Unilever to acquire Onnit

Onnit was founded in 2010 by Aubrey Marcus, who set out to inspire a journey towards ‘total human optimization’ – a 360-degree philosophy to achieve optimal health and wellbeing, through physical fitness, mental performance, and emotional wellness.

Onnit’s supplements are the foundation of the brands’ offering and are made with scientifically proven and high-quality ingredients to provide improved cognitive function, mood and relaxation, gut health and immunity support. The range includes Onnit’s hero product, Alpha BRAIN®, a brain supplement (nootropic) for better memory, focus, and mental processing. The brand also offers functional nutrition, fitness essentials, and a digital content platform that provides informative and motivational articles, interviews, advice, and fitness programs for its loyal and passionate consumer base.

Peter ter Kulve, President of Home Care and Health & Wellbeing at Unilever, said: “Onnit is a leading brand in the fast-growing nootropics segment. With its holistic health offering and digital-first model, Onnit perfectly complements our growing portfolio of innovative wellness and supplement brands that include OLLY, Equilibra, Liquid I.V., and SmartyPants Vitamins.”

Fabian Garcia, President of Unilever North America, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Onnit to the Unilever family. As a dynamic and purpose-led brand, Unilever is strongly aligned with Onnit’s vision to improve the health and wellness of consumers with scientifically proven solutions.”

Aubrey Marcus, founder of Onnit, said: “Since day one, my vision has been for Onnit to become a global movement, empowering people with the tools and information to reach their highest physical and mental potential. I am so proud of what we have accomplished, and now, with Unilever’s scale and presence, we are one step closer to inspiring millions more to take charge of their health and wellbeing.”

Onnit will continue to be based in Austin, Texas, and led by CEO Jason Havey. Founder Aubrey Marcus will remain a Brand Ambassador.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

About Onnit

Since 2010, Onnit has been leading the health and wellness industry in designing thoughtful, high-quality, and efficacious multifunctional stacked supplements. Founded by Aubrey Marcus in Austin, TX, Onnit’s lifestyle products address customers’ various supplement, functional nutrition, fitness, mental, and emotional wellness needs. With over one million visitors per month, Onnit’s website is a top destination for motivational, informational, and inspirational health and wellness lifestyle digital content. Onnit products can be found in stores across the country, as well as online retailers including Whole Foods Market, Amazon, CVS, Sprouts, Vitamin Shoppe, and many more. For more information, please visit www.onnit.com.

Safe Harbour

Where relevant, these actions are subject to the appropriate consultations and approvals.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘will’, ‘aim’, ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘looks’, ‘believes’, ‘vision’, or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the ‘Group’). They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance.

Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are: Unilever’s global brands not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever’s ability to innovate and remain competitive; Unilever’s investment choices in its portfolio management; the effect of climate change on Unilever’s business; Unilever’s ability to find sustainable solutions to its plastic packaging; significant changes or deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects; economic, social and political risks and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. A number of these risks have increased as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

Netmarble to Acquire Majority Stake of Independent Game Developer Kung FU Factory

Netmarble US,Inc.,(“Netmarble US”) the Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Netmarble Corp., a top global mobile game company, announced that it has acquired a majority stake in the Los Angeles-based game developer Kung Fu Factory. As a result of the majority stake acquisition, the developer will officially become a subsidiary of Netmarble US.

Best known for their work on popular mobile titles like WWE: Champions, Kung Fu Factory is working closely with Netmarble US, along with the NBA and NBPA, on the production of NBA Ball Stars, the first publishing project of Netmarble US. Kung Fu Factory will also be responsible for the ongoing development of this new title, along with other future titles specifically published by Netmarble US.

“Kung Fu Factory has been a tremendous partner in the production of NBA Ball Stars and has been incredibly in sync with our vision for our first publishing project,” said Simon Sim, President of Netmarble US. “We’re thrilled to have a developer with such an impressive portfolio of work become part of the Netmarble US family, and we look forward to building our relationship as we continue to expand our publishing capabilities in the West.”

Since 2012, Netmarble US has serviced and supported the innovative mobile games like Lineage 2: Revolution and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross as it simultaneously pursued expansion through its own game publishing. Today’s investment into Kung Fu Factory is another step towards the company’s ongoing efforts as it continues to look for investment and acquisition opportunities that align with such business strategy of Netmarble US.

“Kung Fu Factory is delighted to officially be a part of the Netmarble US family, as their pedigree and success of supporting mainstream mobile gaming experiences enjoyed by millions of players speak for themselves,” said Ricci Rukavina, Founder/CEO of Kung Fu Factory. “We are eager to blow out the launch of NBA Ball Stars in a big way, and are looking forward to creating an amazing future with Netmarble US.”

Netmarble has previously announced that NBA Ball Stars will be released in the first quarter of this year through its fourth quarter and year-end financial results for 2020. More details on the majority stake acquisition, and information on Kung Fu Factory’s upcoming projects with Netmarble US, will be revealed at a later date. Please follow Netmarble US’s official LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages for more information.