Newspaper extends online partnership to ad sales

According to web editor Michel Béga: “The website is an extension of The Citizen's print product, giving readers the opportunity to keep up-to-date with news developments as they occur throughout the day. The new site features improved functionality with a vastly updated look. We have provided online readers with in an easier-to-use format, as well as including strategically placed banners and buttons that are now available for advertisers looking for marketing opportunities on www.citizen.co.za.”

Says Shelli Nurcombe-Thorne, sales and marketing director of www.joburg.co.za: “We cut our teeth on Joburg.co.za, and perfected our art on Cape.Town.co.za and Durbs.co.za a year later. We are completely up-to-date with current trends in online advertising, while also continuing to develop strategic relationships with our advertisers. We are thrilled to add Citizen.co.za to our stable.”

According to Nurcombe-Thorne, the success of any revenue-generating website or online publication is to balance the website's function with the advertising opportunities available.

The recently refurbished Citizen.co.za website reports a record 254 000 unique visitors logging on in February 2008.