LookSmart and InfoSpace Extend One Another's Infrastructure Services To Respective Online Affiliate Networks
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
SAN FRANCISCO & BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000--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 partners, a network with an unduplicated reach of 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 over 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 and, more than 370 ISPs and top media companies," said Evan Thornley, 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.
Contacts InfoSpace, Inc. Adam Whinston, 425/201-8946 [email protected]