It has been reported that digital publishing platform supplier Abacus e-Media is to acquire subscription, fulfilment and direct marketing consultancy Alliance Media.

The two companies have been working together since last November on the development of a suite of Audience Development software.

 Subject to final legal and financial due diligence the formal takeover is expected to be completed early next month.

Alliance will continue to operate from its offices in Bushey, Hertfordshire and directors Caral Mracek and Charles Arthur will join the Abacus management team.

Steve Feigen, managing director of Abacus, said in a statement about the buy-over: “Abacus is a leading digital partner in the publishing sector where its software powers many of the best known and award-winning websites.

“Increasingly, we’ve been involved in areas that overlap significantly with Alliance’s core competences around subscription marketing and fulfilment. This acquisition ensures that we have some of the most respected names in the field working inside our company.”

Charles Arthur, director of Alliance, said: “Abacus offers Alliance fantastic opportunities to grow its client base and to offer truly innovative and effective solutions to our customers. We’ve been delighted by the reaction we’ve had for the ADvance platform and becoming part of Abacus will ensure we can maximise its potential.”