IAR Bits and Bytes for January 13, 2004

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Experian Acquires MetaReward

Experian's direct-to-consumer unit purchased Internet loyalty marketing company MetaReward. The acquisition is aimed at increasing distribution for the company's credit products and services.

MetaReward works with Web publishers and direct marketers to distribute and manage performance-based offers. It also operates Web sites where it displays those offers itself. Properties include NetFlip, FreeGiftCentral, MovieTicketSource and MisterPoints. The sites reward consumers -- with free gifts, movie tickets, or points toward retail gift cards -- for accepting free trial offers from marketers.

The company's clients include Chase, Columbia House, Time Warner, American Express, BMG, Discover, and Sprint.

The companies didn't release terms of the acquisition.

EmailROI Reorganizes after Acquisitions

The company formerly known as emailROI has re-organized and re-branded as eROI following its acquisitions of GCM Development and Anvil Media.

The former emailROI and GCM Development employees will work together as part of e-marketing agency, eROI. Anvil Media will continue to operate as an independent, wholly-owned search engine marketing services company under the eROI parent company.

The combined organization will be headed up by CEO Ryan Buchanan, formerly COO of emailROI. Kent Lewis, the former president of emailROI, will head Anvil Media.

"Consolidating our service enables us to better serve our clients with Web-based lead generation efforts," said Buchanan.

Clients include Cingular Wireless, Gardenburger, Microsoft, PlaceWare, Sega and Wal-Mart.

24/7 Real Media Raises Guidance

Interactive marketing and technology company 24/7 Real Media is raising expectations about its performance in 2004.

The firm raised its revenue guidance for the year to a range of $70 million to $75 million, which the company says will be around 48 percent higher than its 2003 projection (accountants are still working on Q4 2003 numbers).

The company reached EBITDA profitability for the first time in the third quarter of 2003, meaning it had positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It expects to achieve the same in the fourth quarter.

24/7 Real Media recently re-shuffled its sales operations to bring technology and media under one banner. It also expanded further into Asia by acquiring Real Media Korea.