LookSmart Expands Australian Directory with Versaware Partnership
SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2000--Versaware Inc. (www.versaware.com) a world leader in Internet and electronic publishing, today announced it has signed an agreement with LookSmart (Nasdaq:LOOK), a global leader of Internet search infrastructure.
This agreement will allow LookSmart's Australian site to offer its users local content especially developed by Versaware for Australians.
The agreement will greatly enhance Internet users' experiences by allowing visitors to access the entire suite of Versaware reference materials which includes both international content such as Funk & Wagnall's online encyclopedia as well Australian content like the Macquarie Concise Dictionary and the Australian Factbook.
Versaware's focus on developing customized content for different countries means that Australian Internet users have access to the most locally relevant information as well as in-depth reference materials.
"Versaware's specialization in the production of localized reference material is synergistic with the LookSmart approach," said Tim Pethick, CEO LookSmart Australia.
"LookSmart has earned its reputation as a leader in search infrastructure by providing unique search and directory services for each market which accurately reflect the culture of local Internet users. This partnership with Versaware is a reflection of our commitment to continually developing and enhancing culturally sensitive Internet services."
It is anticipated the Australian Versaware partnership is the beginning of a worldwide distribution of similar content through LookSmart's recently announced joint venture with telecommunications powerhouse, British Telecom.
"We are looking forward to working with LookSmart in Australia and anticipate that this deal is just the tip of the iceberg," said Harry Fox, CEO of Versaware Inc. "We hope to be able to continue our global expansion by offering our content across LookSmart's existing network as well as the new sites which will be part of the BTLookSmart joint venture."
About LookSmart
LookSmart (Nasdaq:LOOK) is a global leader of Internet search infrastructure, dedicated to helping the world find useful stuff quickly. LookSmart's search and navigation service reaches over 45 million people a month nearly 70 percent of all Internet users in the United States -- through LookSmart's partner sites.
LookSmart has launched Web sites for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand, and has built directories for 17 countries, including Japan, Korea, Mexico and Brazil.
LookSmart's search solutions include a collection of over 1.5 million high quality URLs organized into more than 100,000 categories. LookSmart provides its search solutions to leading Internet portals, ISPs and Web sites including The Microsoft Network, Netscape Netcenter, Time Warner Inc., Excite@Home, Sony, BT, US West, AltaVista, NetZero, over 370 Internet Service Providers and 600,000 web sites.
Through its partnership with Cox Interactive Media, LookSmart also offers one of the largest collection of quality local Web content in more than 70 U.S. markets. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and can be contacted at 415/348-7000 or visited at www.looksmart.com.
About Versaware Inc.
Versaware Inc., www.versaware.com, a world leader in Internet and electronic publishing, has fuelled the exploding worldwide demand for intelligent, feature-rich content with its proprietary, which will enable technology and platform-neutral distribution channels. Versaware technology enables readers to create and organize personalized electronic libraries with recurring updates and sophisticated search and cross-reference capabilities.
Some of Versaware's key clients include McGraw-Hill, Lycos, Pearson, Funk & Wagnalls, XOOM.COM and Simon & Schuster Interactive among others. Headquartered in New York City, Versaware has sales and marketing offices in Silicon Valley, research and development facilities in Jerusalem, Israel and production facilities in Pune, India.
CONTACT: LookSmart
Liz Connaghan, 415/348-7185
lconnaghan@looksmart.net
or
Blackie McDonald
Amanda Galmes, 612 9929 0200
amanda.galmes@bmcd.com.au