NetZero and Looksmart to Create Co-Branded Site

Ad backed, free-to-the-user ISP NetZero Inc. and Web site directory operation Looksmart signed a multi-million dollar deal under which the two companies will create a new, co-branded, content-rich start page for NetZero subscribers.

Under the partnership, NetZero subscribers will gain access to Looksmart’s listings of more than 1 million sites in more than 30,000 categories, all selected, reviewed and categorized by Looksmart’s team Web editors. Financial specifics were not disclosed.

Looksmart currently provides its directory to more than 200 Internet Service Providers that reach 4.5 million subscribers. Six-month-old NetZero says it has more than 900,000 subscribers.

“This is a tremendous value for our subscribers and promises to be the ideal co-branded site, combining Looksmart’s high quality directory and search engine with our growing portfolio of services,” said Mark Goldston, CEO and chairman of NetZero. “Looksmart’s ability to help us build a rich experience for our customers the moment they log-on adds tremendous value to our service.”

NetZero’s revenue is generated through advertising and e-commerce sponsorships. Based in Westlake Village, CA, NetZero is funded by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Foundation Capital and Idealab! Capital Partners.