Protec Media enters the U.S. market, signs Etype Services

European newspapers have grown more data-based driven and advanced in custom mobile applications  than U.S. newspapers over the past decade.

So this year Protec Media, a European company that supplies top-of-the-line content management systems for newspapers, has quietly entered the U.S. market offering a cloud-based, unified CMS platform they say saves significant production time and produces better-looking digital products.

The choice of a CMS system for editorial, advertising and digital is critical but difficult to change. Multple acquisitions have also saddled the winners in media consolidation with a patchwork of systems and processes. So far, most of the largest chains and medium-sized newspapers have remained with a few trusted platform companies, even ones that have fallen behind in cloud-based and data-driven functionality.  

Protec Media’s entry will offer more competition. Protec Media is a $12 million a year company providing cutting edge platforms for some of the largest newspapers in Europe, Canada, Latin and South America. A representation of clients can be found here.

As a first step, Protec Media has partnered with eType Services from Austin, Texas.  

Etype Services supplies digital products and services for over 500 community newspapers. Protec, a Spainish company based in Madrid, became an investor in 2012, and the two companies recognized an opportunity.

“Our local community papers in cities with a population of around 20,000 or less need a simple solution,” says Thad Swiderski, president and founder of eType Services.  

“But for larger newspaper groups, Protec’s Milenium CMS has critical advantages over currently available options.

“Protec Media’s software has been cloud-based for years, with all the advantages of lower maintenance cost and more convenience,” he said.  

A core value proposition, however, is that Protec’s platforms are not just web-first, but database-driven, so that each piece of the content - including headlines, graphics, captions and images - is stored in a database which directly populates customized templates for all devices.

“With other content management systems if you want a unique design for a device, you need to create the app, use a transition program or cut and paste to the separate edition,” Swiderski said.

“Millenium feeds the content into templates crafted specifically for, say, the iPad, or Android. The products look great, and an editor or reporter can create pages on the fly without Indesign or the help of a designer,” he said.

“It is the best multi-edition tool ever devised.”

While Protec’s top-of-the-line software was designed - and priced - for large newspapers, the new Milenium software is offered at a lower price point, and positioned to provide platforms for even small to mid-sized newspaper companies. A seat on the platform goes for around $200 a month, one seat can be used by many people on staff.

Target customers include newspaper chains looking for a unified cloud-based solution that saves time and produces a better product.

The first U.S. customer, a chain of weeklies, has already signed on and will be announced next month.

“They asked for a contract by the end of the demo,” he said.