LINKÖPING SWEDEN March 19 2010 – Sakari Pitkänen previously editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Metro has become a new board member of the Swedish software company Roxen which develops web based editorial solutions. The new CEO will be Per Östlund who brings more than 20 years experience of business development within IT and telecom to the team.
Sakari Pitkänen has been active within Metro between 1995 – 2009 holding such positions as global editor-in-chief for Metro International editor-in-chief for Metro Sweden and development manager for Metro Interactive. Prior to that Mr. Pitkänen was at Aftonbladet for ten years.
Metro is Roxen’s biggest customer and Sakari Pitkänen possesses extensive experience with Roxen’s editorial publishing solutions for both newspapers and online publishing. Metro International is the world’s largest daily newspaper business with over 17 million daily readers of more than 56 editions in 18 countries. Metro uses Roxen’s publication tools for the production of the printed newspapers as well as the news websites in the majority of these countries.
“I have used Roxen’s publishing tools on newspapers with limited resources in both editorial and IT departments. Roxen’s tools are in contrast with many other systems easy to set up and operate. They are web-based and thereby perfect for businesses with several newspapers and websites as well as journalists out in the field. They are very user-friendly. And they have been shown to work at Metro International Shaw Newspapers and other very demanding customers ” says Sakari Pitkänen.
Per Östlund the new CEO for Roxen possesses a wide background from marketing sales and business development within the IT and telecoms industry. After a long career at Tech Data he now has a number of board assignments within areas such as system development storage services and telecom.
“Sakari Pitkänen’s extensive experience from media in Sweden and abroad will be very useful now that we are continuing the international launch. Integrated production of printed newspapers and websites is our strength and Sakari’s knowledge and experience of the editorial processes are of great value to Roxen. In order to sustain the technological leadership and reach out to our customers we also welcome the combination of technology and market understanding that Per possesses ” says Rune Kahlbom chairman of the board.
About Roxen Internet Software
Roxen develops cost efficient web based editorial systems for print web and mobile publishing. Roxen has been a pioneer in web-based product development since 1994. Customers include Shaw Newspapers Verizon Metro International Bonnier Tidskrifter RTL Nederland Princeton University and de Telegraaf Tijdschriften Groep. Roxen has offices in Sweden the Netherlands and the United States. More information is available on www.roxen.com.
Contact Roxen Internet Software
Per Östlund CEO Tel: +46 73 230 30 13 email: per.ostlund@roxen.com
Sakari Pitkänen Board Member Tel: +46 70 496 15 66 email: sakari@sakari.se
Rune Kahlbom Chairman of the Board Tel: -46 70 201 79 05 email: rune.kahlbom@roxen.com
