While the business directory and local search industry is struggling with the ubiquitous presence of Google and emerging entrants, the company recognized a need for developing new online business concepts and models to foster sustainable growth. Ignitas conducted an extensive set of technology performance analysis, search quality assurance, and industry benchmarking, to gain a deeper sense of competitive development and opportunities. The work led to several new business concepts, which was successfully implemented by the client. Ignitas continues to work with the client on business development, operational and search marketing issues.

The cooperation was initiated at a time when media companies and newspaper publishing companies experienced significant challenges in the advent of the Internet. The client was faced with challenges such as declining newspaper circulation, changing user behavior, fragmented audiences and emerging competitive threats. The client consulted Ignitas on new strategic directions and revenue models for their leading online publications. Ignitas performed an extensive data collection and research for indentifying industry best cases, which resulted in more than 40 proposals for new revenue areas. Today, the client is recognized as a best case with leading presence in its market.

Drawing on an extensive international experience in the online personals industry, Ignitas advised the company on M&A planning, product and partner development for European roll-out. Ignitas guided the company on identifying sustainable revenue channels, as well as locating and negotiating deals and efficient ad spends with leading media partners. Being represented on the company’s executive board, Ignitas and the Company continue in a fruitful cooperation.

The company, an international venture set to revolutionize the way music is sold on the Internet, hired Ignitas to assist the company with advice related to strategy, distribution and fundraising. Despite of the economical downturn, the Company succeeded with raising capital from an internationally recognized venture capital fund. Ignitas continues to work with the company, and has assisted the company in executive search and employment, strategic marketing and product development.

Ignitas acted as advisors on the sale of the majority of shares for the second largest Norwegian social networking site to leading Norwegian and European media houses. The transaction successfully closed for an undisclosed sum. The chairman of company commented that “we have been extremely satisfied with Ignitas’ close involvement throughout the whole process. Ignitas has played a paramount role from conception through to final negotiations of the deal. Ignitas’ global network of interested parties ensured that we found a buyer with optimal fit as well as providing a stimulating work environment for the [Company’s] team”.

Ignitas advised one of Europe’s largest business schools on how to obtain a more visible position in social media sites. Whilst already channeling a large proportion of their marketing budget into internet activities, the client had yet to position themselves in social media channels such as Twitter, Youtube and Facebook. Ignitas recognizes that success in these new media channels depends on understanding and uptake throughout the whole organization, from a corporate level down to each individual. The project resulted in several new marketing activities, including differentiated Twitter accounts based on target audience, official fan pages and groups on facebook as well as official Linkedin and Youtube channels.

The company had already invested a significant amount of their marketing budget in online activities but had yet to harvest the full potential of search engine marketing. One month after taking over the client’s PPC account, online bookings were up by 100 %. This was achieved without increasing spend on PPC marketing and has since resulted in increased PPC budgets and +300% increases in online bookings from PPC activities.