Market Force Acquires Ted Costas Group, Expands Theatre Practice

Industry’s Dominant Film Print Checking Business Joins with Market Force’s Certified Reports, Inc. to Create Market Force Theatre and Production Services

BOULDER, Colo. & LAS VEGAS--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Market Force Information, the world’s leading customer intelligence solutions company, today announced that it has acquired the Ted Costas Group, a film print checking and digital quality-control business. This acquisition adds a key quality assurance service to Market Force’s roster of solutions for studios, theatres and integrator companies.

“By joining with Market Force, which has quickly become a premier provider of customer information to the industry, we are in a prime position to serve the market in new and profitable ways.”

Effective March 1, 2010, this acquisition is the second by Market Force in the theatrical entertainment industry in the past two years. In February 2008, Market Force acquired Certified Reports, Inc. (CRI), the industry’s largest theatre-checking services company. Together, the companies provide services to every major studio and many of the major exhibitors in the industry. Market Force is combining its CRI and Ted Costas Group assets into a new entity known as Market Force theatre and production services.

With entertainment choices proliferating, competition for consumers’ entertainment dollars is increasingly intense, compelling studios and theatres alike to focus on delivering an impeccable movie experience. This acquisition means that Market Force can now provide studios and theatres with both in-theatre visits and print checking services so they can assure a quality experience for theatre patrons from every aspect.

“Market Force provides the business intelligence our clients need to delight their customers, and nowhere is that focus on delight more central to company strategy than in the entertainment industry,” said Karl Maier, CEO of Market Force. “We have our eyes on becoming the premier provider of customer intelligence solutions in this industry. The expertise of Ted Costas and his team will bolster our existing theatre-checking capabilities to help us do just that.”

More than a decade ago, Costas recognized the need for a service to quality-check the thousands of film reels produced for major movies. More recently, that business expanded to include digital quality control and alignment services. That expertise, along with Costas’ team and the company’s network of independent contractor quality control professionals, is now incorporated into Market Force.

Costas has an extensive background spanning all aspects of film quality and production. In 2007, he won an Academy Award for his work on the Cyan Dye Track Committee, and he currently serves as co-chairman of the Inter-Society Environmental Committee (ISEC).

“The industry is going through a major transformation right now and there is huge potential for growth. We wanted both the business and technology foundation to make those growth plans a reality,” said Costas. “By joining with Market Force, which has quickly become a premier provider of customer information to the industry, we are in a prime position to serve the market in new and profitable ways.”

Market Force will be hosting a suite during ShoWest (March 15 – 18, 2010 in Las Vegas) in the Planet Hollywood hotel. To learn more about Market Force and its offerings for the theatrical entertainment industry, or to meet with Market Force during ShoWest, call Jim Radcliffe at 518-755-8040, or email [e-mail].

About Market Force Information

Market Force Information, Inc. is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for multi-location businesses including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. With more than 120 years of combined industry experience, Market Force Information has pioneered the industry with a suite of customer intelligence solutions – from 300,000 field associates, to real customer surveys, to proprietary decision support tools – that provides a holistic view of the customer’s on-site experience and identifies the actions required at the store level to increase customer loyalty and improve financial performance. For more information, please visit: www.marketforce.com and follow us on Twitter @MarketForce.