The international localization company BLEND announced today that it has acquired Atlanta-based GM Voices, a move that will allow BLEND to expand its services into the realm of audio localization and voice branding services. This is BLEND’s first acquisition, after the company announced its $10 million Series B funding back in March.
“Working with Fortune 500 companies, we know that Voice Localization is an essential ingredient for their global growth, and they can’t blend locally without it,” said Yair Tal, chief executive officer (CEO) of BLEND. “Now, we’re even better poised to serve the increasing demand for video and audio localization, with the best technology and the most professional voice-over artists available.”
In an emailed statement to MultiLingual, BLEND noted that voice-based communications have grown as a “a critical form of engagement between [its] clients and their global end-users.” By acquiring GM Voices, the company hopes to provide a wider suite of localization services — the company has seen a steady increase in demand for voice localization over the last year and a half or so, and the company plans to offer more of these services following the acquisition of GM Voices.
“We see strong demand for voice localization requests, in video ads, e-learning, games, and other applications,” the company wrote. “We plan to help BLEND’s existing customers take their localization efforts to the next level with multilingual customer support centers, video training, explainer videos and advertising.”
BLEND was founded in 2008, as OneHourTranslation, and specializes in artificial intelligence-driven language services and technology. GM Voices, which was founded in 1985 and works with more than a thousand voice actors who specialize in various languages and dialects, is particularly well-known for its work in developing the original Siri voice, as well as the voices of other virtual assistant programs.
In the coming months, BLEND notes that its main goal is to work on integrating the two companies with each other, in order to streamline the process of “developing a mutually unified approach to capture the opportunities ahead.”
“In joining forces with BLEND, we’re excited to have the opportunity to strengthen their robust localization platform with our top-notch voice services and talent,” said Marcus Graham, founder and CEO of GM Voices.
