InterAd Expands in Europe, Signs Belgian Site

European interactive agency InterAd said it signed its first Belgian Web site and appointed key local staff as part of a drive to expand operations across Benelux.

Belgian-based WOQATS, a European Web site providing real- time European and U.S. stock market information and tools, signed with InterAd for global representation. The site, available in Dutch, English, French and German versions, generates around a half a million monthly impressions, with15% month growth, from high earning professionals, InterAd said.

Former FT and Economist sales manager and marketing consultant Peter Shield, who has been based in Amsterdam and Brussels for the past three years, was recently appointed to head up development in the region and to co-ordinate InterAd’s growing international sales activities across Europe. Sales coverage for Benelux had been handled from InterAd’s Paris office.

“It is vital for us to employ people who truly understand the individuality of each market in which we operate,” said Gordon Simpson, CEO of InterAd Holdings Ltd. “As we continue to grow, our aim is to provide the finest localized services possible and this is quite clearly best achieved by experienced people with local knowledge.”

InterAd, established in March when the European staff of SOFTBANK Interactive Marketing jumped ship after the takeover by Zulu-tek, said it already developed its network of offices to include 12 European offices in eight countries and signed more than 40 European Web sites.