February 2009
AOL's MediaGlow publishing division has announced that its websites saw record growth in January, with page views climbing 47 per cent year-over-year to reach 7 billion and total minutes increasing 39 per cent to 4.9 million.
In addition, the recently reinvented AOL.com, which opened the site to third-party content, e-mail, social networks and more in 2008, grew 5 per cent in page views, 12 per cent in unique visitors, 33 per cent in total minutes–achieving an all-time high–and 6 per cent in total visits year-over-year.
AOL announced the formation of MediaGlow in January, centralizing AOL's publishing efforts with the goal of expanding AOL's efforts to reach targeted audiences and expanding AOL's global reach. MediaGlow announced plans to launch 30 targeted sites in 2009.
"MediaGlow has started 2009 by reaching its largest audience to date and building core brands that are at scale. By leaning into the fragmentation of the Web, we are creating valuable brands that are driving engagement and attracting a larger audience," said Bill Wilson, President, MediaGlow.
"Our growth signals that consumers are actively engaging with our original content that focuses on people's passion points and that we are providing advertisers with unique and valuable solutions and opportunities to reach a highly engaged audience."
In January, MediaGlow launched its first targeted site of the year, FanHouse.com, which replaces AOL Sports as the main sports destination for AOL, targeting males 18-34. AOL Sports saw page views grow 33 per cent and total minutes increase 4 percent year-over-year, according to January 2009 comScore Media Metrix data.
BlackVoices.com and AOL News also saw significant growth in January, in part because of expansive coverage of the presidential inauguration. BlackVoices saw page views climb 181 per cent, unique visitors grow 53 per cent and total minutes increase 83 per cent year-over-year, according to January 2009 comScore Media Metrix data. AOL News saw page views climb 82 per cent, unique visitors grow 16 per cent and total minutes increase 22 per cent year over year.
The AOL Living network, which comprises a core group of women's interest sites, started the year with strong growth. AOL Health, kicked off its 2009 America Takes It Off Campaign and saw page views grow 132 per cent and total minutes increase 53 per cent year over year. StyleList.com, grew page views 1,913 per cent, unique visitors 718 per cent and total minutes 1,787 per cent year-over-year. AOL Home, grew page views 271 per cent, unique visitors 84 per cent and total minutes 139 per cent year-over-year.
Engadget, the Official Blog of the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in January, also saw record numbers for the month with 75 per cent growth in page views, 105 per cent growth in unique visitors and 156 per cent growth in total minutes, year-over-year.
January also marked one full year since the launch of Asylum.com, which quickly became the leading men's site, a custom-built category, and has seen 172 per cent year over year growth in page views, 94 per cent growth in unique visitors and 106 per cent growth in total minutes.
In addition to growth within MediaGlow, AOL experienced growth in its product offerings. For example, AOL's leading video search engine, Truveo, saw year-over-year increases of 209 per cent in unique visitors and 239 per cent in pages views, according to the January 2009 comScore Media Metrix report, due in part to the January release of an updated version of its free downloadable application for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.
............................................................................
Read AOL ARTICLES on TAXI Design Network
Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.
This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.
