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Comcast Interactive Media Acquires DailyCandy For $125 Million

By Staci D. Kramer - Tue 05 Aug 2008 02:11 PM PST

imageThis time the rumors were true, at least when it comes to the sale if not the price: e-mail service DailyCandy, the equivalent of an all-day sucker when it comes to the length of time on the block, finally has been sold to Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) Interactive Media for an undisclosed sum. SAI, which shares an investor with DailyCandy in Pilot Group, has a source that puts the figure at $125 million, also being reported by WSJ. Viacom (NYSE: VIA) was among those talking to Pilot but dropped out of the bidding weeks ago before the final round, according to a source familiar with the discussions. (Update: Just talked to a Viacom spokesperson, who confirmed that the company looked but dropped out of the process in early June and never made “any kind of a bid.")

Comcast emailed a statement from CIM EVP Sam Schwartz: “DailyCandy is a leading online brand that reaches an engaged, loyal and targeted female demographic with a unique editorial voice. They have a highly successful and differentiated advertising and business model that touches people on a very local level. We look forward to the obvious cross-promotion and content development opportunities across our CIM and Comcast brands.”

More after the jump.

Dany Levy founded DailyCandy in 2000 with $50,000 in savings and a total of $250 000 from family and friends. In 2003, after DailyCandy hit more than 250,000 subs, Bob Pittman and his Pilot Group invested $3.5 million for a majority share. A sales effort in 2006 didn’t pan out and the company took more investment at a $130 million valuation.

By the numbers: According to Comcast, DailyCandy now has more than 2.5 million subscribers for its 12 U.S. editions, London edition and three national newsletters. Since its start as a New York fashion bargains newsletter, DailyCandy has expanded to six categories: fashion, beauty & fitness, lifestyle, house & home, food & drink and arts & culture. Based in New York, the company has 55 employees.

Posted in: Companies, Comcast, VC+M&A, Mergers & Acquisitions

Tags: daily candy,


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