AT&T Interactive and Citysearch have expanded their relationship, so that sponsored listings on YP.com (the rebranded yellowpages.com), can be displayed across CityGrid, Citysearch’s local content and advertising network the company told us about in March.
Citygrid, Citysearch told us, would give local advertisers access to a pay-for-performance ad platform and campaign tools, a scalable SEO solution on the web, local listings optimization, and wider distribution.
One commenter on our previous coverage of Citygrid said, "I saw their presentation and I feel that any SEO value is minimal. I love the concept of a one-stop shop for all things local, but this is not a complete (or even almost complete) solution. Maybe as it gets developed out a bit it will have more value.”
"The expansion of our partnership with AT&T Interactive is an opportunity for two leading names in local to offer additional value to both advertisers and consumers," says Citysearch CEO Jay Herratti. "By combining AT&T Interactive’s massive sales organization with the reach of CityGrid, local advertisers will be able to reach millions of consumers across a variety of local properties."
"The local marketplace is an increasingly attractive and effective opportunity for advertisers to reach ready-to-buy consumers," adds AT&T Interactive President and CEO David Krantz. "Combined with the reach of AT&T Interactive’s comprehensive local ad network, our collaboration with Citysearch supports our long-time commitment to drive qualified leads for our advertisers across the web and other high-trafficked platforms including IPTV and mobile."
Do you see this expanded relationship as a good thing for your local business? Let us know what you think.