At this time last year, lat49 was at TechCrunch 40 unveiling their new technology: geo-targeted display ads that interact directly with consumers as they move about online maps.

Mapvertising network enters year two as industry leader in geo-targeted advertising

 This was a new way to solve the essential problem with monetizing the huge number of map mashups out there -- namely, that a user can be on any given map-site from 2 minutes to 20 minutes or longer, interacting with the map and busily ignoring the static, quasi-relevant ads that may be on the surrounding page. Lat49 mapvertising harnessed all the power of display ads, serving both location-based and service-based businesses; connected them directly to the point on the map that the user is looking and proceeded to sell off the world one location at a time.

In the past year, lat49's Sales and Business Development teams hit the phones, tradeshows and even the streets to get the word out -- the results of which lead to multiple award nominations, 45 live publishers with dozens more in the works, and a multitude of advertisers with even more set to hit the maps in Q1 of '09. At the same time, they continually refined their mapvertising engine, adding new features, and support for multiple ad-types and advances in online mapping technology.

"It's been a blast getting this new technology to market," said a smiling Keith Ippel, President and COO of lat49. "We've faced the typical challenges and growth patterns of a start-up and have succeeded in creating a valuable and unique place for ourselves in the industry. We see big things in our immediate and long term future. Look for us on a map near you..."

Lat49 is currently serving 10s of millions of impressions per month on their network -- a number that has grown rapidly with the addition of each new publisher. Their latest projects are the release of a Flex-based (Flash) map API and the roll out of a branded pushpin feature that will allow consumers to find, with the click of a button, the nearby locations of the product or business that caught their attention. Coming up in 2009, lat49 will expand their reach into the mobile market, as well as create custom white label solutions for businesses with specific needs for their online map property.

Lat49 has set down firm roots this year, going beyond simply proving their concept to becoming one of the primary geo-targeted market channels in the industry. Where in the world are you advertising? Contact the lat49 Sales or Business Development teams at www.lat49.com.

About lat49
Lat49 is an online advertising network that is optimized for interactive maps. The lat49 network of online map properties provides local and brand advertisers with an interactive medium for delivering geo-targeted and contextual display ads to a large, actively engaged user community. For web publishers, lat49 transforms online maps from being cost centers into revenue-generating properties. To learn more about lat49, visit www.lat49.com.