ANTON HOLDING II OY TO COMMENCE REDEMPTION PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF THE REMAINING MINORITY SHARES IN AVIDLY PLC

3.10.2022 14:30:00 EEST | Avidly Oyj | Company Announcement

THIS RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED, PUBLISHED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE SECTION ENTITLED “IMPORTANT INFORMATION” BELOW.

ANTON HOLDING II OY TO COMMENCE REDEMPTION PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF THE REMAINING MINORITY SHARES IN AVIDLY PLC

3 October 2022 14:30 (EEST) AVIDLY PLC, COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

Anton Holding II Oy (the “Offeror”), a limited liability company which is an indirect subsidiary of Adelis Equity Partners Fund III AB (“Adelis Fund III”) (Adelis Fund III together with its affiliated entities, “Adelis”), and Avidly Plc (“Avidly” or the “Company”) announced on 12 July 2022 that they had entered into a combination agreement pursuant to which the Offeror made a voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares and special rights in Avidly (the “Tender Offer”). The acceptance period under the Tender Offer commenced on 25 July 2022 at 9:30 a.m. (Finnish time) and expired on 2 September 2022 at 4:00 p.m. (Finnish time). On 12 September 2022 at 9:30 a.m. (Finnish time), the Offeror commenced a subsequent offer period in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, which expired on 26 September 2022 at 4:00 p.m. (Finnish time).

The Offeror has informed Avidly that it holds, as a consequence of the completion of the Tender Offer, 97.97 per cent of the all the issued and outstanding shares and voting rights carried by the shares in Avidly, and that the Offeror therefore has the right and the obligation under Chapter 18, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act to redeem the shares held by the other shareholders of Avidly at fair price.

The Offeror has decided to exercise its redemption right pursuant to the Finnish Companies Act and to redeem all the shares held by any other remaining shareholders in Avidly. To implement the redemption of the remaining shares, the Offeror will initiate arbitration proceedings, as provided in the Finnish Companies Act, as soon as possible. In such redemption proceedings, the Offeror will demand that the redemption price for the remaining shares is set to EUR 5.50 per share, which corresponds to the share offer price paid by the Offeror in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer.

According to the Offeror’s notification, the Offeror is responsible for any transfer tax that may be levied in Finland as a result of the redemption of the shares in Avidly as well as fees and charges arising from the registrations made into the book-entry system as a result of the redemption proceedings.

The Offeror intends to cause Avidly’s shares to be delisted from First North Growth Market Finland maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (“First North”) as soon as reasonably practicable. The Offeror may acquire shares in Avidly on or after the date of this release in public trading on First North or otherwise outside the Tender Offer to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.

Additional information:

Jesse Maula, CEO, tel. [phone]

 

Certified Adviser: Oaklins Merasco Ltd, tel. [phone]

Adelis in brief

Adelis is a growth partner for well-positioned, Nordic companies. Adelis partners with management and/or owners to build businesses in growth segments and with strong market positions. Since raising its first fund in 2013, Adelis has been one of the most active investors in the Nordic middle-market, making 34 platform investments and more than 150 add-on acquisitions. Adelis today manages approximately EUR 2 billion in capital.

Avidly in brief

Avidly is a leading Nordic-based marketing technology (MarTech) service provider with its shares trading on Nasdaq First North Helsinki. In Avidly’s MarTech offering, customer experience, data and technology are closely entwined into its impact-driven growth strategy. Avidly partners with organizations of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and is committed to creating solutions that help companies to grow. Avidly has a team of approximately 280 MarTech professionals in 18 locations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the UK and Canada.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

THIS RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED, PUBLISHED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

THIS RELEASE IS NOT A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO MAKE A SALES OFFER. IN PARTICULAR, THIS RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF THE TENDER OFFER, IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA. INVESTORS SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED THE TENDER OFFER FOR THE SHARES AND SPECIAL RIGHTS ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT. THE TENDER OFFER WAS NOT MADE, AND THE SHARES AND SPECIAL RIGHTS WERE NOT ACCEPTED FOR PURCHASE FROM OR ON BEHALF OF PERSONS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE EITHER AN OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE THEREOF IS PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE ANY TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT OR REGISTRATION OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS WOULD APPLY IN ADDITION TO THOSE UNDERTAKEN IN FINLAND.

THE TENDER OFFER WAS NOT MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND THE TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND RELATED ACCEPTANCE FORMS AND SUPPLEMENT DOCUMENTS ARE NOT AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, FORWARDED OR TRANSMITTED INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS. IN PARTICULAR, THE TENDER OFFER WAS NOT MADE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION E-MAIL, POST, FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION, TELEX, TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION BY WAY OF THE INTERNET OR OTHERWISE), IN OR INTO, OR BY USE OF THE POSTAL SERVICE OF, OR THROUGH ANY FACILITIES OF A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA. THE TENDER OFFER COULD NOT BE ACCEPTED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY SUCH USE, MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY OR FROM WITHIN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA. ANY PURPORTED ACCEPTANCE OF THE TENDER OFFER RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM A VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS IS INVALID.

THIS RELEASE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER ARE NOT BEING MADE AND HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY AN AUTHORISED PERSON FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 21 OF THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (THE “FSMA”). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RELEASE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER ARE NOT BEING DISTRIBUTED TO, AND MUST NOT BE PASSED ON TO, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE COMMUNICATION OF THIS RELEASE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE RESTRICTION ON FINANCIAL PROMOTIONS UNDER SECTION 21 OF THE FSMA ON THE BASIS THAT IT IS A COMMUNICATION BY OR ON BEHALF OF A BODY CORPORATE WHICH RELATES TO A TRANSACTION TO ACQUIRE DAY TO DAY CONTROL OF THE AFFAIRS OF A BODY CORPORATE; OR TO ACQUIRE 50 PER CENT. OR MORE OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A BODY CORPORATE, WITHIN ARTICLE 62 OF THE FSMA (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005.

Information for securityholders in the United States

Securityholders in the United States are advised that the shares and special rights in Avidly are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Avidly is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) thereunder.

The Tender Offer was made for the issued and outstanding shares and special rights in Avidly, which is domiciled in Finland, and is subject to Finnish disclosure and procedural requirements. The Tender Offer was made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act (taking into account certain relief available thereunder), and otherwise in accordance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of Finnish law, including with respect to the Tender Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which are different from those applicable under United States tender offer rules and regulations. The financial information included in this release has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in Finland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. The Tender Offer was made to Avidly’s securityholders resident in the United States on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other securityholders of Avidly to whom an offer is made.

To the extent permissible under applicable law and regulations (including Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act), the Offeror and its affiliates and their respective nominees or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time and during the pendency of the Tender Offer, and other than pursuant to the Tender Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, shares in Avidly or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares. Any such purchases or arrangements to purchase may occur in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about any such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Finland, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. securityholders of Avidly of such information. In addition, the financial advisers to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Avidly, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Finland, any information about any such purchases or arrangements to purchase will be made public in Finland in the manner required by Finnish law.

Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Tender Offer, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Tender Offer, or passed any comment upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in this release. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Tender Offer by a U.S. holder of shares or special rights in Avidly may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each holder of shares and special rights in Avidly is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Tender Offer.

It may be difficult for Avidly’s U.S. securityholders to enforce their rights and any claims they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws against the Offeror or Avidly, since the Offeror and Avidly are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and some or all of their respective officers and directors may be residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. In addition, all or most of the assets of the Offeror and Avidly, respectively, are located outside the United States. Avidly’s securityholders may not be able to sue the Offeror or Avidly or their respective officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel the Offeror, Avidly or their respective affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court’s judgment.

Forward-looking statements

This release contains statements that, to the extent they are not historical facts, constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to financial position, future operations and development, business strategy and the trends in the industries and the political and legal environment and other information that is not historical information. In some instances, they can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “intends”, “may”, “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or variations on comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as at the date of this release.

Disclaimer

Carnegie Investment Bank AB, Finland Branch, is acting as financial adviser to the Offeror and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer, will not regard any other person than the Offeror as its client in relation to the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Offeror for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer.

Evli Plc is acting as arranger in relation to the Tender Offer, will not regard any other person than the Offeror as its client in relation to the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Offeror for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer.

Attachments

• Download announcement as PDF.pdf

© STT Info Finland, source STT Info English Regulatory Releases