Infoserve Group PLC
Bringing Business to You
Archived News - January 2007
Infoserve announces partner for new website
January 2007
Infoserve, a leading UK local search marketing company, has chosen AgendiZe to become a key partner in the development of its new online local business search website, www.infoserve.com.
The multimedia marketing firm will use AgendiZe's click-to-save and share service to allow Internet users to transfer business listing information from Infoserve's new website to a host of destinations, including users' personal address books, desktops, PDAs, emails, faxes and SMS.
Infoserve's new website is due to be launched in the next few weeks and the company believes the technology provided by AgendiZe, together with a host of other revolutionary software developments, will enable it to lead the way in online search.
Infoserve's CEO Steve Barnes said: “Our new website is capable of providing the most specific of search results and our partnership with AgendiZe will allow our users to send and share these results in a wide variety of ways.
“We're delighted to have teamed up with AgendiZe and the partnership reflects our growing reputation in the industry as a leader in local search.”
Alexandre Rambaud, Chairman and CEO of AgendiZe added, “We are proud to partner Infoserve and help the site with these powerful sales conversion tools. It will certainly help Infoserve to differentiate itself from its competitors, as 92% of AgendiZe users surveyed said they would be more likely or much more likely to return to a site that offered this toolset.”
Infoserve, which has its headquarters in Leeds, specialises in helping small and medium sized businesses promote themselves to people searching online for local goods and services. It lists around 2.7 million businesses across its family of websites, which collectively receive more than 24 million visitors a month. Its network includes the websites of a number of major online media partners such as the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, as well as Football League Interactive (FLi) and Sky TV.
Infoserve Group PLC appoints Financial Director
January 2007
Infoserve Group PLC is delighted to announce that effective 12 January 2007, David Balbi will take up the new role of Financial Director.
David has considerable experience, both in the contact centre environment, and the telecommunications industry, and will bring this experience to bear at Infoserve. He spent five years at Ventura, commencing as Finance Manager of the business unit before moving to Commercial Manager where he was responsible for the Utility Division. David established the 1400-seat Dearne Valley contact centre.
In his seven years at Kingston Communications, David held a range of Board level roles in Finance, and was latterly responsible for the Wholesale and Regional Business divisions, helping to achieve consistent, above budget sales performance. David was additionally responsible for the introduction and implementation of a strict cost control culture.
The Company is excited about the acquisition of David and is confident he will make an immediate and lasting contribution.
Car share scheme receives backing from local council
January 2007
Leading on-line local search company Infoserve plc, which has its headquarters in Leeds, is doing its bit for the environment and also helping to ease traffic congestion by introducing a car share scheme that actually pays their employees to take part.
Under the innovative scheme the driver of the car who brings one or two colleagues to work will receive £5 per passenger from the company each month. However, as an added incentive, if the owner brings in three or four colleagues they will receive £10 for each passenger per month.
Commenting on the new scheme, Steve Barnes, CEO of Infoserve, said: “We currently have a team of 225 people working in Leeds and Darlington and this is set to rise to 450, which means we will have a lot of cars travelling to and from our offices everyday. We therefore wondered how we could actually encourage people to leave their cars at home and get a lift with a work mate.
“With our new ‘Deals for Wheels' scheme it is a great incentive for them to get together and share their cars. Not to mention the benefit it will have on the environment and the roads.”
The new scheme has also had an enthusiastic welcome from Christine Hamshere, Leeds City Council's Workplace Travel Adviser.
“We are extremely pleased that Infoserve is demonstrating it is a responsible business,” she said. “This is the first car share idea I've heard of where a company has been so innovative and they are to be applauded for their efforts.
“Other companies interested in promoting car share among their staff should take a look at our website, www.carshareleeds.com, which aims to maximise people's travel options whilst also reducing the number of cars on the roads, cutting pollution, saving money and protecting the environment.”
Established in 1999, Infoserve lists almost three million businesses on its own business directory, www.cityvisitor.co.uk, and also across a network of 280 websites, which receive more than 24 million visitors a month. This network includes the websites of a number of major online media partners such as the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, as well as Football League official club sites and Sky digital TV.
With more than three quarters of people now looking for goods and services online, Infoserve helps to increase the online visibility of companies to those searching for a local business, via enhanced business listings, improved positioning, website creation and advertising banners.