WebProNews

SearchEngineWatch.com and the Search Engine Strategies trade shows now have a new owner.

Incisive Media, a UK-based business information provider, has purchased Search Engine Strategies for $43 million USD. That deal includes the ClickZ.com site along with Search Engine Watch.

The forthcoming Search Engine Strategies trade show in San Jose will not be affected by the transaction. In a press release, Incisive Media said it sees this purchase as "an opportunity to buy a leading conference and exhibition series in the rapidly growing global search engine marketing industry."

The company sees Search Engine Strategies as entry into a profitable vertical market, and one that will strengthen its presence in the United States. Incisive Media provided this statement from its chief executive, Tim Weller:
'We are very excited about this deal which takes Incisive Media into what is possibly one of the most exciting marketing services niches that there is, "Search". I believe Search has rapidly become the 'killer application' of the Internet, and is the main driver behind the growth in online advertising throughout the world.

We consider that the SES conference series, supported by their websites, are the primary source of information on search engine marketing and optimization issues. 'SES has all the hallmarks we look for in our acquisitions: this is a high margin business with robust core earnings, and it is a market leader in a strong and rapidly growing global market niche.'

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.