Visser Digital Media [1], Scottsdale, Arizona-based, digital signage network provider founded in 2008, has acquired Campus Link College Marketing [2] (‘CampusLink’), an interactive out-of-home multimedia company, from Huntington Capital [3], a San Diego-based mezzanine fund, for an undisclosed amount.
Since 1993, the CampusLink organization has been serving the needs of higher education by installing and operating interactive multi-media information centers, positioned in the student unions of over 25 of the largest universities in the U.S.. These on-campus centers feature internet kiosks, as well as digital and static signage platforms, and offer college marketers and advertisers a simple and effective way to deliver their messages to college students.
The acquisition combines Visser’s CampusVision, one of the largest and fastest growing college digital signage communities, with CampusLinks’ strategic campus platform. The combined platforms, under the CampusVision brand for national consistency, will focus on providing a more comprehensive experience for college students in the 18-to-26 year-old demographic.
The company will provide campus-wide messaging, emergency alert broadcast notifications and ad generating resources. The CampusVision program currently offers two business models, including ad-funded and subscription programs. The CampusVision and CampusLink advertising sales staffs will be combined.
“Visser Digital Media will be working closely with the talented teams at CampusLink and Huntington Capital to ensure a smooth transition in operations, marketing, and venue management,” says Rich Cooley, president and CEO of Visser Digital Media.
“Our companies share similar values; we always put our clients first and are committed to the innovation to improve the student experience. Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling digital media service to colleges, students and advertisers. With the Digital Out-of-Home still in its nascent period, and with a footprint in over 300 campus locations to-date and growing, we believe we have just scratched the surface in the college and university market segment. We continue to commit resources to expand our college presence, and look forward to deploying our CampusVision program to the remaining college campuses throughout the U.S..”
The acquisition of CampusLink by CampusVision means an increase from 287 colleges, with over 300 screens to more than 312 colleges and over 325 screens.
This isn’t the first acquisition for the young Visser company. It acquired LevelVision [4] college digital signage network from IntelliMat Inc., in August/0 [5]9.
“And we’re still in acquisition mode,” says Cooley who owns Visser Digital Media with co-founder Curtis Visser, chairman. “The purchase of CampusLink expands our college footprint, which is a strategic goal of our company.”