Just a couple of months ago, j2 Global, a provider of internet services had acquired PC Magazine publisher Ziff Davis. It has now announced that the company’s Ziff Davis subsidiary has acquired IGN Entertainment, a leader in video game, entertainment and men’s lifestyle content, from News Corporation. The acquisition provides j2 with a group of world-class digital properties.
The combination of Ziff Davis’ properties including, amongst others, PCMAG.com, Geek.com and Toolbox.com, with IGN’s properties, IGN.com, UGO.com, 1UP.com and AskMen.com, make the group one of the largest digital publishers reaching tech, video game and entertainment enthusiasts. In addition, these properties have over 600 advertisers and 53 million global monthly unique visitors. This acquisition more than doubles the revenues of j2’s digital media business.
All of these properties predominantly attract males 18-34, and the group’s advertisers will now have access to a larger audience and a broader array of premium inventory. In addition, IGN’s strength in video content coupled with Ziff Davis’ strength in data analytics will allow the group’s marketing partners to more efficiently reach its demographically attractive audience.
“This is a transformative deal for our digital media business,” said Hemi Zucker, CEO of j2 Global. “By combining two of the most storied organizations in tech, gaming and entertainment, we have created a very powerful company capable of producing and delivering content in all forms to an audience that marketers highly value.” Added Vivek Shah, CEO of Ziff Davis, “IGN and AskMen are tremendous best-in-class brands that we are proud to have as part of our digital media portfolio.”
The transaction is expected to be accretive to j2’s 2013 earnings, exclusive of transition costs.
