I just learned today that two of the companies I founded back in 1998 (and sold in 2004) were just acquired by F&W Publications, one of the largest private publishing and media houses in the country (with a niche focus in the fine art industry). It brought a smile to my face.

Back when I originally founded WetCanvas.com and Art-Agent.com, there was no concept of social media (although I do think we were a bit ahead of the times with some of the aspects of the community we built). It will be interesting to see what F&W does with the properties now. I’ve often thought back about WetCanvas!, and wondered what I would do with it in today’s landscape - especially given the advent of blogging and social networks.

We actually approached F&W about acquiring the company way back when (can’t remember exactly.) At the time, I don’t think they really “got” the concept (and power) of online communities. At the time, there rationale was along the lines of “we’re a traditional publisher, and the online space is not our core competency.” Glad to see this has changed. The WC community will benefit enormously by this transaction.

I also just had a strange flashback to a two week stint where I pulled all-night code rodeos trying to get the color matching algorithms to work right for searching art at art-agent.com. Ah, the good old days.

I found a cool online video put out by F&W - talking about the acquisition.

Congrats to Geoff and Kerri for a job well done!

Cheers.

Wow.  Mercury must be in some strange alignment with Jupiter and the capital markets. FATS (Firearms Training Systems), another storied Atlanta success was just gobbled up by a European buyer.  Scientific-Atlanta, JBoss, ISS, Moxie Interactive, at least a dozen other smaller deals, and now FATS.
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Atlanta – Firearms Training Systems, a provider of technology company providing fully-integrated, simulated firearms training technology for professional military and law enforcement personnel, has agreed to be acquired by Meggitt, a U.K.-based defense contractor. Terms of the deal include $1.08 a share, or a total of about $144 million. “A strategic merger with Meggitt significantly advances our continued strategy of expanding our worldwide customer base, leveraging our strategic partnerships, and otherwise growing beyond our historical roots as a small arms training company to lead the industry in virtual training solutions,” said Ronavan Mohling, president and CEO of FATS, in an announcement of the deal on Thursday.
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Cheers.

Hot off the wire. ISS now joins Scientific Atlanta, Moxie Interactive, and a host of other Atlanta companies that have been gobbled up this year:

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Atlanta — Information technology giant IBM has agreed to acquire Internet Security Systems (ISS), an Atlanta-based provider of information security technology, for $1.3 billion in cash. ISS software, appliances and services are designed to monitor and manage network vulnerabilities and exploits and respond in advance of potential threats. ISS has more than 11,000 customers worldwide including 17 of the world’s largest banks, 15 of the largest governments, 11 of the top public insurance companies and 13 of the world’s top IT organizations. IBM’s said that the acquisition bolsters its position in the growing market for managed security services.

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Cheers.

Hot off the wire:

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Publicis Groupe’s Zenith Media, a division of ZenithOptimedia, will buy six-year-old Atlanta-based interactive agency Moxie Interactive, the companies said.

The acquisition will extend Zenith’s capabilities from traditional online media buying and planning to include other digital channels. These include search marketing, e-mail, site development, interactive kiosks, mobile and hosting services.

Moxie Interactive will retain its name, employees and headquarters, but its services will be “infused” through all Zenith Media USA offices, Publicis said. The agency boasts 100 employees in its home office. Clients include Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Saks and Verizon.

“Technology drives Moxie’s business model, but they don’t let that get in the way of great creativity,” ZenithOptimedia Group North America CEO Tim Jones said in a statement. “We will infuse this culture throughout Zenith, putting digital front and center.”

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Cheers.