MGN Ltd has relaunched four of its national newspaper websites
to drive growth in user traffic and enhance commercial activity.
DailyRecord.co.uk, SundayMirror.co.uk, People.co.uk and
SundayMail.co.uk now boast a dramatic new look, innovative new content and
easier navigation.
The move follows the successful relaunch of the Daily Mirror
website - Mirror.co.uk - in April. Since then, traffic on the site has increased
by a phenomenal 79% to 1.8 million unique users per month (Nielsen Site Census,
July 2005).
The five MGN sites are expected to achieve a minimum of 3
million unique users and 30 million page impressions by the end of 2005, with
further increases anticipated in 2006.
The relaunches further strengthen Trinity Mirror's online
presence and represent another step in the Group's digital growth
strategy.
In addition to the improvements in design and core content like
breaking news, there are several brand-new channels. MGN Digital has negotiated
a number of strategic partnerships aimed at improving the overall user
experience and increasing repeat visitor traffic.
For example, there will soon be an alliance with an online
dating partner, bingo gaming and an employment search facility.
All such partnerships will provide users with high-quality
content and will extend the appeal and reach of the sites for advertisers.
Other new channels and features include mobile phone comparison
tools, skill gaming, leisure guides, contextual search and bespoke site
toolbars.
An in-house advertising team has been recruited to further
enhance the sites' commercial activity and Mirror.co.uk site editor Steve
Purcell has been promoted to Online Editor-in-Chief of MGN Digital, overseeing
all five sites.
Purcell said: "We have had fantastic, positive feedback from all
five re-designed sites. They are simpler to navigate, easier on the eye and
better display the brilliant content provided by the editorial teams of all five
newspapers.
"I am sure the new areas such as skill gaming and jobs will
prove immensely popular. We have been itching to get our hands on this great
interactive content and there's much more to come."
Julia Smith, MGN's Head of Digital, said: "The strategy for 2005
has been largely focused on reviewing and rebuilding. We are now planning a more
aggressive growth strategy, increasing revenues and traffic, and generating new
revenue streams from email, mobile and cross media campaigns.
"We'll be delivering cutting-edge interactive content and the
latest in technology, and will continue to develop partnerships with the
best-of-breed in core categories."
Notes for editors
Trinity Mirror is the UK's largest newspaper
publisher. The Group's strategy for its national newspaper websites is to build
online brands that complement its print titles, driving increases in user
traffic and revenues.
MGN Ltd publishes Trinity Mirror's national newspapers - the
Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, The People, Daily Record and Sunday Mail. MGN
Digital is responsible for the titles' companion websites.
