L.A.-Based Visual Data Buys Majority Stake in Re:Fine
Combined company scales up for global content delivery
London(12 Dec 2014)
US post-production and digital distribution facility Visual Data Media Services has today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in leading London-based content processing and digital-media provider re:fine.
Visual Data, based in Los Angeles, has 20 years of experience in mastering, localization and distribution of content for worldwide media outlets, including domestic syndication, network broadcast, international distribution, VOD, and SVOD for studios, distributors and major platforms.
The deal will provide both partners access to each other’s markets, technologies and infrastructure. Both re:fine and Visual Data have established successful business models, client bases and third-party accreditations as preferred vendors for content networks and broadcasters, including Netflix, iTunes, Google and the UK’s ITV.
John Trautman, CEO of Visual Data, will head 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 ongoing global strategy.
Trautman said: “This acquisition will provide a seamless client experience across multiple time zones while simultaneously increasing operational capacity and efficiencies. 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.”
Visual Data has a successful history of working with partner labs in the UK. Building on this, the company decided earlier this year to develop a dedicated European hub by investing in a stable long-term proposition. The newly merged entity will re-brand in 2015 to reflect 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, said: “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. ”
Over the last two years, re:fine has focused on delivering a fully automated service to TV and film production professionals to facilitate the flow of content between media-owners, producers, broadcasters and platforms.
About Visual Data Media Services:
Visual Data Media Services has earned its reputation for outstanding quality and service by providing integrated content management and preparation solutions for 20 years. To meet the evolving needs of television, feature film and media fulfilment, Visual Data supports the creation, transformation, management and distribution of content for all media platforms. Strategically integrated services at it data-centric facility allow Visual Data to fulfil complex deliveries quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
About re:fine
re:fine set out in 2007 to build the best content processing and media management servicing company in the world. Today, its advanced technology infrastructure has been developed for high volumes of video traffic, ensuring delivery through global networks of any video file to any end customer. re:fine’s latest online media-management system re:io, allows users to search, view, track and deliver content. Combined with an exceptional delivery team, clients are able to focus on what they do best — creating and selling great content.