Canadian directory publisher Canpages has entered the extremely competitive US market through a partnership with Utah-based Phone
Directories
Company
(PDC). The combined US operation will have 1,400 employees and $180 million in revenues, according to the press release. PDCpages.com
will now operate as Ziplocal.com
“and
the
company
will
re‐brand
itself
as
Ziplocal.”
Canpages acquired then independent online directory ZipLocal in July, 2009.
While the local sales force will help generate ad revenue it’s unlikely that ZipLocal as a consumer destination, absent significant changes, can win in the US market. It may battle for “tier two” status and potentially have some success in mobile. But the product as it stands is not sufficiently unique or compelling to gain much traction as a consumer site.
Canpages is using MapJack to build a Street View competitor in Canada. Bing Maps and MapQuest also offer street level photography.
January 19, 2010 at 6:04 pm |
[...] add to your normal listings, to help all of us involved in an SEO practice — but as of today (thanks Greg Sterling!) there is some news about one of the original citation sources on our lists — [...]
March 30, 2010 at 2:09 pm |
[...] to Ziplocal, which had previously been acquired by Canpages. Previously Canpages announced a partnership with Utah-based Phone Directories Company (PDC). The latter was contributing its US online operations to Ziplocal. I would imagine that will [...]