Primedia acquires Spectrum Visual Networks

Primedia CEO William Kirsh said, "Primedia has for some time been impressed by Spectrum's technology base, intellectual capital and the scalability of their business. We believe that the acquisition of Spectrum, taking into account its multiplatform expertise in digital media distribution and exhibition, is in line with the key business imperatives of our group strategy and we are very happy to welcome the Spectrum team into the Primedia group".

"Primedia has worked closely with Spectrum and the world class team led by Manny Teixeira for six years. During this time, Spectrum has provided excellent services to a number of Primedia subsidiaries including Cinemark, Prime360Media, Ster-Kinekor Theatres, Primestars and Primedia Outdoor," explained Primedia content division CEO Ferdi Gazendam.

"It therefore made strong business sense for Primedia to bring this expertise and digital skills base inside the Group. The Spectrum acquisition will also have significant strategic value and will assist Primedia in being able to more effectively leverage the opportunities opening up in the digital distribution space."

Strong roots

Spectrum was founded in 2001 and specialises in the distribution and exhibition of digital media content and is said to be at the cutting edge of the digital signage and exhibition market both locally and internationally. It has strong roots in the cinema and broadcast industries and was reportedly responsible for the rollout of the world's first digital cinema advertising network on behalf of Cinemark – a rollout of 70+ digital cinemas countrywide. This digital cinema platform has to date been successfully used for the exhibition of numerous film festivals, a number of local HD feature movies and various corporate broadcasts and events.

Spectrum has also developed Móbila – a collection of software applications and hardware components that controls the broadcasting, scheduling and exhibition of digital content such as video, sound and animation; Móbila can be deployed through a wide range of channels including cinema advertising, information kiosks, shopping malls, fitness, health and leisure centres, giant screens in stadia, theatres and nightclubs and plasma screens at locations such as airport lounges, taxi ranks and garage forecourts

Other business activities of Spectrum include:

• the digitisation of completed feature films and commercials;
  
• the development of a fully home-grown digital video on demand solution, which is currently marketed into the hotel and hospitality market;
  
• the scheduling and broadcasting of digital commercials and other material to cinemas and digital signage networks;
  
• the maintenance of the technical, operational and overall efficiency of digital signage networks and related infrastructure; and
  
• the development of custom software solutions for clients, primarily in the broadcast and related industry.