AIM Group » Western Europe

Johan Hansson named Roxen president for US, Latin America

Admin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:45:44 +0000

Roxen appoints industry profile to head its growth in US and Latin America

Johan Hansson is Roxen’s new President for the US and Latin America. He will be responsible for growing Roxen’s customer base on the company’s largest market outside Scandinavia.

Johan Hansson has been a partner at Gansevoort Media, a New York based media and internet product development consultancy with customers including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The New York Observer, St Petersburg Times, and The Dallas Morning News as well as smaller internet and software development companies. Prior to Gansevoort Media, Hansson worked for 6 years at Metro International, the world’s largest publisher of free newspapers where he was part of Metro’s Executive Management team as head of Metro’s North American operations and responsible for the launch of Metro New York – the company’s largest ever. He also held positions as Managing Director and Publisher of Metro Hong Kong, Metro Warsaw and Metro Holland.

Hansson most recently worked as a Management Consultant at BTS in New York, a global leader in Strategy Implementation serving Fortune 500 companies. He is a graduate of Lund University in Sweden and has added studies in Digital Publishing from New York University.

“As complexity and speed increases in the media industry, we have experienced an increasing interest in Roxen’s lean, multi-channel editorial solutions from mainly regional publications and new media. With more than 10 year’s of experience in developing publishing businesses and the digital presence of some of the industry’s most innovative newspapers, Johan has a solid understanding of what drives our customers’ businesses. He will be instrumental in helping us further strengthening our presence in the US and in the growing Latin American markets”, says Per Östlund, CEO of Roxen.

Johan Hansson joins Roxen April 30th and will be based in New York.

Per Östlund, CEO, Tel: 46 73 230 30 13, email: per.ostlund@roxen.com

Roxen develops web-based editorial and content management tools for multi-channel publishing, i.e. publishing online, in print, to tablets, smartphones and other devices. Customers include Metro International, RTL Nederlands, Shaw Newspapers as well as Princeton University, Randstad and Verizon.

Roxen was established in 1994. The head office and development center is located in Linköping, Sweden. Roxen also has offices in Stockholm, Amsterdam, Chicago and New York. For more information, visit www.roxen.com.

Roxen was named one of Europe’s most innovative technology ventures and was awarded the Red Herring Top 100 Europe Award in 2012.

Ten New Careers, Real Estate and Motors Classifieds Sites Launched by Adicio Inc.

AIMGroup — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:03:27 +0000

Published March 9, 2012

CARLSBAD, CA (March 5, 2012) – www.Adicio.com If the first two months of 2012 is any indication, it’s going to be a busy year for top job board software company, Adicio, Inc. As the leading provider of interactive online classified advertising software solutions for media companies, Adicio continues to attract a wide variety of new clients looking to leverage the company’s cutting-edge classified technology and sales-oriented marketing systems. The company launched ten new online classifieds sites in 2012 for clients on its careers, real estate and motors platforms.

Several of these new sites are utilizing the most cost-effective job board software in the industry, the Professional Edition. This is Adicio’s newest entry-level product line based on their award-winning classified platforms. Newly launched Adicio Careers clients include the Yakima Herald Republic, the Elkhart Truth, the Victoria Advocate, Nation Media Group (Kenya, Africa), Penske Media Companies, Southern Community Newspapers, and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs.

Although Adicio is well known for its job board software applications, its Real Estate andMotors platforms are experiencing steady growth. One of the unique features Adicio offers its clients is simplicity and consistency. “From a customer service point of view, our clients love the fact that their Real Estate platform operates the same way as their Job Board and Motors classifieds. Clients don’t have to learn three different admin systems to add additional platforms,” said Ave Annel Polsdorf, Director, Client Services. Newly launched Adicio Real Estate and Motors clients include the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Salina Journal and the South Bend Tribune.

To explain the recent surge in new business, Tony Lee, Chief Alliance Officer of Adicio said, “With the roll out of our four new CareerCast Niche Networks, we’ve shown our clients that Adicio’s constant innovation and breakthrough technology work together to give media companies exceptional upsell opportunities for their sales departments. We actually have the most upsell products in the online classified industry.”

The online classified world has evolved far beyond nice looking websites, a place to post resumes and an application to host employment ads. It’s no longer simply selling job board software, real estate listing solutions, or automotive classified solutions. Successful online classified programs must have a comprehensive sales and marketing system to be competitive, which is an Adicio specialty. Adicio is alone in offering the combination of technology, support, sales and marketing tools.

About Adicio, Inc.

Adicio, Inc. is well known for its user friendly, technologically advanced job board solutions. With the job board technology at its foundation, the company develops interactive classified advertising software solutions for the careers, real estate and motors markets. Its award-winning technology and enterprise-class software platforms fuels Adicio’s ability to deliver a private-label application that seamlessly integrates within online classified advertising offerings, enabling clients to generate revenue and retain their brand while building and managing their online classified efforts. Clients can deploy Adicio’s job board software, real estate platform or motors platform as a turnkey solution.

Clients can easily customize Adicio’s application to leverage existing brand strategy and support online sales and marketing objectives. Adicio also powers the award winning, Best-of-The-Web job search portalCareerCast.com and JobsRated.com, where 200 jobs across North America are ranked based on detailed analysis of specific careers factors.

Alma Media buying Czech recruitment sites

AIMGroup — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:16:19 +0000

Published December 21, 2011

Alma Media acquires the leading online recruitment company in the Czech Republic

Alma Media Corporation Stock Exchange Release December 21, 2011 at 12:00 (EET)

ALMA MEDIA ACQUIRES THE LEADING ONLINE RECRUITMENT COMPANY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Alma Media Corporation has today agreed to acquire LMC s.r.o, the company behind the two leading recruitment portals in the Czech Republic. The acquisition price on an enterprise value basis is EUR 35.4 million, paid in cash at closing. In addition, there is an earn-out payment of EUR 3.9 million at maximum based on LMC’s financial performance in 2012. The transaction is estimated to be closed on January 2, 2012.

The acquisition is in line with Alma Media’s strategy to seek growth from digital services and internationalise its operations. In 2011, the annual revenue of LMC is expected to grow by approximately 25 % from the previous year and amount to EUR 16.5 million, while the EBITDA is estimated to total EUR 4.6 million. The company will be reported as part of Alma Media’s Marketplaces segment.

LMC was established by the seller, Mr *Libor Malý*, in 1996 and since then the company has been the Czech market leader. LMC operates two recruitment portals in the Czech Republic (www.jobs.cz and www.prace.cz) and one in Slovakia (www.topjobs.sk). LMC has in total approximately 25,000 registered B2B customers and approximately one million registered job seekers. LMC employs approximately 200 persons located mainly in Prague. The acquisition will have no effect on LMC’s employees or the brand names.

“Through this transaction, we take a major step in the internationalisation of our online recruitment segment. I am very satisfied that LMC’s talented team will join Alma Media. I firmly believe that the know-how of LMC combined with Alma Media’s strong experience in online services, also in the field of recruitment, will provide us with great opportunities to further develop our services to benefit of our customers”, says *Raimo Mäkilä*, Senior Vice President of Alma Media’s Marketplaces business area.

“It has been important for me to ensure LMC’s continued strong development after the transaction, and I am very satisfied with Alma Media as the new owner of the company. I am convinced that the transaction brings interesting development opportunities for LMC’s management and employees as well as enables LMC to continue launching new innovative services to its customers”, says Libor Malý, the founder of LMC.

Alma Media Corporation Rauno Heinonen Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations

For further information, please contact: Raimo Mäkilä, Senior Vice President, Marketplaces, tel. +358 10665 5802.

Distribution: NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Stock exchange, principal media

*Alma Media in brief* Alma Media is a dynamic media company whose best-known products are Aamulehti, Iltalehti, Kauppalehti and Etuovi.com. Alma Media employs approximately 2,800 professionals. The company’s net sales in 2010 totalled MEUR 311.4 with an operating margin of 13.9 per cent. Alma Media’s share (ALN1V) is listed in the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Exchange. Read more at www.almamedia.fi

Adicio Announces New Mobile Classified Mini Sites

AIMGroup — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:46:50 +0000

Published December 8, 2011

Employers, Realtors and Auto Dealers Can Create Custom Profiles Through Their Mobile Phones With New Adicio Solution
CARLSBAD Calif., (December 8, 2011) – Adicio Inc., the leading provider of interactive classified advertising software solutions for media companies, today announced the launch of a simple-to-use mobile solution for classified advertisers in careers, real estate and motors. The new Mobile Mini Sites allow classified websites to provide to their clients attractive, in-depth mobile profiles of hiring companies, real-estate agents and auto dealers on smartphones and tablets. The robust application maintains many of the great features and functionality clients currently enjoy on Adicio’s desktop application, including a range of unique content provided by each advertiser.

Complete with a full profile, vanity URL for SEO value, flexible color themes for branding, instant alerts and sharing capability, the Mobile Mini Sites are the industry’s only full-featured multi-vertical solution in online classifieds. The application allows consumers to apply for jobs, contact agents about a property, schedule test-drives with dealers and view detailed profile information provided by each advertiser. Mobile Mini Sites take the guesswork out of creating integrated mobile profiles in careers, real estate and motors.

Mobile Mini Sites by Adicio features include:
· Job Boards – Puts job openings and company profiles in the hands of qualified applicants wherever they are
· Real Estate Firms – Presents agent profiles, new listings and open houses to house-hunting prospects
· New and Used Car Dealers – Current dealer inventory and showroom details are available to new car buyers when driving and ready to buy

Adicio’s Mobile Mini Sites allow the online classifieds advertising community to build a stronger online brand and presence, connect with consumers’ mobile lifestyles, improve advertising response for jobs, cars and homes, and stay competitive in a tough economy.

“Adicio’s Mobile Mini Sites put job seekers, home shoppers, and car buyers in touch with online classifieds from their mobile phones,” said Rick Miller, CEO of Adicio. “With almost 80% of the nation’s population using mobile phones and 71% of smartphone users searching for products and services after seeing an ad, this solution merges the power of mobile with the power of advertising to customers on the go.”
To learn more about Adicio’s new Mobile Mini Sites, visit http://www.adicio.com/MobileMiniSites.

About Adicio Inc.
Adicio (www.Adicio.com) develops interactive classified advertising software and mobile solutions for the careers, real estate, and motors markets, which serve the Internet’s leading media companies and web portals. With its award-winning technology and enterprise-class software platforms, domain expertise, and customer service, Adicio delivers a private-label application that seamlessly integrates within online classified advertising offerings, enabling clients to retain their brand while building and managing their online classified efforts. Clients can deploy Adicio’s software as a turnkey solution or customize Adicio’s application to leverage existing brand strategy and support online sales and marketing objectives. For more information, please visit www.adicio.com, or call 800-276-1332.

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For more information, contact:

Beth Brody
(609) 397-3737
beth@brodypr.com

Jacob Aqraou now EBay’s European head

AIMGroup — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:40:54 +0000

Published November 10, 2011

Bern, November 10, 2011 – eBay International AG today announced that Jacob Aqraou is being promoted to Senior Vice President of eBay Marketplaces Europe, effective immediately. Jacob’s current role is General Manager of eBay Classifieds Group, responsible for a portfolio of businesses in 23 countries worldwide.

Commenting on Aqraou’s promotion, Devin Wenig, President of eBay Marketplaces, said: “I’m thrilled that Jacob will head our European region. With almost 10 years of experience at eBay, Jacob understands our business deeply, and he has proven ability to lead and grow a portfolio of consumer-focused businesses across diverse markets. Along with our talented European team, I’m confident Jacob will continue our commerce leadership and momentum across the region.”

Under Aqraou’s leadership, eBay Classifieds Group has consistently been among eBay’s fastest-growing businesses, driving market share and geographic expansion. eBay is now a classifieds leader around the world. Aqraou brings to his new role a broad perspective on how to serve customers effectively across multiple markets and regions, and how to create brand leadership and growth.

Aqraou succeeds Doug McCallum, who is moving to a new position as Senior Advisor to eBay Inc.’s President and CEO, John Donahoe. He will advise the company on a wide range of matters important to eBay Inc.’s continued acceleration including enterprise partner engagement, senior government relations, and leadership development.

In his decade with eBay, McCallum led eBay UK to ecommerce leadership in Britain as a top 5 national brand and then turned around eBay’s pan- European business through radical product, pricing, sales and marketing strategies that were subsequently rolled out in the US and beyond. McCallum also expanded eBay into 9 new European countries (now totalling 20) and led the explosive growth of mobile shopping in the region – for example “m-commerce” now represents more than 10 per cent of eBay’s UK merchandise volume, giving consumers a convenient, accessible way to find great deals on a broad range of merchandise anytime, anywhere.

About eBay Inc.
Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) is about connecting buyers and sellers. We do so through eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, which allows users to buy and sell in nearly every country on earth: through PayPal, which enables individuals and businesses to securely, easily and quickly send and receive online payments; and through GSI, which facilitates ecommerce, multichannel retailing and digital marketing for global enterprises. We also reach millions through specialized marketplaces such as StubHub, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, and eBay classified sites, which together have a presence in more than 1,000 cities around the world. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visitwww.ebayinc.com.

Sanoma lowers full-year outlook for sales in 2011

AIMGroup — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:12:37 +0000

Published August 2, 2011

Sanoma lowered its outlook for full-year net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items in 2011.

Sanoma is a diversified media group, which brings information, experiences, education and entertainment to millions of people every day. Sanoma offers a working environment for nearly 20,000 people in over 20 countries throughout Europe.

In 2010 the Group’s net sales totalled €2.8 billion.

Sanoma Group’s net sales are now expected to stay at the previous year’s level and operating profit excluding non-recurring items is expected to decrease somewhat in 2011. In 2010 operating profit excluding non-recurring items was €245.4 million. Previously, Sanoma estimated that its net
sales would increase somewhat and its operating profit, excluding non-recurring items, would improve slightly.

The change in guidance is based on a month later than estimated closing of the SBS acquisition, investments in the Group’s development programmes during the spring and the weakened outlook of the magazine business in Finland.

Sanoma’s net sales and operating profit in 2011 are affected by the development of advertising and private consumption in the Group’s countries of operation. The current outlook is based on the assumption that advertising markets in
the Group’s main operating countries will grow somewhat in 2011.

Sanoma will provide more details when it publishes its Q2 2011 results on 5 August 2011.

Sanoma Corporation

Kim Ignatius
Chief Financial Officer

This announcement was distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients.

European survey shows car brands fail to respond to 63% of potential customers

AIMGroup — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:03:20 +0000

*16.2.2011* *Majority of online requests for new car test drives are being ignored *

* *A comprehensive new survey by BearingPoint and Multi-M/IT reveals widespread failure to act upon test drive requests from potential customers. The survey of 19 different brands, across seven European countries, saw researchers attempt to make more than 2,500 test drive and brochure requests through car manufacturer websites. Surveyors asked for a brochure to be mailed to them or requested a test drive at a dealership.

The results show that 44% of brochure requests resulted in no material being received within seven days. Even more critically, 63% of those asking for a test drive received no contact within four days. At the close of the survey, which lasted for 14 days in each country, 45% of those asking for a test drive had still not received a reply.

*James Rodger, Automotive Partner at BearingPoint*, said: “The consensus across the automotive sector is that 2010 is set to be a really tough year. Scrappage schemes artificially boosted demand and brought forward sales into 2009 but manufacturers are set to feel the impact of low consumer confidence for some time. Against this backdrop of low demand, our survey shows brands are failing to help themselves by responding effectively to those customers who are in the market for a new car. All brands believe that a test drive significantly increases the likelihood of the consumer going on to purchase the car. They must therefore look carefully at these results which show an inability to capitalise on serious interest in their products.”

*Rob Malyn, Director at Multi-M/IT*, said: “The automotive industry spends billions of Euros each year on advertising and sales promotion in order to raise awareness and increase consideration amongst the car buying public. Our research shows that a significant amount of the investment in this area is wasted through failing to follow through and satisfy the requests of those potential customers who are closest to making their final buying decision.

“This is a comprehensive survey covering traditional and emerging high volume markets and brands right across the price spectrum. No one single brand performs consistently well across all markets. Results within each country vary significantly. Surprisingly, premium brands do not typically perform better than the volume brands and in some cases they perform worse. Our conclusion is that this is an endemic industry-wide issue that needs prompt attention if manufacturers and their dealers are going to protect their share of a depressed European car market.”

*James Rodger* concludes: “To identify and address the root causes of poor performance in lead management manufacturers need to take a holistic approach which looks at issues associated with their systems, people or processes. The respective roles and responsibilities of the brand and the retail channel are particularly important and the communication between the two parties is critical. Addressing the leakage in the sales process will take time and require investment but for those brands prepared to take action the rewards could be significant.”

BearingPoint and Multi-M/IT both work extensively across the automotive sector and have helped a number of brands improve their processes, systems and results.

*Notes to editors*

1. In 2009 BearingPoint produced ‘The automotive Connected Customer’, a report that showed that the first port of call for many of those who are interested in buying a car is the manufacturers’ website. This subsequent research project therefore focused on the ability of consumers to request a brochure and then order a test drive through this channel. In November 2009, 1,273 surveys were carried out. They encompassed 19 car manufacturers across seven European countries – the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Russia. The survey had two key elements:

– Researchers sought to request a hardcopy of a brochure from the car brands’ website. This was possible in 56% of cases (718 of 1,273). Only 56% (402 of 718) received the requested brochure within seven days. – Researchers also sought to request a test drive from the brands’ website. Out of 1,273 potential requests, 80% (1,023) were possible. Only 37% (379) of the 1,023 possible requests resulted in contact within four days to actually arrange the test drive.

The brand with the highest response rate to test drive requests only achieved 57%, while the ‘worst’ could only managed 25%. Both of these cases are premium brands.

2. To support manufacturers, over the last 18 months the UK, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Spanish governments introduced ‘scrappage’ schemes to encourage consumers to buy new cars. These saw payments of several thousand Euros being offered to those prepared to trade in their old vehicle and buy a new one. Many of these schemes are either time limited or only run until dedicated funding is used up.

3. *About BearingPoint:*

BearingPoint is an independent pan-European management and technology consultancy. Run and owned by more than 120 Partners around Europe, BearingPoint offers its clients tangible results by gearing strategic advice to excellent implementation. The company currently employs 3,250 people in 14 European countries and serves clients in the commercial and financial industries as well as the public sector.

4. *About Multi-M/IT:*

* *Multi-M/IT is a privately owned company which specialises in CRM consultancy and full service Direct Marketing solutions for the automotive industry. Multi-M/IT currently employs a multinational team of 80 IT professionals and direct marketing specialists who advise clients in Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. The company has more than ten years experience of manufacturer and retailer lead management systems and processes.

Monster Employment Index report Netherlands February

AIMGroup — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:26:16 +0000

The Monster Employment Index Netherlands generally maintained its long-term growth pace, with annual gains of 6 percent, reflecting steady upward momentum as the current economic cycle progresses. The agricultural sector led the Index in monthly gains, with growth on-par with seasonal recruitment patterns usually seen at this time of year ahead of the spring months. Education, training, library; healthcare, social work exhibited the sharpest annual declines in recruitment activity, suggesting a knock-on effect to recent cuts in the public sector segment. Management and consulting, and IT were meanwhile among the professional service sectors to register improved long-term growth trends. Please download the full report (PDF) attached

Netherlands MEI report_February.pdf

StepStone acquires semantic job search technology company Jobanova

AIMGroup — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:05:04 +0000

Published February 25, 2011

24.02.11

StepStone acquires technology company Jobanova

StepStone, one of the leading German online job portals and a subsidiary of Axel Springer AG, has acquired 100 percent of the equity in the technology supplier Jobanova GmbH, thereby bolstering its competence in the area of search functions. Jobanova’s semantic search technology increases the relevance of search results substantially and can therefore bring job-seekers and employers together more efficiently. This technology, which will be used by StepStone under the name StepMATCH effective immediately, was developed in cooperation with the Center for Information and Language Processing at LMU University in Munich under the direction of Professor Franz Guenthner.

www.stepstone.de is one of the leading online job exchanges in Germany. In 2010, StepStone was elected “Website of the Year” for the third year in a row.

Press contact: Christian Garrels Tel: +49 30 2591 77651 christian.garrels@axelspringer.de Investor contact: Daniel Fard-Yazdani Tel: +49 30 2591 77425 daniel.fard-yazdani@axelspringer.de

___________________________________ InnNet Webmail, http://webmail.home.innnet.de

Posted in Germany, Western Europe