LOUISVILLE, Ky. - NetWorld Alliance, publisher of ATMmarketplace.com, KioskMarketplace.com and Kiosks.org and manager of Kiosks.org Association, has acquired VOYAGI Inc.'s kiosk division, which includes KIOSK magazine, KIOSK.com, and The Kiosk Show, an industry tradeshow.
With the acquisition, NetWorld Alliance effectively doubles the size of its global kiosk operations. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
NetWorld CEO Dick Good said the acquisition fits with the company's strategy of acquiring titles and properties in the kiosk market that will help unify the burgeoning industry.
NetWorld Alliance will publish KIOSK magazine, beginning with the September/October 2004 issue. The company also will produce The Kiosk Show, a technology event developed in 2002 to provide a forum for showcasing all types of kiosks. The next event is Oct. 7-8, in Boston.
Greg Swistak, a NetWorld Alliance senior vice-president and executive director of Kiosks.org Association, said the move will prove beneficial to members. "Our goal as an association is to bring maximum value to the people on our team -- our members. Now, with a market-leading stable of media and other resources to support all association efforts, the future couldn't be more promising," he said.
VOYAGI's Web properties, including KIOSK.com, experience more than 140,000 visitors each month. KIOSK magazine has a mailing list of nearly 20,000 readers.
Lief C. Larson, group publisher for KIOSK magazine for the past five years, said that the only changes resulting from this agreement are those for the positive.
"Both James Vande Castle, who was editor, and I will support the NetWorld team indefinitely," Larson said. "We believe the new experience and energy will afford the marketplace a much stronger service offering, and look forward to cooperating with NetWorld Alliance to expand their offerings in this area."
Larson added, "When it comes to search results for kiosk information, KIOSK.com is No. 1 on Yahoo! and No. 2 on Google. Combining the resources of KioskMarketplace.com, Kiosks.org, and KIOSK.com will make it easier for people to access a wealth of information about kiosk technology." Good said the acquisition demonstrates the strong commitment of NetWorld Alliance to the kiosk community.
"With self-service technology changing the way Americans work, shop, learn and do business, the potential for this industry is immense," he said. "Everything we've done this year -- from bringing Greg Swistak on board to acquiring these properties -- shows how serious we are about investing in the self-service industry."
