Visual Data Media Services, the US post production and digital distribution facility, has acquired a majority stake in London-based content processing and digital media provider, re:fine.
The deal will provide both partners access to each other’s markets, technologies and infrastructure. John Trautman, CEO of Visual Data, will head up the newly merged company as CEO and chairman, with re:fine CEO Symon Roue leading the European operation as managing director. The entire management teams of both companies will remain in place to drive forward Visual Data’s on-going global strategy.
“This acquisition will provide a seamless client experience across multiple time zones while simultaneously increasing operational capacity and efficiencies,” explained Trautman. “Client demands have led us to this expansion into Europe and we have found in re:fine a company that shares our vision, excellent client relationships and impressive technological expertise.”
The newly merged entity will re-brand in 2015 to reflect what it calls its ‘core mission’ of offering ‘excellence in global digital media supply, best-in-class operational and technological expertise and unsurpassed client experience’.
Symon Roue, chairman of re:fine, added, “International expansion is the next logical step for re:fine. Integrating the skills and services of our two companies means we can respond to client demand for global content processing, localisation and distribution with a 360-degree proposition that will be hard to compete with. The team is incredibly excited about becoming part of Visual Data and together taking our business global.”
