Amsterdam, July 6, 2023. Keesing Media Group (Keesing) and CoolGames have reached agreement on a takeover whereby Keesing assumes ownership of CoolGames, a trend-setting developer of quality web games, with immediate effect. The deal follows Keesing’s acquisition last month of Synonymer.se, Sweden’s biggest online dictionary for puzzle fans. Both acquisitions form part of Keesing Media Group’s buy and build strategy and represent an important expansion of the company’s digital portfolio.
CoolGames, set up in 2009, is a games studio specialised in developing HTML5 games. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and has a workforce of over 40 people. Its portfolio includes webgames based on well-known third-party IP, including Monopoly, Sudoku, Battleship and Angry Birds. CoolGames also develops its own gaming IP.
CoolGames mainly publishes its games on new Big Tech game channels, including Facebook Play, Google GameSnacks and Microsoft Start. These channels allow games to be played directly on a PC or mobile phone without the need to download a traditional app. Last year CoolGames had a massive hit with its Battleship game on Snapchat which was played by tens of millions of people.
The takeover represents a considerable expansion of Keesing’s digital product and brand portfolio, and strengthens the company’s position on the B2B market (the publishers, media companies and media platforms which buy Keesing’s content). In addition, the acquisition gives Keesing access to a large number of new distribution channels for its digital puzzles and games, as well as expanding its reach among a younger audience.
Philip Alberdingk Thijm, CEO Keesing: “The acquisition of CoolGames is a further step in putting our digital ambitions into practice, following on from the takeover of Synonymer.se at the beginning of June. CoolGames’ existing clients will benefit from Keesing’s puzzle content databases and our current B2B clients will be able to offer a much broader Keesing range to their own clients. Laurens Rutten, founder of CoolGames adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for CoolGames to work together with fellow Amsterdam firm Keesing. Keesing’s network of dozens of international media companies gives us access to a new group of players for our current games. And there is worldwide demand for good word games, sudoku, brain-trainers and other types of puzzles. Keesing’s puzzle expertise and content will help us to develop many new games in the coming years.”
Last month Keesing also took over Synonymer.se. Synonymer.se, founded in 2004, is the biggest online dictionary in Sweden. The platform provides an important service for Swedish crossword fans in their hunt for synonyms and hints to solve puzzles. The site is used by 250,000 unique visitors a day.
About Keesing Media Group
Keesing Media Group is the biggest braintainment company in the world, producing more than 200 million puzzle books a year, as well as a range of online braingames. Keesing was founded in 1911 by Amsterdam-based journalist Isaäc Keesing, and is now global market leader in print and online puzzle formats. The company offers puzzle enthusiasts all over the world challenging and innovative game concepts. The headquarters are in Amsterdam, and the company has offices in 12 countries. Check Keesing.com for more information.
