CReATION: Phoenix TV en route to PRC portal roll-out

<p>In the wake of its recent IPO, Phoenix Satellite Television is </p><p>preparing to roll-out a China-focus portal featuring "entertainment" as </p><p>the "prominent feature", according to Phoenix deputy CEO N.K. Leung. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Talks have been underway for the past six months between Phoenix and </p><p>Excite pioneer and co-founder Marc Van Halen. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"His contribution is to bring in his expertise, not just on the Internet </p><p>part, but in terms of design and the creative content - (he) is a vital </p><p>part of our partnership," Mr Leung said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Phoenix, meanwhile, will be contributing sales and marketing for the </p><p>yet-to-be-named portal's PRC operations. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Ploughing 25 per cent of total proceeds from the 700 million shares sold </p><p>at HK$1.08 each in the IPO into the station's Internet arm, </p><p>Phoenix I, Mr Leung noted that the portal would launch independently of </p><p>the existing PhoenixTV.com website. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"What we're looking for is to expand the Phoenix.com website, build up </p><p>our own community, create our own vertical portals and take this project </p><p>to the next phase," he said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Going against the dotcom grain by delaying the portal's launch was also </p><p>a cautious move taken by Phoenix in response to recent volatility on </p><p>stock markets. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"I don't want to sound too pompous in terms of selling the project </p><p>because we'll still be just as cautious as with any other business </p><p>concern," said Mr Leung. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>While citing the portal's strategy as "still underway", he added that </p><p>the new venture was "actually more concrete than the strategy would </p><p>imply", with the infrastructure and core staff already in place in the </p><p>new operation's Beijing headquarters. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Broadband adoption rates in China and Hong Kong were also key factors in </p><p>how soon the Phoenix I Web offering could hit the market. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>