Wellesley, Mass. (October 5, 2000) - PlaceLinks today launched its Local Commerce Directory System™, a new Internet-based, self-service advertising and promotional placement network designed for traditional print, TV, radio and cable companies seeking to build local content and boost profits from their new media offerings.

The PlaceLinks Local Commerce Directory System is an out-of-the-box, Web-based application that automates and delivers high-quality, local business brand, product and service data and targeted promotional content. Using the PlaceLinks Local Commerce Directory System, media companies can quickly and cost-effectively increase their advertising revenue opportunities by promoting local businesses through their web sites.

The PlaceLinks Local Commerce Directory System centers on a self-service enhancement and placement system, integrated with a back-end administration and billing engine that is ready-to-go. Businesses create their profile once and can then place them in an extended placement network of newspaper, wireless, cable, interactive television and other online directories Advertisers can promote their products and services by name and use sophisticated tracking software to measure impressions and interest. Based on XML technology and operating on a distributed server network, it is fast enough to deliver superior performance for consumers with dial-up connections.

"Media company management is under intense pressure from shareholders to produce a return from Internet activities -- there is no more open checkbook," said Christopher Sole, founder and chief executive officer, PlaceLinks, Inc. "PlaceLinks provides a cost-effective marketing system and infrastructure to tap into the expanding market for promoting bricks-and-mortar local businesses."

PlaceLinks provides its customers a full lifecycle of directory management services including registration, authoring, placement, billing and activity reporting. Designed to be self-service, the PlaceLinks Local Commerce Directory System allows advertisers to manage the content and listing of their promotions using a variety of powerful enhancement tools: multiple keywords and category listings, online coupons and other time-limited promotions, placement in other advertising networks and software to measure and refine their profiles and promotions at any time.

PlaceLinks also provides business design, project management, online hosting and maintenance services. Using its technical expertise and infrastructure capabilities, PlaceLinks customizes its Local Commerce Directory System according to the "look and feel" of a customer's web site, fully integrates the application, and manage any migration issues. PlaceLinks hosts and maintains the directory system or licenses it to run on a customer's own servers.

PlaceLinks has formed partnerships with content providers including Acxiom Corporation, Val-Pak and RealNames to further enhance its placement network. Acxiom Corporation is a global leader in real-time customer data integration and CRM offering innovative merchant database marketing services and premier data content. Val-Pak is the largest provider of local discount coupons which shoppers can view and print directly from the advertiser's listing or from anywhere on the local media company's site. With RealNames, advertisers can create a link from their listing to a brand manufacturer's web site or other industry group, adding credibility to their business and providing a value-added service for their customers.