Background
Over 50 out of JEGI CLARITY’s 200 closed transactions in the past 10 years have been corporate divestitures – ranging from multiple simultaneous carve-outs from leading public companies to transformative deals for founder owned businesses. We leveraged this extensive experience to assist Red Ventures in a record eight week process before they had closed on the acquisition of CNET Media, from which CNET Content Solutions (CCS) was divested. CCS creates product information, rich content, tools, services and analytics to power global e-commerce sites, from small-and-medium businesses to large-scale enterprises. JEGI CLARITY has experience in this sector having previously sold Webcollage to Syndigo (fka Gladson) and Flixmedia to Advantage Solutions.
This complex transaction highlights JEGI CLARITY’s corporate divestiture expertise, sector knowledge and the strength of our execution team.
Sector Context
According to a 2021 eMarketer report, retail e-commerce grew by nearly 28% in 2020 (up from 20% in 2019), and is projected to total $6.4 Tn in 2024, accounting for 22% of total retail sales. With 85% of consumers conducting online research before making a purchase, having detailed and accurate product information is critical for brands and retailers.
Our Role
This is a unique transaction as JEGI CLARITY was hired to divest part of the CNET business before it was even officially owned by Red Ventures. The team had to access relevant strategic and PE buyers; communicate the CCS opportunity; and generate strong competition and pricing for the business with more limited information at first than a standard process, without slowing the pace of the transaction. This highly competitive process moved very quickly and progressed from engagement to definitive agreements in only eight weeks. This transaction was the client’s largest divestiture to date.
Transaction Detail
CNET Content Solutions is the global leader in the exchange of product information, rich content and ecommerce solutions that powers ecommerce sites from SMB to Enterprise. For more than 20 years, CCS has partnered with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, VARs and marketplaces to aggregate, manage, exchange and syndicate product information, including images and specification details. They are the content syndication authority in the consumer electronics category, connecting product manufacturers with a global network of leading retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Staples and more.
CNET Content Solutions was one of the few remaining standalone assets of scale in the market, as the market had been consolidating for several years. They had strong, blue-chip client relationships, and were in the process of developing a PIM (product information management) platform that would allow them to diversify/enhance products and capabilities, creating stronger client relationships and gaining more wallet share.
By joining forces with 1WorldSync, a portfolio company of Battery Ventures, they will be able to provide their clients and the market with an expanded suite of solutions.
