Aegis Group plc Acquisition of W Garden strengthens iProspect France

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Aegis Group plc ("Aegis"), the world's leading, focused media and digital communications group, today announces that it has acquired six subsidiary companies owned by W Garden, Verbal Clint, Allin and others (collectively referred to in this announcement as "W Garden"). In aggregate, the entities had gross assets of €5.0m as at 31 December 2011.
 
W Garden is a leading provider of search and performance marketing solutions, consultancy and software tools, with a particular focus on search engine optimisation. The business has also developed a specialist search capability in the area of social media. Founded in 2007, W Garden's management team has established a strong network of offices across France and has built up a high quality local client base. 
The acquisition will establish iProspect as one of the leading search and performance marketing specialists in France.  This acquisition is in line with the Aegis Group strategy of increasing its digital profile and capability and by acquiring businesses which provide scale and innovation as well as geographic and product in-fill.  The integration of W Garden with iProspect France's existing business is expected to be completed early in the third quarter of 2012. 

Thierry Jadot, CEO Aegis Media France, commented:  "We are delighted to welcome the team from W Garden to Aegis Media France. This transaction ensures that iProspect will have the most comprehensive search and performance marketing capability in our market. A strengthened iProspect business will support Aegis Media France in continuing to seize the exciting opportunities the convergent media environment brings and will help us to further consolidate our leading position in the French market."