Madison, WI—Business-to-business software cataloger Sonic Foundry has entered the consumer arena. Throughout the fall it will mail 500,000 copies of a 16-page catalog featuring consumer versions of its professional software tools, which enable users to produce their own compact disks and other audio/visuals. Director of marketing Dave Chaimson calls the mailing a test leading up to a holiday season rollout.
“We’re testing new lists, new selects, and even the new catalog against our [b-to-b] catalog,” Chaimson says. The book takes a user-friendly approach, filled with lifestyle photos, quotes from industry pros, and such phrases as “You can be a star producer too!”
In other Sonic Foundry news, the company has agreed to buy MediaSite, a provider of automated rich media publishing, management, and access solutions. Sonic Foundry plans to purchase all of the assets and will assume the majority of liabilities of Pittsburgh-based MediaSite in exchange for 3,420,000 shares of newly issued Sonic Foundry common stock. An additional 360,000 shares may be issued, subject to certain closing conditions. The deal is expected to close in November.