Monday, January 14, 2008Blackboard Buys NTI GroupWashington, D.C.-based Blackboard said Monday that it has agreed to buy Sherman Oaks-based NTI Group, in a deal that is worth approximately $182M plus an additional $17M in earnout. Blackboard, which develops enterprise software and services for the education market, said it would pay $132M in cash plus $50M in stock, and up to an additional $17M in consideration based on financial targets. NTI Group develops hosted, mass communications systems for communicating with students, including alerts, (More info...)
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MySpace, State AGs Team On Safety EffortLos Angeles-based MySpace and the Attorney Generals of a group of 49 states and the District of Columbia said Monday morning that they are developing a set of rules focused on social networking site safety. The rules include guidance on education and tools for parents, a 24-hour hotline for law enforcement, a number of safety features on MySpace, and the creation of an online safety task force for the industry. Among the safety efforts MySpace said it will implement are automatically making the (More info...)
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Interview with Christophe Louvion, Gorilla NationLos Angeles-based Gorilla Nation (www.gorillanation.com) recently scored $50M in funding from Great Hill for the firm's online advertising services. The company provides online advertising representation to publishers, and often represents brand advertisers. The company recently hired Christophe Louvion, one of the earliest employees at Shopzilla, as its CTO, and we caught up with Christophe to get some insights into Gorilla Nation. Christophe spoke with Ben Kuo.
For our readers who aren't fa (More info...)
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eHarmony Adds Online Verification ServicePasadena-based eHarmony said Monday that it has released a new service which will provide ID verification for its members. According to eHarmony, it has partnered with RelyID to validate age and identity of its members. The online dating and relationships site said the new service will allow members of its services to advertise that their personal information--including first and last name, age, and address--has been verified by the firm. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.
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CallWave Officially Launches Voicemail ServiceSanta Barbara-based CallWave said today that it has launched a new suite of mobile communications services targeted at professionals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. According to the firm, its new CallWave Virtual Voicemail service provides voicemail-to-text, mobile call screening, and a messsage portal for users. The firm's voicemail-to-text service has been available in beta form since June of last year; the release combines that service plus a web-based site for managing voicemails and o (More info...)
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Gemstar Signs MobiTVLos Angeles-based Gemstar-TV Guide International said today that it has signed a patent license agreement with MobiTV, to provide the mobile provider of content with its interactive program guides. According to Gemstar, the multi-year agreement includes patent licenses for interactive program guides for mobile video programming. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Gemstar-TV Guide International holds a portfolio of patents for interactive programming guides, which it licenses to othe (More info...)
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AECOM Acquires Consulting FirmLos Angeles-based AECOM Technology Corporation, which provides technical and management support services for the government and commercial customers, said Monday that it has acquire The Services Group (TSG), of Arlington, Virginia. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. TSG provides international development services, including support services in emerging markets for the U.S. government.
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Computer Sciences Completes First Consulting Group BuyEl Segundo-based Computer Sciences said Monday that it has completes its $365M acquisition of First Consulting Group. First Consulting Group was a provider of healthcare consulting and other services, and employs over 2500. According to Computer Sciences, approximately 1200 of First Consulting Group's employees are located in offshore locations, including India and Vietnam. Computer Sciences originally announced the acquisition of First Consulting Group in October of last year.
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Imagine Communications Launches HDTV ProductVenture-backed Imagine Communications, a developer of products for the digital TV market, said today that it has launched its first product. The firm said that it has launched a product which allows cable operators to carry up to 50 percent more high definition and standard definition TV content on its existing spectrum. The firm said its ICE Video Platform and ICE Broadcast System is targeted at cable operators looking to expand their HD and standard definition services. Imagine Communications (More info...)
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QAD Adds FileNet's Roberts To BoardSanta Barbara-based QAD said this morning that it has added Lee Roberts to the company's board of directors. Roberts, the former Chairman and CEO of Filenet, is currently a VP and General Manager at IBM. Roberts was Chairman and CEO of Filenet when the firm was acquired by IBM. According to QAD, the addition of Roberts expands the firm's board of directors to seven members. QAD is a provider of enterprise software applications for manufacturing companies.
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