Business Wire, the global leader in news distribution, and Vocus,
Inc. (NASDAQ:VOCS), a global leader in on-demand software for
corporate communications and public relations, today announced that
the two companies have entered into a strategic partnership in which
Business Wire will use a private label version of Vocus' PRWeb press
release distribution platform to provide a new search engine optimized
(SEO) and social media distribution service. The partnership will
utilize Vocus' proprietary PRWeb press release SEO methods and social
media distribution channels to give Business Wire customers maximum
visibility on the internet and in social media networks.
Vocus will create and host for Business Wire a co-branded version
of the PRWeb direct-to-consumer and SEO service. Business Wire members
may disseminate press releases so they will be indexed by major search
engines, distributed to thousands of news sites, including Google News
and Yahoo News, and delivered through more than 20,000 RSS feeds that
collectively reach tens of millions of consumers and thousands of
journalists daily.
"Vocus' PRWeb service is on the cutting edge of SEO and social
media press release distribution," said Cathy Baron Tamraz, president
& CEO of Business Wire. "Using the PRWeb platform to extend our
already robust capabilities with search engine, blog, and online news
site distribution will ensure that Business Wire remains the leading
global provider of news to all types of media."
In addition to creating and hosting the new Business Wire service,
Vocus will offer its PRWeb customers a convenient way to optionally
distribute their press releases via Business Wire's proprietary global
news distribution network, the most comprehensive in the world.
"Business Wire's selection of Vocus to create and host its EON
newswire is an acknowledgment of the broad appeal and rapid adoption
of the PRWeb service," said Rick Rudman, president & CEO of Vocus,
Inc. "Business Wire customers will enjoy a measurable increase in
their web presence and Vocus customers will have convenient access to
Business Wire's comprehensive global wire distribution services."
About Business Wire
Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is utilized by
thousands of member companies and organizations to transmit their
full-text news releases, regulatory filings, photos and other
multimedia content to journalists, news media, trade publications,
institutional and individual investors, financial
information services, regulatory authorities, Internet portals,
information web sites, business-to-business decision-makers and
consumers worldwide. With a news distribution network spanning 150
countries and 45 languages, Business Wire's multi-channel delivery
network, has access to some 60 international and national news agency
networks throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and
Africa.
The Business Wire news network is powered by it's patented
NX high-speed data platform and supports XML, XHTML and XBRL code to
deliver the most sophisticated news file to enhance news release
interactivity, customization and search engine optimization. Business
Wire has 30 bureaus in cities including New York, San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Brussels,
Tokyo and Sydney with reciprocal offices throughout the world.
Business Wire was founded in 1961 by Chairman Lorry I. Lokey, veteran
journalist and public relations executive. Cathy Baron Tamraz is
president and CEO.
About Vocus, Inc.
Vocus (NASDAQ: VOCS) is a leading provider of on-demand software
for corporate communications and public relations. Our web-based
software suite helps organizations of all sizes manage local and
global relationships and communications with journalists, analysts,
public officials and other key audiences. Our software helps customers
manage media relations, news monitoring and analysis, interactive
email campaigns, online newsrooms, and government relations
activities. Vocus software is delivered as an easy-to-use and
cost-effective annual subscription, with no need for internal
hardware, software or IT support. Our software is currently available
in five languages, and is in use by customers around the world. Vocus
is based in Lanham, MD with offices in North America, Europe and Asia.
This release contains "forward-looking" statements that are made
pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are predictive in
nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or
that include words such as "may," "will," "expects," "projects,"
"anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "should,"
"seeks," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future
results to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in
the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be
significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described in
Vocus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
