Opera said the acquisitions would “significantly expand [our] offering to advertisers and mobile publishers that engage consumers via the mobile web and applications, across all mobile platforms.”

It said that the acquisitions would also enable it to better monetise the traffic that flows through Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers. (Opera claims more than 160 million monthly active users that generate more than 100 billion page views).

Mobile Theory is a mobile advertising network focused on the US market. It is based in San Francisco and has offices in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle. 4th Screen Advertising is based in London and serves the European market.

Mobile Theory’s clients include Microsoft, Chevrolet, AstraZeneca, Coca-Cola and Capital One. 4th Screen Advertising’s publisher clients include The Guardian, MTV, Global Radio, Shazam and IMDb.

Opera CEO, Lars Boilesen, said: “Two years ago, we announced the acquisition of AdMarvel – which has grown to become the global leader as a supply-side platform (publisher platform) for mobile advertising. Last year, Opera helped generate well over $200 million in revenue for our publishers globally.”

Source:http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/deals/52870-opera-software-buys-two-mobile-advertising-companies

Opera Software ASA , the Norwegian web browser developer, said Thursday it has acquired U.S.-based Mobile Theory Inc. and U.K.-based 4th Screen Advertising Ltd., in an effort to provide demand side advertising services to publishers and advertiser in the U.S. and Europe.

-Mobile Theory is a mobile advertising network based in San Francisco, California.

-Mobile Theory experienced strong growth in 2011, is profitable and currently has 16 employees, Opera said.

-Opera said it is paying $5 million cash at closing for Mobile Theory.

-In addition, it will pay $3 million cash in escrow in 2012 and 2013, based on minimum 2012 and 2013 revenue performance targets.

-It may also pay up to $32 million in potential earn-out cash consideration in 2012 and 2013, based on revenue and Ebit targets, plus additional potential limited consideration based on over performance.

-4th Screen Advertising is an advertising network based in London.

-It is profitable and experiencing strong revenue growth, and has 30 employees, Opera said.

-Opera said it is paying $5 million cash at closing for 4th Screen Advertising.

-In addition it will pay $3 million cash in escrow, to be paid in 2012 and 2014.

-It may also pay up to $6.5 million in potential earn-out cash consideration in 2013 and 2014, based on revenue and Ebit targets, plus additional potential limited consideration based on over performance.

-The acquisitions are to be accretive to Opera’s earnings per share in 2012 and 2013.

-At 0814 GMT shares in Opera traded 0.3% higher at NOK34.10.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/opera-software-buys-ad-firms-in-us-uk-2012-02-16?reflink=MW_news_stmp

The company’s offerings include a white-label app store platform, content management, developer tools, content curation and financial settlement services.
Opera Software announced that is has acquired Handster Inc., a leading mobile application store platform company.

Handster, based in Northbrook, Illinois, with operations in Odessa, Ukraine, has assembled the world’s largest independent Android content library and offers services to mobile operators, device manufacturers and application stores globally. The company’s offerings include a white-label app store platform, content management, developer tools, content curation and financial settlement services.

The Handster platform supports Google Android, Java, Symbian, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, netbook and tablet applications. Handster customers include some of the world’s largest mobile operators, mobile platform providers and device manufacturers such as MTS, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei and LG.

Launched in March this year, the Opera Mobile Store is now a top 10 mobile app store globally, serving consumers on virtually every mobile platform, including iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Java, and Symbian, as well as web content.

“Opera is evolving from being a browser company into a fully integrated mobile services company and this acquisition is an important step in that direction. We are delighted to welcome the Handster team into the Opera family. Handster will enable us to strengthen our mobile store offerings to consumers, mobile operators and handset manufacturers,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software.

“Handster could not have found a better suitor,” said Handster Founder and CEO Victor Shaburov. “The combination of our platform, along with Opera’s position in the market, will make a big impact on the mobile ecosystem, benefiting developers, publishers, operators and handset manufacturers around the world.”

Shaburov will join the Opera Mobile Consumer and Publisher management team based in San Mateo, California, USA.

Source:http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Opera-Software-acquires-Handster-Inc./5245368744