Skype Acquires Groupme In Attempt To Invade The Mobile Market
Skype announced today it will be adding Groupme to its social portfolio in an attempt to break further into the mobile market. Groupme is a mobile group messaging service that made a significant impression at Google’s I/O.
While details of the acquisition remain discreet, we do know Skype hopes to leverage the messaging service to provide a “multi-platform communications” experience for its loyal users and potential users alike.
Skype’s CEO Tony Bates, explained to TechCrunch that if the company ever wants to reach 1 Billion users, they will have to invade the mobile market. Skype sees the new addition of Groupme as being the perfect fit to their family to achieve this goal. Read on for the entire press release below.
Skype Acquires GroupMeLUXEMBOURG, 21 August 2011 — Skype today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GroupMe, a provider of mobile group messaging services that helps users stay in touch and make decisions. GroupMe was founded in 2010 at the Techcrunch Disrupt Hackathon and is headquartered in New York, New York. Terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.
Through the acquisition of GroupMe, Skype continues its drive to provide a global multi-modal and multi-platform communications experience. The acquisition of GroupMe complements Skype’s leadership in voice and video communications by providing best in class text-based communications and innovative features that enable users to connect, share locations and photos and make plans with their closest ties. This, coupled with the acquisition of mobile video provider Qik, which Skype announced earlier this year, augments Skype’s role as an innovator in driving unique mobile user experiences.
“Skype and GroupMe have a shared vision of creating applications and experiences that are the daily communications choice for a billion people. We will continue to seek the top talent and technology to make that vision a reality,” said Tony Bates, Skype’s Chief Executive Officer. “The GroupMe team has created an incredibly sticky group messaging experience that works across mobile devices and platforms, making this a perfect addition to the voice, video and text products in the Skype family,” added Bates.
“There is a natural affinity between Skype and GroupMe and our goal is to continue developing tools that make it easier for people to communicate, share, and stay in touch with their close and important ties,” said Jared Hecht, GroupMe’s Co-Founder. “Integrating GroupMe into the Skype experience is an amazing opportunity for us and accelerates the execution of our vision tenfold,” added Steve Martocci, GroupMe’s Co-Founder.
