Local TV Stations Form Online Ad Network

WorldNow a New York-base advertising technology provider has launched Local Media Network (LMN), a consortium of 147 Web sites affiliated with television stations, to compete for online advertising with established Internet advertising giants such as Google, Yahoo and AOL.

LMN will offer advertisers audiences targeted by market, region and behavior as well as contextual advertising, including online video. The network will feature advertising in specific content areas of Web sites, such as health, automotive, finance and travel.

The participating Web sites are primarily affiliates of the ABC network, but also include Web site affiliates of such broadcast groups as Lin, Dispatch, Raycom, Liberty, Meredith, Schurz, Young and New York Times.

LMN reaches a combined 20 million unique Web site visitors per month. Roughly 77% of this audience is between 25 and 54. Sixty-three percent of the audience uses LMN Web sites while at work. About 55% of these individuals have children 18 or younger.

“Broadcasters who are looking to the Internet for growth can best compete as a consortium,” said Gary Gannaway, in a prepared statement, chairman, president and CEO of WorldNow.