IMAC invests in online sports network Sportingo
2 October 2007
Ingenious Media Active Capital Limited (''IMAC'') announces that it has completed a $3.2 million investment in Sportbuzz Limited, which manages the online sports content network, Sportingo.com. This is IMAC's 14th investment since its IPO in April 2006.
Officially launched in February 2007, Sportingo is an online community for sports enthusiasts which allows them to publish articles and access sports related information such as news, statistics and guides to sports related video content available online. The content is professionally edited by Sportingo's own team of renowned sports journalists. In June this year Sportbuzz also completed the acquisition of CaughtOffside.com, one of the UK's most popular football blogs. The Sportingo network has since grown in popularity to serve more than 550,000 monthly unique users.
The company was founded by Tal Barnoach (Chairman) and Ze'ev Rozov (CEO) who have extensive experience in the interactive media and sports content industries.
Patrick McKenna, Director of IMAC, said:
''Sportbuzz is a progressive media company which is well positioned to benefit from the rise in user-generated content, social networking and the take-off of broadband video. IMAC's investment will allow Sportingo to grow its already significant user base and to begin monetising this highly attractive and 'sticky' audience.''
Tal Barnoach, Chairman of Sportbuzz, said:
''IMAC's investment comes at an important time as we make further improvements to Sportingo and continue to provide the best possible forum for sports enthusiasts generated content. We are confident that with IMAC we have an equity partner who will help build Sportingo into one of the most exciting fan focused online experiences.''
Enquiries:
Ingenious Ventures, Investment Manager to Ingenious Media Active Capital
Patrick McKenna/Sanjay Wadhwani Tel: +44 (0)20 7319 4000
Landsbanki, NOMAD and Broker to Ingenious Media Active Capital
Ben Money-Coutts Tel: +44 (0)20 7426 9000
Fishburn Hedges, PR adviser to Ingenious Media Active Capital
Michelle James/Paul French Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 4321
About IMAC:
Ingenious Media Active Capital Limited is an investment company which aims to provide investors with capital growth from equity or equity related investments in predominantly unquoted media and entertainment companies. IMAC is an initiative of, and its investments are managed by, Ingenious Ventures Limited, which is the private equity division of Ingenious Media plc.
