BlueFreeway Hits Global Highway
By Martin Kelly, Editor, Search Engine Room BlueFreeway CEO Richard Webb, who has orchestrated the purchase of stakes in 10 Australian digital media outfits, says the company has “another 18 acquisitions in the pipeline – half of them offshore”. “Primarily we are looking at best-of-breed distribution technology whether it’s mobile, email or some future innovation,” Webb told Search Engine Room. He believes there is scope for a “huge technology play” in the digital marketing space and that search will have a “big role” as the company evolves. Meanwhile, Webb said the IPO of BlueFreeway, scheduled to list on the Australian Stock Exchange on December 22, looks like closing at least three times oversubscribed. Institutions will take around 75% of the A$36 million capital raising, with the balance largely being taken up by high net worth individuals. “Almost all the blue chips have signed up,” he said. Webb is the mastermind behind BlueFreeway, which includes Search Engine marketing company Cogentis (see separate story), and considers it his best opportunity yet. Over the past few years Webb has had a lot of success, building and selling two businesses: web analytics firm Red Sheriff, and Citect, an industrial automation software company. He will end up with around 13% of the company following the IPO, while Chairman Greg Daniel will have around 4% The IPO funds will be used to acquire interests in the BlueFreeway partner companies: FortyTwo, destra Hosting, MassMedia, Spin, Deepend, Agency Fusion, IXION, Communicator Interactive, Cogentis and eHound. Webb said the company will list debt-free – although it does have a $30 million credit facility with NAB to assist with future acquisitions. BlueFreeway may also opt for a second capital raising if extra funds are required. 6 December, 2006 Latest News
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Events
Australia’s original search marketing and optimisation event, Search Engine Room, is returning to Sydney with a fresh theme and approach. Highlights include:
Search Engine Room an Australian-owned event that strives to reflect the market in which it operates while embracing international trends. It’s outward rather than inward looking, taking great care to incorporate consumer and marketing priorities into innovative and provocative programs. The program will be launched the week beginning July 21. Informative, educational, provocative and sometimes controversial, Search Engine Room is the leading event for Australasia's rapidly-growing search industry. It's held annually, attracting widespread industry support, and has a reputation for quality content, excellent event management and staging. The program focus is on respected, well-connected speakers delivering topical, relevant information. Search engine optimisation and marketing is well-covered, while broader industry issues are also addressed through interviews with leading search industry figures. There are case studies and debates, plus panels led by informed journos. Audience interaction is encouraged and Search Engine Room always makes an effort to be forward-looking, tracking the latest search and digital trends. Consumers are also given the once-over, enabling delegates to gain a better understanding of their customers. This format has great appeal and delegates come from around the country. Apart from search marketers, marketing managers, e-commerce managers, online business owners, senior management, digital media executives and agency types predominate. Companies large and small from diverse industries are represented. Some have been in the game for years, others are just starting out. A good way of keeping in touch is to subscribe to Search Engine Room News, which is packed with original content and comes out every five or so weeks. If you have any questions, please call Martin Kelly on 612-9882-1575. Meanwhile, here are some images from the 2007 event.
Bookings are now open for TRAVELtech 2008 - Australia's leading online travel marketing, distribution and tech event. This year's theme is the open-ended Year of Living Dangerously? It can be taken a couple of ways ... the obvious: oil, inflation, interest rates and marketing costs up - challenges ahead. But it's also a question, and the good news is there's increasing evidence the online channel may be the place consumers turn at times like these. Find out more at TRAVELtech 2008. Confirmed speakers are listed below, while the latest program has just been posted - it's packed with industry leaders and topical content.
TRAVELtech, founded in 1999, focusses on the latest online travel marketing and web-based innovations. It has a well-established reputation for delivering relevant, high-quality content and excellent networking - more than 300 delegates attended in 2007. If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to sponsor, please call Martin Kelly on (612) 9882-1575. Please visit the TRAVELtech photo gallery to see some photographs from the 2007 event. |
