Desktop publishing software provider Quark Inc has formed a new subsidiary to market and provide services around the company’s client/server technology in the Americas. The new entity, Quark Marketing Inc, was given an initial funding package of $5m. Its mission will be to provide services built around the Quark Publishing System and Quark Digital Media System software. QMI will offer sales, consulting, systems integration, training and legacy data conversion. It will also incorporate third-party technologies into its offerings as well as contract other systems integrators for add-on services. Quark said the new unit was formed in response to requests from leading customers, who were looking to forge a closer relationship with the company and want a one-stop shop for software and services. The markets QMI will focus its services on include newspapers, magazine publishing, advertising, graphic design, financial services, manufacturing, corporate workgroups, legal, medical and entertainment. QMI will absorb some employees from the parent company and is looking to hire at least 20 more, primarily in database programming and field engineering positions. Roughly 25% of the QMI staff will be based at the company’s Denver headquarters, with others located throughout the US. Two new customer service centers are being planned for San Francisco and New York and should open some time next year. Kurt Dressel, who will retain his position as vice president of sales & marketing at Quark Inc, will take over as president of the new company.
