Heads of agreement signed by Vizrt and Escenic

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A foundation for handling content on every platform

Bergen, Norway, March 31, 2008, Vizrt Ltd. (Frankfurt Prime Standard, Oslo Main List: VIZ). Today Vizrt Ltd. has signed Heads of Agreement to purchase Escenic AS. 65% of the shareholders in Escenic have signed the agreement, and the remaining shareholders will receive the same offer. Escenic has 71 employees in seven countries and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

Escenic was established in 1999 and is a leading provider of strategic solutions for Content Management and publishing of content to all forms of digital media. Escenic's flagship product, Escenic Content Engine, has been chosen to power over 500 websites in 14 countries including leading media, news providers, government and corporate sites. Most of its software is developed in-house with some external additions. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Vizrt's position as the leading supplier of end-to-end solution from ingest to visualization. With the ongoing convergence of the web and traditional television, both companies foresee major product synergies resulting from the integration of Vizrt's television related products and Escenic's web related products.

Escenic expanded internationally in 2007 with new offices in Sweden, UK, Germany, USA and Bangladesh, and grew its headcount by 85%.

Having achieved revenues of NOK 44.1M (app. USD 6.9M) and adjusted EBIT of NOK 13.7M (app. USD 2.1M) in 2006, Escenic reported 2007 revenues of NOK 51.3M (app. USD 8.7M) and an adjusted EBIT of NOK 1.6M (app. USD 0.3M). For 2008 the company expects to leverage this expansion with a significant increase in revenues, as well as a substantial improvement in its operating margin.

The current shareholders in Escenic will receive 6 million shares of Vizrt as a consideration for 100% of the shares in Escenic. Escenic shareholders may receive an additional consideration of up to 5.5 million shares if certain financial targets are met for 2008 and 2009. For 2008 a minimum EBIT of NOK 15M (app. USD 2.9M) is needed to receive an additional consideration, while a minimum of NOK 18M (app. USD 3.5M) is needed for 2009. To reach the full earn-out consideration of 5.5 million shares, Escenic has to achieve an EBIT of at least NOK 30M (app. USD 5.9M) in 2008 or a minimum of NOK 36M (app. USD 7.0M) in 2009. Vizrt has the option to buy off the earn-out for a consideration of an additional 4.5 million shares.

The acquisition is subject to satisfactory due diligence and a satisfactory sales and purchase agreement.

SEB Enskilda has acted as Vizrt's financial advisor on the transaction.

USD translations of NOK figures are for convenience and based on the USD/NOK exchange rate for the relevant period.
 
 
About Vizrt:
Vizrt offers a new vision for content creation and delivery with an end-to-end solution from ingest to visualization. Our solution combines Vizrt's true 2D/3D graphics tools with Curious Software's World Maps and Ardendo's Asset Management. Running on non proprietary software and hardware, the combination of these unique cutting edge products ensures a seamless workflow from conception to multi-format distribution. The latest addition to the Vizrt product range is the Viz|Multi Platform Solution.
 
Vizrt's product suite is used by the world's leading broadcasters including: CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, TV Today, CCTV and NHK. Also, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions, including both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, utilize Vizrt solutions.
 
Vizrt is a public company traded on the Frankfurt Prime Standard and on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154. For further information please refer to www.vizrt.com
 
 
Media and investors contacts:

Bjarne Berg
President & CEO
+47 9055 7711
bberg@vizrt.com  

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com  

SCHWARZ Financial Communication
Frank Schwarz
+49 611 1745 398 11
schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com  

ESCENIC
Øyvind Ørbæk
+47 900 98 592 (NO)
+1 617 291 9930 (US)
oyvind.orbak@escenic.com  

Tore Sviland
+47 90183489
tore.sviland@escenic.com  
 
 
Forward looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the business, financial condition and results of operations of Vizrt and its affiliates and Escenic AS and its affiliates. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of Vizrt's management and Escenic AS's management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or performance of the both Companies to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties relate to changes in technology and market requirements, both companies concentration on one industry, decline in demand for both companies products and those of its affiliates, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, and loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of both companies to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Vizrt and Escenic undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.