As business professionals, we all know other business folks and/or leaders who we respect or admire. There are quite a few I do and I try to learn from them. The most recent addition to my short list is an entrepreneur from Paris, Tennessee named Jay Brice Snow. I am pleased to announce that Brice and his very successful marketplace, Snowcovered, are joining the DotNetNuke Corp. team!
I was first introduced to Brice about 6 months ago by my partner and colleague at DotNetNuke Corporation, Shaun Walker. Even during my first email interaction with Brice I was struck by his down-to-earth nature, his sound values and business philosophy, and the remarkable ease with which he approached our conversations. A few weeks later I decided to make a trip to Paris, Tennessee to meet him face to face. Within the first 90 minutes, I realized that beneath the down to earth demeanor was a sharp business brain – a sharp business acumen that, along with his value system, enabled him to build the preeminent marketplace in the DotNetNuke ecosystem over the last eight years.
We spent the entire day together. By the end of the day it was clear that I was keen on being associated with, and working with Brice and that he felt likewise.
What started that March day in Paris, Tennessee resulted in the acquisition we are announcing today. Mergers and acquisitions are typically a painful process. This acquisition was a rare one in that it was a pleasure primarily because the chemistry was good and the chemistry was good because we had similar fundamental values. I firmly believe sustainable businesses are built on sound philosophy and values. Likewise, acquisitions work best when the value systems of the two organizations are aligned.
Snowcovered is now a part of DotNetNuke Corp. and Brice is working with us on the transition and integration. Importantly, he is also joining DotNetNuke Corp.’s business advisory board where he will work with us to build DotNetNuke Corp. over the next two years and likely much longer.
I extend a warm welcome to Brice Snow. We look forward to working with him and to his contributions to DotNetNuke Corp.
What does this acquisition mean for the participants (module vendors, skin vendors and customers) of the Snowcovered marketplace?
From our perspective, Brice has set a stellar standard both in terms of the marketplace he built and what it provides the participants in terms of service quality. We will not change anything that reduces the high product and service quality or the end user benefits (listing policies, payment policies, promotional practices, etc.) he has maintained over the last eight years. We are committed to the buyers and sellers of the marketplace and will ensure that we maintain and, if possible, exceed the high standards set by Brice.
What are the synergistic possibilities that exist as a result of DotNetNuke Corp. and Snowcovered working together? For the last many years, DotNetNuke.com has been the software portal where people go to get the DotNetNuke platform. Likewise, Snowcovered.com has been the developer portal or the extensions portal, the place people go when they need to buy or sell a module or skin (i.e., extensions). By combining the two, there is an opportunity to integrate the marketplace with the platform and, by doing so, we can:
- Increase the market reach of module and skin vendors by taking their wares to DotNetNuke end users in addition to continuing to make their extensions available on the portal itself
- Enable end users to buy the modules and skins they need more easily and quickly
However, in the process of doing the above and thereby benefiting everybody, our approach will be cautious. We will:
- First ensure a smooth company integration and that what was in place earlier continues to work seamlessly and smoothly
- Increase the benefit scope carefully and gradually over time, in an incremental fashion
It is important to us that nothing changes for buyers and sellers even as we increase the scope of the opportunity. Such an approach will likely take longer but it is imperative that we get this done right than done quickly. Both Brice and the DotNetNuke Corp. team are completely onboard with this approach.
What does this mean for our own DotNetNuke Marketplace?
For the next 30 days we will continue to run two marketplaces with the objective of carefully phasing out the legacy DotNetNuke Marketplace. What does carefully mean?
- Providing sufficient time and support to enable module vendors and skin vendors on the DotNetNuke Marketplace to move their listings to Snowcovered
- Ensuring that buyers of modules and skins are able to continue to download modules and skins they bought in the past
- Providing notification and adequate time for affiliates and others who have ‘links’ to the DotNetNuke Marketplace to register for the Snowcovered Referral Program and redirect their links to Snowcovered
- Even as we do (1) and (2), ensure there is no confusion and that there is only one place people go when they want to purchase a module or skin
More detailed communication on the above items will be sent to the various DotNetNuke Marketplace and Snowcovered stakeholders. Meanwhile, if you have questions or concerns, please let us know. You can reach any of us …
Scott Willhite … Director for Community Relations (scott.willhite@dnncorp.com)
Once again, I am excited about this acquisition and the prospect of working with Brice and therefore having additional business strength and insight on the DotNetNuke Corp. team. We look forward to continuing and accelerating the progress we are making as a company, as a platform, and as a community/ecosystem.
Thank you all for your support and cooperation.