IVE acquires SEMA for $14.5m

IVE has bought personalised communications company SEMA for $14.5m, with the deal to be completed on September 6.

IVE says SEMA will be integrated into Blue Star Direct, and says with the combined business capabilities of Blue Star Direct and SEMA will create Australia’s leading integrated data-driven customer communications company, with what it says is an unparalleled data-driven value proposition to the market.

Matt Aitken, COO, IVE Group says, “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.”

[Related: Diversified IVE delivers strong growth]

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 look forward to continuing to build on our successes as we combine and strengthen our offer to the market.”

IVE says this acquisition further consolidates as Australia’s leading vertically integrated marketing communications company and strengthens IVE’s strategic expansion into data analytics, customer insights and marketing automation, the IVE Kalido division is the leading Salesforce Marketing Cloud practice in Asia Pacific.

SEMA has offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, it supports some of Australia’s largest brands through providing a wide range of services in the areas of customer data management, multi-channel electronic communications, transactional and direct marketing mail, scanning digitisation and archiving as well as marketing automation services.

Five years ago SEMA entered administration with debts around $7m, it was then bought by its management including Stewart, with some 250 jobs saved. SEMA had an alliance with IPMG three years ago.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required

Advertisement

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Advertisement