Rocket Fuel (NASDAQ:FUEL), a predictive marketing platform, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Sizmek Inc., the largest people-based creative optimization and data activation platform delivering impressions that inspire. Sizmek is an affiliate of Vector Capital.
Under the terms of the merger agreement with Sizmek, which has been unanimously approved by Rocket Fuel’s board of directors, an affiliate of Sizmek will commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Rocket Fuel’s common stock for $2.60 per share in cash. This represents an enterprise value for Rocket Fuel of approximately $145 million.
The proposed combination with Sizmek brings Rocket Fuel’s media optimization and industry leading AI-enabled decisioning to Sizmek’s omni-channel creative optimization and data activation platform, marking the next logical step in marketing automation. Combined, the two companies connect more than 20,000 advertisers and 3,600 agencies to audiences in over 70 countries around the globe, and service a client base comprised of an overwhelming majority of the world’s most recognized brands and agencies.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Rocket Fuel has a go-shop right to solicit third party alternative acquisition proposals for the next 30 days.
Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including a majority of the outstanding shares of Rocket Fuel’s common stock having been tendered in the tender offer and clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The parties expect the transaction to be completed in third quarter of 2017.
In addition to the acquisition by Sizmek, Rocket Fuel announced selected preliminary, unaudited financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Rocket Fuel expects second quarter 2017 Spend to decline approximately 20% year over year to $95 million to $96 million. Net Revenue for the second quarter of 2017 is expected to decline approximately 36% year over year to $42 million to $43 million. Rocket Fuel’s Platform Solutions business grew approximately 77% compared to the prior year quarter, and the Media Services business declined approximately 41% compared with the prior year quarter. Company Media Margin declined approximately 11% from the prior year quarter. These factors contributed to an estimated Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $3 million to $4 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared with a $4.2 million Adjusted EBITDA profit in the second quarter of 2016. Rocket Fuel expects its ending second quarter cash position will be roughly flat with the first quarter of 2017 at $62 million to $63 million, and total debt and capital lease obligations will be approximately $83 million to $84 million.
Rocket Fuel expects the Spend, Net Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA trajectory noted above to continue during the second half of 2017 and, as a result, it expects its second half 2017 financial results will be materially below current analysts’ expectations and last year’s performance.
Rocket Fuel will provide final financial results and file its second quarter Form 10-Q on or about August 9, 2017. Due to the pending acquisition by Sizmek, Rocket Fuel will not host an earnings call.
About Sizmek
Sizmek creates impressions that inspire through its people-based creative optimization platform. In the digital world, creating impressions that inspire is vital to building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with your customers. Sizmek provides powerful, integrated solutions so creative and data work together, optimizing campaigns across all media. When your messages resonate, your impact amplifies, and your business reaches new heights. Sizmek operates its platform in more than 70 countries, with local offices providing award-winning service throughout North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC, and connecting more than 20,000 advertisers and 3,600 agencies to audiences around the world, serving over 2.3 trillion impressions each year.
Source: Rocket Fuel Announcement
