Hearst Deploys New Product Offering that Matches Quality Content to Targeted Audiences, Drives High-Value Traffic and Monetization to Publishers
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Demand Media™, a leading content and social media company, announced the general availability of its Content Channels product offering. This turnkey solution enables online publishers to offer original, high-quality, topically-focused content to interested readers, while optimizing performance and building community engagement.
Content Channels is driven by the same content studio and proprietary technology platform that currently powers Demand Media’s highly trafficked web properties, including eHow.com and LIVESTRONG.COM, as well as USA Today’s “TravelTips” section. Content Channels is also now powering sections for two of Hearst Corporation’s leading online news sites, SFGate.com and Chron.com, providing an immersive content experience that appeals to intent-driven audiences.
“This is the culmination of efforts we’ve been focused on for the past several years, and it speaks to the heart of our mission to deliver the experiences consumers demand,” said Steve Semelsberger, senior vice president and general manager of the Business Solutions Group for Demand Media. “Hearst is the second major publisher to select our product for their sites and we appreciate the meaningful collaboration that complements the in-depth, news-driven features that have made forward-thinking publishers like Hearst and USA Today the leading publishers that they are today.”
Content Channels Overview
Content Channels is a managed service offering that provides publishers with a turnkey solution that combines Demand Media’s proprietary technology with its monetization tools and unique Studios-created content to acquire and engage intent-driven audiences. Content Channels leverages Demand Media’s capabilities to determine high value content topics, commission and manage the scalable production of unique articles and videos, and syndicate the content through the publisher’s website in order to grow traffic and increase financial performance. The content is evergreen, informative, actionable content for intent-driven audiences, delivered in easy-to-read, instructional formats. Publishers can leverage Content Channels to cost-effectively develop brand new sections or expand existing sections of their websites that entice audiences through rich and engaging content – without having to expend significant editorial, product or technical effort.
Leading Publishers Deploy New Media Solutions/Content Channels
Hearst Corporation news sites, Chron.com and SFGate.com are the latest publishers to utilize Demand Media’s unique content solutions. Demand Media’s Studio team worked closely with the editorial teams of both sites to ensure that content quality standards met the requirements of Chron.com and SFGate.com, and the articles and videos currently featured on those destinations were created by some of the most seasoned and highly-rated professionals in Demand Media’s freelance network.
In the case of the Houston Chronicle’s Chron.com, the team worked with Demand Media to create a “Small Business Resource Center” to complement their existing business news coverage by incorporating thousands of useful, business-related articles and videos. Content Channels also went live today on San Francisco Chronicle’s SFGate.com for its “Home Guides” section. “SFGate.com delivers news, information and entertainment to a fast-paced, thriving, technology-centric audience,” said Michele Slack, vice president of digital media for SFGate.com. “Demand Media’s editorial team, innovative Studio model, proprietary technology platform and performance advertising are a win for our team.”
Earlier this year, USA Today launched “TravelTips,” a new section of its website designed to be a valuable resource for travelers searching for practical advice on thousands of travel-related topics featuring content produced exclusively by Demand Media’s content Studio.
Availability and Pricing
The Content Channels offering is available immediately and is licensed under a revenue sharing arrangement. Generally, Demand Media underwrites the cost to create and serve the content, and manages the performance-based advertising programs associated with the implementation of the Content Channel program. The publisher partner is typically responsible for selling display advertising for the Content Channels-powered section of the website.
For additional information, please visit: www.demandmedia.com/contentchannels
About Demand Media
Demand Media, Inc., is a leading online media company that informs, entertains and connects millions of people every day. Through a portfolio of vertical web properties reaching more than 80 million monthly visitors, a global network of digital partners, and a breakthrough content studio, Demand Media publishes what the world wants to know and share. Founded in 2006, Demand Media is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with offices in Bellevue, WA, Austin, TX, New York, NY and London, UK. For additional information about Demand Media, visit: www.demandmedia.com
About Hearst Corporation
Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation’s largest diversified media companies. Its major interests include ownership of 15 daily and 38 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union; nearly 200 magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18% of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, History and ESPN; as well as business publishing, including a minority joint venture interest in Fitch Ratings; Internet businesses, television production, newspaper features distribution and real estate.
