Sprint acquires Handmark, OneLouder to step up mobile ad services
Continuing the big day for technology mergers and acquisitions, Sprint is buying Handmark Inc., an app distributor for Android, Palm, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry platforms.
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The primary goal of the purchase is to grab Handmark's subsidiary, OneLouder, a mobile app developer and advertising company.
The new acquisitions will be merged into Sprint's Pinsight Media+ group for the purpose of boosting its mobile advertising services offered to brands and app developers.
The media unit has been busy building an ecosystem of industry partners in the advertising and retail spaces.
For example, earlier this month the nation's third largest mobile provider announced a deal with Time Inc. to deliver content from its multiple publicatinos within a customizable section of the SprintZone application on select Sprint devices.
Both the parent company and subsidiary will continue to operate as normal with their current brand names and employees at their Kansas City headquarters under the leadership of OneLouder president Evan Conway.
Handmark founder and CEO Augie Grasis will join a new advisory board established by Sprint to provide direction to Handmark and OneLouder.
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.