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Lithium’s online communities experiencing massive growth

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lithium.jpgDriven by the growing demand for enterprise communities and Web 2.0 technologies, Lithium Technologies, Inc. announced that it has exceeded the 1 billion mark in messages read per month and cited a nearly 50 percent increase in new clients since January 2007 alone.

Among Lithium’s new clients are industry powerhouses: Sprint, Symantec, Fair Isaac, and DoubleClick. In addition to the increase in new customers, Lithium has also seen a 65 percent increase in the number of new communities it has launched since the first of the year. This increase is primarily due to many of its current clients like Comcast and Symantec building additional online communities for new initiatives based on the success of their existing ones. In addition, activity within Lithium’s communities has grown dramatically as well with a 2x increase in messages read per month and a 2.5x increase in users.

Originally posted on July 27, 2007 @ 8:35 am

Nikeplus.com becomes the world’s largest online running destination

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aqth101.jpgNike’s innovative Nike+ running experience combining music, personal coaching and fitness networking is revolutionizing the way people run, creating in its first year, the world’s largest online running destination at nikeplus.com. Nike+ runners have logged over 22 million miles on nikeplus.com, the equivalent of completing more than 800,000 New York City marathons and burning off the calories of more than 5 million slices of pizza. New nikeplus.com features being introduced this summer will enhance the experience even more, offering runners new ways to challenge each other and participate in “virtual” marathons.

New functionality on nikeplus.com, available this summer, will include a challenge feature that provides users with more options and enhanced customization tools. Users can choose their own challenge theme, set their own rules, and select the number of participants and team names. Now, they will be able to upload their own pictures to highlight their challenges on the nikeplus.com homepage.

Another new feature introduced this summer allows runners to participate in virtual marathons. For example, while the actual Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco this October already is sold out, women can still run the race anywhere, by using Nike+ and participating online in the event. Other new features include the Nike+ Distance Club where runners need to achieve 100, 500, or 1000 miles to be initiated into the club, and a Weekly Poll added to the forums to learn more about our Nike+ users.

Originally posted on July 26, 2007 @ 9:40 am

MyRide.com targets consumer participation with new web 2.0 functionality

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Myride.comAutobytel welcomes consumer participation in MyRide.com, a new automotive community featuring audio podcasts, photos, blogging, message boards, feedbacks and opinions on, you guess it, all things automotive.

On top of its aspiring web2.0 functionality, MyRide.com offers automotive enthusiasts and consumers a one-stop site for all their auto needs from information on buying and owning a car, to lists of local auto dealers, to car reviews, classifieds, full-screen car photos, car videos, and more.

“The MyRide.com Auto Community is not just for those who are knowledgeable about cars,” said Jim Riesenbach, president and CEO, Autobytel. “It is an interactive destination for people who simply love their cars to swap stories, whether through sharing photos and videos or by blogging about their experiences. We expect it to evolve to become the best meeting place online for consumers to express their opinions about anything and everything automotive.”

MyRide.com is currently on beta.

Originally posted on July 26, 2007 @ 6:06 am

Going.com secures $5 million funding

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going.jpgGoing.com, the destination site and community for 20-somethings who want to know what’s happening in their cities, announced $5 million in follow-on financing to be used to expand the popular service into new markets and expand their platform. Board members Bob Davis of Highland Capital Partners and George Bell of General Catalyst Partners, who are backing the firm, believe that Going.com is one-to-watch among Web 2.0 digital lifestyle companies.

Going.com offers a combination city guide + social network. The web site presents an easy and fun way to find out what’s going on, with the added twist of offering a sneak peak into “Who’s going?” to each event. Events are submitted by the community itself, which in addition to editorial suggestions delivers the best of what each city has to offer for the people and by the people. Whether members are looking to organize events with current friends or meet new people with similar interests, Going.com helps members plan their social lives

The site has flourished in popularity, growing 1200% since January 1, 2007, to over 500,000 monthly visitors, while operating only in four cities: Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco.

Originally posted on July 25, 2007 @ 11:40 am

Relaunch of AllHipHop to create more interactive lifestyle experience

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hiphop.jpg AllHipHop.com, the #1 online destination for Hip- Hop news, reviews and industry insights, re-launches a new lifestyle site and expands into global territories. From a “one stop shop” for everything hip-hop, this popular site wants to be known as the premiere urban lifestyle experience on the Web.

The new AllHipHop builds around the lifestyle of urban culture and breaks barriers by creating partnerships with Amazon.com and iTunes to create a virtual E-Store. It also announces deals with additional digital firms including an advertising alliance with Opt-Intelligence and will expand its mobile reach via a strategic “mobile store front” with Thumbplay.

“The latest version of AllHipHop serves as a vessel to carry the company into the next stage of the internet allowing us to navigate through advances in technology. We have successfully built a brand that has transcended the changes in several industries, all the while allowing us to strengthen our base with the consumer,” said co-founder Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur.

Originally posted on July 23, 2007 @ 11:05 pm