4INFO acquires mobile ad firm Butter

Mobile messaging services provider 4INFO announced an agreement to acquire mobile advertising startup Butter. Financial terms were not disclosed. According to VentureBeat, Butter partners with brands like Coca-Cola and Energizer to create customized applications for the iPhone and Android platforms--4INFO said it plans to integrate Butter's application ad products and tracking technology with its own SMS and display advertising efforts to forge a more holistic approach to mobile marketing services. The acquisition is expected to close next month; 4INFO will absorb the entire Butter team.

4INFO made headlines in late 2009 when Verizon Wireless shut down the company's flagship common short code in the wake of subscriber complaints over mobile marketing practices related to the service. Verizon reinstated the short code after 4INFO agreed to resolve the issues in question.

For more on the 4INFO/Butter deal:
- read this VentureBeat article

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