Francisco Partners and WebTrends management partner to create stand-alone company focused on growing WebTrends' customer success and leadership in providing web analytics solutions
Menlo Park, Calif., and Portland, Ore. - March 28, 2005 - Francisco Partners, one of the world's largest technology-focused private equity funds, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the WebTrends business unit, a leading provider of web analytics, of NetIQ Corporation. The transaction is being undertaken with the full participation and support of the WebTrends management team, members of which will be investing in the new business together with Francisco Partners. Greg Drew, currently general manager of WebTrends, will continue to lead the business and will assume the role of president and chief executive officer of the new standalone WebTrends business.
"As a business unit of NetIQ, we have remained a leader in a dynamic and growing category, and made breakthrough advancements in building out the industry's most award-winning, mature and flexible web analytics platform with both on-demand and software options, along with a full range of business consulting services. Our ability to deliver the right balance of easy-to-use and accurate solutions has been well-established over the last few years with NetIQ's full support, and this success will continue to accelerate with our new business partner," said Greg Drew, general manager of the WebTrends business unit. "WebTrends, as a standalone company backed by Francisco Partners' strategic insight, business network and financial strength, will deliver very tangible benefits to our customers, partners and employees. We will have increased strategic flexibility, quicker reflexes and continued access to deep resources to build on our unmatched track record of leadership and innovation. We enter this new era of WebTrends with great optimism and enthusiasm, with our complete focus on improving the business results across our customers' web initiatives."
"As a pioneer in web analytics, WebTrends has established a longstanding record of customer success for over 10 years. We believe the company has built the best product capabilities and strategic vision for its category today," said Ben Ball, general partner of Francisco Partners. "We are proud to establish a deep relationship with WebTrends, and are excited about providing the company with resources to accelerate its growth. We look forward to working with WebTrends' experienced management team to enhance the company's customer relationships, product capabilities, and strategic leadership."
NetIQ's board of directors has approved the agreement, and the transaction is expected to close in the quarter ending June 30, 2005. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
About WebTrends
Thousands of web-smart organizations worldwide, including more than half of the Fortune and Global 500, rely on WebTrends to improve their web site conversions and optimize their marketing performance for maximum return on investment. As the worldwide market leader for web analytics, WebTrends has become the trusted standard not only for award-winning technology, but also for a full range of consulting services and unmatched industry expertise. By delivering accurate and actionable metrics through both on-demand and software options, WebTrends ensures that its customers are positioned for both immediate and long-term success with a solution that can adapt to ever-changing business and technical requirements. For more information, visit www.WebTrends.com.
About Francisco Partners
With $2.5 billion of committed capital, Francisco Partners is one of the world's largest technology-focused private equity funds. The firm was founded to pursue structured investments in technology companies undergoing strategic, technological, and operational inflection points. Francisco Partners targets majority and minority investments in private companies, public companies, and divisions of public companies, with transaction values ranging from $30 million to $2.0 billion. The principals of Francisco Partners have a proven track record, having invested in excess of $3.0 billion of equity capital in over 50 technology companies. For additional information, visit www.franciscopartners.com.
Media Contacts:
Corey Gault
Public Relations
(503) 553-2682
corey.gault@webtrends.com
Mandy Mladenoff
SHIFT Communications
(415) 591-8420
mmladenoff@shiftcomm.com
NetIQ and WebTrends are registered trademarks of NetIQ Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
