Download the pdf version of this press release
Kristen Conte
eMeta Corporation
800.804.0103 ext. 142
FT.com Goes Live with eRights, eMeta's Information Access Control and Commerce Solution
eRights Powers New Subscription Offerings on Enhanced FT.com Web Site
NEW YORK, NY - May 20 , 2002 - eMeta Corporation, the leading provider of information access control and commerce software, today announced that its flagship technology, eRights, is powering the digital commerce capabilities of the improved FT.com Web site. The selection of eMeta's software solution is a part of the international media company, Pearson PLC's plan to increase revenue from its online news and data divisions, which includes FT.com.
As the commerce backbone for the new, enhanced FT.com, eRights is enabling the sale of two levels of subscription packages, which include powerful business analysis, research and intelligence services. An enterprise software solution, eRights makes possible the management of the customers, products, subscriptions and billing necessary for FT.com to facilitate the sale of digital content on the world's most popular audited business Web site.
"eMeta is enabling us to improve our already excellent Web offerings," said Zach Leonard, Chief Operating Officer of FT.com. "By allowing us to provide an assortment of premium content at multiple subscription levels, we can not only continue to satisfy the 2.7 million unique users we currently have, but also attract new users with a powerful blend of premium and free data. The business model for online news and data used to be built around either advertising or subscription revenues. Our business model combines the best of both approaches."
Premium packages include some of FT.com's most valuable existing information, as well as new innovative services such as a preview of key pages of the FT newspaper the night before publication, a powerful new search tool and in-depth information on 18,000 companies. FT.com expects to break even by the end of this year, with these new offerings accounting for up to 10% of its total revenue.
"Working with FT.com to develop its online commerce system has been an excellent showcase for the power of the eMeta technology platform to enable online content providers to continually refine and update their products and services," said Patrick Cooke, Managing Director of eMeta's London-based European subsidiary. "With its new site, FT.com is still offering its customers an amazing wealth of free information. At the same time, it is providing these same customers with an opportunity to enrich their depth of knowledge and understanding at subscription levels of their own choosing."
About eMeta Corporation
eMeta is the leading provider of access control and commerce software for media and software companies. eMeta’s advanced solutions and services enable its many globally recognized customers to sell and control their digital goods and services, maximizing the value of their digital assets. Recognized by Deloitte in 2004 as one of the fastest growing technology companies in North America, eMeta counts Pearson, The McGraw-Hill Companies, IEEE, New York Times Digital, Wolters Kluwer, Celera Genomics, and iVillage among its many clients. The company is based in New York City. Additional information is available at www.emeta.com.
About The Financial Times and FT.com
The Financial Times, one of the world's leading business newspapers, is recognized internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing extensive news, comment and -more- analysis, the newspaper is printed in 19 cities across the globe, has a daily circulation of over 500,000 and a readership of more than 1.6 million people worldwide. FT.com, the newspaper's internet partner, combines agenda-setting editorial with relevant financial data and discussion groups, as well as a broad range of business tools including the largest search function on the internet. FT.com is the world's most popular audited business website, with 2.7 million unique users and over 55 million monthly page views.
