Metromix Reports Two-Fold Growth in First Year

Metromix Reports Two-Fold Growth in First Year

Tribune Company and Gannett Partnership Doubles Revenue and Site Traffic in 2008; Rapid Growth Reflects Consumer Demand for Local Entertainment Information

CHICAGO, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Metromix LLC, the joint venture between two of the nation's largest media companies -- Gannett Co., Inc. and Tribune Company -- today announced it has doubled its revenue and web traffic since its October 2007 launch. Metromix (http://www.metromix.com/) is the leading online authority for young and socially active adults looking for an insider's perspective on local entertainment information, trends and hotspots.

As of October 2008, the Metromix national network draws nearly four million unique visitors that generate more than 45 million pageviews.(1) Combined, those measures reflect Metromix's high level of engagement (pages per visitor) that sets it apart from its competitors.(2) Corresponding with this traffic growth, Metromix has more than quadrupled its geographic footprint this year. The Metromix network already has expanded from eight markets to 35, with an additional two markets planned to launch this month. Metromix can be found in 18 of the top 30 DMAs with the goal to reach all 30 DMAs by the end of 2009.

"There is no shortage of demand for quality local entertainment content. This outstanding growth is a testament to the depth and breadth of Metromix information, and demonstrates that our visitors enjoy our optimal blend of editorial and user content -- and rely on it daily," said Kara Walsh, CEO of Metromix LLC. "Metromix is well established as the 'go-to' trusted entertainment resource in the local markets we serve. Our goal in 2009 is to continue to develop and expand the Metromix network to millions of new consumers in cities across the U.S."

To further enhance visitors' experiences and create additional site "stickiness," Metromix has introduced innovative features that include:

-- Commenting -- encouraging visitors to comment on restaurants, movies, photo galleries, etc.

-- Social playlisting -- the ability to create and share lists of favorite things to do and places to go.

-- The "What's Nearby" iPhone application -- an application that allows iPhone users to find nearby entertainment options including restaurants and movie theaters (with show times) based on their GPS position; using the iPhone's accelerometer, the application will also respond to a simple shake and provide a randomly selected venue.

The expanded Metromix network is rapidly becoming a viable and valuable marketing medium for national brand marketers as they look for ways to increase visibility and engagement with local tastemakers. Some of the country's most recognizable brands have partnered with Metromix across its network in 2008 to reach consumers directly including Blackberry Curve, Miller, Acura, Discover Card, Toyota, Lexus, Jet Blue, Axe, Coors, Bacardi, AT&T, Universal Studios and Nike among others.

Reflective of this success, Metromix has won many industry awards. In the past year alone, they have won Editor & Publisher's 2008 EPpy award for "Best Overall Design of a Website" and the Upper Midwest Chapter of National Television Academy Emmy in the "Arts/Entertainment -- Advanced Media (Affiliated)" category.

ABOUT METROMIX

Metromix is a national network of local entertainment websites that target 21 to 34 year-olds and provides information on where to go and what to do. Formed through a joint venture between Tribune Company and Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), two of the country's largest media companies with newspapers, TV stations and websites in the nation's top markets, Metromix is currently operating in 35 markets and is planning rapid expansion into all top 30 DMA markets by the end of 2009. Metromix has received a number of awards, including an EPpy Award for Best Entertainment Site and the Digital Edge Award for Best Advertising Program. The network currently attracts nearly four million monthly unique visitors and generates over 45 million monthly pageviews.

(1) Based on Omniture internal tracking software analysis (October 2008)

(2) Based on separate Nielsen and comScore estimates (October 2008)

Source: Metromix LLC

CONTACT: Sean Smyth of Metromix LLC., +1-312-222-4377,
ssmyth@metromix.com; or Amie DeLuca of Henson Consulting, Inc.,
+1-630-315-2962, amie@hensonconsulting.com, for Metromix LLC

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