play a significant role in the games market - in both the mobile phone and the online sectors," added Voncken.
[source: CLIQ]
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Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
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