City Screen, which runs the UK's Picturehouse cinemas, has acquired the Newman software business from Arts Alliance Media.

Newman is the box-office and cinema management web-based software platform that City Screen has helped develop since its inception.

City Screen said: 'theacquisition guarantees the continued development of the software to meet its ambition to be the best ticketing system in Europe.'

City Screen plans to bolster the team working on the software and increase its customer relationship management capabilities.

City Screen also plans to offer Newman to other international exhibitors and other venues such as theatres and concert halls. Arts Alliance Media will continue to be a close partner on Newman and will represent Newman in its group of services to exhibitors. (The system is also currently used by other cinema groups in the UK and Norway).

Lyn Goleby, managing director of City Screen, said: 'City Screen has used Newman's direct marketing capabilities as a very effective tool in the marketing of specialised film and alternative content, where distribution marketing budgets are often limited. We specialise in this marketplace, delivering consistently strong audiences through the bespoke marketing enabled by Newman. Our aim is to develop the system further, and establish it as the CRM software of choice around Europe and the world for cinemas and other entertainment venues.'

Gavin Conran moved with the Newman team from Arts Alliance Media to become City Screen's head of sales and product management.

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