23/07/07 - Press Release - oggs.com
Highview Media Limited announces the first transaction in the implementation of its business development strategy. Highview Oggs Limited, a group company, has acquired the business of Oggs.com by way of a management buy-in. Negotiations commenced 19 June and the transaction was formally concluded on 19 July.
Oggs.com is a profitable and growing business established by Ian Sims in 2005 which operates in the internet marketing of the online gaming industry. This transaction brings together a seasoned entrepreneurial team combining business and financial management expertise with technology, advanced internet marketing and an extensive knowledge of the industry.
Future growth will be driven by development, branding and acquisitions.
The senior management team for Highview Oggs comprises:
Solomon Balas, Chairman, BSc, FCA brings extensive experience in business development, strategy and finance. For the last 10 years, till end July 2007, he was advisor to Tchenguiz Family Trust interests including Rotch Property Group Limited, Consensus Business Group Limited and its chairman, Vincent Tchenguiz. Solomon held senior positions in finance and management throughout his career, and has other interests in media, property and stock exchange investments.
Harold Kikoler, Chief Operating Officer, BASc, Electrical Engineering, Waterloo, Canada, enjoyed a 26 year career with IBM. He established a track record of successfully managing large-scale complex multi-million dollar change programmes – M&A, cost optimisation, culture change and IT infrastructure. Harold was assigned to business operations in IBM EMEA Global Services headquarters, Paris, for six years. His portfolio of experience also includes sales, marketing, business controls and business process reengineering.
Ian Sims, Creative Director: After pursuing a successful career in IT and IT management in the financial services industry, Ian Sims co-founded an internet development company, Webscript Design Limited in 1996. He left in 2004 to develop other business projects. He created a series of gaming portals of which Oggs.com is the most advanced. He acts as a moderator, and is a well known and respected figure in the online casino industry.
Jon Clarke, Head of Sales, Marketing and Branding, has 20 years experience in offline and online internet marketing and media. Jon was Managing Director of Eyeconomy Ltd., a leading internet marketing and ad-technology company for 7 years, and a main subsidiary of Media Corporation plc. He held positions in advertising with BMP DDB Needham, Universal McCann and Mindshare, with management responsibility for blue chip clients such as Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, SAAB, Dulux, and Argos.
Craig Woodward, Chief Technical Officer, has over 12 years experience developing online advertising software solutions, ad-serving, content management and games. In 2001, he founded Dark Side Studios Limited, a software development company specialising in web-based applications. Clients included Sun Microsystems, DFDS Seaways and Norwich Union Insurance. In 2003, after the sale of Dark Side Studios, to Media Corporation plc, Craig was appointed as its Chief Technical Officer.