Press Release
Wordbank opens US Headquarters
17 June 2004:
Wordbank, a leading marketing communications localization specialist, has opened its US headquarters in Denver, Colorado, to help US-based global companies communicate more effectively with their customers worldwide. The London-based company provides localization services in over 50 countries throughout the world to a blue-chip client list that includes Hewlett-Packard, Mazda, Nissan, Virgin and Walt Disney.
The firm will focus on three areas of opportunity for US companies: those targeting non-English speaking Americans; those trying to build business outside the US; and those addressing what is becoming known as the ‘Eighth Continent’ – a borderless virtual commerce zone that crosses national borders via the Internet.
According to Gordon Husbands, Wordbank VP Worldwide Sales and Marketing, “Many US companies are clearly missing out on opportunities to better communicate their corporate and brand messages to their non-English speaking customers. For example, English is not the first language for more than 50 million Americans yet only nine per cent of the top brands in the USA have a Spanish website 1.
“It is has been estimated US businesses only spend a tiny fraction (between one-quarter of one per cent and 2.5 per cent 2) of non-Anglophone revenue on localizing their documentation, product interfaces, web sites and service-related materials. This just highlights the growth opportunities for both US businesses and marketing communications localization specialists such as Wordbank. Clear, accurate and persuasive communication is an increasingly critical and integral part of any global marketing campaign and we are looking forward to working with our US clients to
help them achieve their growth objectives through localization.”
The new Wordbank US office is being run by Chris LoPresti, a former Director of Sales at OneRealm, Inc. With more than 12 years’ sales and marketing experience within the technology sector, Chris has als o held senior management positions at Requisite Technology, Baan Company, Access Graphics and Mid State Technologies.
Explaining Wordbank’s reason for selecting Denver, Chris said: “Denver is an ideal location for Wordbank. In addition to the superb living environment and high-tech office facilities, there is an excellent pool of skilled resources. We are looking forward to building a substantial business here over the next few years.”
1 Common Sense Advisory 2004, “Leaving La Vida Loca”
2 Common Sense Advisory, Inc 2003
