Novell and IVY International Communications, Inc. Announce New Publishing Partnership

After careful consideration of several prospective buyers, Novell structured a management buyout of the magazine division's operations.

The new owners have formed IVY International Communications, Inc., which will maintain its international presence with offices in both Orem, Utah and the U.K. IVY will continue to publish WordPerfect Magazine, WordPerfect for Windows Magazine, and other printed and electronic publications and products. The company will also pursue and promote additional solutions for the marketplace.

In addition, the two companies are pleased to announce that IVY will function as Novell's preferred publishing partner for magazines related to its personal productivity line of software applications.

According to Marcus Kaufman, Novell's director of corporate publications, "This is a smart business move which will enable Novell to focus specifically on its core competencies as one of the world's technology leaders. We can do what we're best at--creating software that can connect people anytime, anyplace--while partnering with a company that is already providing exceptional value for our end users. The spin-off makes good sense because it allows both entities to fully focus on specific areas of strength."

Craig Woolley, former Novell magazine division director and now president of IVY, is quick to agree. "We've enjoyed being a profitable part of Novell but are ready to re-emerge as a separate company and rekindle our entrepreneurial fires. Novell will remain a central part of what we do and what we produce, but from a different focus. IVY will now be a preferred publishing partner of Novell, and as such we will work independently through our publications to provide the information that Novell end users need. Novell can simplify its business practices by focusing instead on meeting users' software needs."

As a preferred publishing partner of Novell, IVY will help Novell attain its marketing goals by showing end users how to use existing Novell products more effectively. IVY will also help Novell promote new products as they become available. In return, Novell will help ensure the continued publication of the WordPerfect magazines and the development of new applications titles such as the PerfectOffice Newsletter. Novell will also provide IVY access to key Novell personnel (product managers, developers, support technicians, and so on) who can supply the critical information that magazine subscribers need.

Subscribers to the WordPerfect magazines and other publications can expect a smooth transition. "Throughout the spin-off process, and for the past eight years, the division has provided uninterrupted service to both Novell and its customers by providing top-quality magazines and newsletters," says Woolley. "Through clearly written, easy-to-follow articles, these publications have showed customers how to use Novell software easier, faster and better. Neither the goals nor the dedication will change. We'll continue to meet our customers' information needs."

About IVY International Communications, Inc.