MOLINE, IL — Mar. 27, 2018 — TownNews, creator of the media industry's leading multimedia content management platform, announced today that it is acquiring Field59, producer of acclaimed video management and streaming solutions for media organizations.
"We are thrilled to have Field59 join the TownNews team," said Brad Ward, CEO of TownNews. "Field59 has been a strong and trusted partner for several years. Integration of Field59's video platform within BLOX CMS allows our customers to have broadcast quality video available for their desktop, mobile, and OTT applications."
"I'm extremely excited. Our partnership with TownNews has been very rewarding," said Derek Gebler, CEO of Field59. "We're bringing to the table more than 15 years of experience working with broadcasters and their digital video workflows. Field59's video solutions are the perfect fit for TownNews' complete digital media offering."
The acquisition will help clients of both companies navigate a market facing upheaval from changing media consumption habits and overhauled regulatory guidelines.
"We've strived for nearly 30 years to bring our customers emerging technology that can help them successfully evolve their business models," said Marc Wilson, Executive Chairman of TownNews. "The FCC's recent change in cross-ownership rules makes it easier for media companies to deliver their news and advertising content in new ways. As consumer habits continue to change, TownNews is pleased that we can, with this acquisition, provide another set of elegant yet inexpensive tools to create better communications channels between media companies and their audiences."
Build your optimal workflow and deliver video to web, mobile, social, OTT, and over the air with the Field59 video management system (VMS) from TownNews.
Gebler sees joining TownNews as an opportunity for the Field59 team to continue their core mission under the umbrella of a strong technology partner.
"Video is such a big piece of the digital media puzzle," Gebler said. "We've always focused on making the video workflow as seamless as possible. With TownNews, we will be able to continue and expand on that philosophy."
About TownNews
TownNews was founded as the International Newspaper Network (I.N.N.) in 1989 to help community newspapers with developing technology. Today, our integrated digital publishing and content management solutions power some of the most distinguished media organizations in the industry. More than 1,700 newspaper, broadcast, magazine and web-native publications rely on us for their web, print, mobile and social media products. Our complete solutions suite includes add-ons for data management, content exchange, over-the-top (OTT) video, business directory and more, helping you boost revenue, improve efficiency and grow your audience. Lee Enterprises (NYSE: LEE) of Davenport, Iowa, became majority partner in 1996. We are headquartered in Moline, IL.
About Field59
Field59 is a premier online video management system for news, media companies and premium content creators. They offer cloud-based video management, distribution, integration, and live streaming solutions for desktop, mobile and OTT devices. Their solutions also include video-on-demand, real-time frame-accurate editing, automated syndication, smart playlist technology, customizable players, closed captions support, full API tools, analytics, and advertising solutions.
Field59 is headquartered in Madison, WI, and is a trusted partner of Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. (CNHI), GateHouse Media, Raycom Media, Woodward Communications, Rockfleet Broadcasting, Morris Multimedia, Block Communications, Steinman Communications and Exact Sciences Corporation.
