ilse media, part of Sanoma Magazines, has acquired internet company Rosetta Holding B.V. Rosetta manages e.g. SchoolBANK.nl, a popular meeting place for former schoolmates in the Netherlands. The website has a wide reach and approximately 3.2 million registered users. In 2006, Rosetta's net sales amounted to EUR 3.1 million.
Apart from SchoolBANK.nl, Rosetta manages the websites DienstMAKKERS.nl and WorkMATES.nl. SchoolBANK.nl, launched in 2002, is by far the biggest and the most renowned website.
"SchoolBANK.nl brings genuine added value to our portfolio," comments Paul Molenaar, CEO of ilse media and COO Online and Media Innovation of Sanoma Uitgevers. "SchoolBANK.nl has been immensely popular for many years. And the website is still growing. In March 2007, almost 1.5 million people visited SchoolBANK.nl (unique reach according to STIR). This made the first quarter of 2007 the best quarter ever for SchoolBANK.nl."
Rosetta's topclass technical team has accomplished further growth of the website by implementing new innovative ideas. "This acquisition will enable the team to focus on further developing SchoolBANK.nl", Molenaar says. "Although the format will remain the same, consumers can expect a few new, fun, and interesting features soon. The first announcements are expected within few weeks."
Patrick Bernhart will be in charge of Rosetta on behalf of ilse media. Guy Spriggs, founder and CEO, will continue to be involved with Rosetta and SchoolBANK.nl. Operational management will remain the responsibility of Rosetta's Marcel Dumont.
Rosetta was established in 1995 and initially it concentrated on internet consultancy activities. Rosetta / SchoolBANK.nl employ 11 people and is located in Amsterdam.
Sanoma Uitgevers and ilse media are part of Sanoma Magazines, the magazine publishing division of the SanomaWSOY Group.