WorldPages Announces Alliance With 3M Magazine Networks; Partnership Will Enable New Integrated Magazine, Web Advertising Programs

Business Wire, Dec 9, 1996

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1996--WorldPages, Inc., publisher of Worldpages.com, the Internet's most comprehensive white and yellow pages directory, today announced a new alliance with 3M Magazine Networks that will provide businesses with new opportunities for cross-promotional advertising programs to include both magazines and the Internet.

WorldPages' partnership with 3M Magazine Networks, a leading nationwide sales representative for advertising in more than 20 major magazines, will provide advertisers the ability to extend their print messages through WorldPages' electronic directory on the World Wide Web. 3M will offer new integrated advertising programs that will enable businesses to select specific cities or states with banners that will reinforce their magazine advertising.

In addition, WorldPages' powerful interactive maps will pinpoint advertisers' street locations, and advertisers' home pages will be `hot linked' from WorldPages' site.

"WorldPages' partnership with 3M Magazine Networks represents our continued commitment to provide advertisers with innovative, value-added marketing programs," said Jan Calvert, senior vice president of sales and marketing.

"3M's unique zip code-specific advertising packages, combined with WorldPages' ability to flexibly pinpoint messages by geography means that advertisers can take advantage of one of the most innovative opportunities for highly targeted, cross-promotional advertising programs."

"Our advertisers currently enjoy having their messages appear in high profile national magazines, with the ability to choose only the local geographies they desire," said Allen Dunstan, marketing operations manager at 3M Magazine Networks. "Now, they'll be able to extend their local presence further with an advertising banner on the Web."

In addition to cross promotional programs with magazine publishers, WorldPages offers a variety of local, regional, and national advertising programs for both large and small businesses who are seeking to use the Internet as a marketing tool. These include:

--Home page banners and general rotation banners that give high exposure and visibility on home pages, listings pages, and map pages.

--Target banners that enable advertisers to draw consumers to their businesses by linking their ad message to related search topics. Brand and keyword associations assure that an advertiser's listing appears in all searches related to their business.

--Listing enhancements to provide increased visibility and differentiation, including taglines, logo, or URL links to the advertiser's Web site. In addition, WorldPages creates business profiles for advertisers -- including products, services, brands, hours, and prices -- combined with promotional graphics.

Since it was launched in August 1996, WorldPages has provided consumers with the most comprehensive integrated electronic directory services available. WorldPages features more than 112 million white and yellow pages listings from the U.S. and Canada, a powerful interactive mapping system, access to thousands of restaurant reviews and menus in cities across the U.S., plus links to directories in 55 additional countries.

WorldPages' one-stop directory is the only service on the Internet that integrates e-mail addresses, URLs, white and yellow pages listings, and interactive maps from a single interface.

3M Magazine Networks

3M Magazine Networks, based in Stamford, CT, represents more than 20 of the most prestigious magazines across the country, including Business Week, Time, Sports Illustrated, Bon Appetit, Newsweek, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, and others.

The company pioneered the networking concept in 1968 whereby specific demographic audiences are reached by combining subscription circulations of compatible magazines and delivering these packages to zip-code specific markets. For more information about 3M Magazine Networks, call 800/446-8781.

About WorldPages, Inc.

WorldPages, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, was founded to deliver an enhanced international directory service for people and businesses. WorldPages is backed by a seasoned staff of professionals with extensive experience in telecommunications, software development, print and electronic media, and database marketing.

By combining its solid technology base with an experienced management team, WorldPages is well positioned to expand the availability of its international directory to kiosks, phones, facsimiles, and other communications environments.

Information about WorldPages can be obtained by calling 415/536-0680, extension 25, sending e-mail to info@worldpages.com, or visiting WorldPages' Web site at http://www.worldpages.com. -0-

Note to Editors: WorldPages and Worldpages.com are registered trademarks of WorldPages, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective corporations.

CONTACT: World Pages

Patrick Corman, 415/326-9648

corman@cerf.net

Carol Blackman, 415/536-0680, ext. 25

carol@worldpages.com