MARKET RELEASE
13 June 2017
Spark New Zealand acquires marketing automation provider Ubiquity as part of
growth strategy for Qrious
Addition of end-to-end marketing automation expertise of Ubiquity complements
the big data analytics software capabilities of Qrious
Spark New Zealand has today announced that it has signed a conditional
agreement to acquire marketing automation provider Ubiquity in a move that
will blend the considerable marketing software strengths of Ubiquity together
with the powerful smarts of Spark''s big data and analytics software business
Qrious.
Spark Managing Director Simon Moutter said, "We''ve been increasingly
confident about our emerging leadership in analytics and the potential of
Qrious and we''re backing that confidence by investing in the next stage of
its growth.
"We believe combining the powerful analytics capabilities of Qrious with the
marketing solutions of Ubiquity and expanding Qrious into the data-driven
marketing sector will unleash even more value for New Zealand businesses. The
move makes a lot of sense and is consistent with our strategy to invest
selectively where we see opportunities."
The combined entity will see Ubiquity''s agency campaign services and its
proprietary Marketing Automation platform, ''Engage'', be enriched over time by
Qrious'' rich geo-data and analytics capabilities to offer even more valuable
marketing services.
Qrious CEO David Leach says this is an exciting step that brings together the
complementary skills and interests of both Qrious and Ubiquity, and will
enable the move into data-powered marketing to gain scale and critical mass
significantly quicker than if Qrious was to develop this software capability
on its own.
"Qrious has set its sights on becoming the full-service data analytics
partner of choice for all New Zealand businesses. Our first phase of growth
to date has demonstrated that leveraging big data for advanced analytics and
insights delivers significant customer benefit for New Zealand businesses,
government and communities. This is a fast moving space with a lot of
unrealised potential.
"With momentum and market performance rapidly building, we are now entering
the next phase of our growth. Ubiquity is a mature and well-respected player
in the local marketing industry with a large, stable base of blue-chip
customers. Bringing the two businesses together supports the ambitious growth
aspirations of both companies and offers a great digital solution for the
rapidly evolving marketing environment."
Ubiquity Nathalie Morris says, "This is the right time for Ubiquity to join
forces with Qrious. Our existing client base have been asking for deeper
analytical expertise and this gives us the ability to serve our customers
even better. Building Qrious''s advanced analytics and platform expertise into
the Ubiquity platform is a natural next step that will meet the changing
needs of a rapidly evolving industry."
ENDS
Notes to editors
ABOUT QRIOUS
Qrious is a big data and analytics software business, passionate about
leveraging the power of data, enabling customers to grow in intelligence and
thrive. Qrious is owned by Spark NZ and offers a range of products and
consulting services including Data Powered Marketing, Location Apps, Data
Platform, Business Intelligence & Data Warehousing, and Advanced Analytics.
www.qrious.co.nz
ABOUT UBIQUITY
Ubiquity is for marketers who need to communicate with their customers in a
more relevant way across multiple channels using the power of data and
marketing automation. Ubiquity is NZ''s only marketing automation provider
that delivers complete end-to-end solutions - with both a software platform
and in-house specialists that support clients with the expertise to drive
superior data-driven marketing results. www.ubiquity.co.nz
- ENDS -
For media queries, please contact:
Richard Llewellyn
Head of Corporate Communications
+64 (0) 27 523 2362
For investor relations queries, please contact:
Dean Werder
General Manager Finance and Business Performance
+64 (0) 27 259 7176
End CA:00302439 For:SPK Type:GENERAL Time:2017-06-13 08:33:20