Atex has announced that it has bought US web classifieds software platform Kaango in a deal which keeps Hearst Corporation and MediaNews Group as shareholders. Atex says it plans to expand Kaango worldwide, while bolstering the platform’s existing US business with its own sales, service and support infrastructure. Atex chief executive John Hawkins says it will look for other media partners around the world to participate in the launch of national Kaango websites and to establish the Kaango brand in their countries and worldwide. Kaango launched its first affiliate site in 2006 and currently serves more than 200 publishers. Atex says it will offer the service and brand to non-Atex sites as well as its current client base. Michael Kranitz, the founder and former chief of Kaango, will “continue to work closely” with Atex, the statement says, and its product development team will remain based in Denver, Colorado. Joe Conti will act as Kaango’s manage the day-to-day operations.