BUSINESS WIRE — Apr 4 — CGI Holding, which plans to change its name to Think Partnership, announced a deal to buy Vintacom and Real Estate School Online. The Company expects to pay an aggregate of $4.95 million in cash and $4.95 million in stock to acquire the two companies. The acquisitions should add $3.2 million to its pre-tax income. Located in Edmonton, Alberta and founded in 1999, Vintacom operates DreamMates.com, SingleMe.com, and PassionatePersonals.com and the Relationship Exchange affiliate network of dating sites. "We see great potential for immediate synergy between ourselves, Cherish, WebSourced, PrimaryAds and KowaBunga," said Brad Hogg, CEO, who will continue to lead the business. CGI has seven subsidiaries: 1.WebSourced, (SEO & PPC management Keyword Ranking); 2.MarketSmart Advertising, 3.Rightstuff/Bright Idea Studios, and 4.Checkup Marketing, providing off-line advertising, PR, marketing, branding and shopping evaluation services; 5.Cherish (online dating); 6.Ozona Online Network (web design, web apps, hosting, e-commerce; and 7.KowaBunga! Marketing (affiliate marketing). CGI plans to also acquire Proceed Interactive (marketing agency) and PrimaryAds (affiliate network).
Mark Brooks: Think Partnership is building itself a powerful marketing team and online personals hub. They will shortly have a combined workforce of 400 people. Scott Mitchell has been leading the acquisitions team and commented to me, “Vintacom will be a very important ingredient in our long term growth strategy within the online dating vertical. Vintacom’s expertise in online dating technology, affiliate marketing, and community management will benefit all our dating properties.” Brad added, "access to these (marketing) competencies will enable Vintacom to accelerate its already aggressive growth strategy.” Watch this space!