ES Broadcast acquires Sony’s archive division Memnon

سوني‘s division specializing in digitization, restoration and archival preservation services, Memnon, has been acquired by ES Broadcast. Terms of the deal will remain confidential.

The move seeks to extend the reach of ES Broadcast‘s existing media services, provided primarily to a UK client base by subsidiary LMH, into the global market. It also increases the company’s offering to its customers – including systems integration, equipment sales and rental – enabling it to provide services across the broadcast and production spectrum. Memnon currently has facilities in Belgium, the United States, Israel and Australia.

ES Broadcast Group CEO Ben Murphy commented on the deal: “The acquisition is an integral part of our global strategy of increasing the focus on services-led solutions. It is a powerful combination of two leading service providers, with the ability to reach a global audience of media and entertainment clients, as well as institutional businesses such as museums, libraries, archives and universities.”

“Combining the expertise of Memnon’s existing team with the wider pool of highly technical talent at ES Broadcast’s disposal creates the exciting prospect of further solution innovation and service development across the business, which will only be of benefit to our customers” adds Murphy.

New synergies

Edward Saunders, CEO of ES Broadcast, added: “With LMH having grown its digitisation and archiving offering significantly in recent years, there are a lot of synergies with Memnon, which is recognized as a leading light in that area. We are excited to be bringing Memnon into the group and enabling its customers to access the wide range of services and unsurpassed technical expertise that ES Broadcast offers.”

Adam Fry, Vice President of Professional Solutions for Europe at Sony Europe, also appreciated the signing: “With its leading digitisation, restoration, and preservation of historical content expertise and its worldwide footprint, Memnon already contributes in a unique way to the content and media industry. ES Broadcast has been a business partner for Sony in Europe for many years and we believe that the combination of capabilities of both companies will have a positive impact on the whole industry.”

Change of structure

Memnon’s current CEO, Baku Morikuni, will step down as part of the transition. Michel Merten, founder of Memnon, will assume leadership of the company’s EMEA and APAC operations, while Andrew Dapuzzo will continue to lead the U.S. business. LMH, which will maintain its focus on providing media services to UK clients, is led by managing director Gary Edwards, who will help oversee the integration of the two companies.

ES Broadcast currently operates from 10 sites in the UK, US and Spain. It works with sports bodies, broadcasters, service providers, institutions, historical archives and national libraries.