LONDON and NEW YORK, December 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ —

Grapple, Europe’s leading mobile innovation agency, today announced that it has acquired Toura, a leader in cloud-based content distribution for smartphone and tablet applications.

The acquisition is a significant milestone in Grapple’s growth strategy, with continued investment in pioneering technology solutions that deliver cutting-edge innovation to clients.

Grapple will incorporate Toura’s proprietary technology platforms, Mulberry and Mobile App Producer (MAP), the result of $3.8m in R&D, into their own intellectual property deployed across key client relationships. The deal will accelerate Grapple’s growth by providing additional annuity revenue streams.

Founded in New York in 2009, Toura has contracts in place with the world’s leading media and publishing companies, including ABC Television, Reader’s Digest, Boston Globe and Tribune Interactive. Toura’s technology also powers applications for many of the world’s most prominent attractions, including the British Library, V&A, J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Guggenheim.

Jamie True, Co-Founder of Grapple, said: “The provision of cutting-edge proprietary technology solutions to our global clients is crucial to Grapple’s continued market leadership. We’re excited to announce this acquisition and benefit from Toura’s relationships, skills and technology. The combination of our two companies will drive significant value for not only Grapple’s existing client roster, but Toura’s clients, too.”

Sayoko Knight Teitelbaum, Co-Founder of Toura, comments: “Combining Toura’s platform with Grapple’s impressive management and development teams will create a powerful enterprise offering. I am extremely proud of what Toura has achieved to date and this acquisition will benefit our respective customers.”

The acquisition marks further growth for Grapple that in the last 12 months has seen its roster of key clients rapidly expand to include Procter & Gamble, RBS, Barclays and AEG Europe. Awarded ‘Innovative Agency 2012’ by Marketing Innovation, and recognised as ‘agency to watch’ by both New Media Age and The Drum, Grapple continues to cement its market-leading position, bringing its mix of award-winning mobile services to global brands.

Grapple will continue to operate Toura in the U.S.

About Grapple

Grapple is Europe’s leading mobile innovation agency. Founded in January 2010, Grapple works in partnership with the world’s leading brands to deliver commercially effective mobile innovation, brought to life with award‐winning design and development. Clients include RBS, Whitbread and Procter & Gamble.

Grapple was awarded ‘Innovative Agency 2012’ at the Marketing Innovation awards and crowned ‘Best App Developer 2011’ by Mobile Entertainment.

About Toura

Toura is a leader in cloud-based content distribution for smartphone and tablet applications. Its technology platforms are in use by major media and publishing companies, including ABC Television, Reader’s Digest, the Boston Globe, and many of the world’s most prominent attractions, including the British Library, V&A, J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Guggenheim.

Toura is headquartered in New York and has operations across the United States and Europe.

For further information please contact:

Anneka Dew, Grapple PR & Marketing Manager
+44(0)20-7952-4041
anneka.dew@grapplemobile.com

SOURCE Grapple