Fotolog Inc. to 'Go Live' with Web Messaging Tools from AOL's Userplane, Enhancing Powerful Social Media Networking Experience
Monday, May 07, 2007
New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA – Fotolog™, the world’s largest photo-blogging community and third most-trafficked social media network, and AOL’s Userplane subsidiary, a pioneer in creating Web communications tools that power social networking, announced that Fotolog will integrate the full set of Userplane’s Web communications and advertising tools to dramatically heighten its powerful social media networking experience. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
By integrating the full range of Userplane chat, instant messaging and video messaging products, Fotolog will bring a live dimension to “social media networking,” the unique and addictive interaction it drives among friends and members worldwide around high-quality, once-a-day photo postings, or fotologs.
A fotolog can be uploaded in seconds and rapidly be viewed by up to 1000 users, attracting an average of 10 comments, an exceptional level of user engagement that Fotolog and Userplane believe will be further intensified by the integration of Userplane’s messaging tools on an opt-in basis. Userplane’s tools will also be used to host chats involving Fotolog’s more than 50 member-generated community groups, which revolve around subjects ranging from cats to Converse sneakers to street art.
The two companies will share advertising revenues generated by the use of these products, allowing Fotolog to advance its goal of monetizing its member base of more than seven million and the average of 23 minutes visitors spend on the site daily.
More than 150,000 online communities, from MySpace to the tiniest niche sites, deploy Userplane’s Web-based communication tools. The appeal of free, private-label chat, IM, interactive games and voice/video streaming attracts more than 5,000 new communities per week. Userplane serves more than 1 billion ads per month in its online players, and is planning to roll out an advertising revenue-sharing program later this quarter.
John Borthwick, Chief Executive Officer of Fotolog, stated, “Fotolog’s addition of these unmatched AOL instant messaging and advertising tools is the latest milestone in our emergence as a global phenomenon that is adding 140,000-150,000 members a week from more than 70 countries. We’ll use Userplane’s products to take the ‘fotologging’ experience to the next dimension, making it even more immediate and compelling and driving even greater user response and participation to help derive the full value of our large and highly engaged member base.”
“Fotolog is an incredibly engaging community growing in the US and abroad. They have taken a forward thinking approach to photo sharing and I believe they will be one of the next top 25 properties online,” said Michael Jones, CEO of Userplane and vice president of AOL. “The Userplane platform will keep Fotolog users even more loyal and increase daily engagement – resulting in additional revenue to Fotolog. We are excited about this new partnership and the role our technology will play in growing Fotolog’s business.”
About Fotolog, Inc. / www.fotolog.com
Fotolog, Inc., the world's largest photo-blogging community and the third most actively-used social network on the Internet, has become a global cultural phenomenon. Over eight million member accounts from more than 200 countries have shared more than 200 million photos since the site’s inception in October 2002. Fotolog has grown 100 percent virally since its founding in 2002, with no marketing. The site provides a platform for members to share experiences and connect with others across the globe by bringing together the power of social networking, photo sharing and blogging in a unique user experience.
About Userplane / www.userplane.com
A wholly owned subsidiary of AOL, Userplane is the world’s premier communication platform for online communities. The company’s hosted applications enable instant community and communication for websites of any scale and audience. The combination of instant and elegant with robust and powerful has made the platform a must-have for thriving sites worldwide - supporting millions of daily users. Founded in 2001 by long-time partners Michael Jones, Nate Thelen, and Javier Hall, Userplane is a diverse and talented team headquartered in Santa Monica, CA.