Brief news on several acquisitions from companies looking to expand in payment provision, Lat America, gaming and the daily deals space…
— Zaypay (payment): The diversified mobile agency Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) is buying Netherlands-based, developer-focused micropayment facilitator ZayPay, which processes micropayments through SMS, phone calls and in apps, to create “a one-stop shop for online and mobile monetisation solutions”. It will continue operating as a standalone unit.
— Wallaby (marketing): The iCrossing digital marketing agency has bought Chile-based Wallaby Group, a digital agency operating in Latin America and Spain. It will be rebranded as iCrossing. The pair have been working together since 2009, when they did search engine marketing for Coke in Latin America. Wallaby’s regional director Gonzaga Valdés becomes iCrossing’s LatAm/Spain CEO.
— 49games (gaming): Bigpoint, the German browser-based games developer, is taking over the whole production team of over 40 at Wii games developer 49games and wil instead deploy it on in-browser titles. This is Bigpoint’s fourth acquisition in 18 months. 49games retains its licenses and technology, including Summer Challenge and Winter Sports.
— JigoCity (ecommerce): Penthouse publisher FriendFinder Networks, which operated the Adult Friend Finder hook-ups site, is buying social commerce enabler JigoCity for up to $65 million. Full detail on paidContent.