TowerData Buys Consumer Analysis Firm Rapleaf

In the US, e-mail intelligence specialist TowerData has acquired consumer data firm Rapleaf for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 2005, Chicago-based Rapleaf offers a system that allows users to create reviews and ratings of consumer transactions, while its Upscoop service enables users to search for their contacts by e-mail address and manage them across multiple social networking sites.

As part of the deal, TowerData will integrate Rapleaf's demographic, purchase and lifestyle data into its own e-mail validation service, to provide information about the identity and behavior of the person using the e-mail address. All Rapleaf and TowerData staff and offices will be retained, and the combined companies will be hiring to accelerate growth. Within a year, the Rapleaf brand will be 'retired' under the TowerData name.

TowerData CEO Tom Burke (pictured) says of the deal: 'It just makes sense. Not only can we clean e-mail addresses, we can go the next step and provide valuable insights on the people behind them: who they are, where they are and what they are interested in.'

Web sites: www.towerdata.com and www.rapleaf.com .