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Koz.com to merge with Internet Tradeline
Web community publisher Koz.com and e-commerce builder Internet Tradeline said they have agreed to merge in an effort boost their Web site development offerings. The new company, to be called Koz.com, will combine revenue streams in online advertising, e-commerce transactions and licensing services under one roof. Both privately held companies have courted local newspapers and media companies as partners, as well as local online merchants and communities. As part of the merger announcement, the new company has secured an additional $16.2 million in financing from existing investors, including CMGI @Ventures, Tribune Interactive and BancBoston Ventures. Linda McCutcheon, CEO of Internet Tradeline and former president of Time Inc.'s new media division, will become CEO of the combined company. Michael Moran, CEO of "We take advantage of the natural instinct on the part of everyone who realizes they must have a robust Web presence," McCutcheon said. "If they can find the right partner to outsource it in terms of publishing tools, community, chat and commerce, they've gone a really long way to solve their infrastructure problem." In addition to the merger, the companies said they will spin off their chat software service, Ichat, into a separate company. Moran will become CEO of Ichat after the spinoff. Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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