Dow Jones Acquires WorldECR to Enhance Editorial Coverage for Global Compliance Community

Rhea-AI Summary

Dow Jones has acquired WorldECR, a London-based provider of news, data, and analysis on global export control and trade sanctions. WorldECR will operate as part of Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, which reported 16% revenue growth to $81 million in Q1 fiscal 2025. The acquisition includes WorldECR's subscription-based publications, practitioner guides, the annual WorldECR Forum, and CtrlAtlas database. This move follows Dow Jones's recent expansion of its stake in Ripjar and acquisition of A2i Systems, reinforcing its strategy to enhance specialized news and data services for the compliance community.

Positive

• Risk & Compliance division shows strong growth with 16% revenue increase to $81M in Q1 2025
• Strategic acquisition expands specialized compliance content and data offerings
• Addition of recurring revenue streams through subscription-based publications
• Expansion of event portfolio with established WorldECR Forum in key markets

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The acquisition of WorldECR strategically enhances Dow Jones's Risk & Compliance division, which demonstrated strong performance with $81 million in revenue and 16% growth in Q1 FY2025. This follows recent strategic moves including increased stake in Ripjar and acquisition of A2i Systems, showing aggressive expansion in the compliance and risk intelligence market.

The deal strengthens Dow Jones's subscription-based revenue streams through WorldECR's publications and database services. The timing is particularly advantageous given the increasing complexity of global trade compliance and sanctions, which drives demand for specialized information services. While financial terms weren't disclosed, the acquisition fits well with Dow Jones's strategy to build comprehensive data and analytics offerings for high-value business customers.

Market Research Analyst

The global trade compliance market is experiencing significant growth due to geopolitical tensions and increasing regulatory complexity. This acquisition positions Dow Jones to capture more market share in the lucrative risk and compliance sector, particularly in export controls and sanctions monitoring. WorldECR's established presence in London and Washington D.C., along with its professional network through the WorldECR Forum, provides valuable access to key compliance decision-makers.

The addition of CtrlAtlas database enhances Dow Jones's data products portfolio, creating potential for integrated offerings that could command premium pricing. This vertical integration strategy in the compliance sector could drive higher margins and recurring revenue growth.

NEW YORK and LONDON, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow Jones today announced it has acquired WorldECR, an industry-leading provider of news, data and analysis on global export control and trade sanctions. This is the latest in a series of investments and acquisitions aimed at bolstering Dow Jones's portfolio of specialized news, data, analysis and events for business users.

Based in London, WorldECR serves compliance professionals from corporations, law firms, governments, professional services, research and financial institutions. Its flagship operations include subscription-based specialist trade publications WorldECR and Export Compliance Manager as well as an extensive collection of practitioner guides and the annual WorldECR Forum, which takes place in London and Washington D.C each year. Its portfolio also includes CtrlAtlas, a dynamic database of export control regulations and guidance from around the world.

WorldECR will operate as part of Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, enhancing Dow Jones's existing product portfolio with world-class editorial coverage and marquee events to help customers navigate the increasingly complex trade compliance landscape.

This acquisition comes at a time of continued growth and expansion for Dow Jones Risk & Compliance. In its first quarter earnings for fiscal 2025, revenues grew 16% to $81 million. Dow Jones also recently announced it has expanded its ownership stake in Ripjar, a global data intelligence software provider, underscoring its ongoing commitment to becoming a leading information service provider for the growing risk and compliance community. Earlier this year, the company also acquired A2i Systems, a world leader in AI-powered fuel pricing solutions.

"With the addition of WorldECR's authoritative journalism, we have made a significant step forward in our strategy to provide a comprehensive suite of news, data, analytics and peer-to-peer learning that risk professionals need to make strategic business decisions," said Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones. "Adding the valued content from WorldECR into the Dow Jones portfolio is the latest investment to ensure we offer the most comprehensive data and information in key areas that our customers seek out from us."

"We are delighted to welcome WorldECR to our team," added Joel Lange, EVP & General Manager, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance. "In today's increasingly complex sanctions and export control environment, it is more important than ever for risk professionals to have access to accurate, up-to-date information. WorldECR's trusted news and insights are an excellent companion to our expanding risk offering, ensuring that our customers are equipped to mitigate risk in the face of constantly shifting trade regulations."

WorldECR Co-founder and Editorial Director Tom Blass said, "We are extremely excited to join Dow Jones. The move enhances our ability to provide insight and analysis on the fast-changing landscape of sanctions and export controls and national security risk and regulation more broadly. We look forward to working collaboratively with our new colleagues, sharing ideas--and extending our reach to new readers."

The annual WorldECR Export Controls and Sanctions Forum will take place in London 3-4 December 2024, bringing together a global community of trade regulation professionals to discuss topical export control developments and trends. For more information please visit worldecr.com/worldecr-forum. 

About Dow Jones
Dow Jones is the leading global provider of business news and information, delivering news, data and analysis to the global business community and consumers in digital, mobile and events. Dow Jones has produced unrivaled quality business news and information for more than 130 years and today has one of the world's largest news-gathering operations globally. It is home to premium publications and information services including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, Mansion Global, Financial News, Investor's Business Daily, Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, OPIS and Chemical Market Analytics. Dow Jones is a division of News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV).

About WorldECR
WorldECR is a leading publication focused on international trade compliance, sanctions, and export controls. Established in 2011, WorldECR is trusted by compliance professionals in industry and finance, by legal and professional services firms, and by government departments and research institutions, for essential news, insight and analysis in the ever-changing areas of trade regulation and national security. Its portfolio of practitioner guides and sister publication Export Compliance Manager are also well known and regarded. For more information, visit www.worldecr.com.  

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SOURCE Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

FAQ

What is the revenue growth of Dow Jones Risk & Compliance in Q1 2025?

Dow Jones Risk & Compliance reported a 16% revenue growth to $81 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

What products are included in the WorldECR acquisition by Dow Jones?

The acquisition includes WorldECR and Export Compliance Manager publications, practitioner guides, the annual WorldECR Forum, and CtrlAtlas, a database of export control regulations.

When is the next WorldECR Export Controls and Sanctions Forum?

The next WorldECR Export Controls and Sanctions Forum will take place in London on December 3-4, 2024.

What recent acquisitions has Dow Jones made before WorldECR?

Before WorldECR, Dow Jones expanded its stake in Ripjar, a data intelligence software provider, and acquired A2i Systems, an AI-powered fuel pricing solutions company.