/ Technology to be made available for 30 days free 08.15.2012 02:39PM
Weather Channel Parent Acquires Weather Central
ATLANTA and MADISON, WIS.: Weather Services International announced
an agreement to acquire Weather Central, a Madison, Wis.-based provider of
interactive weather technology, graphics and data services. Terms of the
agreement were not disclosed.
Mark Gildersleeve, president of WSI, said broadcast customers will gain
access to “new tropical data, radar data, forecast models, and severe weather
tracking tools within the first 30 days at no charge. In addition, we are
offering a wider suite of products in the interactivity, social, news, traffic,
web, mobile and video categories.”
WSI also gains Weather Central’s data cloud and neural network
initiatives. Weather Central’s common user profile capabilities and
application expertise will improve the end user experience for both company’s
professional clients. Among the company’s first joint projects will be the
application of weather analytics to improve advertising effectiveness in the
retail sector.
Patrick Vogt, CEO of Weather Central said the acquisition gives it the
resources to grow outside of North America. Vogt will step into a new role
supporting the integration and key customer initiatives, with all of his efforts
focusing on ensuring a smooth transition. Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P.
served as WSI’s financial advisor in the transaction and Kilpatrick Townsend
& Stockton LLP acted as legal advisor.