Digital Experience Cloud Combines Content, Commerce, and Connectivity to Empower Organizations to Succeed in Digital Transformation
STOCKHOLM and NASHUA, NH, January 27, 2015 ‐‐ Stockholm‐based EPiServer and Nashua, New Hampshire‐based Ektron today announced the two companies have merged to create a new global digital experience leader of scale, with potent technology capabilities and a broad partner ecosystem. The combined company is backed by technology‐focused private equity investment firm Accel‐KKR.
The combined company, which will operate under the EPiServer name and continue to use the Ektron and EPiServer brands, has a vibrant community of more than 8,800 customers in some 30 countries backed by a robust network of more than 880 partners. It provides marketers, digital and online teams with the power, insight and agility to act on a business moment, and the confidence to realize their aspirations with a technology foundation that supports more than 30,000 websites worldwide.
Today, enterprises seek to differentiate through standout customer experiences under pressure from disruptive digital transformation developing at an unprecedented pace. Mass personalization through targeted, relevant and differentiated content is now a basic expectation – regardless of touch point – across social, mobile and traditional channels of engagement.
Simultaneously, the convergence of commerce and content in support of joined up customer journeys demanded the combination of Ektron and EPiServer – two companies focused on creating standout digital engagement – as enterprises seek to deliver more rewarding, optimized and contextual experiences for their customers, and to positively impact conversions.
The merger will benefit and protect the investments customers and partners have made in both product sets; provide more options to extend the value of those investments; and converge the best of both offerings into a next‐generation Digital Experience Cloud that offers advanced web content management, multi‐channel marketing, extensive connectivity, and e‐ commerce capabilities all on a single platform in the cloud.
EPiServer and Ektron Combine Strengths to Create Digital Experience Platform in the Cloud
Enterprise software veterans and former KANA Software CEO Mark Duffell and CMO James Norwood have been appointed President and CEO, and Executive Vice President Strategy and CMO respectively of the new company. Martin Henricson, CEO of the former EPiServer business, assumes the role of Executive Chairman for the merged entity.
“By bringing these two businesses together, a new market leading platform from a truly global organization with an incredibly strong partner network emerges to address what remains an underserved segment,” said Mark Duffell, CEO of EPiServer. “Despite significant investments underway, an evaluation by Forrester Research found no leaders among digital experience delivery platforms. 1 We believe this combination will fill that void by delivering real value to businesses and their customers alike.”
“We have seen tremendous growth within the broader customer experience market, and from investments we have made in a number of highly successful companies like EPiServer and Ektron,” said Dean Jacobson, Managing Director, Accel‐KKR. “The union of these two businesses from our portfolio creates a company of significant scale in the space, and will benefit their customers and partners from a closer relationship and accelerated momentum,” added Jason Klein, Managing Director, Accel‐KKR.
Tom Barnds, Jason Klein, Greg Williams, and Dean Jacobson of Accel‐KKR joined the board of EPiServer on the consummation of the merger.
About EPiServer
EPiServer connects ecommerce and digital marketing to help business create unique customer experiences, which generates business results. EPiServer’s platform combines content, ecommerce and multi‐channel marketing capabilities to work full‐circle for businesses online, from intelligent optimization and lead‐generation through to conversion and repeat business. Supported by a pioneering network of partners in more than 30 countries, EPiServer helps customers maximize their investment in digital marketing and increase ROI. Founded in 1994, EPiServer has offices in the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, The Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Spain, UAE and the UK. For more information www.episerver.com
About Ektron
Ektron is a global leader in digital experience management software. Whether it’s internet, intranet, or extranet, Ektron uniquely delivers marketer‐centric solutions for the world’s leading brands to drive competitive advantage and produce rapid ROI. We drive value for our customers by helping them to deliver relevant content to the right person, at the optimal time, and through the best channels. Our open platform instantly connects to any system to help EPiServer and Ektron Combine Strengths to Create Digital Experience Platform in the Cloud
marketers predict customer behavior and convert digital interactions into immediate results. Founded in 1998, Ektron is headquartered in the greater Boston area with offices in Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. For more information www.ektron.com
About Accel‐KKR
Accel‐KKR is a technology‐focused private equity firm with over $2.5 billion in assets under management. The firm invests primarily in software and technology‐enabled businesses well positioned for topline and bottom‐line growth. At the core of Accel‐KKR’s investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value through the significant resources available through the Accel‐KKR network. Accel‐KKR has a particular focus on buyouts and recapitalizations of family‐owned or closely‐held private companies, going‐private transactions and divisional buyouts of larger companies. Accel‐KKR invests across a range of structures, functions as minority or majority investors, and commits a wide range of capital. The firm has offices in Menlo Park, Atlanta, and London.
