Springdoo acquired by Cityblock

Video communication startup Springdoo acquired by Cityblock PLC

19th June 2007, Christchurch, NZ

TeleMessenger Solutions Ltd., developers of advanced voice and video solutions, today announced that its subsidiary, video communication company Springdoo has been acquired by UK-based Cityblock PLC, a company set up by Martin Higginson, founder of mobile media company Monstermob Group PLC.

The acquisition was satisfied by the issue of 3.2m shares in Cityblock. Cityblock which is listed on the AIM, will continue to use the Springdoo brand. The completion of the deal also marks the launch of a new version of Springdoo with a new set of innovative features that allows anyone in the UK to instantly record and broadcast video messages from any 3G phone.

“Through this deal, Springdoo now has access to the capital and manpower needed to take it to the next level,” says TeleMessenger’s Director Michael Mayell. “Martin Higginson and his team bring to the table an in-depth understanding of the youth communication space as well as a proven track record of building highly successful companies. We are very excited to be part of this opportunity, and believe Springdoo is now well positioned to take a leading position in video communication.

Martin Higginson, Chairman of Cityblock PLC says, “The acquisition of Springdoo is a milestone event for Cityblock. It marks our entry into the mobile and Internet space with what I believe to be one of the most exciting pieces of technology I have ever seen. In time the mobile Internet and PC Internet will converge, Springdoo allows the user to converge these technologies today in a very easy to use manner.” Christchurch-based TeleMessenger first developed the concept for Springdoo in late 2004 with the goal to make communication simpler, faster, and richer. Launched in 2005 as an audio email service, Springdoo soon evolved into a video email service.

In mid 2006 Springdoo added features like video blogging and broadcasting widgets to tap into the social networking and video broadcasting boom.

“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last two years,” says Michael, “with just a small team here in New Zealand, a very limited budget and practically no marketing we’ve carved out a niche for ourselves as leaders in video emailing and are now competing with the likes of YouTube in the video broadcasting space.”

The sale of Springdoo has freed the TeleMessenger team to concentrate on other areas of its business. It recently helped develop NZ’s first podcasting website - BigPod (www.bigpod.co.nz) for podcasting company Tandem Voice Booth and is working with the NZ Health IT Cluster and the National Institute for Health Innovation to develop audio and video based communication solutions for the Healthcare industry.
for the next big thing. Says Michael, “At TeleMessenger we’ve always got an eye on the future.

We love pushing the boundary to see what we can do with technology and developing products that haven’t really been done before. Sometimes it means our products are a little ahead of their time, but with Springdoo, the timing was perfect!”

ENDS

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