International publishing group Axel Springer and Swiss-based media agency PubliGroupe together purchased a 50.1 percent stake in Digital Window Ltd (founded in 2000). The company is one of the leading affiliate networks in Great Britain, the biggest European market for performance-based online marketing. Plans would be to expand the Digital Window concept to other European countries.
Kevin Brown, co-founder of Digital Window in UK, will remain chief executive
With this acquisition, Axel Springer and PubliGroupe are continuing their successful partnership. Together, the two companies already own the online marketing services provider Zanox, based in Berlin.
Dr. Jens Müffelmann, Head of the Electronic Media division of Axel Springer AG: "Zanox already is the market leader in online performance marketing on the European continent. With Digital Window, we are now also tapping into the important British market as part of our continued international expansion. What is more, Axel Springer has bolstered its extensive digital media portfolio through this addition of an economically successful, excellently managed company that is well positioned for the future."
Under an affiliate marketing model, Digital Window enables more than 850 advertisers to market their goods and services through more than 80,000 online publishers. The company earns a commission for every successful transaction completed via its platform. According to New Media Age (UK’s weekly magazine covering the business of interactive media), Digital Window last year reported a turnover of £29.36m (or 34.6 million euros). Among its biggest customers are the British retail chain Dixons Store Group, as well as Nike and Vodafone. Based in London, the company employs nearly 100 marketing specialists. The two founders, Kevin Brown and Andrew Totten, will hold 49.9% of the company's stock and Kevin Brown shall remain as chief executive.
