One idea we've kicked around for a while is that merchants can generate business tips and customer referrals for neighboring merchants in a strip mall, or down the street. Why shouldn't the cooking store people refer customers to the gourmet…
Almost two years ago, IAC was in a tough situation. It had a leading services referral business in ServiceMagic, whose main rival was Angie?s List, the paid subscription service. But the service wasn?t growing; had relatively low brand awareness; and…
Almost two years ago, IAC was in a tough situation. It had a leading services referral business in ServiceMagic, whose main rival was Angie’s List, the paid subscription service. But the service wasn’t growing; had relatively low brand awareness; and…
Loyalty programs offering cash back or other rewards make a lot of sense for merchants – until it is 7:30 pm on Friday, and the loyalty program is still giving 20 percent back even though it is prime time for…
In a move that shows a deep commitment to the future of classified/vertical advertising, Gannett has announced it will buy out its newspaper partners in Cars.com and take sole possession of the #2 car site (which trails only Cox?s AutoTrader…
In a move that shows a deep commitment to the future of classified/vertical advertising, Gannett has announced it will buy out its newspaper partners in Cars.com and take sole possession of the #2 car site (which trails only Cox’s AutoTrader…
Zillow is buying Trulia, its chief rival, for $3.5 Billion in stock. The two companies – both nine years old -- have a lot of overlap currently. But after the deal closes in 2015, they will seek to develop two…
It seems as though almost everyone has been talking about “big data” and analytics lately, and how the use of it can improve efficiency across all sorts off business processes. Much of the conversation has been focused on the benefits…
There have been several game changers in local. One is Google search. Another is Yelp reviews. Another has got to be Craigslist. Craigslist started out as a totally free community site focused on recruitment. In recent years, it has incrementally…
There have been several game changers in local. One is Google search. Another is Yelp reviews. Another has got to be Craigslist. Craigslist started out as a totally free community site focused on recruitment. In recent years, it has incrementally…
Priceline is sort of like eBay -- a company known for its origins in auctions, but more recently focusing on distinct, "buy it now" niches. It has recently fleshed out its core travel brand by moving up the value chain…
The spanking new program is set for Leading in Local: The National Impact, which is May 7-9 in Atlanta. We?ve put together a great list of 55 hand-picked speakers ? all centered on what?s really happening in local with a…
The spanking new program is set for Leading in Local: The National Impact, which is May 7-9 in Atlanta. We’ve put together a great list of 55 hand-picked speakers – all centered on what’s really happening in local with a…
All eyes are on "local" this morning on Wall Street, with GrubHub's IPO off to a great start. The company has placed 7.4 million shares priced at $26, or $192.4 million. The shares closed at $34. We've been watching GrubHub's…
All eyes are on "local" this morning on Wall Street, with GrubHub's IPO off to a great start. The company has placed 7.4 million shares priced at $26, or $192.4 million. The shares closed at $34. We've been watching GrubHub's…
Classified Ventures has put cars.com on the block, with a wide array of potential suitors getting ready to pony up big bucks for the No. 2 auto vertical property. And Yahoo is upping its game in search through its content…
BIA/Kelsey, forecasting $52.9 Billion in national local spending by 2017, has unveiled its new Leading in Local: The National Impact conference, which will take place in Atlanta May 7-9. The 2.5 Day event is expected to be the largest gathering…
BIA/Kelsey, forecasting $52.9 Billion in national local spending by 2017, has unveiled its new Leading in Local: The National Impact conference, which will take place in Atlanta May 7-9. The 2.5 Day event is expected to be the largest gathering…
Google is testing a new advertising feature that bridges the gap between people who have visited brands' websites via desktop with advertisements on their mobile devices, and vice-versa. This comes at a time where Desktop search in the US is…
In the U.S., Hispanic consumers usage of smartphones, tablets, social networking and other forms of digital channels make this group one of today's most engaged populations in the local shopping space. On yesterday's "Hispanic Consumers Buy into Digital for Local…