Reading, United Kingdom, 3 April 2008: Atex, the world’s largest provider of mission-critical software solutions and services to the global media industry, announces the acquisition of Polopoly, the leading provider of next generation web content management solutions. The combination of Atex and Polopoly creates the largest and most innovative software company serving the worldwide print and digital media market.
Polopoly AB, based in Stockholm, Sweden, develops web publishing and content management systems built on 100% Java J2EE open standards and Service Oriented Architecture. The Polopoly platform is designed to maximise the efficient use of media assets by managing a constantly increasing number of websites, web editors and site visitors. Polopoly develops the tools to easily create and manage websites, to provide highly interactive, collaborative and community-focused experiences for visitors, and to deliver personalised content on a variety of digital devices.
Polopoly forms a key component of Atex’s Digital News and Advertising (DNA) initiative. Atex DNA is a product framework that enables media companies to generate new revenues through converged, multi-channel software and services. With Atex DNA, a media company’s content becomes more valuable by linking news and advertising in ways that are increasingly targeted, collaborative, and available on-demand. In addition, as the core Atex newspaper and magazine customers move from print-centric to content-centric business models, Atex DNA is designed to help create innovative revenue sources, reduce operating costs, and engage both younger and older audiences.
“We are delighted to have acquired Polopoly who truly have developed the next generation of Web CMS,” says John Hawkins, Atex Group CEO. “Polopoly fits exactly with our Atex DNA strategy and our declared intention to deliver other digital technologies enabling our customers to rapidly exploit digital revenues. Atex wants to see 50% of its revenues come from web-centric, mobile and video applications by 2011.”
Mr. Hawkins continues, “The Atex acquisition of Polopoly provides our clients in the media industry with a single global vendor that is capable of offering the delivery of news and advertising across a multi-channel environment. With our roots firmly established in the print world, Atex recognises the shift from print to online and the market trends driving the shape of the industry. In acquiring Polopoly, we are delivering on the Atex DNA strategy by adding the best-of-breed web content management platform, based on a proven technology with numerous clients in both the media and non-media industries.”
Gustaf Sahlman, CEO of Polopoly, agrees. “This is a perfect synergy of companies and technologies. Building on the Atex philosophy of open, scalable technology, Polopoly makes it easy for our customers to deploy web content management solutions that can be integrated with existing newsroom and advertising systems through a series of web services and open interface standards.”
“Atex is leading the industry and helping customers benefit from new digital revenues by combining online services with existing print systems,” Mr. Sahlman continues. “The combination of Polopoly with the existing suite of Atex content management, advertising and circulation management is the strongest end-to-end digital media solution in the industry.”
Polopoly’s media customers include Dagens Nyheter, Corelio, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Metro Nordic, and mtvU, the 24-hour US college media network and a division of Viacom. In the non-media industry, Polopoly’s customers include the University of Sheffield, Kings College of London and the University of Edinburgh, as well as large and diverse public and corporate clients such as SJ, the Swedish State Railways, Norwegian cruise line operator Color Line, the Swedish Government Offices and the British Banker’s Association.
Atex Chief Technology Officer Peter Marsh says, “Polopoly’s architecture enables us to create open interfaces with Atex and non-Atex systems. In addition, the combination of Atex and Polopoly technologies is another step in our commitment to a green agenda. As publishers looks to deliver content in a more flexible and environmentally friendly manner, Atex is able to implement digital media solutions running under a fully hosted model, which helps our customers reduce their overall carbon footprint.”
Atex Group CEO John Hawkins concludes, “As a business partner with the World Association of Newspapers in the SFN (Shaping the Future of the Newspaper) project, we have developed a roadmap for our customers based on our Atex DNA strategy, and this acquisition of Polopoly continues to demonstrate Atex’s engagement and understanding of our customers’ needs going forward in bridging the print and digital media worlds.”
Atex Group Limited is backed by Kistefos AS, a privately held investment company based in Oslo, Norway.
About Atex
Atex is a leading provider of software solutions and services to the global media industry. With a 35-year history of continuous innovation and commitment to quality, Atex has created the largest digital advertising and editorial content management and multimedia software delivery capability in the world. The company has nearly $1 billion USD worth of software installed worldwide and supports in excess of 800 customers in more than 40 countries. In addition to its significant R&D investment, Atex partners with world-leading complementary solutions providers to enhance integration and Web services development. Providing professional, long-term support through a global network of strategically located regional offices, Atex is headquartered in Reading, UK, and may be found on the Web at www.atex.com.
Atex is a registered trademark of Atex Group Ltd. All other brands or products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Contact
Peter Joseph, Atex Global Marketing and Communications Manager
Office: +44 (0) 118 945 0128
Mobile: +44 (0) 7500 331800
