M&A Deal Summary

Cision Acquires Vocus

On April 7, 2014, Cision acquired internet software and services company Vocus from JMI Equity and GTCR for 447M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Cision’s 1st transaction in the Internet Software and Services sector.
  • This is Cision’s 3rd largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Cision’s 1st transaction in the United States.
  • This is Cision’s 1st transaction in Maryland.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2014-04-07
Target Vocus
Sector Internet Software and Services
Buyer(s) Cision
Sellers(s) JMI Equity
GTCR
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition
Deal Value 447M USD

Target

Vocus

Beltsville, Maryland, United States
Vocus, Inc. is a provider of cloud marketing software that enables businesses to attract, engage and retain customers.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Cision

Chicago, Illinois, United States
Category Company
Sector Software
Employees4,800
Revenue 730M USD (2018)
DESCRIPTION

Cision is a provider of PR software and services including content marketing, media monitoring, media list building, distribution and analysis. Cision's software allows users to identify key influencers, craft and distribute strategic content, and measure meaningful impact. Cision is based in Chicago, Illinois.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 1 of 11
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 1 of 5
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 1 of 10
State (Maryland) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 1 of 7
Year (2014) 1 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 3 of 5
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-10-22 Gorkana Group

London, United Kingdom

The Gorkana Group is a PR planning, monitoring and evaluation business for corporates, PRs and Government which helps deliver efficient PR and marketing campaigns and manage corporate reputations. Gorkana was formerly known as Durrants and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

Buy £200M

Seller(S) 2

SELLER

JMI Equity

La Jolla, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1992
PE ASSETS 7.5B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

JMI Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in software, internet, business service, and healthcare IT. Targeted businesses typically help automate and optimize business and information technology processes. The Firm will consider investments at all stages of development, including early-stage companies, self-funded businesses requiring growth capital, and later stage businesses in need of buyout or recapitalization funding. JMI looks to commit at least $10 million per transaction. JMI Equity was formed in 1992 and maintains offices in San Diego and Baltimore.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 61 of 106
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 8 of 22
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 44 of 67
State (Maryland) 2 of 2
Country (United States) 55 of 94
Year (2014) 1 of 7
Size (of disclosed) 13 of 34
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-04-03 Businessolver

West Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Businessolver is a provider of software as a service (SaaS) employee benefits administration solutions. Businessolver was founded in 1998 and is based in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-06-03 Internet Brands

El Segundo, California, United States

Internet Brands is an internet media company that owns and operates online media, community, and e-commerce websites in vertical markets. Internet Brands was founded in 1998 and is based in El Segundo, California.

Sell -
SELLER

GTCR

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1980
PE ASSETS 15.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

GTCR is a private equity firm that typically partners with management when pursuing acquisitions. The Firm looks to grow companies through build-on acquisitions, consolidations, and internal growth. GTCR will consider both equity and mezzanine capital commitments and concentrates its investment activity in consumer products & services, healthcare services, outsourced business services, technology, transaction processing, and pharma/medical products. GTCR was formed in 1980 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 44 of 85
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 1 of 5
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 24 of 41
State (Maryland) 3 of 3
Country (United States) 44 of 82
Year (2014) 3 of 6
Size (of disclosed) 27 of 34
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-03-18 Maravai

San Diego, California, United States

Maravai’s mission is to build a transformative company in the in vitro diagnostics and life sciences tools markets by acquiring outstanding businesses in these spaces and accelerating their growth. Maravai was founded in 2020 and is based in San Diego, California.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-06-17 Ironshore

Hamilton, Bermuda

Ironshore, Inc. is a provider of broker-sourced specialty property and casualty insurance coverages for varying risks on a global basis through its international platforms.

Sell -
Mergr

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