Northcliffe relaunches "This Is" portfolio

by MediaWeek, Media Week 31-Aug-01

Northcliffe relaunches "This Is" portfolio

Northcliffe is set to relaunch its "This Is" websites in October following the development of an automatic content uploader and search directory.

The national search directory run by UK Plus splits site searches into regions as well as topics providing results specific to the locality of the "This Is" website. Advertisers can pay to have their brand featured in the search results and will also be able to purchase ad space next to the listing thus allowing advertisers to target banners to area specific audiences.

Managing director of Northcliffe Electronic Publishing, Owen Davies said "The goal of the relaunch is to offer a better service to local audiences. The "This Is" sites offer content people can trust and services that the paper product can't provide such as an advanced classified section and the unique search directory"

The "This Is" sites owned by Northcliffe, were set up six years ago as a route to market the regional publishers' broad array of regional titles. Estimated to have spent in the region of £12m over the last year, Northcliffe is looking for a net expenditure of around £7m this year.