Denver/Copenhagen, October 2, 2008 – Local Matters and mobilePeople announce that, in light of the current equity markets, their planned merger will not occur. The two companies will return to, and build upon, their previous business partnership where they will continue to collaborate on projects with a growing base of global local media publishers.
Local Matters’ CEO Perry Evans said: “We continue to work closely on project development programs with mobilePeople and we’re committed to maintaining a proactive business partnership that delivers integrated online, voice and mobile application solutions to media publishers." Evans continued, “We are pleased that mobilePeople has secured a $8million USD investment round from Via Venture Partners that enables it to continue its progress in mobile search and advertising.”
"Local Matters has long worked with mobilePeople on project alliances, and we are looking forward to maintaining this partnership. mobilePeople will continue its global expansion and focus on the roll-out of innovative mobile services and local advertising solutions for our customers in the directory publishing space” added Jens Andersen CEO, mobilePeople.
The two companies formed a business partnership in 2006 and have several joint initiatives in progress. This partnership continues to deliver value to local media companies who have anchored their new media investments in online local search and look to leverage this investment into the emerging growth opportunity in mobile. There are now more than three billion global mobile users, and local search ranks among the top content categories that consumers utilize on their mobile phones.
About Local Matters
Local Matters, Inc., is a media technology solutions provider and specialized online media publisher, focused on the local search industry. It offers solutions that enable consumers to search for local content on the Internet and through voice-based directory assistance. It also owns and operates a network of thousands of locally oriented websites with content directed at consumers seeking extensive information about specific local shopping or planning activities. Local Matters delivers its media technology solutions to 22 Yellow Pages publishers in 14 countries, and 26 directory assistance service providers in 12 countries. For further information please go to:
www.localmatters.com
About mobilePeople
MobilePeople is a private independent global leader in local mobile search and advertising solutions for directory publishers and directory assistance providers. The company builds mobile presence, distribution and advertising utilising its award winning liquidTM Mobile Platform. It caters for any handset including iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia, HTC, SonyEricsson, Motorola, LG and Samsung. Global customers include; Yell (UK), Gouden Gids (NL), Promedia (BE), Golden Pages (IE), Páginas Amarelas (PT), Schibsted (NO), Schibsted (SE), Sensis (AUS), Eniro (DK), Eniro (NO), EDC (DK), Yellow Pages Group (NZ) and Local Matters (USA). mobilePeople is headquartered in Copenhagen (DK) and has regional offices in London (UK), Denver (US) and Melbourne (AUS).
For further information please contact:
Local Matters
John Kemp, EVP, Global Sales and General Manager Voice and Wireless
jkemp@localmatters.com
mobilePeople
Claudia Poepperl, CMO, mobilePeople
clp@mobilepeople.com
