DTI AND PBS JOIN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A CHANGING INDUSTRY
Industry leaders combine vision and talent for a complete solution
Salt Lake City, Utah, – February 1, 2007 – Digital Technology International, a respected innovator in the newspaper publishing software industry, today announced that through its investment partner, The Riverside Company, it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Publishing Business Systems, North America’s leading source for integrated enterprise–wide newspaper business software systems. This announcement supports the DTI strategy to grow through acquisition and deliver a complete and connected suite of systems to the news industry.
The agreement combines the resources and talents of two of the newspaper industry’s leading and longstanding software solutions providers: DTI, recognized for robust Editorial and Advertising solutions and a strong international presence, and PBS, known throughout North America for its Circulation, Advertising, Production and Business systems. “In our review of this market, we discovered a natural, complementary fit between DTI and PBS. PBS solutions, combined with DTI offerings, will provide what every newspaper wants – a single vendor that can deliver systems for all areas of the newspaper that are connected through a visionary architecture,” stated DTI CEO Don Oldham. The two companies are also well matched in size, structure and financial performance and play off each other nicely in opportunities for market expansion.
Don Oldham, current CEO of DTI, will continue to lead DTI which will be managed by a blend of DTI and PBS personnel. Ron Bernier, who has served as the CEO of PBS since Steve Smith’s death in 2005, will retire.
Shared Vision for the News Industry.
Independently, DTI and PBS have shared a similar vision of how technology can transform the industry. As one, they will support the evolution of how news is delivered and advertising is consumed in an increasingly multimedia world. The vision revolves around the concept of Liquid Media, which allows newspapers to share their data, content and graphic elements with different systems across multiple channels (print, online, etc.). Through Liquid Media, newspapers can leverage their intellectual assets and flow them into any application or media format, regardless of platform. “In doing this we are giving newspapers an environment where they can work more effectively, share information more efficiently and increase profitability in the face of new industry challenges,” notes Oldham.
Together, DTI and PBS have over 58 years of experience working in the newspaper business. In moving forward as DTI, the company sees a strong future in the news business, but also believes the business will need to transform in order to survive and thrive. “We’re dedicated to this industry and would like to be the secret weapon that helps news organizations achieve their goals for the future,” said Ron Bernier, PBS CEO. “As a combined entity, PBS and DTI will provide innovative solutions based on a deep understanding of this market –– and will deliver them with exceptional customer service.”
For more information on PBS and DTI and Liquid Media, please visit www.dtint.com.
