Two quasi-news organisations will vote Friday on whether to join forces in fulfillment of an acquisition deal struck in July.

MediaLink, formed in 1986 as a liaison between news and publicity houses, is best known to newspapers for its partnership with The Associated Press in creating AP Express Newswire, distributing marketing announcements directly to more than 800 AP subscribers.

Meanwhile, The NewsMarket, founded in 2000, produces broadcast-quality video for news outlets and others worldwide. The company also provides Web-based streaming video services to a panoply of clients, ranging from Google to the U.S. Department of State.