Centaur Buys Digital Research Specialist Econsultancy

Business information and events group Centaur Media has acquired London-based Internet research and training firm Econsultancy for an initial consideration of £12m in cash, and up to £38m more based on performance for the year ending December 2015.

Econsultancy, which has offices in London and New York, offers best practice reports, analysis and insight into the digital marketing and e-commerce sectors, and its annual Web Analytics Buyer's Guide provides details on the issues and trends affecting this sector. In addition, the firm runs the UK's only MSc in Digital Marketing, in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.

The company has around 110,000 registered users and approximately 5,000 subscribers, and in 2011 reported revenues of £6.6m and adjusted EBITDA of £1.1m.

Last December, Centaur Media acquired data and analytics firm Venture Business Research Limited (VBR), which focuses on the clean energy and global security sectors. Its latest acquisition is part of the group's strategy to become a predominantly digital and events-led business, and complements its publications, events and digital services in the marketing, design and creative sectors.

CEO Geoff Wilmot (pictured) comments: 'The earnings enhancing acquisition of Econsultancy provides us with an exciting opportunity to acquire a leading information brand in a high growth sector with global potential which fits well with Centaur products including Marketing Week and New Media Age.'

Following the acquisition, Econsultancy's CEO and key executives will remain with the business.

Web sites: www.centaur.co.uk and www.econsultancy.com .