The Lumine Group has announced an acquisition of well-known media technology supplier, Imagine Communications.

Lumine has been a hyperactive acquirer of businesses in the media technology sector. The group’s portfolio now includes Velocix (acquired 2019), TransMedia Dynamics (2021), WideOrbit (2022), Vidispine (2025), and recently Quortex (formerly Synamedia Video Network business).

There is a temptation to label Lumine a private equity firm. Lumine’s investment strategy draws several key contrasts with the general impression of private equity. Lumine maintains a buy-and-hold forever approach and an operating model where acquired businesses continue to operate independently.

This approach is echoed in the press release announcing the transaction. “Lumine Group’s acquisition approach and buy-and-hold philosophy provide us with a solid foundation on which we can continue to innovate, while providing certainty to our customers and employees. Operating as an autonomous business within Lumine Group, we have a clear path and excellent support to achieve our vision and serve our customers’ most critical needs” states Steve Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer at Imagine Communications.

The selling owners are the private equity firm, The Gores Group. This brings to end the firm’s nearly 12.5-year ownership tenure of Imagine Communications. The Gores Group announced its acquisition of the Harris Broadcast division in December 2013. The tenure included acquisitions (precedent Imagine Communications, OpenTV Advanced Advertising Business, RGB Networks, and Digital Rapids), divestitures (GatesAir), a rebranding, and an overhaul of the portfolio.

It is notable to observe the direct overlap of Imagine’s advertising technology business with WideOrbit. How the group plans to manage the overlap is not addressed in the initial press release.

We intend to write more as additional information is made available on the transaction and going-forward operating plans.

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