Publicis Groupe has closed today the purchase of a 82.99% of the share capital of Soft Computing, a leading French data marketing company, for a total consideration of approximately € 43.4 million.
Established in 1984 by Eric Fischmeister and Gilles Venturi, Soft Computing specializes in data and its use in enhancing marketing and transforming the customer experience. With over 400 experts, this market-leading company provides its services to a wide range of the major retail, finance and services companies.
This transaction turns Publicis Groupe into the leader in data marketing in France, at least this claims the French multinational in its official communication for the press. In fact, Publicis expects that this acquisition will reinforce its data marketing expertise across the entire value chain in France, further consolidating its position as preferred partner for its clients’ transformation.
Publicis acquired the majority stake in the capital equity of Soft Computing from the firm’s founders and their families through the groupe’s wholly-owned subsidiary Multi Market Services France.
Multi Market Services France Holdings will now file for a simplified compulsory buyout of all outstanding shares at a price of 25 euro per share. The price offered is at a premium of 66.67% to the closing price on December 19, 2018.
This proposed buyout remains subject to approval from market regulator AMF (Autorité des marchés financiers) after checking for compliance with legal and regulatory provisions in force.
Finexsi, the firm represented by Olivier Peronnet and appointed as independent expert by the Board of Directors of Soft Computing, has concluded that, from the financial point of view, the price offered is fair to the minority shareholders in Soft Computing, including in the event of a compulsory buyout that Multi Market Services France Holdings would file for if the attendant conditions were met.
On the basis of the independent expert’s report, Soft Computing’s Board of Directors deemed, by unanimous decision, that this offer is in the interests of Soft Computing, its shareholders and its employees, and has recommended that shareholders tender their shares to the offer.
Image over the headline.- © Publicis Groupe.
