i-level
Ingenious Corporate Finance has advised the shareholders of ilG Digital Ltd (''ilG''), the UK's leading independent specialist digital communications agency, on a management buy-out backed by ECI Partners (''ECI'') which values the business at over £45 million. Ingenious advised ilG and its shareholders on strategic options for the business and led the negotiations and structuring of the management buy-out which realised significant value for exiting shareholders whilst allowing ilG to retain its independence.
Management will retain a significant stake of approximately 40% in the business. The transaction will also provide the company with access to additional capital to help management fund their strategic plans for further growth.
ilG consists of four divisions: i-level, the largest independent digital media planning and buying business in the UK; Generator, a specialist web usability and web conversion consulting business; Premier Affiliate Network (PAN), a specialist affiliate network; and Jam, focused on social networking.
ilG was founded in 1999 by Andrew Walmsley and Charlie Dobres. It now turns over in excess of £100 million of online media expenditure across display advertising, search marketing, and affiliate management. Its current clients include; the COI, Orange, William Hill, Specsavers and Sony.
ECI is one of the longest established private equity groups in the UK, specialising in buyouts, buy-ins and development capital deals valued between £10 and £150 million.
The deal underlines the credentials and reach of Ingenious Corporate Finance in the digital marketing sector, one of the fastest growing and most exciting sectors of today's media world. It is the fourth transaction Ingenious has completed in the sector in the last 12 months, having advised The Search Works on its sale to TradeDoubler for £56 million and Engine on the acquisitions of DC Interact and Digital Public.