ESPNsoccernet.com Awards AU/NZ Ad Management Rights To Ansearch
London, Sydney, Auckland, 14 October 2005...ESPNsoccernet has
awarded the rights to manage its Australia and New Zealand
online media advertising and sponsorship sales to Ansearch (ASX: OPM).
Under the two-year agreement commencing this month, Ansearch
will be the exclusive online advertising representative for the
site in Australia and New Zealand.
ESPNsoccernet's Associate Director, Robin Ashton, said "Soccer
in Australia and New Zealand is experiencing growth at all
levels. The launch of the A-League coupled with Australia's
continuing fight for a World Cup place make this an exciting
time for the sport in both countries. This agreement will ensure
that we are in a strong position to offer sponsors and
advertisers effective and innovative packages on ESPNsoccernet,
the leading website in the sector, allowing them to take full
advantage of this growth and next year's World Cup."
Ansearch's CEO, Dean Jones, said several facts made this
agreement notable. "Soccer is the most popular game in the
world, and in Australia, more kids play it than any other footy
code . With the 2006 World Cup coming up in June next year,
ESPNsoccernet will be one of the year's most visited websites.
Advertisers in Australia and NZ are seeking opportunities to
reach this avid sports entertainment online audience, and
ESPNsoccernet is the ideal environment for these advertisers to
target their prospective customers."
Ansearch expects advertising interest from a variety of sectors
including finance, travel, automotive, sports manufacturers, and
fast moving consumer goods brands.
"Over the coming months, Australian and New Zealand-based global
brands will be able to take advantage of a series of attractive
and unique sponsorship opportunities linked to ESPNsoccernet's
latest news, live scores and coverage of World Soccer's major
leagues and events, including the World Cup in June 2006. These
major sponsorships, combined with ongoing advertising sales,
will drive significant value in terms of revenues to soush and
Ansearch's bottom line," Mr. Jones said.
About Ansearch
Ansearch is at
Australia's forefront in search engine technology, audience
acquisition and commercialisation. Its search division comprises
Ansearch.com.au and Phonebook.com.au. soush is Ansearch's online media
advertising network division.
About ESPNsoccernet.com
ESPNsoccernet continues to be the world's leading English
language soccer website, reaching millions of fans across the
world every month with the latest news, scores and views on the
game. ESPNsoccernet offers regional editions targeted at North
America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is the leading soccer
website in Australia.*
*Source Hitwise
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Year Book Australia,
Culture and recreation, Children's participation in organised
sport, 2003: More children aged 5-14 play soccer than Australian
rules and rugby league combined (356,000 for soccer compared
with 194,000 for Australian rules and 77,000 for rugby
league).