Gannett Buys PointRoll

The deal is the latest example of a traditional publisher diversifying through the acquisition of a pure play Internet firm.

Gannett has bought rich media tech firm PointRoll in a deal worth upwards of $100 million, according to a source familiar with the agreement. The sale brings one of the top four rich media companies under the roof of a major publishing house.

It’s the latest instance of a large newspaper publisher diversifying its business through the purchase of a pure play Internet firm. Earlier this week, E.W. Scripps Company agreed to buy comparison shopping site Shopzilla for half a billion dollars.

“Gannett sees the future is not just print. You’ve got to look at all the media,” said Mitch Rose, PointRoll’s VP of marketing. “It’s exciting for a company like that to recognize the possibilities of online advertising.”

PointRoll is best known for its expanding ad units and its “boy”-branded suite of rich media products. Most recently, the company introduced a “fold over” ad unit. The company has been up for sale for several months, as ClickZ News first reported in January.

“PointRoll, just like USA TODAY, has been built on ingenuity and imagination,” said Craig Moon, president and publisher of USA TODAY, in a statement. “We believe their clever, popular approach to interactive advertising and their continuous innovation will be a nice fit. We’re excited they are joining the Gannett/USA TODAY family of companies.”

CEO Jules Gardner will depart the company and be replaced by COO Chris Saridakis. Employees were informed of the deal in a conference call today at 3 p.m. ET.

“With hundreds of online sites, including USATODAY.com, Gannett understands the demands, dynamics and changing technologies of Internet advertising,” said Saridakis. “We think this relationship will be great for both our companies and our customers.”

Company executives said PointRoll would be operated as a standalone unit and said the purchase shouldn’t affect the subsidiary’s relationships with non-Gannett publishers.

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers

US Mobile Streaming Behavior
Whitepaper | Mobile

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

5y

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...

View resource
Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups
Whitepaper | Analyzing Customer Data

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups

5y

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics f...

Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...

View resource
Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its people
Whitepaper | Digital Marketing

Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its peopl...

2y

Learning to win the talent war: how digital market...

This report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...

View resource
Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

1m

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource