Zip2 to Offer TVQuest, WebPoint Content

Tribune Media Services (TMS) and Zip2 Corp. said they plan to introduce a new line of interactive content optimized for Zip2’s ad-backed city guide platform.

Based on TMS’ WebPoint content packages and TVQuest interactive television listings, the new products will enable newspapers to integrate frequently updated features easily into their Zip2-powered city guide sites, the companies said. Financial arrangements were not disclosed.

WebPoint includes content modules for entertainment, lifestyle, business and technology and classified verticals, including real estate, automotive, and employment. TVQuest is an online source for TV viewers seeking a customizable (zip code-based), up-to-date guide to local and national television listings.

Zip2’s city guide platform now claims more than 160 partners (many of them are newspaper companies) offering local city guides combining editorial from local and national media companies with Zip2’s personalization features and digital planner. Local merchants benefit with access to one-to-one marketing and targeting tools and direct access to a local online audience.

“WebPoint’s regularly updated information across a wide range of general consumer categories is an excellent complement to Zip2’s strong base of local content,” said Walter Mahoney, TMS vice president of news and features. “TVQuest completes the picture by enabling the consumer to find out fast what’s on television and when it’s on for any local, national, cable, satellite or pay-per-view channel lineup.”