Informa plc is merging its Ovum and Informa Telecoms and Media units into a single company. Steve Hotham, currently a managing director at Ovum, will become the CEO of the combined company, which will operate under the Ovum name.
Both Ovum and Informa Telecoms and Media have strong telecom and wireless analytics practices already. Ovum incorporates an IT expertise, and Informa Telecoms and Media brings analysis of media and gaming markets. The merger will increases the firm’s breadth and scope, putting it closer in size to technology research giants like Gartner, IDC, Forrester, IHS, and Yankee Group. All of these firms are keeping a close eye on mobile and wireless as many other technologies converge on these areas.
“We are experiencing a time of tremendous change in the telecoms, IT and media sectors, with convergence reshaping markets and creating major new business opportunities and challenges,” said Steve Hotham. “Our customers need a research firm with deep insight into each of these markets that can provide a singular, inter-connected view on industry transformation, future trends and the impact on their businesses.”
Hotham has been with Informa since 2005, and he also worked for a conference division of the company during the 1990’s. He has also held positions at Kingfisher plc, Shell, and DMG World Media. Hotham will oversee the IT research team and the telecoms and media research team at the merged company. The telecoms and media group will be headed up by managing director Martin Hill, supported by chief research officer Mark Newman and research directors Richard Mahoney and Rob Gallagher.
The firm says that it will launch new research channels in the areas of telco IT, customer engagement, enterprise mobility, telco enterprise services, digital media and music. The combined firm will employ 180 analysts in 23 offices on 6 continents.
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