7 Dec 2020 07:00
The information contained in this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Upon publication of the announcement via a regulatory information service, this information is considered to be in the public domain.
7 December 2020
Asimilar Group plc
('Asimilar' or the 'Company')
Further Investment in Magic Media Works (T/A "ROXi )
Highlights
· Asimilar subscription of £298,204 follow on investment in to Magic Media Works by way of Loan Note with associated warrants.
· Part of a planned £13,000,000 equity and loan note fundraise by MMW to provide growth capital to launch Pay TV and Smart TV roll out of ROXi TV music entertainment experience.
· Funding round led by Sun Capital Partners.
· ROXi announces launch of ROXi Music Video Jukebox in partnership with all major and independent music labels and Getty Images, carrying 55 million videos as the world's first fully comprehensive on-demand TV based music video service.
Asimilar Group plc (AIM: Asimilar), the AIM quoted investing company focused on technology opportunities in the fields of big data, machine learning, telematics and the Internet of Things (IoT), is pleased to announce a further investment of £298,204 in to Magic Media Works Ltd ("MMW") via a subscription to 298,204 loan notes of £1.00 each. Interest will be paid on the loan notes at 5%, payable annually in arrears on the anniversary of the loan note subscription. The loan notes expire on 31 January 2026. Should MMW not be in a position to satisfy the interest payment in cash it can elect to satisfy the interest through the issuance of further loan notes or shares to the loan note holder.
Each loan note has a warrant attached which gives the holder the right to subscribe for a share in MMW at £1 per share at any time during the life of the loan note. The exercise of the warrants can be carried out by offsetting the exercise subscription due against the outstanding loan amount, effectively resulting in a cashless exercise. The subscription forms part of a wider equity and loan note fundraise of up to £13m by MMW which is being led by Sun Capital Partners. The equity subscription is being carried out at £1.00 per share. The fundraise will be conducted in two rounds: the first at £1.00 per share; and the second, to be conducted in early 2021, at £1.10 per share. Asimilar has the right, but not the obligation, to retain its equity position in the second round of financing.
Sun Capital Partners, a specialist provider of private capital, has led the fundraise, which includes existing investors such as Paul McGuinness (former manager of U2), Peter Cornell (former Global Managing Partner of Clifford Chance), Warner Mandell (Global Co-Head of TMT at Rothschild and Co) and Rupert Howell (former MD of ITV). Edward Spencer-Churchill, a co-founder of Sun Capital Partners, and Caspar Warre, will join the Board of MMW and act in senior executive positions to assist the acceleration of business growth and platform expansion; Asimilar will retain its MMW Board seat.
The Company currently owns 1,646,682 shares in MMW in addition to a pre IPO Loan Note of £500,000, which is non-interest bearing and entitles the holder to convert into MMW shares at an IPO of the Company at a 33% discount to the IPO price.
Magic Media Works Update
The closure of this funding round of up to £13m will allow MMW to roll out ROXi, its pioneering Made-for-TV music entertainment experience, on multiple Smart TV and Pay TV platforms across the UK, Europe and North America, including on Sky Q and Google's Android TV. Within ROXi, MMW is launching ROXi Music Video Jukebox, a revolution in home music video entertainment that delivers the world's first full catalogue 55 million song ad-free music video streaming service for TVs. This includes the official music videos available from Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Beggars Group and FUGA plus over 54 million virtual music videos, which have been developed exclusively by ROXi, in partnership with the worldwide photography library, Getty Images.
John Taylor, Chairman of Asimilar, said: "We are very excited to have made this further investment in ROXi at this exciting stage of its development. Rob Lewis and the management team at ROXi have made excellent progress this year with the launch of new products, such as Video Juke Box and the launch of ROXi on the Sky Q platform. ROXi is a natural partner for a number of strategic players in the home entertainment sector. The calibre of other investors investing alongside Asimilar provides us with a high degree of added confidence. We are also delighted to see the addition of Sun Capital Partners' experience and management flair to assist in the ambitious growth phase of ROXi."
Edward Spencer-Churchill, Co-Founder and Partner of Sun Capital Partners, said: "We are excited by ROXi's opportunity to deliver unique, fun music entertainment experiences into the home in partnership with Smart TV networks and Pay TV leaders like Sky. The potential is huge, with mass market appeal and a nation waiting to be entertained."
Rob Lewis, ROXi CEO, said: "Sun Capital Partners has a fantastic track record of supporting great British success stories. Working together, we will now take the ROXi music entertainment experience, including the new ROXi Music Video Jukebox, into millions of homes worldwide."
**ENDS**
Enquiries
Asimilar Group plc
John Taylor, Non-Executive Chairman via Buchanan
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP
Sandy Jamieson, Liam Murray Tel: +44 20 7213 0880
Peterhouse Capital Limited
Duncan Vasey / Lucy Williams Tel: + 44 20 7220 9797
Buchanan Communications Limited
Richard Oldworth / Chris Lane Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
About ROXi
ROXi is the world's first 'made for TV' music entertainment provider, delivering music entertainment experiences that allow consumers to listen, sing, dance and play together at home.
Globally licensed by all major labels and independent publishers, and backed by celebrity curators Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Sheryl Crow, ROXi delivers its unique interactive experience through the stylish ROXi Console, as well as through major Smart TV and Pay TV platforms, including Sky. Please visit: roxi.tv
· ROXi Music Entertainment System with ROXi console, ROXi controller and free 1-year Premium Music Pass is available for £99.95 at www.roxi.tv
· ROXi is also available Sky Q for just £6.99 per month with a 30-day free trial at roxi.tv. Just click "ROXi" on the Music section on Sky Q, or if you have a voice-activated remote just say "Get ROXi".
About Sun Capital Partners Sun Capital Partners are a specialist provider of private capital. It has led, managed and invested in successful transactions worth more than £15 billion. Current investments include Keepmoat (housebuilding), Auctus Industries (aerospace) and Uro (real estate). Realised investments include Pearl Group (life insurance), CenterParcs and the Punch Group (hospitality).