IPT buys French online marketing company

A UK company has strengthened its presence in the rapidly expanding French online marketing sector after completing its second acquisition in Europe. 

Interactive Prospect Targeting plc (IPT), which already has a French operation, has bought NP6.

The deal could be worth some £6.7 million if agreed financial targets are achieved by 2009. On completion, £3.38 million will be paid in cash funded through debt. A deferred sum, which is capped at £3.35 million, will be paid in cash and shares.

NP6, which delivers more than 300 million email messages each month, was sold by its management. The company will continue to be led by president Stephane Zittoun, network manager Cedric Notario and CTO Jerome Laplace following completion.

IPT provides online direct marketing to more than 1,000 organisations and companies in the UK and France. Its clients include American Express, Dell, The Open University, Procter & Gamble, AXA PPP, Tesco, Sky, Lloyds TSB, Renault, Francaise des Jeux, Kuoni Travel, ebookers and Universal Group.

NP6, which was founded in 1999, sends marketing messages through email on behalf of more than 140 blue chip companies such as Cdiscount, ChateauOnline, Fortuneo Direct Finance, Cofinoga and Cultura.com. The company operates from a facility in Bordeaux and currently has 26 employees.