Talkwalker acquisition

Luxembourg media analytics company Talkwalker has been acquired by US private equity firm, Marlin Equity Partners. Talkwalker CEO Robert Glaesener wrote in a blog that the deal had been in the pipeline for some time, and that it will “ensure we can scale and future-proof the company”. The company launched in 2009 and as well as its headquarters in Luxembourg has since opened offices in San Francisco, New York and Frankfurt. That success has seen one of its co-founders, Christophe Folschette take on the role of a panellist on “Success Story”, the Luxembourg version of “Dragon’s Den”, which launched this week on the local RTL television network. Of the investment by Marlin, Glaesener wrote that it “not only affirms Talkwalker’s promising success trajectory, but their capital base, industry relationships and extensive network of operational resources will significantly strengthen us in the coming years.”

Call to extend Article 50

Two former high-ranking European institution bureaucrats from Luxembourg have called for the British government and the EU to extend the negotiation period for Article 50 rather than agree to a lengthy transition period after Brexit. In a piece for their “What are we for” blog, John Speed and Stephen McCarthy argue that an extension would have “the enormous advantage of giving the British people, and the British government, the time to reflect on the Brexit decision and, if so inclined, to abandon Brexit altogether.

Brexit opponents thrilled with Farage

As Brexit nears the halfway stage, one of its instigators, Nigel Farage just can’t seem to keep himself out of the headlines. Speaking on Channel Five's “The Wright Stuff” programme, the former UKIP leader has suggested that he might be in favour of a second referendum on Brexit. Bemoaning the likes of Nick Clegg, Tony Blair and Lord Adonis, Farage said: “I think if we had a second referendum on EU membership we'd kill it off for a generation. The percentage that would vote to leave next time would be very much bigger than it was last time round.” Many prominent “remainers” disagree with that analysis and The Guardian reports that many have welcomed Farage’s suggestion.