On Friday the SOS Print + Media Group announced the acquisition of shares in the four year old cross media company U&I direct. U&I are known for their success in creating cross media campaigns and online solutions for a wide range of customers from real estate to the entertainment sector.
Read on for the official press release:
In what many economists and industry figures deem ‘gloom and doom’ or more so, ‘turbulent’ times, it’s certainly not for two of Australia’s foremost industry leaders!
Today SOS Print + Media Group and U&I Direct proudly announce their official and exciting partnership moving forward with passion and vision for where the print and cross media industries are heading.
A long time leader in the print industry, SOS has always positioned itself at the forefront of technology advancements. U&I Direct, an infant in years compared to that of SOS, has established itself as a leader in the utilisation of cross-media and personalisation technologies. Both have come together forging a powerful combination to continue both companies’ momentum into the future.
With a strong background in lithographic print, SOS were one of the first companies to embrace on-demand, digital print technology. U&I Direct who now bring a further string to the SOS bow with its support of its clients and marketplace offering.
U&I Direct, four years young in the cross-media world, was specifically formed by its founders, Nathan Butler and Cathryn Warren with the ethos of to ‘get personal, get relevant and get results’. This has rung true with its cutting edge personalised solutions that encompass print, email, web (including purls) and sms.
Nathan Butler, CEO and co-founder of U&I Direct commented on the new partnership:
“Cathryn and I are very proud of our business, and even more so now with our new partnership with the team at SOS. Cathryn and I had absolute faith just on four years ago in where the on-demand, and more so personalised cross-media sphere was heading and we feel vindicated in spades. Our personalised solutions encompass many varying industries such as children’s education, finance, entertainment, motor vehicle, liquor/alcohol, gaming, event ticketing, travel, finance, fragrance and beauty and telecommunication and we have enjoyed national and international recognition in our relatively small business life. We’re yet to find an industry that can’t realise value from personalised communication. We are proud of the suite of clients we support and more so of the measured results we achieve for them.”
“U&I Direct aim to drive increased response and revenues for our clients with our personalised cross-media programs and as such, the more success we bring to our client’s business, the more success is realised by U&I Direct. Our clients’ thanks and continued support of U&I Direct continues to drive us at all times.”
“Bob, Michael and the team at SOS have always been well respected and enjoyed a well earned reputation as a sound and profitable business, whilst always being positioned at the forefront of technological advancements. This is now more evident than ever before and Cathryn and I are proud to have them as our partners.”
“U&I Direct has grown from day one with year on year revenue increase and this is something we are immensely proud of. Cash in the bank, no commercial overdraft and we run on profit, an area most of the print industry fail to comprehend and the paramount ingredient to any business and its success. We couldn’t be any more comfortable and welcome an equity partnership with SOS. Not only are there numerous synergies for both companies with our future goals, but to have a sound and profitable partner who run their business on the same fiscal beliefs as ours is ideal.”
Michael Schulz – Director, SOS Print & Media:
“This is an exciting new chapter for SOS Print + Media and U&I Direct. With the ever-changing world of media communication, the consumer is receiving their messaging in multiple, diverse channels and this is a key strength we identified with U&I Direct and its capabilities.”
“Not only did we consider them at the forefront of cross-media personalisation, we enjoyed and appreciated Nathan and Cathryn’s achievements in such short time as well as their beliefs and goals for the business in the future. This sat well with our business objectives and strategically it’s a great fit for the both of us.”