
In a deal marrying traditional and new media marketing companies, the NewsMarket announced Wednesday it intends to acquire Medialink Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLK). The NewsMarket provides digital media services to help corporate and government clients communicate with clients through video, while
Medialink provides television, radio and Internet news and market media strategies to clients.
The transaction comes in the nick of time for Medialink, which in April said it may have needed to cease operations if it couldn't secure an investor or buyer. As CEO Laurence Moskowitz said in the merger announcement, the company has been struggling "in the face of headwinds from the worldwide economy, the media communications industry in general and Medialink's own ongoing financial challenges."
The company also announced that it had signed separation agreements with Moskowitz and its COO and CFO that modified the executives' original employment contracts. The agreements, which would be null and void if the merger falls through, will "substantially reduce the change-in-control payments to be paid to each executive officer upon consummation of the merger." A sign perhaps of just how precarious Medialink's financial situation had become.
Medialink shareholders will vote on the merger at a special meeting to be held in August. Should the deal move forward, one integration challenge, as
PRWeek noted, will be blending client bases. NewsMarket derives revenue from long-term subscriptions, while Medialink works directly with public relations agencies.
- Suzanne Stevens
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