Healthcare communications agency Ignite Health, a subsidiary of marketing agency inVentiv Health, announced this week the acquisition of mobile developer Syndicated Methods. The deal is part of an emerging focus by the company on mHealth applications.
While the specific financial details of the deal have not yet been released, Ignite's parent company inVentiv Health, is owned by inVentiv Group Holdings, which raised $50 million from investors late last month, according to a regulatory filing.
"This acquisition allows Ignite Health to immediately absorb the technology, talent and years of mobile development experience that will turbocharge our ability to deliver cutting-edge mobile solutions in the healthcare space," stated Matt Brown, Ignite Health President, in a press release. Part of the acquisition includes Ignite Health acquiring MobilePipes, an enterprise software framework that "allows developers to quickly create, track and manage mobile software services and application integrations across multiple devices."
"Smartphone and tablet devices are completely transforming the way people interact with healthcare information and brands," stated Ignite CIO Fabio Gratton in a press release. "The transformation has been so significant that Ignite Health is now developing strategies and building campaigns through a customer-centered, mobile-first lens."
Syndicated Methods founder and CEO Michael Smallwood will join Ignite Health as Vice President of Mobile and Technology as part of the deal.
Read the full press release after the jump.
Ignite Health, an inVentiv Health company and a new breed of healthcare agency combining best-in-class branding with first-in-class digital innovation, today announced the acquisition of Syndicated Methods, a San Diego-based mobile development firm. The acquisition rapidly expands Ignite Health's digital leadership into the exploding mobile health space.
"This acquisition allows Ignite Health to immediately absorb the technology, talent and years of mobile development experience that will turbocharge our ability to deliver cutting-edge mobile solutions in the healthcare space," said Matt Brown, Ignite Health President.
As part of the acquisition, Michael Smallwood, the founder and CEO of Syndicated Methods, will become Ignite Health's Vice President of Mobile and Technology. He will be based in Ignite Health's headquarters in Irvine, Calif.
"Bringing Michael Smallwood into the Ignite lineup is a huge win," said Brown. "His highly regarded reputation in the mobile software industry and his personal commitment to driving innovation through technology makes him a perfect match for our team and for our clients."
Smallwood has more than 15 years of software consulting and management experience with expertise in both computer science and business development, resulting in client relationships with such companies as MyHeritage, Priority Travel Group, Consensus Interactive, Apple, Google and Microsoft.
Also with the acquisition, Ignite Health will acquire an innovative technology called MobilePipes, an enterprise software framework that allows developers to quickly create, track and manage mobile software services and application integrations across multiple devices.
"Smartphone and tablet devices are completely transforming the way people interact with healthcare information and brands," said Fabio Gratton, Ignite Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. "The transformation has been so significant that Ignite Health is now developing strategies and building campaigns through a customer-centered, mobile-first lens."
According to market research firm Parks Associates, U.S. revenues from digital health technology solutions are expected to grow by more than 27 percent between 2010 and 2015 to $5.7 billion, driven primarily by growth in mobile.
About Ignite Health
Ignite Health ranks among the top 20 healthcare agencies and was a finalist in 2011 for MedAdNews' Agency of the Year. With offices in Irvine, Calif., and New York City, Ignite Health offers clients a broad range of fundamental best practices and digital excellence to create unstoppable momentum for brand success across the continuum of a brand's lifecycle. Ignite Health is an inVentiv Health company. For more information, visit http://www.ignitehealth.com.
About inVentiv Health
inVentiv Health, Inc. is a leading global provider of best-in-class clinical, commercial and consulting services to companies seeking to accelerate performance. inVentiv's client roster includes more than 550 pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences companies. With 13,000 employees in 40 countries, inVentiv rapidly transforms promising ideas into commercial reality. inVentiv Health, Inc. is privately owned by inVentiv Group Holdings Inc., an organization sponsored by affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., Liberty Lane Partners and members of the inVentiv management team. For more information, visit http://www.inventivhealth.com.
