AN Digital Scoops Top AOP Award

Text size:

Thursday 5 October 2006

Associated Northcliffe Digital (AN Digital), a division of Associated Newspapers, last night (Wednesday 4 October 2006) picked up the prestigious publisher of the year (consumer) award at the 2006 AOP online publishing awards.

The award was given to AN Digital for delivering engaging and relevant content across the 85 sites that make up the AN Digital portfolio.

AN Digital incorporates local and national newspaper companion sites such as the Mail online, ThisisLondon.co.uk and the “thisis” network of 30 regional news and information sites, an extensive network of classified sites including SimplySwitch.com, Jobsite.co.uk, LoopyLove.com and FindaProperty.com as well as a suite of digital magazines such as thisismoney.co.uk and ThisisTravel.co.uk.

This diverse network of sites reaches over 26% of the UK’s online population, almost quadrupling the network’s reach of three years ago. This has been achieved through a strategy of acquisitions and organic expansion of existing sites.

Andy Hart, managing director, AN Digital said, “As the media landscape becomes increasingly fragmented and digital media continues its explosive growth, it is more important than ever for digital publishers to offer audiences specialised content through niche sites that provide advertisers highly targeted solutions.

“This has been our strategy and we are thrilled that it has paid off and we have been named the online publisher of the year.”

AN Digital beat shortlisted entries from CNET Networks UK, Emap Performance, Guardian Newspapers, IPC Ignite! and Total Jobs in the publisher of the year (consumer) category.

In total, AN Digital was shortlisted for a total of four awards – consumer editorial team (thisismoney.com), innovation (Mailhomes.co.uk), commercial partnership (thisismoney.co.uk and Experian), and consumer publisher of the year (AND portfolio).

Designed to celebrate excellence in all aspects of digital publishing, the AOP online publishing awards showcase high quality online content in the UK.

Notes to editors:

1. Associated Northcliffe Digital (AND) incorporates the digital assets of Associated Newspapers Ltd. (ANL) and the Northcliffe Newspaper Group (NNG) which are owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT) and the result of the merger of Associated New Ventures (ANV), Associated New Media (ANM) and Northcliffe Electronic Publishing (NEP) on 1 May 2006.

2. The resulting portfolio of more than 85 sites incorporates national and regional newspaper sites, digital magazines, classified sites and stand-alone services which reach 26% of the UK online population with more than 7 million unique users every month. Advertisers have access to a wide and varied audience including property seekers, jobseekers, holidaymakers, car buyers and online daters, through high traffic sites such as the Dailymail.co.uk, ThisisLondon.co.uk, SimplySwitch.com, FindaProperty.com, Jobsite.co.uk and LoopyLove.com as well as the “thisis” network of 30 highly targeted regional news and information sites.

3. AND works closely with the newspaper divisions to extend its services online and through other digital channels. By utilising its combined experience and expertise to develop creative tools for new acquisitions and business partners, AND continues to maximise ROI for its advertisers.

Media enquiries:

Alice Waters on 020 7331 5356 or at alice_waters@uk.cohnwolfe.com
Lizzie Andrews on 020 7331 2331 or at lizzie_andrews@uk.cohnwolfe.com