Deal values Rocket Fuel at approximately $145 million; Brings together marketing-centric AI and creative optimisation to form an unparalleled data activation platform at global scale
London, UK – Sizmek Inc., the largest people-based creative optimisation and data activation platform delivering impressions that inspire, today announced it has entered into a definitive acquisition agreement with Rocket Fuel Inc., an industry leading predictive marketing platform that uses AI to anticipate optimal consumer response to messaging. Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of Sizmek, backed by Vector Capital, will commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Rocket Fuel common stock for $2.60 per share in cash, which represents an enterprise value for Rocket Fuel of approximately $145 million.
The acquisition brings together two of the world’s most respected names in advertising technology, to create one of the largest independent marketing platforms built for agencies and brands. It will fuse together AI powered predictive analytics, dynamic creative and media optimisation to drive true campaign performance.
Collectively, Sizmek and Rocket Fuel service more than 20,000 advertisers and 3,600 agencies to global audiences in over 70 countries, and service a client base comprised of the world’s most recognised brands and agencies.
“The acquisition of Rocket Fuel brings omni-channel creativity and AI-enabled decisioning together under one roof, providing our clients with a self-service predictive marketing platform that optimises campaigns across the entire media plan,” said Dr. Mark Grether, Executive Chairman of Sizmek. “This is the next logical step in marketing automation–media optimisation and full creative optimisation combined, bringing together the context and the creative for the optimal consumer experience. The result is advertising that is deeply personalised, highly intuitive, and AI-enabled for peak performance, redefining the boundaries of creative possibility and media execution.”
“By integrating with Sizmek, we’re effectively combining the powerful brand-building insights delivered via our predictive marketing platform’s decision engine, with Sizmek’s creative optimisation platform. This union creates one integrated, full-funnel solution to enable agencies and their brands address key performance objectives across paid, owned and earned media,” said Randy Wootton, Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Fuel. “This transaction accelerates our global expansion efforts in more than 70 countries, which empowers us to provide agencies and brands with more tools, exceptional service and support worldwide.”
Upon completion of the transaction, Rocket Fuel will become a privately-held company. The transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, is conditioned upon satisfaction of a minimum tender offer condition, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Rocket Fuel board of directors unanimously approved the acquisition agreement. Stockholders holding approximately 24% of Rocket Fuel’s common stock have entered into a tender and support agreement with Sizmek pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to tender all of their shares into the tender offer. This agreement terminates if, among other things, the Rocket Fuel board of directors withdraws its recommendation in favor of the tender offer pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement.
Needham & Company, LLC is serving as financial advisor to Rocket Fuel. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation is acting as Rocket Fuel’s legal advisor. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as Sizmek’s legal advisor.
For more information, please visit www.sizmek.com.
About Sizmek
Sizmek creates impressions that inspire through its people-based creative optimisation platform. In the digital world, creating impressions that inspire is vital to building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with your customers. Sizmek provides powerful, integrated solutions so creative and data work together, optimising campaigns across all media. When your messages resonate, your impact amplifies, and your business reaches new heights. Sizmek operates its platform in more than 70 countries, with local offices providing award-winning service throughout North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC, and connecting more than 20,000 advertisers and 3,600 agencies to audiences around the world, serving over 2.3 trillion impressions each year.
About Rocket Fuel
Rocket Fuel Inc. is a predictive marketing software company that uses artificial intelligence to empower agencies and marketers to anticipate people’s need for products and services. Headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., Rocket Fuel has more than 20 offices worldwide and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “FUEL.” Rocket Fuel, the Rocket Fuel logo, Moment Scoring, Advertising That Learns and Marketing That Learns are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rocket Fuel Inc. in the United States and other countries.
