Scripps Networks' HGTV.com and Cox Enterprises' Kudzu.com Join Forces to Connect Home Improvement Enthusiasts to the Best Local Service Providers and Each Other

Scripps Networks' HGTV.com and Cox Enterprises' Kudzu.com Join Forces to Connect Home Improvement Enthusiasts to the Best Local Service Providers and Each Other

'Crowdsourcing' brings homeowners helpful resources and service providers enhanced visibility

ATLANTA, July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Kudzu.com, a website that helps homeowners choose the best service providers for their home and family, announces a multi-media partnership with HGTV.com to provide detailed, hyper-local listings of home service professionals by neighborhood, homeowner ratings and reviews of their experiences with specific companies and timely specials from local contractors.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cox/45350/

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100727/MM40887 )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100727/MM40887 )

"Kudzu is a great match for HGTV fans because our site conveniently connects neighbors so that they can help each other make important, high consideration decisions for their home," said Tom Bates, general manager of Kudzu.com and vice president of Cox Search, Inc.

The multi-platform partnership also brings select video content from HGTV to Kudzu.com. In addition, Scripps Networks will have the ability to sell national advertising on the site, and Kudzu will be featured as an on-air sponsor of the networks. HGTV is distributed to more than 99 million U.S. households and is one of cable television's top-rated networks; HGTV.com is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination and attracts an average of 5 million unique visitors per month.

"Kudzu.com facilitates real conversations among consumers and service providers," said Vikki Neil, general manager and senior vice president for Scripps Networks' online home brands. "Home enthusiasts can search our sites for inspiration and ideas - and Kudzu will help them find the best person to get it done."

The increased national visibility will give local service providers added incentive to advertise and boost their profiles on Kudzu. According to a recent American Express study, about two-thirds of homeowners plan to improve their homes in 2010, spending an average of $6,200 on enhancements. Forty-seven percent of study respondents plan to hire professionals to get the job done.

Kudzu.com features consumer ratings and reviews of service providers from around the country including plumbers, painters, roofers, electricians, landscapers and home contractors. Kudzu.com also includes thousands of local promotional offers -- updated daily through a partnership with Valpak, also owned by Cox Enterprises.

Scripps Networks Digital

Scripps Networks Digital is a diversified multi-platform programmer that delights millions daily with award-winning content in the home, food and living categories. Scripps Networks Digital's websites -- HGTV.com, FoodNetwork.com, DIYnetwork.com, TravelChannel.com, GACTV.com, Food.com, HGTVPro.com, FrontDoor.com, Food2.com; and the newest CookingChannelTV.com -- are powered by engaging content, interactive tools and social spaces that take fans of Scripps Networks cable brands further into the story and offer online users information and inspiration to fuel their passions. SN Digital also distributes content to mobile and online partners, providing lifestyle solutions virtually anywhere, anytime.

About Kudzu

Kudzu.com helps consumers choose the best service providers for their home and family and gives businesses the tools to drive "word of mouth" online. Launched in 2005, Kudzu.com currently features 12 million businesses, 4 million consumer ratings and reviews, and 27,500 active money-saving deals for homeowners in every major U.S. city. Kudzu.com reviews and business profiles are distributed on more than 100 major TV, radio and newspaper websites, as well as Cox.net the home page for Cox High Speed Internet customers. Kudzu is owned and operated by Cox Search Inc., a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, a leading communications, media and automotive services company. Cox's businesses include Cox Communications, Manheim, AutoTrader.com and Cox Media Group. For more information, please visit Kudzu.com.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100727/MM40887
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100727/MM40887Video: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cox/45350
Source: Kudzu.com

CONTACT: Kudzu.com, Elizabeth Olmstead, +1-678-645-0762,
elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com; or Scripps Networks, Kristin Alm,
+1-865-560-4316, kalm@scrippsnetworks.com

Web Site: http://www.kudzu.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/126288.html

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