Saint Paul, MN – Internet Broadcasting, the leading local Internet solution provider for broadcast publishers, today announced the launch of “Slantly”, an online opinion tool for Web publishers that integrates polling and discussions to create a robust forum for users to debate issues they’re passionate about.  Highlighting Slantly’s industry-leading features, a range of leading Web publishers including Meredith Publishing and NYC TV have already signed on to use the tool.

“Slantly takes the debate and expression of opinions online to the next level,” said David Lebow, President and CEO of Internet Broadcasting. “IB has innovated to create the next generation of integrated polls and commenting on the Web.  Slantly turns each discussion and poll into a dynamic forum in which users can debate the issues, vote on other users’ arguments, follow threads, and sort through the sentiment that’s being expressed.  Slantly gives Web publishers the ability to take the news of the day and turn it into an opinion-driven forum that engages their visitors and keeps them coming back for more.  We’re excited to create increased engagement on our partners’ sites and on the web at large.”

“As a publisher, Slantly is a flexible and easy way to turn our content into a conversation,” said Tim Reynolds, Director, Interactive Media, Meredith Publishing. “It gives our users a platform for voicing their opinion, provides deeper and more meaningful interaction on our sites, keeps users there longer and gives them even more reason to come back.  Slantly empowers local voices and in the process makes us more relevant.”

“We are excited about our partnership with IB, one of the pioneers in local media,” said Arick Wierson, GM, NYC TV.  “News drives opinions. The expression and sharing of opinions connects consumers with news. Bringing Slantly into our content will add value to our loyal and rapidly-growing audience, helping them connect with their peers and their local communities.”

Among Slantly’s key features:

• Custom Polls:  Allowing publishers to design and post custom polls on breaking news and issues of interest to their visitors.
• Discussions: Users can add their comments and opinions to a forum on each poll that is visible with the results, thus increasing their engagement and driving a robust on-site dialogue.
• Sorting: Users can sort comments to find others who share opinion, by the strength of the arguments, or by time/date of posting.
• Demographics: Slantly builds a robust set of demographics around the opinions being expressed, making it possible, for example, to break down polls geographically to view sentiment by location.
• Persistent User Profiles:  A user who registers once for a site using Slantly can express opinions across all publishers using the tool, improving ease-of-use and allowing users to maintain a persistent identity and track a portfolio of all of their opinions through which they can compare with friends and others.
• Publisher Space:  All activity generated through Slantly automatically feeds into a central forum setting, creating a more robust area in which community members can interact.
• Publisher Dashboard:  A robust dashboard gives Web publishers the ability to moderate and manage discussions, customize the look and functionality, track activity and maintain editorial control.  
• Open Application Programming Interface (API):  Slantly offers an open API to allow publishers and advertisers deep customization of the tool to meet their own needs.

Slantly is the first stand alone product offered by Internet Broadcasting available to all web publishers, in addition to the existing partners. 

ABOUT INTERNET BROADCASTING
Established in 1996, IB is a leading local media network that builds powerful solutions – products, content, and services – that make it easier for publishers and advertisers to reach engaged audiences in relevant environments.

Partnerships with CNN, Cox Television, Hearst-Argyle Television, McGraw-Hill Broadcasting, Meredith Broadcasting, NBC, and Post-Newsweek Stations among others contribute to our reach and success.  In May 2008, the IB Local Network is comprised of over 47.7MM unique visitors and ranked 42nd according to the comScore Media Metrix Ad Focus ranking.

Headquartered in St. Paul, MN with additional offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta, every member of the IB community is committed to innovating for the next era of the Internet.  For more information, visit www.ibsys.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Ayme M. Yaiser
VP Strategic Marketing & Communication
Internet Broadcasting
646.562.5908