Vizrt Buys Web Tool Provider

Broadcast graphics software Vizrt is purchasing Escenic, a world leader in content management and publishing for the Web, the companies announced.

The move expands Vizrt's offering of high-end graphics and media asset management solutions with Escenic's array of products that power hundreds of media sites worldwide. The companies, both based in Norway, have already begun integrating their respective tools and will display the results at the NAB Show in Las Vegas next week.

This integration allows journalists and editors to search and add video content to online articles, directly from Escenic's content management system interface, and gives online publishers the tools to establish professional video content handling—offering a solution for broadcasters targeting Web publishing without duplicating staff.

"We see great synergy from a technology and market perspective with the combined strengths of Vizrt and Escenic," said Bjarne Berg, Vizrt president and CEO. "The merging of Vizrt's real-time, 24/7 graphics solutions and Escenic's highly regarded Web publishing software creates a seamless bridge between Web and broadcast workflows."

"Escenic's customers are increasingly developing their video and TV presence for online and mobile applications," said Øyvind Ørbæk, CEO of Escenic. "Many of our newspaper customers are planning to set up TV studios to create their own TV and video content."