French and German Campuses to Join Corporate Headquarters in the U.K.;
ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 4, 2000-- Introduction of CMGI Corporate Sales Force to Help Drive Efficiencies,
Generate Revenue and Sales Leads for Affiliated CMGI Companies
CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI - news), a leading global Internet operating and development company, has been quietly growing in Europe for more than 2 years, but this Fall marks a significant acceleration of its European market presence with the announcement of two new campus offices, as well as a new corporate sales initiative that will expand CMGI's support for its network of companies expanding into the European market.
CMGI Europe was first established in 1998 to support the expansion of CMGI's US-based operating companies, as well as CMGI @Ventures' investments into the pan-European market. Under the direction of President Marcus Bicknell, CMGI Europe has since grown to a corporate staff of nearly 20 professionals and has supported the establishment of European-based operations for 19 of CMGI's affiliated companies, including AltaVista, Engage and Vicinity.
In keeping with CMGI's commitment to accelerate the growth and development of its affiliated companies, the provision of functional services from CMGI, including human resources, legal, finance, facilities, and senior management advice and support, removes many of the traditional problems facing new companies. The success of the CMGI approach can be seen within the campuses already operational in Maidenhead and London in the UK, as well as new campuses in Paris and Hamburg scheduled to open later this year. Over the next 12 months, additional campus openings are planned across Europe.
``To take a company and introduce it to the European market is an exciting experience,'' said Marcus Bicknell, president, CMGI Europe, ``and we want to offer each and every CMGI network company the best possible chance of success. By reducing many of the administrative headaches that plague technology start-ups, and by sharing the insight and knowledge of our experienced management team, we believe these companies will be far better positioned in what is an increasingly competitive market for new technology services.''
CMGI Europe's ``Corporate Sales Engine'' and ``The Intelligent Platform''
In addition to the functional and operational support being delivered, CMGI Europe has also announced a first-of-its-kind CMGI initiative to help generate sales and strategic partner leads for its affiliated companies. Dubbed the ``corporate sales engine,'' this team within CMGI Europe, consisting of sales, marketing, technology and business development professionals, will be focused on helping CMGI-affiliated companies capitalize on the significant market opportunity for European e-business services. According to Gartner Group, Q4 e-commerce revenue alone will grow from 2.74 billion in 1999, to more than 5.3 billion in 2000--a 94 percent increase. (The annual growth rate over the same period is projected at only 69.9 percent for North America and 90.5 percent for Asia.)
Working in complement to the existing sales forces of its network companies, CMGI will help to market the technologies and skill sets of both its majority-owned operating companies and CMGI @Ventures investments in Europe to aid in the creation of scalable, flexible e-Business solutions that are designed to enhance a company's web presence and optimize their Internet investment. To help these global enterprises benefit from the e-Business applications currently offered by CMGI's network of companies, this suite of technologies and services will be marketed in Europe as, ``The Intelligent Platform.''
``The Intelligent Platform'' will be comprised of products and services from CMGI's extended network of companies and will cover the entire digital value chain including search and portals, e-Business and fulfilment, interactive marketing, infrastructure and enabling technologies and mobile solutions. The technologies currently available within ``The Intelligent Platform'' are provided by a number of CMGI network companies including AltaVista, Engage, Vicinity, NaviSite, 2Roam and Idapta.
``CMGI is strongly committed to expansion in Europe and this year marks a significant milestone for the company,'' said David Andonian, president, corporate development, CMGI. ``Given the large number of companies in the CMGI network, enterprises frequently ask CMGI to help them select the most appropriate solutions for their e-Business. This need is especially apparent in the fragmented European marketplace. In response, CMGI Europe is building a team of consultative sales, project management and technical experts to help enterprises select the right solutions for their businesses.
To help ensure that these solutions are delivered in a timely and effective manner, CMGI Europe is also building partnerships with premier channel partners including system integrators, consultancies and marketing agencies. This approach has the triple benefit of responding to the needs of clients and channels who want a single point of entry into the CMGI network, driving efficiency within our own organization by reducing the need for every company to build a critical mass of sales consultants and channel managers, and accelerating the entry and growth of our companies in the European market.``
Marcus Bicknell, president, CMGI Europe added, ``CMGI has harnessed great technologies, ideas and people from its extended network of companies and is marketing these services together as The Intelligent Platform. There is undoubtedly a difference between the US and Europe Internet markets and despite the recent market correction, we are seeing a growing level of confidence in Europe. We are talking to many companies that see e-Commerce as central to their business and this is why `The Intelligent Platform' is being launched in Europe. Global enterprises require higher levels of intelligence beyond the basic e-Commerce platform to enable them to deliver targeted services and improved levels of customer satisfaction.''
About CMGI and CMGI @Ventures
CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI - news), a leading global Internet operating and development company, represents a network of 70 established and emerging companies, including both CMGI operating businesses and synergistic investments made through its venture capital affiliate, CMGI @Ventures. Companies in the CMGI network span a range of vertical market segments including search and portals; infrastructure and enabling technologies; e-business and fulfillment; interactive marketing; and Internet professional services. CMGI leverages the technologies, content and market reach of its extended network to foster rapid growth and industry leadership across the Internet Economy. Compaq, Intel, Microsoft, Pacific Century CyberWorks and Sumitomo hold minority positions in CMGI.
CMGI's majority-owned operating companies include Engage (Nasdaq: ENGA - news), NaviSite (Nasdaq: NAVI - news), 1stUp.com, Activate, AdForce, AltaVista, CMGion, CMGI Solutions, Equilibrium, ExchangePath, iCAST, MyWay.com, NaviPath, SalesLink, uBid.com, and yesmail.com. CMGI @Ventures has ownership interests in 53 companies, including Lycos, Inc. (Nasdaq: LCOS - news), Critical Path (Nasdaq: CPTH - news), MotherNature.com (Nasdaq: MTHR - news), Ventro (Nasdaq: VNTR - news) and Vicinity (Nasdaq: VCNT - news).
CMGI's corporate headquarters is located at 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810. CMGI @Ventures has offices there, as well as at 3000 Alpine Road, Menlo Park, CA 94028. For additional information, see http://www.cmgi.com and http://www.ventures.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected growth and expansion of CMGI's business and operations in Europe and the potential growth in e-Commerce revenue. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, those with respect to CMGI's goals, plans and strategies set forth herein are forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of cautionary statements that may affect CMGI's future results of operations and financial results, please refer to CMGI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including CMGI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year and the latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Contact:
CMGI Public Relations
Deidre Moore
(978) 684-3655
dmoore@cmgi.com
or
CMGI Investor Relations
Catherine Taylor
(978) 684-3832
ctaylor@cmgi.com
or
CMGI Europe
Sam Sethi
+44 (0) 1628 588508
ssethi@cmgi.co.uk
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