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Media Alert: CitySearch Confirms Significant Growth and Expansion Plans
January 18, 2000: CitySearch Australia (citysearch.com.au) today confirmed strong growth figures for 1999 and signalled expansion plans for 2000. CitySearch is the biggest revenue source within f2, Fairfax Interactive Network, and continued its positive performance with significant improvements in both traffic and revenue over the past year. According to Rob Mallick, Managing Director, CitySearch Australia, "Traffic growth throughout 1999 was very strong, with page impressions growing by 75 percent and visitors increasing by 90 percent. This high traffic environment enables small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to build successful online businesses with the support of the f2 network. For example, a Sydney restaurant listed on CitySearch.com.au can also be found by visitors on domain.com.au and sydneytoday.com.au, while a mechanic in Melbourne can also be found on melbournetoday.com.au and drive.com.au." In addition to strong traffic growth, the number of web sites CitySearch develops, hosts and maintains has increased by over 32 percent in the last six months of 1999. More and more SMEs are benefiting from product enhancements that facilitate e-commerce. Of the 6000 businesses listed with CitySearch, hundreds of businesses are already conducting e-commerce and this number is growing weekly as new features are introduced. "Many of these businesses are generating significant business from their CitySearch sites, particularly when enhanced with online promotions and e-commerce functionality," said Mr Mallick. "For example, a beach side hotel recently enhanced its CitySearch site with banners and a reservations form and has experienced a 280 percent increase in traffic. An inner city bar is now receiving five enquiries per day from their CitySearch site, and a PC company has sold $30,000 of product online in a month." The company has also indicated aggressive expansion plans for 2000, including both significant e-commerce enhancements and geographic expansion. As the first step in this plan, CitySearch recently launched online directories in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Perth. Directories in other city centres will be launched in the coming months. CitySearch also plans to extend the functionality of its online directories. According to Mr Mallick, "The key to building a substantial, profitable online directory business is to improve the way consumers interact with their local businesses. We will continue to innovate as we rollout across the country and will be making several strategic announcements over the next few months." WAP (wireless application protocol) is another area CitySearch is involved in. The company is participating in several WAP trials with companies such as Ericsson and Vodafone, including the provision of a unique mobile restaurant guide. – ENDS – About CitySearch Australia (citysearch.com.au) CitySearch Australia provides the ultimate online leisure and lifestyle guide, together with Internet & phone directories. CitySearch offers residents and tourists a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute resource to find the best places to eat, shop, relax and party. Plus the ability to search, communicate and transact with thousands of local businesses. In addition, CitySearch provides tailored Internet solutions for small and medium sized businesses, including Web site design, hosting, advertising and listings. CitySearch Australia is a business within f2, Fairfax Interactive Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of John Fairfax Holdings Limited [ASX:FXJ]. f2 is Australia’s leading content provider on the Internet with around 1.6 million page views per day across a network of sites which include:
and Big Colour Pages, a national Internet and print business directory. CitySearch is also a member of the successful world wide Ticketmaster Online CitySearch, Inc. network. For further information, please contact: Lindy
Yarnold Elisa
Klosterman
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Fairfax > Corporate Affairs & Media Releases > Announcements > CITYSEARCH
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