Adobe taps Pacific Northwest for Net talent

Publishing and graphics software maker Adobe Systems today said it is refocusing its Net efforts by centralizing its Web product development and marketing at facilities in Seattle, Washington, hoping to draw on a pool of Internet talent in the Pacific Northwest.

San Jose, California-based Adobe has charged its Internet Products Group with extending its family of Web design and graphics tools.

"Our goal is to ensure that when designers think Web, they think Adobe,'' Hank Skorny, senior director of Adobe Internet Products, said in a statement. "We intend to build upon our [Internet products team] to drive the next generation of Web design and development tools for the desktop."

Founded in 1982, Adobe reports annual revenues near $1 billion. The company saw its fortunes dwindle when Apple Computer, the favored tool of many designers, suffered declining sales. However, with the resurgence of Apple, Adobe has also experienced a turnaround, beating Wall Street expectations in the last quarter, and helped by surging demand for its Web design software.

Adobe said a key component of its growth plan for its Internet group includes an aggressive employee recruiting campaign for Web product management and marketing experts.

Earlier this month, the company said it plans to launch an "aggressive worldwide e-business initiative" sometime later this year, Reuters reported.

Adobe hopes to build its Internet efforts around GoLive Systems, which it acquired earlier this year, and its Adobe GoLive software, which helps professional designers develop Web sites.