Yesterday we reported that according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, an unknown company was in the process of negotiating to buy out the respected gaming awards organizer, Clever Duck Media. This comes on the heels of January’s London Affiliate Conference, which saw Electric Word Plc acquire Affiliate Media’s interest in iGB Affiliate’s events and publishing business.
Apparently multiple companies were scoping out Clever Duck at January’s London conferences and awards ceremonies as if it was in a glorified bikini contest. While we continue to gather more information regarding the story and any potential buyers, it’s worth looking at the companies who may be in the running to pay the estimated £1.3million to purchase Clever Duck Media.
A well-placed source tells us that Reed Exhibitions, the giant behind the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, are one company almost certainly to have put in a previous offer for Clever Duck Media. They would make some sense, as they would surely be looking to make inroads into the European gaming conference market.
One company known for its premier conferences is Clarion Events. Clarion recently put on the ICE Totally Gaming show at London’s Earls Court, covered right here on CalvinAyre.com. Not having an awards ceremony to rival the other industry conference organizers may seem to be a motivating factor for Clarion to make an offer for Clever Duck; this is apparently not the case though.
Becky Liggero of CalvinAyre.com spoke with Julian Graves, Managing Director of Gaming Exhibitions and Group Marketing Director for Clarion, who commented, “We work with (Clever Duck) and the International Gaming Awards is a lovely event that is supportive of the industry and supportive of some great charities and we have a good relationship with this group. However, the possibility of Clarion buying out the awards is just a rumor.”
With Clarion seemingly out of the picture, it’s still no clearer as to who the other bidder involved in the process may be. We’ll continue to follow this story and provide more details as they become available, but feel free to speculate on who you think the company could be in the comments below. Fun, right? It’s like playing a game of Cluedo/Clue. Except with out the murder. Or that whore Miss Scarlett.
