Burst!

Burst! Enables Rich Media Across 2,500+ Member Websites

Website rep firm offers cutting-edge advertising opportunities to entire membership

BURLINGTON, Mass., March 10, 1999 – BURST!, the fastest growing website rep firm, today became the first network to enable advanced rich media advertising across its entire network of over 2,500 member websites. By running rich media banners, BURST! members become even more attractive to advertisers looking to capitalize fully on the interactive potential of the Internet.

Rich media – which refers to the integration of animation, sound, interactivity, and even commerce into the space typically filled by JPEG/GIF-based banner advertisements – is the future of online advertising. Creating a system for distributing rich media advertising across its vast network of sites reflects BURST!’s commitment to provide web publishers with the tools they need to develop and offer quality, specialty content on the Web.

“Advertisers are shifting over to rich media ads,” says Jarvis Coffin, CEO of BURST! “and it is in the best interest of our customers – the web publishers – to be able to display rich media ads. Not only will it make our members’ web sites that much more attractive to advertisers, but it will open up more opportunities for them to earn revenue.”

Unlike other online advertising networks which offer rich media ads only on selected members’ websites, BURST!’s new enhanced code enables advertisers to take advantage of the entire BURST! network of 2,500+ websites for targeted and non-targeted, rich media promotions. Likewise, BURST! members benefit from being able to select non-targeted rich media advertising programs to fill their “remnant” inventory, programs which tend to generate higher click-rates.

"It’s important to me that I am able to run rich media ads," states Matt Johnston, publisher of “thebackpacker.com” – a comprehensive website for the backpacking enthusiast. “HTML and rich media banners generate higher click-rates, which only makes my site more attractive to advertisers. Likewise, I want to see ad technology advance so it makes the most of the medium. I appreciate BURST!’s commitment to steer the industry in that direction.”

BURST! Media, LLC, represents and supports the vital business and creative interests of web publishers. Offering customized advertising solutions and effective ad-management technology, BURST! provides web publishers with the resources they need to offer their specialty content on the World Wide Web. Founded in 1995, BURST! is a privately-held company headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with offices in New York City and San Francisco. Information about BURST! can be obtained on the Internet at www.burstmedia.com or by contacting BURST! at 781-272-5544.