CReATION: ICable launches new Internet shopping directory

<p>ICable, the holding company of Cable TV, is rolling out a new </p><p>Internet shopping directory with the ultimate goal of building up a </p><p>regional emarketing infrastructure for cable system operators. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The new ebusiness venture, called Global Media In Force, will handle </p><p>Cable TV's on-air and online advertising sales, as well as international </p><p>programming sales. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A free business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) </p><p>website, GlobalMIF.com was launched to offer shopping directories and </p><p>related coupons online for consumers, as well as to bring advertisers </p><p>and marketers together. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Global MIF chief operating officer CC Tsang said investment in the </p><p>venture was about HK$5 million (US$641,025) per year, </p><p>including the set up cost. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>On-air and online advertising sales, programming distribution and </p><p>ecommerce will be the venture's major revenue earners. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>As a consumer driven website, Mr Tsang said the site would not offer any </p><p>entertainment information and content. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Cable TV's air time sales will be bundled with online advertising sales, </p><p>and Mr Tsang explained, advertisers will be able to communicate realtime </p><p>with consumers via the site. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Instead of just providing a link to an advertiser's home page, viewers </p><p>will be able to directly access a specific page within an advertiser's </p><p>site. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Global MIF also plans to form partnerships with regional cable operators </p><p>with the sharing of emarketing infrastructure in the ecommerce and </p><p>programming sales business. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Meanwhile, the current sole cable TV operator in the territory, Cable </p><p>TV, saw a 60 per cent growth in advertising revenue this year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Advertising sales accounted for about 10 per cent of Cable TV's total </p><p>revenue, and Mr Tsang said the new emarketing venture aimed to generate </p><p>value added services and further growth. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Global MIF plans to establish the site as the biggest shopping directory </p><p>website within half a year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>