Espresso Education Launches Digital Curriculum Service in the United States

Espresso Education Launches Digital Curriculum Service in the United States

CHICAGO, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Espresso Education, the market leader in providing video-rich, curriculum-aligned teaching and learning resources in the U.K., announces an agreement with Defined Learning, Inc. to adapt, market and sell Espresso Primary in the United States.

Espresso Primary, a series of video clips integrated with interactive activities, games, quizzes, and a weekly news service, will fill a gap in American cross-curricular digital resources. These "learning modules" will be aligned to U.S., state and local curriculum standards, helping elementary school teachers deliver lessons efficiently and students learn more effectively using new technologies.

Espresso's introduction to the U.S. market capitalizes on a growing number of interactive whiteboards in classrooms, an improvement in broadband connections to schools and an educational agenda that reinforces the importance of incorporating technology into lessons. In addition, teachers understand the importance of digital-based curriculum resources in helping to build "21st century skills" among students, and recognize that many students engage at a deeper level with video and interactive materials than through print.

"I feel that there is an enormous need for this type of program in the U.S.," said a Farmington Hills, MI-based teacher who tested the service. "Espresso provides opportunities which enhance student learning, as well as to expose them to things that they may not be able to experience in their everyday lives."

Founded in 1997, Espresso Primary quickly became the market leader in video-rich, curriculum-aligned teaching and learning resources in the U.K. Today, over half of public sector schools in England subscribe to its service. Building on the success of the development of its Swedish service and to further accelerate its growth, Espresso is now reaching even further beyond its borders to leverage international opportunities. In addition to trials currently running in Canada and Australia, this formal move into the U.S. represents a significant strategic milestone in the company's history.

Defined Learning was established in 2009 by Johnjoe Farragher, the founder of the educational video-streaming service, unitedstreaming. Defined Learning is a premier education media company that focuses on new, innovative video content and platform delivery solutions for the K-12 education market. The company also provides specialized product development and marketing services to non-U.S. media companies entering into the U.S. education market.

"Our decision to work with Defined Learning represents the start of a very important year ahead as we develop and launch Espresso's international plans across a number of key world markets," said Richard McGrath, managing director of Espresso Group. "Both organizations share a common vision for the potential of Espresso to become a 'must have' in classrooms across the U.S. Defined Learning brings immense experience in producing and delivering video-based services to the market and an enthusiasm for Espresso's service and brand. Together, we are confident that teachers and students in the U.S. will love Espresso as much as they do in the U.K."

"I really cannot think of a better partner for Defined Learning," said Johnjoe Farragher, president and CEO of Defined Learning. "Espresso changed the U.K. education market by launching their Espresso service in 1997. Similarly, the partners here [at Defined Learning] changed the U.S. education landscape in 2001 when we launched unitedstreaming. Both companies bring with them the tools, the talent, and the knowledge to change that landscape again. We are very excited."

Espresso's award-winning service was launched April 15 by Defined Learning to elementary schools across the U.S. Defined Learning will play a key part in evolving the service - adapting and re-aligning it to U.S. educational curriculum standards, introducing a weekly news service and further localization.

To learn more about Espresso Education in the U.S. or to register for a trial, visit www.espressoeducation.com.

About Espresso Education

Espresso Education is the U.K. market leader in the provision of video-based digital curriculum services to primary and secondary schools, featuring Espresso Primary, Clipbank and Channel 4 Learning. Investors include Beringea, Channel 4 Television Corporation, and Independent Television News (ITN). Espresso is the winner of numerous industry awards recognising many aspects of the business, from its product innovations through to customer service. Espresso has also received a BAFTA, Royal Television Society Award and was featured on the Tech Track 100 as one of Britain's fastest-growing private technology companies for three subsequent years (2006-2008). Contact: Heidi Delaloye, Marketing Manager, +44 (0) 20 7870 4588, hdelaloye@espresso.co.uk

About Defined Learning

Defined Learning is an educational company with roots in both media and curriculum development. Its flagship product, Defined STEM, is an online application that provides 21st century skills and real world relevancy to STEM related curriculum. The team at Defined Learning have a proven track record of developing and providing award winning educational programs and applications. The use and delivery of this content has been statistically proven to impact student achievement in the classroom. Contact: Joel Jacobson, EVP Business Development, 847-481-8072, joel_jacobson@definedlearning.com

Source: Defined Learning

CONTACT: Joel Jacobson, EVP Business Development of Defined Learning,
+1-847-481-8072, joel_jacobson@definedlearning.com; or Heidi Delaloye,
Marketing Manager of Espresso Education, +44 (0) 20 7870 4588,
hdelaloye@espresso.co.uk

Web Site: http://www.definedlearning.com/
http://www.espressoeducation.com/

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