Fairfax Media's Australian Regional Publishing chief executive and publisher Allan Browne.
Fairfax has launched a network of 160 community news websites that will give advertisers an entirely new space to engage with consumers.
The individual websites are supported by local newspapers published by Fairfax Media's Australian Regional Publishing division.
Fairfax Media's Australian Regional Publishing chief executive and publisher Allan Browne said the new network will allow advertisers to target consumers by focussing on a particular regional town, an entire state or all of Australia. "Local and national businesses can advertise around a fair at Lightning Ridge or a local dance in Dubbo," he said.
Fairfax will offer online and print advertising bundles while businesses that have not traditionally used print can target consumers around the country using the online space.
Each website features a unique local news hub and noticeboards that enable consumers to promote
local community activities free of charge. "It's not just for advertisers - community members can also advertise their wares through the local notices," Browne said.
Browne said the network launch is a significant step forward: "As we move into an online mode, we realised we had to update our existing online network to better represent the individual regions of Australia.
"We've had a significant response this week already seeing a major upswing in unique browsers".
Browne said the impending rollout of Australia's new broadband service, "when it happens" will only improve this facility.
"It will give regional Australia access to information at a speed they've never had previously," he said.
Australian Regional Publishing online services manager Robyn Gunnis heads the online sales department out of Sydney.
SYDNEY: Fairfax has launched a network of 160 community news websites that will give advertisers an ability to target local communities online.
The individual websites, which feature local news and noticeboards, are supported by local newspapers published by Fairfax Media's Australian Regional Publishing division.
The media owner will offer advertisers online and print advertising bundles, with online sales across the network led by Australian Regional Publishing online services manager Robyn Gunnis.
Fairfax Media's Australian Regional Publishing chief executive and publisher Allan Browne said the network will allow advertisers to target consumers by focussing on a particular regional town, an entire state or nationwide. "Local and national businesses can advertise around a fair at Lightning Ridge or a local dance in Dubbo," he said.
Browne said the network launch is a significant step forward: "As we move into an online mode, we realised we had to update our existing online network to better represent the individual regions of Australia.
"We've had a significant response this week already seeing a major upswing in unique browsers".
Browne said the impending rollout of Australia's new broadband service, "when it happens" will only improve this facility.
"It will give regional Australia access to information at a speed they've never had previously," he said.
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