In an effort to target the growing local search ad market, Hearst-Argyle Television announced a deal with Google to become the first television industry reseller of the Google AdWords ad program. Hearst-Argyle will become an official reseller and will use its Web sales force to provide marketers in its 26 local markets access to Google AdWords. AdWords is an online advertising platform designed to help small and medium- sized businesses use the Web to find new customers by delivering relevant ads when users search for specific products and services.
"This is a terrific partnership to expand the digital suite of solutions we provide our advertisers," said Terry Mackin, EVP/Hearst-Argyle Television. "This entry point to the local search market complements our existing digital media efforts which include local content, social networking, and being a primary destination in all our markets on ‘all three screens’."
In June, Hearst-Argyle became the first independent TV station group owner to establish a content- and revenue-sharing arrangement with Google’s YouTube. To date, Hearst-Argyle has launched 26 YouTube Channels populated with news, weather, sports and entertainment videos as well as with original, local television programming and content from its recently launched social-networking site High School Playbook (www.HighSchoolPlaybook.com).
