LookSmart and InfoSpace Extend One Another's Infrastructure Services to Respective Online Affiliate Network
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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000--
InfoSpace Provides Platform for Branded Services to be Used by
LookSmart's Syndication Partners; LookSmart to Provide Its Search
Directory on InfoSpace's Affiliate Network
LookSmart (Nasdaq:LOOK), the world leader in search directories,
and InfoSpace (Nasdaq:INSP), a leading global provider of
cross-platform merchant and consumer infrastructure services, today
announced a joint distribution agreement whereby the two companies
will distribute one another's infrastructure services to their online
affiliate networks.
Under the agreement, InfoSpace will provide the infrastructure
services platform for branded applications to be distributed to
LookSmart's worldwide syndication partners, a network with an
unduplicated reach of over 83%, or more than 4 out of 5 U.S. Internet
users. LookSmart will provide its search directory to InfoSpace's
affiliate network that consists of more than 3,100 Web sites
representing an unduplicated reach of over 92% of all Internet users.
"InfoSpace's suite of applications enables today's unified
communications companies to offer advanced data and transaction
services under their own brand that can be accessed by their customers
anytime, anywhere over a variety of broad and narrowband wireless and
wireline devices," said Naveen Jain, chairman of InfoSpace. "This
agreement is part of our strategy to stay on the cutting edge in
providing the most advanced suite of applications and services to our
partners."
"The LookSmart directory appears on more sites than any other
search directory, reaching 8 of the top 15 portals, more than 370 ISPs
and top media companies," said Evan Thornley, chairman and CEO of
LookSmart. "This agreement furthers our long-term strategy of
distributing our directory across the widest possible network of
partners and then monetizing the directory for LookSmart and our
partners. By cross-distributing InfoSpace's quality infrastructure
services across our network, we're offering small and mid-sized
businesses an excellent opportunity to reach a growing online
audience."
About LookSmart
LookSmart is the world leader in search directories. With 31
directories spanning 28 countries, and 17 languages, LookSmart is
committed to organizing the Web. LookSmart's databases currently reach
more than 58 million U.S. Internet users through partnerships with
Microsoft's MSN, Netscape Netcenter, AltaVista, Excite, TimeWarner,
Sony, Macromedia, Road Runner, Cox Interactive Media and US West.
LookSmart's search directories are also distributed through BT and
other global partners to countries throughout Europe and the Pacific
Rim.
About InfoSpace
InfoSpace is a leading global Internet information infrastructure
services company. InfoSpace provides commerce, information and
communication infrastructure services to wireless devices, merchants
and Web sites. InfoSpace's affiliates include a network of wireless
and other non-PC devices including PCs, cellular phones, pagers,
screen telephones, television set-top boxes, online kiosks, and
personal digital assistants. These include relationships with AT&T
Wireless, Intel, Ericsson, Nokia, Mitsui and Acer America. InfoSpace's
affiliate network also consists of more 3,100 Web sites that include
AOL, Microsoft, Disney's GO Network, NBC's Snap, Lycos, DoubleClick
and ABC LocalNet, among others.
InfoSpace's recent announcement that they have entered into an
agreement providing for the acquisition of Go2Net (Nasdaq:GNET)
positions the company to tap the market for broadband wired (DSL and
cable) and broadband wireless (2.5G and 3G) services such as
interactive gaming, television and other entertainment services. In
addition, the announcement brings full back end payment processing to
InfoSpace's existing commerce services, allowing InfoSpace to offer
everything a merchant needs to conduct the entire lifecycle of a
transaction, one of the key drivers of mobile commerce adoption.
CONTACT: LookSmart, San Francisco
Kathryn Shantz, 415/348-7104
kshantz@looksmart.net
or
InfoSpace, Bellevue
Adam Whinston, 425/201-8946
adam.whinston@infospace.com |
