BIA/Kelsey Data & Analysis: A Weekly Recap

Here is a recap of posts from last week, in case you missed any. Click below to read each post in full.

ShopCity Partners With Chambers of Commerce, Local Governments

The potential of working with chambers of commerce to sell online marketing accounts to local businesses is an alluring one. They potentially can provide the highest quality, best context leads for SMBs. Initial efforts to partner with chambers, however, haven’t generally worked out due to their poor focus, lack of training, business conflicts, and several false starts from the national chamber. Still, the potential is seen as too good to pass up. (read more…)

Thumbtack: Local Leads for the Rest of the Small-Business World

I recently had a chance to talk with Marco Zappacosta, founder and CEO of Thumbtack, a newly launched online resource for trusted local businesses. Thumbtack facilitates an online marketplace for local services by offering consumers one place to easily find, compare and purchase local services, while also giving service providers verifiable reputation, transaction support, appointment management and marketing tools. (read more…)

TMP/ComScore: Local Search Patterns Vary Widely

One size doesn’t fit all in local search. And there is no reason to throw out traditional media such as Yellow Pages just to become dependent on Google. In fact, every medium still has its purpose, and should be analyzed on the basis of how it is actually used, according to a new study by TMP Directional Marketing/15 Miles, using data and analysis from comScore. The study was discussed during an Oct. 21 webinar. (read more…)

Allbritton Combines Two D.C.-Area TV Station Sites Into Local Portal

Allbritton Communications will merge its two Washington, D.C.-area TV station sites — WJLA.com and News8.net — and build a new 50-person local D.C. site behind former Washingtonpost.com editor Jim Brady, who developed the concept. The site will be run adjacent to Politico, Allbritton’s successful all-politics vertical. (read more…)
Online Now Eniro’s Top Revenue Category

The Swedish directory publisher Eniro has passed a key financial milestone, according to its third-quarter and year-to-date earnings report, released this week. Through nine months of 2009, online revenues surpassed offline (print revenues), making Eniro a majority online directory business (excluding revenues from its directory assistance operation, and a plurality with voice included). (read more…)

OMMA Mobile: Benjamin Moore and Kodak’s ‘Apps as Ads’

At OMMA Mobile, a panel is batting around the top issues and opportunities of using the mobile device as a branding medium. Specifically a good portion of the conversation is focusing on building mobile apps as brand engagement plays. (read more…)

OMMA Mobile: ESPN Mobile Is Incremental to PC

I’m at MediaPost’s OMMA mobile show today, speaking and liveblogging some of the morning sessions (forgive typos). Right now, keynoter John Zehr, SVP and GM of ESPN Mobile, is outlining the mobile opportunity as it applies to a sports media giant. (read more…)

Comcast Sees Digital YP Opportunity

The cable TV giant Comcast has begun offering a Yellow Pages-branded local search experience via its cable television network. Through the remote, Comcast subscribers can access local business listings through the television remote, and SMBs can have their information listed for as little as $8 a month. The cable company is reportedly offering premium advertising packages with price tags as high as $5,000 a month. (read more…)

Canada’s YPG Makes Big Online Moves

New Yellow Pages Group (Canada) CMO Stephane Marceau, on the job since June, is beginning to make his mark, with two big online announcements this week. The combined moves suggest YPG is stepping up its efforts to generate more traffic on its own property as well as through major Canadian traffic sources. (read more…)

Kuni BMW Leverages Local/Social: 4,690 Facebook ‘Fans’

For those who doubt social media can play an effective role in local business marketing, check out Kuni  BMW, which is based in Beaverton, OR. The dealership has a headstart with its nameplate — BMW owners are well known for their sense of community. Many still flash each other’s headlights when they pass each other. (read more…)