06.04.2016 14:00:00 CET

M-Brain acquires Norwegian media intelligence company Opoint

M-Brain Oy Company Announcement 06.04.2016 3:00 pm

M-Brain acquires Norwegian media intelligence company Opoint

M-Brain becomes the leading company in its field in the Nordics

M-Brain, the Finnish globally operating information services, technology and advisory company, is expanding its operations through the acquisition of Norwegian media monitoring and analysis company Opoint Holding. The acquisition includes Opoint's three subsidiaries in Norway, Sweden and Estonia. All of Opoint's shares are transferred into M-Brain's ownership.

Opoint's turnover in 2015 was approximately EUR 11 million. The companies did not disclose the acquisition price. M-Brain paid the purchase price in cash and the acquired company has no interest-bearing debt. In connection with the transaction, M-Brain organized a share issue totaling EUR 6.2 million, which the investors belonging to M-Brain's current shareholders subscribed in full.

- The acquisition supports our strategic goal to become market leader in our field in the Nordics and throughout the Baltics. Our aim is to further strengthen our position in the industry, comments M-Brain CEO Kim Nyberg.

According to CEO Nyberg, the industry consists of several, different sized, but mostly smaller players. It must therefore be assumed that the industry's fast consolidation process continues. The digitalization is also continually advancing as a result of amongst others, changes in the traditional media field. At the same time, new intelligence companies specialised in social media continue to emerge as well as hybrid solutions, which combine eCommerce and Big Data. This development leads to the continuous creation of new information needs.

- Some 10 years ago, the challenge was simply to find information. Today, the challenge is the excessive amount of data, which continues to grow exponentially. What really is important is to find relevant information while saving time for the end user. The most efficient way to manage this is by utilizing semantic Big Data technology combined with human intelligence. M-Brain has been one of the fore-runners when it comes to utilizing hybrid solutions in this industry, says Nyberg.

M-Brain provides its clients with relevant external business intelligence to support decision-making and strategic planning. The company also advises in the efficient management and utilization of intelligence. M-Brain's long-term goal is to grow from its leading position in the Nordic and Baltic Sea region into one of the major global players. M-Brain has been utilizing a buy-and-build strategy alongside organic growth in order to grow its business. The Opoint transaction is therefore a natural step in the company's growth plans.

Opoint provides media monitoring and information technology solutions worldwide. The company has a total of three subsidiaries in the Nordic countries and Estonia. Opoint has about 150 employees.

After the acquisition M-Brain will have operations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Russia, France, Germany, UK, Canada, US, Brazil, China, Singapore and Malaysia.

For further information, please contact:
 
Kim Nyberg, CEO, M-Brain
E-mail: kim.nyberg@m-brain.com
Phone: +358 (0)400 430 538

Joakim Nyberg, CSO, M-Brain
E-mail: joakim.nyberg@m-brain.com
Phone: +358 (0)44 538 9227

Certified Advisor Evli Pankki Oyj / Petteri Nurminen
Phone: +358 (0)40 509 5665

M-Brain, founded 1999 is a global information services company with offices in twelve countries. The company has over 400 employees. M-Brain has a bond listed on First North Bond Market Finland. M-Brain offers media, business and market intelligence solutions, strategic analysis and advisory services, consultation services, as well as online intelligence tools and technology to bring true insight into their clients' business environment. The solutions and services are tailored to serve varying business needs regardless of function, industry type or language barriers. For more information, please visit www.m-brain.com