Global Eagle Entertainment Acquires EMC

Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. completed its previously announced acquisition of Emerging Markets Communications ("EMC"), a leading communications services provider to maritime and hard-to-reach land markets.

Combination Overview

The combination of GEE and EMC creates one of the world's largest providers of satellite-based connectivity and media to the rapidly growing global mobility market.  GEE has established a strong track record of successfully delivering media content and connectivity to airlines, while EMC has become a top provider of connectivity to maritime and hard-to-reach land markets. When combined with EMC, GEE benefits from significant economies of scale and an enhanced global infrastructure that enables it to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of products to customers.

With the combination, GEE possesses unique attributes that will provide additional opportunities to drive revenue growth and operational efficiencies, including:

  * An unparalleled portfolio of products and services tailored to mobility markets, including global connectivity, media content in 47 languages, live television, travel and entertainment apps, user interface platforms and data capture and operations analytics tools;

  * A global sales force and support organization that reaches all major mobility verticals including aviation, maritime, energy and remote locations;

  * A satellite and ground-based network infrastructure that can provide customers connectivity and media across multiple frequency bands anywhere in the world;

  * Proprietary, patented technologies that enhance the connected traveler's user experience and reduce costs across market verticals;
 
  * A diversified revenue base with over 400 customers,  balanced between media and connectivity, and over half of all revenue coming from international markets; and
 
  * Engineering, technical and managerial resources to effectively drive new product development, program management, product maintenance, and field support. 

"This is a transformational acquisition for our company and in our industry," said GEE Chief Executive Officer Dave Davis. "The combination of GEE and EMC enables us to provide our customers with a breadth of products and services unmatched in the markets we serve, whether in the air, at sea, or on land. GEE will continue to strive to be customer focused, product driven, and operationally excellent."