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Internet marketing, e-learning and digital consultancy AI Digital (formerly Academy Learning) has bought Site Visibility, a search marketing agency.

AI Digital has merged the acquired business with its own search marketing operation. Site Visibility is now AI Digital’s acquisition marketing offering for customers who want to acquire, convert and retain their customers online.

Last year AI Digital secured funding to enable further expansion through continued organic growth and a series of planned acquisitions of digital agencies during 2008.

The deal has doubled the number of AI Digital’s consultants as well as enabling improved research and development and customer service.

The acquisition keeps AI Digital ahead of the industry-wide consolidation of search engines and search marketing consultancies.

AI Digital’s chief executive Jason Woodford said this investment is another step in the company’s mission to become one of the UK’s leading digital agencies. “Site Visibility boasts an impressive client list, with high levels of customer satisfaction and we have already experienced an excellent cultural fit and business synergy.”

Site Visibility’s founder and managing director Damon Lightley has become a shareholder in AI Digital, taking a seat on its board.

“As part of AI Digital, my customers will benefit from their greater financial resources as well as access to their highly complementary digital marketing and communications services,” Lightley said. “Together we possess a potent capability to acquire, convert and retain customers online, which is of increasing importance to our larger customers.”

Corporate finance advice was provided by EMC, led by Terry Rainback, whilst AI Digital was advised by law firm Griffith Smith Farrington Webb, led by Tim Smith.

“This was a strategic acquisition for AI Digital,” Smith said. “The company is a valued client and our team was committed to the acquisition.”

AI Digital was also supported by chartered accountant Feist Hedgethorne, which has been its financial and tax adviser since 2002.

The firm was led on this deal by senior partner Paul Feist, who said his team helped secure the funding needed to complete the deal. “A close working arrangement was quickly established between Jason Woodford and all of the advisers which helped the acquisition to proceed smoothly and acted as a blueprint for future successful mergers and acquisitions.”

AI Digital’s own search marketing operations have been merged with those of Site Visibility, and the board anticipate that the combined business will rank as one of the top 15 search marketing agencies in the UK this year.

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