COUNCIL CLEARED ACQUISITION OF UAB ADNET MEDIA BY ESTONIAN-BASED COMPANY OF AS EKSPRESS GRUPP

The Competition Council cleared the acquisition of 51 per cent (together with the currently owned shares – 100 per cent) of UAB Adnet media shares and sole control by the Estonian-based company AS Ekspress Grupp.

After receiving merger notification on July 27, the Council analysed whether the transaction might result in any negative effects on competition in the sector of online advertising since after the merger has been completed, both Delfi, the owner of various websites, and Adnet media, providing online advertising intermediation services, would belong to the Estonian media group Ekspress Grupp.

Having evaluated the circumstances related to the transaction, the Council acknowledged that the intended merger would not create or strengthen the dominant position, or significantly restrict competition in the sector of online advertising.

The intended merger must be notified to the Competition Council and clearance must be obtained if the combined aggregate income of merging parties in the business year preceding the merger exceeds EUR 14.5 million and the aggregate income of each of at least two merging parties in the business year preceding the merger exceeds EUR 1.45 million.