Affiliate Announcements

Catena Media acquires all affiliate related assets in Baybets Ltd

Published

6 years ago

December 4, 2017

Catena Media acquires all affiliate related assets in Baybets Ltd (“Baybets”), one of Europe’s leading affiliate marketing players in the sports betting segment, with a total of 50 websites, primarily focused on the German market.

The purchase price amounts to an upfront payment of EUR 26.5 million together with earn-out payments in the maximum amount of EUR 63.5 million, based on the performance of the acquired assets over a period of 24 months from the 1st of December 2017. The acquisition is expected to generate quarterly sales of approximately EUR 2.25 million with an operating margin of approximately 70 percent.

Through the acquisition of all affiliate related assets in Baybets, Catena Media will strengthen its offering within the sports betting segment and the very important German market. The integration of Baybets into Catena Media will commence immediately following completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur in mid-December 2017 (subject to certain customary conditions being fulfilled, such as the acquired assets being duly transferred to Catena Media). In addition to 50 websites and other affiliate related assets, the acquisition also includes a current team of 23 employees who will form part of Catena Media’s Sports division, based at its offices in Malta.

“We are proud to announce the largest acquisition made by Catena Media since company inception, making us one of the strongest sports betting affiliate players on the market. We have set ambitious financial targets for the company, and the acquisition is fully in line with those targets. We are excited about being able to complete this deal, given the upcoming sports year of 2018, which will have both the Winter Olympics and the World Cup”, says Henrik Persson Ekdahl, Acting CEO, Catena Media.

“I would like to thank all the people that have been involved in the company’s journey so far, bringing us to where we are today. We now look forward reaching new heights together with Catena Media on a long-term basis, both from an operational perspective and as shareholders. We are excited for all the upcoming opportunities that await”, says Jan Steffen, CEO, Baybets.

The initial purchase price, payable at closing of the transaction, amounts to an upfront payment of EUR 26.5 million of which EUR 13.25 million will be paid with newly issued shares in Catena Media and the remainder in cash. The shares will be issued at market value, calculated as the volume-weighted average price for Catena Media’s shares on Nasdaq Stockholm during a period of 30 trading days measured in connection with the signing date. The shares will be subject to a lock-up period of 24 months.

In addition to the initial purchase price, the seller may receive two earn-out payments based on the performance of the acquired assets over a period of 24 months from the 1stof December 2017. Catena Media may choose to pay any earn-outs in cash or in newly issued shares in the company. Any new shares issued will be issued at market value, calculated as the volume-weighted average price for Catena Media’s shares on Nasdaq Stockholm during a period of 30 trading days measured in connection with the relevant payment date.

The maximum amount of the first earn-out payment is EUR 20.0 million and is payable 45 business days after the 30th of November 2018. If paid in shares, a lock-up period of 12 months apply.

The maximum amount of the second earn-out payment is EUR 43.50 million and is payable 45 business days after the 30thof November 2019. If paid in shares, a lock-up period of 6 months apply.

In a reasonably expected scenario, the total cost of the acquisition would be approximately EUR 57.0 million, i.e. the upfront payment of EUR 26.5 million and earn-out payments in the total amount of EUR 30.5 million. In this scenario the acquired assets of Baybets needs to generate revenue growth of above 40 percent per year during the earn-out period of 24 months.

About Baybets:

Being one of the leading actors in lead generation, Baybets’ core business is developing and maintaining comparison sites for the iGaming industry by driving traffic through high quality content and offers. Baybets’ portfolio includes sites such as sportwetten.org and sportwette.net, and the business is concentrated on the German-speaking (DACH) markets. The team consists of 23 employees based in Malta.

About Catena Media:

Catena Media plc is an online performance marketing company that has established a leading position through strong organic growth and acquisitions. The business was started in 2012 and the group has approximately 245 employees in the US, Australia, Japan, Serbia, UK, and Malta, where the Head Office is situated. In 2016, revenues reached approximately EUR 40 million. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap.

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Affiliate Announcements

WA.Technology Launches WA.Affiliates

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

George Miller

WA.Technology, an award-winning B2B iGaming solutions provider, announces the launch of WA.Affiliates, a next-gen iGaming affiliate management platform. WA.Affiliates empowers operators to manage and optimise their affiliate programs for enhanced profitability, broader market reach, and streamlined, successful operations.

WA.Affiliates combines an intuitive user interface with a clean, functional design, facilitating simple affiliate performance management. The platform solution is built on real-time optimisation and informed analytics so operators can expand their reach, increase traffic, and boost revenue with maximum efficiency.

Key features include personalised and customisable agreements for each affiliate, integrated user tracking for intelligent insights, and an optimised iGaming-oriented back-office. WA.Affiliates’ support includes zero setup fees alongside free panel transitions and integrated wallets for transaction security and straightforward migration.

Operators can reap the benefits of effortless management thanks to WA.Affiliates’ user-friendly dashboard configuration. Around-the-clock support offers real-time assistance and uncomplicated navigation, giving operators the upper hand in the global marketplace. Hourly insights, detailed reports, and in-depth analysis perfect data-driven decisions for improved acquisition and retention strategies. WA.Affiliates also motivates affiliates via its engaging gamification system, and intelligent user-tracking provides accurate information on campaign performance.

Tim Scoffham, CEO of WA.Technology, shared his enthusiasm for the launch, saying, “With WA.Affiliates, we’re forging a new path in the iGaming industry, creating a platform that not only meets but anticipates the needs of our partners. Our focus on innovation and customised solutions makes WA.Affiliates a key player in driving growth and profitability. We’re simplifying affiliate management to deliver tangible results, demonstrating our commitment to leading the way in digital excellence. At WA.Technology, we’re not just following the path to excellence – we’re creating it.”

Affiliate Announcements

CasinoBeats Summit Set to Offer a Laser Focus on Marketing and Affiliate Strategies

Published

3 weeks ago

March 28, 2024

George Miller

CasinoBeats Summit Set to Offer a Laser Focus on Marketing and Affiliate Strategies

Amidst the whirlwind of Google’s relentless updates and the intricate web of affiliate marketing, the upcoming CasinoBeats Summit, with a laser focus on SEO, AI content, and innovative traffic monetisation strategies, will offer marketers and affiliates a platform to tackle pressing inquiries head-on.

The ‘Marketing & Affiliation’ track will occur across both core days of the CasinoBeats Summit, 22nd – 23rd May, at the InterContinental Malta. The track will provide 4500 attendees with an in-depth exploration of key talking points shaping the worlds of marketing and affiliation.

Discussions will encompass leveraging innovative technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive video content to engage new audiences, the power of alternative marketing channels, and gaining a competitive edge through SEO strategies.

The panel titled ‘Finding CRM harmony: Automation vs Experience’ will delve into the growing influence of customer relationship management (CRM) and the most effective strategies for its utilisation. Industry experts Matthias S. Kaiser (Head of CRM at Tipico), Alexandru Ababei (CRM Global Promotions Manager, Betsson) and Zurab Magalashvili (CMO, Adjarabet), will explore how CRM implementation can align with existing processes for player experiences and how CRM data can aid in proactive responsible gambling initiatives.

The conference session ‘Future-Proofing Marketing: Unveiling Trends Beyond the Hype’ will discuss the latest marketing trends and assess their long-term potential. Marketing experts Calvin Samut (Head of Brand, Socios), Cecilia López Boronat (Marketing Content Manager, Clobet Limited) and panel moderator Dennis Algreen (Marketing Director, SBC Events), will explore the longevity of these emerging trends, the danger of chasing trends and whether businesses should prioritise long-term brand stability over fleeting marketing fads.

The conference on the second day will commence with the panel ‘Monetizing Traffic Beyond Traditional Models’ focusing on the significance of alternative marketing channels such as Whatsapp and Telegram. Experts Silvia Almeida (Chief Media Officer, Clever Advertising), Leanne Muleba (Chief Operations Officer, Matching Visions), Eleonora Norbiato (Head of Acquisition, SKS365) and panel moderator Maria Tsnompilantze (Content Marketing Manager, SBC), will deliberate over how useful these alternative channels are, what metrics are particularly relevant for monetization purposes and whether the quality or quantity debate is over in the age of SEO.

The panel titled ‘The Uncharted Territory of Grey Hat SEO – Traffic, Cloaking, PBNs, Parasite SEO and More’ will delve into the nuances of SEO and PPC tactics, exploring the benefits of both Google-approved and grey hat strategies. Led by experts Vadim Aidlin (Chief Executive Officer, PushnotiAds) and Julia Logan (CEO & Founder, Zangoose Digital), discussions will encompass the use of PBNs, the impact of bot traffic, successful partnership SEO strategies and best practices regarding cloaking.

The first core day of the event will also feature a dedicated ‘SEO Trilogy’, hosted by Ivana Flynn alongside a host of industry experts as they tackle the continuously evolving SEO landscape.

The conference will also provide delegates with dedicated tracks covering key industry verticals such as casino, leadership, industry, and regulation and dedicated sessions for women in gaming. Moreover, attendees will be able to participate in innovative session formats such as hackathons, roundtables, and workshops.

Affiliate Announcements

Catena Media readies for online sports betting launch in North Carolina

Published

1 month ago

March 13, 2024

George Miller

Catena Media readies for online sports betting launch in North Carolina

Catena Media is well positioned to record a solid launch of online sports betting affiliation in North Carolina when the state opens for licensed sports wagering.

The group’s national brands, led by LegalSportsreport.com, are attracting North Carolina bettors with dedicated content, as is Catena Media’s state-focused NCSharp.com website. Alongside Catena Media’s own brands, the group has also published content in collaboration with media partners including Advance Local, owner of NJ.com and other news websites.

In the countdown to launch day, Catena Media held several top rankings for key organic search terms used by potential bettors to find relevant sports-betting-related content and offers.

Prior to the official go-live, the group has deals in place with five major operators offering sports betting platform access to North Carolinians. The customer agreements in North Carolina consist of a mix of revenue share and cost-per-acquisition (CPA) agreements.

North Carolina, with an adult population of 8.5 million, allows anyone aged 21 and over to place sports bets online.

Ryan Harper, Catena Media Vice President North America, said: “We have had a solid run-up to the launch date and are pleased with our efforts so far. We also expect the March Madness NCAA college basketball tournament later this month to be a big driver of new depositing customers in North Carolina.”

North Carolina expands Catena Media’s operational footprint in North America to 29 state and regional markets.