Internet search engine company Ask Jeeves Inc. says it’s bought Excite Italia B.V., the operator of Excite Europe, a network of European portal properties, from Tiscali, S.p.A. Ask Jeeves acquired the U.S.-operated Excite.com portal in March 2004.The financial terms of the latest acquisition were not disclosed.”This deal is a next step in Ask Jeeves’ European expansion strategy,” says Steve Berkowitz, CEO of Ask Jeeves (NASDAQ: ASKJ) of Oakland, in a written statement. “Access to Excite’s pan-European operational infrastructure and market knowledge will accelerate our European growth initiative and provide an instant revenue stream from additional users and advertisers.”
The acquisition of Excite Europe will extend Ask Jeeves’ ownership of the Excite brand beyond the United States, giving the company ownership of Excite’s Internet domains throughout Europe as well as control of existing portal offerings in several major European markets including Spain, Italy, France, UK, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.Excite will remain a separate brand under Ask Jeeves Inc., with operations continuing out of Excite Europe’s headquarters in Rome, Italy.