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Category Interactive Date 10/12/2005 |
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CanWest MediaWorks Launches The All New driving.ca
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| Enhanced automotive site provides total buying and research experience |
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TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2005/ - CanWest MediaWorks today announced that with the
launch of the new driving.ca, Canadian consumers, car dealers, advertisers and
auto enthusiasts now have a better way to research, buy and sell cars online.
Over four million Canadians purchase a car each year and automotive has
become the No. 1 category researched by Canadians online.(1) According to a
study from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc., "the most valuable
automotive content comes from Internet search engines and print
advertisements." Until now, however, there has not been a combination of a
national online portal and a national newspaper network to help consumers and
dealers connect.
This has changed with the launch of the new driving.ca, part of the
canada.com network of destination sites, which combines the power and
marketing of the largest chain of newspapers in Canada with canada.com, the
country's leading news and information portal boasting over three million
unique visitors per month.
"driving.ca will offer consumers full inventory from our dealer network,
as well as classified listings and a wealth of content and information from
our daily newspapers across the country." said Arturo Duran, President,
Interactive and Business Integration, CanWest MediaWorks. "driving.ca is the
latest addition to our new media properties, truly leveraging CanWest's
multimedia strength - our content will be second to none in Canada."
The completely revamped site will incorporate reviews and editorial
content from CanWest MediaWorks' 11 newspapers across the country, including
from expert sources in the automotive industry.
The launch of driving.ca is being led by Laura Pearce, who joined CanWest
MediaWorks from Auto Trader, where she managed their online marketing and
print integration.
"driving.ca is much more than just a listing site," said Ms. Pearce. "It
offers consumers rich content, comparison tools and features such as our new
car configurator which allows users to search any new vehicle in the market,
choose their trim and options such as cruise control, sport package, vehicle
colour and more, to get an estimated manufacturer retail price. The tool then
helps users to send a request for quote to a local dealer. We're putting more
power in the hands of consumers than ever before and helping consumers to make
informed buying decisions."
The site also offers dealers and advertisers enhanced tools and features
such as digital and video advertising, enabling dealers to post digital
versions of their print advertising on their specific dealer pages online and
create 30 second video advertising clips.
"In the U.S., online advertising in the automotive sector grew +52.5%
from 2003 to 2004; with expected growth for 2006 predicted to be another
+66%(2)," said Mr. Duran. "We're looking at this launch not just in terms of
how we can better service consumers, but also in terms of how we can add
increased value to dealers and automotive advertisers. With our feature-rich
site and our strength and reach in both print and online, no other auto site
will be able to match what we can provide dealers, auto advertisers or
consumers."
For more information or to view the site, visit www.driving.ca.
About driving.ca
driving.ca is a product of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CanWest Global Communications Corp, (CanWest)
(NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS.SV and CGS.NV, www.canwestglobal.com). CanWest, an
international media company, is Canada's largest media company. In addition to
owning the Global Television Network, CanWest is Canada's largest publisher of
daily newspapers, and also owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests
in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels,
Web sites and radio networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland.
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(1) Borrell Associates: "The Boom Continues for Online Auto Ads"
(2) Borrell Associates: "The Boom Continues for Online Auto Ads"
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