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View Full Version : vBulettin/Jelsoft has been acquired


larryhead
07-10-2007, 03:18 PM
Just an FYI, the company the wrote and maintains the vBulletin script we're using here on B2P has just been acquired. Hopefully this is good news for the future development of the script - I'm really hoping for more community features to be added!

Posted on vBulletin.com (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235378) on July 4, 2007

Dear vBulletin customers,

We are pleased to announce that Jelsoft Enterprises Limited has been acquired by Internet Brands, Inc., a leading provider of automotive, travel and home-related sites and communities.

As part of a larger organisation, with more than 500 employees, Jelsoft has access to additional resources, support and business expertise which will ensure that we can continue to grow and flourish. Products will continue to be actively developed and fully supported, and as time goes on you will begin to see noticeable changes and improvements that are made possible by being part of a larger organisation.

Internet Brands' intention is to focus on improving what we are doing at the moment, and that means significant investment in our software development, customer service and sales and marketing processes. Internet Brands is willing, able and ready to invest heavily in Jelsoft, not only to continue to offer the same great products to our existing market, but also to empower us to enter new markets and find new audiences for our products and services.

The day-to-day management of Jelsoft will continue largely unchanged. I will continue as Managing Director and CEO of Jelsoft, working alongside the executive team at Internet Brands. John Percival, co-founder of vBulletin, will be taking this opportunity to pursue other interests, and I'm sure you will join me in wishing him well and every success in the future.

I'm really excited about this news, and feel strongly that it was a great decision for the company and our customers. Jelsoft has achieved significant success over the last few years, and before we officially move into this new era, I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to all customers who have supported Jelsoft and vBulletin - It is your continuous support and loyalty that has enabled vBulletin to become a market leader in community solutions. Rest assured that, with the help and resources of Internet Brands, we will continue to work hard to produce products that are innovative, feature-rich and forward-looking.

Again, thank you.

All the best,

James Limm, and the Jelsoft team

larryhead
07-10-2007, 03:24 PM
I do find it kind of odd that one of the co-founders of vBulletin decided to seek other "interests" right at the time when this acquisition takes place.

And the new company's profile being "automotive, travel and home-related sites and communities" is rather bizarre. What kind of generic name is "Internet Brands, Inc." anyway?

Still, I remain cautiously optimistic. :)

larryhead
07-10-2007, 03:29 PM
Ah... a bit more info:

Los Angeles-based CarsDirect yesterday said that it has changed its name to Internet Brands, as the company has started expanding its services into other, non-automotive related areas. The company said that the name change reflects the company’s aggressive expansion into other big ticket areas sucha s home mortgage lending. The new name will serve as a banner over the company's CarsDirect.com, Autos.com, Autodata Solutions, LoanStore.com, BestRate.com, and LoanApp.com web sites. CarsDirect started its foray into other consumer areas in early 2004.
posted on Friday, June 17, 2005