Topica Announces Acquisition of IDG's TipWorld

Posted on March 14, 2000

Topica Inc., a provider of email-based content, has announced that it has acquired International Data Group's (IDG) TipWorld. TipWorld is a publisher of email newsletters, featuring expert advice, news and learning by email. With this acquisition, Topica now has nearly 10 million subscriptions and delivers over 200 million email messages per month. In addition, IDG will take an equity stake in Topica.

TipWorld's collection of over 20,000 tips and 140 newsletters will be integrated into Topica's directory of email newsletters and discussion lists. TipWorld daily tips cover topics including technology, recipes, fitness, financial planning, car care and book reviews. In addition, Topica and PC World, IDG's largest computer publication, will engage in a cross-promotional partnership.

``Our goal at Topica is to provide the best content to our subscribers,'' said Ariel Poler, CEO of Topica. ``The TipWorld acquisition increases the quality of our content, while allowing advertisers to place their message in context and reach an audience based on their demonstrated interests.''

``The TipWorld editorial staff and its approximately 75 freelance writers are excited about leveraging Topica's resources to continue to grow TipWorld's line of topic-specific newsletters,'' said Jim Welp, Editor-in-Chief of TipWorld. ``I'm sure that TipWorld subscribers will be impressed with Topica's comprehensive `Yahoo-style' directory of email lists, and how easy it is to find and exchange information about their favorite topics.''