23 September 2021

XLMedia PLC

("XLMedia" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Acquisition of BlueClaw Media Limited

XLMedia (AIM: XLM), a leading global digital performance publisher, is pleased to announce the acquisition of BlueClaw Media Limited ("BlueClaw") for a total consideration of up to £1.8 million (the "Acquisition").

Founded in 2007, BlueClaw is a multi-award-winning agency based in Leeds, providing services ranging from search engine optimisation ("SEO") and pay per click ("PPC") management to digital PR and content marketing, with significant experience in the market verticals in which XLMedia operates.

XLMedia has been working with BlueClaw since December 2020 during which time the BlueClaw team has implemented new processes and systems which have improved both performance and traffic across a number of the Group's sites. The BlueClaw team has also developed a number of proprietary tools and systems that underpin its delivery track record.

The Acquisition provides a UK hub for XLMedia's European Sports business, in addition to high-quality talent and automated workflow capabilities, to drive consistent SEO operations and digital PR best practices which will be applied across the Group's wider portfolio.

For the remainder of this year BlueClaw will be working autonomously, with responsibility for XLMedia's EU Sports business. Thereafter, they it will become a shared service function for both the Group's owned and operated assets and agency partners. 

The Acquisition will be funded through existing cash resources and is expected to be earnings accretive in the first full year of ownership. XLMedia will pay £0.6 million on completion, with an additional £0.6 million at the end of year one. There will be a further £0.6 million payable as earnouts, contingent on certain performance targets being met.

Fergus Clawson, owner and founder of the BlueClaw business will remain with the business going forward.  In the 12 months to 30 November 2021, which was heavily impacted by COVID, the business had revenues of £1.1 million and EBITDA of £100,000. For the 12 months to 30 November 2022 the business is expected to contribute revenues of £1.6 million and EBITDA of £400,000.

Stuart Simms, Chief Executive Officer of XLMedia, commented:

"We are delighted to announce the acquisition of BlueClaw, which will see us bring this hugely talented team into the XLM family. Having worked closely with them for over 12 months, we've been able to experience first-hand the quality of their work and are hugely excited at the prospect of BlueClaw's expertise being rolled out across our broader portfolio.

"Today's announcement further demonstrates our commitment to rebalancing the business with the correct skills, people and technologies in order to create a sustainable platform capable of delivering long-term growth."

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Notes:

XLMedia is a global digital performance publisher. Operating across a variety of verticals including online gambling, personal finance, sports and technology, the Group uses proprietary tools and methodologies to identify and target high value clients for platform operators.

XLMedia has a clear transformation strategy, which will enable it to shape the future of the performance publishing industry. The Company has set out a clear strategic agenda under two fundamental priorities:

·    A balanced portfolio of online assets

o  XLMedia seeks to create a balanced portfolio of websites to cover a range of attractive geographies, both stable and high-growth verticals and with greater exposure to regulated markets.  In doing so, the Company will focus particularly on developing presence in North American sports, primarily through targeted acquisition.

·    Branded, content-rich, engaging websites

o  XLMedia will consolidate its online portfolio, concentrating on a much smaller number of publishing assets, and focusing its resources on optimising this core set of premium sites for its chosen markets.  These content-rich, engaging websites, underpinned by intelligent market-leading technology, will seek to build stronger lasting relationships with consumers and enhance monetisation opportunities.