Designed to leverage MIVA Direct’s existing distribution and deliver new monetization opportunities
MIVA Direct Inc., the content and toolbar division of global digital media company, MIVA Inc. (NASDAQ:MIVA), today announced a partnership with Netvibes, the pioneer of the personalized homepage. MIVA Direct will offer its toolbar consumers a best in class personalized start page through the newly launched Netvibes Premium Universe. MIVA will enable Internet users to personalize their start page with their favorite widgets, blogs, email accounts, social networks, instant messengers, photos, videos and podcasts all in one place.
The start page will expand MIVA Direct’s product offering, enhance the overall experience for the consumer and is designed to leverage MIVA Direct’s existing toolbar distribution, without incurring significant additional advertising expense.
MIVA Direct generates millions of toolbar downloads every month and with today’s announcement, toolbar users will also have the option to install a highly personalized start page. The start page is expected to generate advertising inventory for MIVA Media clients and type-in search traffic for MIVA Direct’s search monetization partner. Additionally, MIVA Direct anticipates leveraging content for the start page from its growing portfolio of consumer destination sites, including the online movie community Spill.com.
“This partnership is aligned with our strategy for building consumer media and at the same time increases our consumer value proposition. We believe that this represents an opportunity for revenue growth and incremental EBITDA contribution,” said Rob Roe, General Manager/SVP, MIVA Direct.
“MIVA Direct’s substantial distribution and focus on providing a first-rate consumer experience fits perfectly with Netvibes’ strategy, making this partnership compelling for Netvibes, MIVA and Internet users alike,” said Tariq Krim, CEO and founder of Netvibes. “As a Netvibes Premium Universe partner, MIVA has established itself as a key player in the rapidly emerging widget economy.”
About MIVA Direct Inc.
MIVA Direct operates a growing portfolio of consumer websites and category specific toolbars that focus on pop-culture and infotainment. MIVA Direct’s millions of active toolbars span a range of niche sectors including jokes, music, recipes and horoscopes and offer consumers search functionality in addition to one-click access to tailored content. Its portfolio of consumer destination sites attract over 15 million unique visitors each month and includes www.spill.com, an Alexa top 100 movie review site; www.screensavers.com, the number one website for screensavers and wallpapers; and leading weather portal, www.weatherstudio.com. MIVA Direct is owned by MIVA, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIVA).
About MIVA® Inc.
MIVA, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIVA) is a global digital media company with a mission to deliver valuable digital audiences to advertisers. MIVA has two focuses to its business: owning and operating a growing portfolio of consumer destination sites and category specific toolbars, through its MIVA Direct division; and running a third-party contextual Pay-Per-Click ad network focused on key vertical sectors, through its MIVA Ad Network division. MIVA, Inc. operates across North America and Europe.
About Netvibes
Netvibes pioneered the personalized homepage, an alternative to traditional web portals. With millions of users in more than 150 countries, Netvibes lets individuals assemble all in one place their favorite widgets, websites, blogs, email accounts, social networks, search engines, instant messengers, photos, videos, podcasts, and everything else they enjoy on the Web. Founded in 2005 by Tariq Krim, Netvibes (http://www.netvibes.com) has offices in Paris, London and San Francisco.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as "plan," "will," "intend," "believe" or "expect'" or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including (1) our ability to successfully execute upon our corporate strategies, (2) our ability to develop and successfully market new products and services, and (3) the potential acceptance of new products in the market. Additional key risks are described in MIVA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for fiscal 2006 and our most recently filed Form 10-Q.