IVE Group is acquiring communications company Sema, with the deal set to be signed on September 6.
Sema will be placed within the Blue Star Direct business, combining capabilities to create what IVE says will be Australia’s leading integrated data-driven customer communications company, with an unparalleled data-driven value proposition to the market.
Matt Aitken, chief operating officer, IVE Group says, “In addition to many of the areas Sema and Blue Star Direct both have strengths in – such as direct marketing, data management, analytics and insights, marketing automation and electronic communications- email, SMS, MMS, personalised video – Sema also has a long pedigree in essential mail and document management solutions, including secure electronic archiving, inbound scanning and digitisation services.”
Aitken says that all assets will be moving over, including directors, and staff at Sema.
“This acquisition expands on the broader diversification strategy for IVE and positions our Blue Star Direct business as the market leader in the customer data management space Sema bring to the table credibility in the essential communications space and have a range of additional capabilities and technologies that enable us to enter new sectors in the market.
“The coming together of our collective experience, passion and capabilities positions us well in the market to ensure our customers benefit from a wider range of services to support and enhance their marketing and communications plans. We look forward to welcoming the Sema team into our business,” says Aitken.
John Stewart, managing director, Sema says, “The synergies between our businesses are compelling. Both have a customer first culture, many decades of proven history and a pedigree of high performance, diversity, innovation and quality. I very much look forward to continuing to build on our successes as we combine and strengthen our offer to the market.
Sema is a leading provider in personalised communications with operations across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Three years ago it had an alliance with IPMG, now part of IVE’s main rival PMP. Five years ago it went into administration with debts of $7.3m and was bought by its management, including Stewart.
Providing services across data management, multi-channel electronic communications, transactional and direct marketing mail, scanning digitisations and archiving as well as marketing automation services, the 40 year old company has developed a reputation supporting some of Australia’s biggest brands.
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