Marketwire plans to add operations in Miami, Beijing and Shanghai, as well as gain interest in operations in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Additionally, Marketwire is buying a stake in Comunique-se, the largest media database and news release distribution company in Latin America, and also entering into a multi-year, strategic relationship with Asian news agencies and the Chinese government for news release distribution, the Canadian Press reported.

“Asia and Latin America are increasingly important markets for our clients in North America and Europe,” said Michael Nowlan, Marketwire president and CEO, according to the Canadian Press. “The acquisition of IMS supports Marketwire's international expansion plans and broadens the company's portfolio of services to meet the needs of our growing global client base.”

Hector Botero founded IMS in 1996, and will become vice president of emerging markets for Marketwire.