[Press Release] - 21st December 2009

(London) Online publisher and leading Technology advertising network Net Communities has signed up Hewlett-Packard, the world’s biggest computer maker, to sponsor the launch of its new tech news website THINQ.co.uk.

www.THINQ.co.uk launches on January 18^th and will be edited by Paul Hales, former editor of Incisive Media’s leading website theinquirer.net.

The new site will redefine the UK’s breaking technology news website landscape by unearthing and investigating breaking new stories daily. 

“We will combine exclusive stories with first class presentation and an independently-minded approach to elevate the site above the crowd,” says Hales.

“We will represent all shades of opinion in IT including the gripes and grumbles we all have about poor service, bad product, waste, marketing spin and greedy management. But we will also praise real innovation, highlight products and services which are truly worth buying and support and tip companies worth watching.”

Net Communities managing director Andy Evans adds: “We think there’s a definite gap in the market for a hard-hitting, independent tech news site that will help key decision makers plan and buy their IT.

“It will complement our existing tech site ITProPortal.com which now leads the UK market in tech news commentary. It’s something we have been looking at for a while but we needed Paul’s availability to make it a reality.”

Hales has been writing professionally on IT for over 20 years. He is currently recruiting journalists across all continents.

“I’ve seen the IT industry grow from spotty pre-pubescence to virtual hegemony and it’s time it began acting responsibly,” he says. “Even the most willfully myopic must realize that the 21^st Century poses challenges we have never had to face before. Many believe technology is the answer. But the best advice is to THINQ before you act.”

The sponsorship focuses on HP’s Storage Works solutions, and was brokered by Lauren Glynn from HP’s digital agency m2m.

“I'm delighted that HP will be the official launch partner of THINQ.co.uk, believing it to be the perfect environment for our ‘IT decision maker’ audience.”

“By being launch partners for THINQ I’m confident we can create great exposure and a buzz around the Storageworks Data Vault product, and having worked closely with Net Communities on a number of previous HP campaigns I have full confidence that they will maintain their reputation for achieving strong results and meeting campaign objectives.”

Notes for editors

Net Communities Limited (www.netcommunities.com) is a London-based (Farringdon), privately owned business established in 1999.  It is a unique hybrid publisher and advertising network and as a result is able to deliver unique and highly successful marketing solutions to its clients by integrating both sides of its business.

Publishing:

Net Communities publishes www.ITProPortal.com, a leading UK Tech news website, which dominates the Google News UK Science and Tech Section, and attracts nearly half a million unique users per month, 70% of whom are in the UK.  Other sites within the network include: SecurityProPortal.com, StorageProPortal.com, NetworkProPortal.com, OpenSourceProPortal.com, TechDealsPro.com, TechGovernment.com and Wavety.com.  

Advertising Sales Network:

Net Communities is Europe’s leading Technology and Business Community Advertising Network, with over 300 sites.  Its Tech sites combined dominate around 40% of the UK market. The Network provides innovative, results-generating technology and business-targeted online advertising and marketing solutions, reaching audiences such as:

Enterprise IT Professionals; Professional Developers;

Technology and Gadget Enthusiasts; Business Decision Makers;

High Net Worth Individuals and Gaming and Entertainment Enthusiasts

Net Communities’ clients include: http://www.netcommunities.com/advertisers/our-clients/

Net Communities Limited, 4^th Floor, 90-93 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 6BF.

Contact:

Andy Evans or Paul Hales on 020 7291 0770