AOL and CitySearch Partner for Local Search and Video

Under the agreement, Citysearch, a leading online local guide, will provide local content, including editorial reviews, user reviews, and local business videos and photos for distribution across AOL's 57 million unique visitors at AOL website such as AOL CityGuide, AOL Local Search and MapQuest. AOL will in-turn, open its websites for advertising opportunities for CitySearch's local advertiser clients.

"It basically allows them (AOL) to take advantage of the economics of local advertising without having to invest in a local sales force as extensively as we do," Jay Herratti, chief executive of Citysearch, told Reuters.

Local search advertising and local online video advertising in particular, are projected to offer great opportunity for revenue growth in the next few years according to Borrell Research.

From the release:

"AOL has the largest local online network and this partnership gives us the ability to enhance our local experience, expand our reach by incorporating Citysearch's rich local content in our numerous local sites and improve monetization of our local properties through Citysearch's local advertising network," said John Kannapell, SVP, AOL Search. "The combination of the enhanced content and reach into new markets will also increase the premium local advertising inventory available to advertisers through Platform-A.”

"This partnership is a classic 'win-win' for both companies; Citysearch's content is great for AOL's audience, AOL's reach is great for Citysearch's advertisers who will gain access to qualified local customers and the ability to deliver a consistent message across the web, and both companies will benefit from incremental revenue," said Jay Herratti, CEO, Citysearch. "We are thrilled to have high-quality AOL properties and affiliates such as AOL CityGuide, Local Search and MapQuest as part of the Citysearch Local Advertising network.”

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