news release
17 January 2011 — Experian, the global information services company, announced today that it has acquired a majority stake in Techlightenment, a leading provider of social media marketing tools headquartered in the UK.
Founded in 2007, Techlightenment is a data-driven technology and marketing business which provides social media marketing services to multinational companies and global advertising agencies. Techlightenment uses its proprietary technology platforms to help its clients market and advertise effectively using social media. Techlightenment’s clients include GlaxoSmithKline, Universal Pictures and Dr Martens. The company employs 40 people.
The acquisition is a further step in Experian’s global strategy to develop and grow its digital marketing activities, providing a range of social media marketing tools to its clients. This acquisition will allow Experian to use its data, client base and geographic reach alongside Techlightenment’s technology and digital expertise, to enable clients to build their brand and direct response campaigns in the social media environment.
Mark Zablan, Managing Director of Experian’s Marketing Services Group, UK & Ireland, said: “With social media growing at a phenomenal rate, this acquisition further extends the range of leading digital marketing capabilities we can offer to our clients. Techlightenment’s market leadership creates a new and powerful presence in the social media marketing and branding space for Experian.”
Ankur Shah, co-founder and co-CEO, Techlightenment, said: “We are excited at the prospect of working with Experian to harness and develop our technology and skill-set, changing the way brands engage with customers using social media. Innovation sits at the heart of Techlightenment’s culture and, combined with Experian’s global scale and data expertise, we are perfectly positioned to take the benefits of our products and services to a wider audience.”
Based in Shoreditch, London, Techlightenment will trade as ‘Techlightenment, an Experian company’ within Experian’s Marketing Services Group and continue to be led by its existing management team, reporting to Mark Zablan, Managing Director of Experian’s Marketing Services Group.
Techlightenment’s revenue in the year to 28 February 2011 is expected to be approximately £5m, with gross assets at the year-end of £2.5m. The stake in Techlightenment was acquired from its founders. Techlightenment will form part of Experian’s UK Marketing Services division.
Contact
Nishma Shah, PR Manager, Experian 0203 042 4313
James Russell, Public Relations Director, Experian 0115 992 2652
About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2010 was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.