Business News
Significant Achievements Highlight Quarks Q3 Performance
Monday 27. October 2008 - Global Launch of QuarkXPress and Acquisition of Leading XML Authoring Products Company Demonstrate Quarks Commitment to Offering the Most Advanced Design and Publishing Technology
In the third quarter of 2008 Quark expanded upon its leadership in dynamic publishing and continued to demonstrate its commitment to offering the most advanced design and publishing technology.
The quarter was highlighted by:– The global launch of QuarkXPress 8.
— Quarks acquisition of In.vision, the world leader in XML authoring for Microsoft Word.
— The announcement of a synchronized update of all of Quarks enterprise solutions in support of QuarkXPress 8.
— The continued expansion of company leadership and operations across key geographies and the addition of key leaders in those areas.
“We began this year by articulating our long-term vision for dynamic publishing and we have systematically met each milestone within our strategy throughout the year,” said Ray Schiavone, president and CEO for Quark. “Our focus is to continually advance publishing technology by developing the solutions our customers need to meet their rapidly changing business challenges.”
The Launch of QuarkXPress 8
In Q3, Quark executed the first-ever global launch of QuarkXPress with version 8. Developed for high-end page layout and cross-media design, QuarkXPress 8 features a new, intuitive user interface, built-in print, Web and Flash authoring tools, advanced typography control, and global publishing capabilities.
QuarkXPress 8 has also been recognized with positive reviews, high ratings and awards from global media, for example:
— CreativePro U.S.: “If you’re a QuarkXPress user, you should upgrade to version 8.”
— MACup Germany: “QuarkXPress 8 adapts even better to the way creative professionals work.”
— Micromart UK: Awarded QuarkXPress 8 their Editors Choice award and said, “QuarkXPress 8 is a gem of a desktop publishing package.”
— MacUser UK: Awarded QuarkXPress 5 out of 5 mice and said, “Whatever you do, you owe it to yourself to grab a demo and put QuarkXPress 8 through its paces.”
— The Pfeiffer Report: “QuarkXPress 8 is three times faster than previous releases, including QuarkXPress 6.5 and QuarkXPress 7. Productivity is the softwares killer feature.”
— Macworld Spain: Awarded QuarkXPress 8 the highest rating possible and said, “From our point of view, it is the true success that Quark decided to include in its product Quark Interactive Designer which was previously sold apart.”
Quark is offering a free, fully functional, 60-day Test Drive version. It can be downloaded from http://8.quark.com/evaluation.html.
Strides in Dynamic Publishing
In addition to a major release of QuarkXPress, Quark completed significant enterprise initiatives in Q3 in support of dynamic publishing. In July 2008, Quark acquired the assets of In.vision Research Corporation, a Florida-based software company that develops the industry-leading add-in to Microsoft Word for XML authoring. The acquisition elevates Quark to the unique position of being the only company in the world to bring together professional design and simplified XML authoring capabilities in one single integrated system. In addition, this acquisition will enable Quark to support Microsoft Word users within all types of workflows, both desktop and enterprise.
Also, in September, Quark announced the complete compatibility of Quarks enterprise solutions – Quark Publishing System 8, QuarkCopyDesk 8, and QuarkXPress Server 8 – with QuarkXPress 8. QPS customers can now leverage the superior design capabilities of QuarkXPress 8 with the flexible, automated workflow of QPS in their publishing environments. The compatibility of Quarks enterprise solutions is significant because together they connect key publishing tasks and technologies to help customers lay the groundwork for Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution (DPS).
Also in Q3, Quark DPS won its first award by being named the winner of the best creative design software award at the prestigious Macworld Awards in London. According to the Macworld judging panel, “Quark leads the way when it comes to confronting the challenges faced by the modern publisher. Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution kicks down the walls between different media formats, enabling well-crafted communications to be quickly deployed across print, Internet and mobile devices.”
Expanded Leadership Team
Throughout Q3, Quark welcomed new leaders around the globe, beginning with the addition of PG Bartlett as Senior Vice President of product management. In his role, Bartlett leads all of product management and product marketing functions, spanning across Quarks desktop and enterprise business units. His focus is on increasing revenue by identifying key growth opportunities and working with product development, operations, marketing, and sales to take advantage of these opportunities.
Davinder Maan was named general manager for Quarks India operations. He is responsible for helping drive strategy for Quarks product development and other key operations in India and Asia. Likewise, Alex Nemeth joined Quark as Regional Business Director for Australia and New Zealand. In this role, Nemeth is responsible for the growth and strategic direction of Quark across the region.
Quark has also experienced growth among the sales team. “Our global sales team has doubled in the last twelve months,” said Mark Benfer, Senior Vice President of Sales for Quark. “The market opportunity for dynamic publishing is outstanding, and we are focused on educating our customers about just how much they can do with Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution.”
Graham Freeman, Senior Vice President of Sales in Latin America and Asia, concurs. “Over the last year Quark has focused our sights on reengaging with growth areas around the globe. We now have teams dedicated to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. Weve had a tremendous amount of success reconnecting with the desktop and enterprise customers in these regions.”
Customer Wins
Throughout Q3, Quark started relationships with new customers and expanded work with existing customers around the world. Examples of Quark customers across the enterprise and desktop business include: Alain Charles Publishing Ltd., Altavia, Arc en Ciel, Argus Automobile, Arizona Daily Star, Cal Poly, Dallas Morning News/Belo, Editorial Vicens Vives, Groupe Comelli, J&R Music and Computer World, John Abbott College, La Razon, Livres Hebdo, MACSF, Mohawk College, Natixis Bank, Seattle Community Center College, T-Systems France, Tucson Citizen Newspaper, University at Albany and more.