The share price of Monitise (LSE: MONI), the mobile payment specialist, lifted by 8% in early trade, settling nearer1.5% at the time of writing, following an announcement that it’s acquired the business and assets of Markco Media Limited, along with the entire issued share capital of Last Second Ticketing Limited and the MyVoucherCodes.co.uk brand.
The company said that the acquisition supports its strategy of becoming the “enabling partner of choice” as financial service and retail brands turn to mobile.
Last Second Ticketing sells discounted unsold tickets for live music and entertainment events and leisure experiences on an “invitation” basis, by sending promotional messages to ‘closed-user groups’.  MyVoucherCodes.co.uk is a leading voucher, coupon and discount deals site that works with 80% of the UK’s leading online retailers, including John Lewis, Debenhams, Sky and Amazon.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Monitise’s Chief Commercial Officer Lee Cameron said:
“Markco Media has established itself as a leading player in creating digital solutions that link consumers to retailers via innovation, marketing and technology. Buying rather than building these assets brings Monitise a marketing content delivery platform that has been developed over almost eight years, an instant network of marketing content partners, and a platform scalable across geographies.“
Although it’s down 13% so far in 2014, Monitise’s share price is up 66% on this time last year, compared with just a 9.3% rise in the FTSE 100. And over five years Monitise has left the FTSE 100Â standing, with a gain of 1,024% versus a mere 59% for the index.
