Engage offers a range of optimised media channels for agencies and advertisers, including branded sites, direct response, b2b and wireless. The London Stock Exchange's website will form part of the Engage Media Network - a global network of 4,500 sites.
www.londonstockexchange.com currently achieves some 2 million impressions per month, which means there is unique, but limited ad inventory which is expected to be much sought after. The site has a highly valuable core audience, including private investors, fundraisers and advisors, and Engage is confident that the strength of the London Stock Exchange brand together with its precise targeting capabilities, campaign reporting and analysis, will make an extremely attractive proposition to advertisers and marketers.
Engage's media sales force will work with agencies and advertisers to put together a range of online marketing programmes to best meet their business objectives, from simple banners and buttons to bespoke sponsorship deals. Advertising will run from January 2001 and Engage is in discussions with a number of highly interested advertisers.
'We are delighted that the London Stock Exchange chose Engage to help them with their online initiatives,' said Peter Chaplin, managing director, Engage Europe. 'Engage has chosen to work with select high-profile branded sites, and we see ourselves as not just an ad sales force, but a value-adding alliance. With our range of media channels, analysis tools, and leading-edge technology solutions we are in a unique position to help the London Stock Exchange maximise revenues from their site, both now and in the future.'
Tim Ward, Head of Marketing at the London Stock Exchange said: "The decision to incorporate advertising on our website constitutes a milestone in the commercialisation of our services following our demutualisation in March 2000. The demand for advertising on our site can only be seen as an endorsement of its quality and popularity."
The development may be of particular interest to member firms for whom the Exchange website is often a first port of call. Speaking for the stockbroker TD Waterhouse, Jeff Plowman, Senior Vice President, commented: "I would applaud the London Stock Exchange for this initiative and we will look at it very closely, as it could offer the opportunity to reach more new customers."
Mike Weston will be heading up the ad sales team for www.londonstockexchange.com and Jason Lapp is responsible for expanding Engage's branded site network in Europe.
