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| [January 15, 2013] |
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TripAdvisor and Citysearch To Adopt Locu as Provider of Real-Time Local Data
SAN FRANCISCO --(Business Wire)--
Locu, maker of the popular menu dashboard for local merchants, today
announces partnerships with TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site
with more than 60 million unique monthly visitors, and Citysearch (News - Alert), the
leading online local guide that enables consumers to stay connected with
access to neighborhood restaurants, bars, shopping, beauty and
professional services. These partnerships are being rolled out in
the coming weeks, each adding significant consumer exposure for Locu
merchants.
Two months ago, Locu announced and launched a partnership with OpenTable
and, according to CEO Rene Reinsberg, has seen "hundreds of publishers,
developers and companies tap into its real-time repository of local
business information" since the official API launch last September.
"As the world's largest travel site, TripAdvisor provides its users with
the most up-to-date restaurant information, and we are excited to
partner with Locu on this mission," says Ravi Mehta, TripAdvisor's
senior director of consumer product. "Our users will be able to browse
full menus, daily changing specials, and wine lists for their favorite
local restaurants."
"Citysearch is focused on providing valuable local business content to
our consumers and adding real-time menus on thousands of restaurants
nationwide will help users select the best restaurant to satisfy their
cravings," said Harpreet Ahluwalia, Senior Director of Product,
Citysearch. "We are excited to partner with Locu to ensure our content
is fresh and updated on a timely basis."
Distribution via its extensive network of partner sites and applications
is only one component of Locu's offering to local merchants. Locu
provides design tools and customizable templates to create beautiful
menus for restaurant websites, mobile sites, Facebook pages and even for
printing. The intuitive interface has been designed so that no technical
skills are required and after the one-time setup, all menu updates
appear instantaneously everywhere and are promoted and distributed via
Locu's API to partners.
Research shows that menus are a defining factor in customer
decision-making. "Menus are currency for our customers; getting them in
front of their patrons is critical," says Rene Reinsberg, CEO at Locu.
As expectations of web and mobile continue to grow, small businesses
struggle to find the time and resources necessary to keep up. "These
partnerships make it simple to go from dish to distribution. In addition
to our existing services, Locu customers now have a complete,
easy-to-use menu publishing tool and the ability to move to
real-time menu updates, syncing online and offline."
Locu's basic service is free to restaurants, with additional features,
services and support available for a low monthly subscription. More than
10,000 local merchants have signed up for the service in the last three
months.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to
plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from
real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning
features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites
make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 60
million unique monthly visitors*, and over 75 million reviews and
opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China
under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business a
dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions
of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19
other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 74
million unique monthly visitors**. TripAdvisor, Inc.'s travel media
brands include www.airfarewatchdog.com,
www.bookingbuddy.com,
www.cruisecritic.com,
www.everytrail.com,
www.familyvacationcritic.com,
www.flipkey.com,
www.holidaylettings.co.uk,
www.holidaywatchdog.com,
www.independenttraveler.com,
www.onetime.com,
www.seatguru.com,
www.sniqueaway.com,
www.smartertravel.com,
www.tingo.com,
www.travel-library.com,
www.travelpod.com,
www.virtualtourist.com,
www.whereivebeen.com,
and www.kuxun.cn.
*Source: comScore (News - Alert) Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, July
2012
**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, Worldwide, July 2012
© 2013 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Citysearch
Citysearch is the leading online local guide that enables consumers to
stay connected with access to neighborhood restaurants, bars, shopping,
beauty and professional services across every zipcode in the US. When
you are on the road, Citysearch offers mobile applications for iPhone (News - Alert),
iPad, BlackBerry, Android and Palm. Citysearch is a property of CityGrid
Media, the online media company that connects web and mobile publishers
with local advertising organizations by linking them through CityGrid,
its local content and advertising network. CityGrid Media is an
operating business of IAC. For more information, visit www.citysearch.com.
About Locu
Locu's vision is to better connect local merchants with consumers. Locu
reduces the cost and headache of menu and price list updates and helps
local merchants build business by staying connected to current and
prospective customers. Locu's API gives developers access to the world's
largest real-time, structured repository of local business offerings
data. The data comes directly from merchants using Locu's dashboard at
Locu.com and Locu's patent-pending technology platform that digitizes
and structures real-world content. Locu was started by MIT (News - Alert) graduates and
is backed by General Catalyst Capital Partners, Lowercase, Lightbank, SV
Angel and angel investors. Locu has offices in San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) and
Cambridge, MA.
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