Protexis Names New CEO, Closes Strategic Investment from CNET Networks
Protexis Will Bring New Hosted E-Commerce Platform to Software Publishers
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2004--Protexis, a leader in hosted services that help software publishers grow their business, announced today that it has appointed Karl Hirsch as its new CEO. Protexis also announced it has received a strategic investment from CNET Networks (Nasdaq:CNET).
Protexis made both moves to support its aggressive new growth plan, also unveiled today. The company has begun development of a new hosted services platform for software publishers. Protexis plans to roll out a comprehensive suite of services that will enable publishers to sell more, increase their marketing ROI, and improve customer insight.
Mr. Hirsch, a 17-year veteran of the software industry and an early pioneer in digital rights management, previously founded significant software companies including Preview Systems (Nasdaq:PRVW), a leader in digital rights management and secure e-commerce of software and music. Mr. Hirsch also has held leadership roles in the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).
With its investment in Protexis, CNET's Senior Vice President of Operations, Martin Green, takes a seat on the Board of Directors. Karl Hirsch, previously Chairman of the Board, continues in that role in addition to his new duties as CEO.
"We've learned through our multi-year relationships with more than 20,000 software publishers on CNET Download.com that they are facing tremendous opportunity for growth. Software publishers can take advantage of the huge marketing and sales channel provided by the Internet but they increasingly need world-class solutions to help them. We feel that Protexis has built an unparalleled hosted-services platform of business-driving sales, marketing and CRM solutions for these clients," said Martin Green, senior vice president operations of CNET Networks.
The total worldwide software market is $200 billion annually. The widespread penetration of broadband continues to fuel steady growth in online sales, marketing, and license-management of software titles.
About Protexis
Through powerful technology and managed services for the digital sales, marketing and distribution of software, Protexis helps publishers to realize new profits and closer customer relationships. Its customers are leading software publishers and future software leaders, including Crystal Decisions, Sage Technologies, DivX Networks and many others. Protexis technology enables the secure digital sales of software titles in over 100 countries worldwide. Protexis is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with offices in Seattle, Washington. The company is privately-held, and its investors include CNET Networks (Nasdaq:CNET), Canadian Science and Technology Growth Fund, Inc. and Trudell Medical. For more information, please visit www.protexis.com.
Contacts
NeoTerra Group
Jessie Brumfiel, 805-686-8407
jbrumfiel@neoterragroup.com
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