Informission to Acquire DigIT Interactive
Informission Reaches Agreement to Acquire DigIT Interactive,
Specialists in Digital Branding and Marketing Channel Management
MONTREAL, QUEBEC-- February 9, 2000
Marketing Think Tank with High-Tech Clients to Extend Services to
"Clicks and Mortar" Organizations
Informission Group Inc., a subsidiary of the Quebecor Inc. group,
announced today that the company is adding an important marketing
element to its fast-growing e-business organization with the
acquisition of digIT Interactive Inc., specialists in digital
branding and marketing channel management. The transaction,
subject to executing definitive agreements and the approval of
regulatory authorities, is expected to be completed in February
2000. The acquisition will be made in consideration of the
issuance of common shares and cash, and provides for adjustments
depending on future results.
digIT, which has enjoyed a compound annual growth rate of 60 % per
year since 1996 and employs 30 professionals in Toronto and
Ottawa, provides e-business strategy and Internet-based marketing
solutions. Its multi-national high-tech clients include Nortel
Networks, Research in Motion, Clearnet and JetForm. On a national
level, through its Ottawa e-government practice, the company also
enjoys client relationships with Industry Canada, Natural
Resources Canada and Public Works & Government Services Canada
(PWGSC).
"This announcement is not about achieving more critical mass or
geographical presence," said Alexandre Taillefer, Chief Strategy
Officer of Informission Group. "It's about getting the talent and
experience that will help our clients use the Internet to maximise
their marketing strategies. With this acquisition, Informission
now has all the winning e-business pieces - strategy, marketing,
design, development and Web/legacy systems integration."
"Successful 21st century marketing strategy is about creating the
optimum mix of 'clicks and mortar' - between new and traditional
marketing channels," said Nathan Rudyk, President of digIT
Interactive Inc. "Our company has developed successful Internet
marketing and branding strategies with some of the world's most
advanced organisations. Working with Informission, we now want to
combine that expertise, learned from our early adopter clients,
with our core marketing strengths to offer integrated marketing
solutions to more mainstream businesses such as online retailers."
Interactive Channel Management Methodology
One of the cornerstones of the company's operations is its
interactive channel management methodology, which helps companies
strike the optimum balance between the various marketing channels
- direct sales force, value-added resellers, the Internet, etc.,
while maintaining brand integrity and increasing speed-to-market.
In fact, digIT's philosophy is to integrate analog and electronic
mediums to create online marketing applications with maximum
efficiency, customer satisfaction and reach.
Recent Study about Retailers and Manufacturers on the Web
A study released in January by Deloitte & Touche confirms the need
for strategic Internet marketing skills. The survey of 400
traditional retailers and consumer goods manufacturers in North
American found that only two-thirds of the companies had Web sites
and only one-fourth were selling online. Of the companies that
had Web sites, 31 % said their sites had no particular purpose.
More than 50 % of the companies revealed that their online efforts
were not organised.
"Quebecor is very aware of the synergies that exist between new
and traditional media, from both a marketing and production point
of view," said Pierre-Karl Peladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor
Inc. "The Internet is breathing new life into our business, as
many companies resort to traditional media to promote their
Internet services. With the addition of digIT to Informission's
suite of solutions capability, we believe our global clients will
benefit from an integrated approach to online and traditional
printed media. This will translate into additional synergies
between Quebecor's printing and media groups."
This latest acquisition follows on the acquisitions of Paris-based
Cythere and Toronto-based EntreVision, leaders in the integrated
e-solutions arena. With its unique combination of strategic,
marketing, creative and technical Web expertise, Informission is
now the largest Web integrator in Canada and the provider of
choice for Quebecor and its worldwide subsidiaries. The company
regroups centres of excellence in various international regions,
consulting services, as well as technical and industry expertise.
digIT Interactive Inc.
With offices in Ottawa and Toronto and 30 employees, digIT
Interactive Inc. is a leading Internet services company, which
provides e-business strategy consulting and comprehensive
Internet-based marketing solutions to national and multinational
organisations seeking to build digital brands. In May, the
Ottawa-based information technology association, SCOAP, presented
digIT with an Award of Excellence for "Best Implementation or
Innovative Use of Information Technology" related to its work for
Nortel Networks, among other clients. In September, digIT was
invited to join Innovator's Alliance, an elite group of Ontario's
200 fastest-growing companies that is sponsored by the Ontario
government and several private sector firms.
Informission Group Inc.
In November 1999, Informission Group Inc., Intellia Inc. and
Quebecor Communications Inc. announced the conclusion of a
transaction that laid the foundation for a major strategic
partnership. These agreements led to the creation of a new
enterprise, a leader in the field of e-commerce solutions that
combine strategy, technology integration, IP solutions and
Web-based design. Since that time, Informission has further
bolstered its e-commerce organisation by acquiring the Paris-based
Cythere and Toronto-based EntreVision, as well as the digital
branding and marketing channel management specialists of digIT
Interactive.
Informission (TSE: IFN), a subsidiary of the Quebecor Inc. group,
is an information technology company providing e-commerce, Web
integration and Telecom/IP embedded solutions for corporate and
public-sector clients in North America, Europe and select
locations around the world. Informission employs more than 900
professionals in its various offices in Montreal, Quebec, Toronto,
Ottawa, Seattle, New York, Boston and Paris.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Informission Group Inc.
Alexandre Taillefer
Chief Strategy Officer
(514) 843-2001
www.informission.ca
or
Informission Group Inc.
Diane Labelle
Vice-President Communications
(514) 843-2001
www.informission.ca
or
digIT Interactive Inc.
Nathan Rudyk
President
(613) 729-0515, ext. 201
www.digit.ca
or
NATIONAL Public Relations
Dan Brennan
(514) 843-2325
dbrennan@national.ca |
