Echo Announces Partnership with Advance Digital To Re-imagine The Local News Experience Online

SAN FRANCISCO - June 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Echo , the first and largest real-time web platform, has announced an agreement with Advance Digital (http://advancedigital.com), a leading creator of digital news and information products that deliver multi-platform solutions for consumers and advertisers in markets across the U.S. While other brands have focused on national audiences, Advance Digital is using the Echo App Management platform to create must-read digital experiences for users on the local level, complete with real-time interaction and social participation.

The Echo Platform adds real-time interactive features to a news site, such as stories, observations and updates from reporters and readers, real-time discussions, and crowd-sourced content. For example, Advance Digital has created a “teams” experience that weaves news and expert opinions from staff reporters and columnists covering games with the insights and reactions of passionate fans.

Instead of simply reading a post-game wrap-up, fans can stay “on site” to actively participate with other fans and reporters before, during, and after a game or event. Through Echo, every article and piece of content is an opportunity for readers to share comments in real-time, building a sense of community around the news site.  

Advance Digital has launched its ”teams” experience for more than 50 pro and college teams such as Cleveland Browns (www.cleveland.com/browns) and Alabama Crimson Tide (al.com/alabamafootball) .

“Advance Digital has been a leader in the news industry at pushing the digital boundaries and in celebrating the contributions of serious fans,” said Khris Loux, CEO and co-founder of Echo. “The print to digital transition isn’t just a matter of how news is delivered. It totally changes how readers interact and engage with content, and we’re excited to see Advance Digital making these investments on the local level.”

“Echo is an important partner in building the kind of dynamic real-time social experience that serves the communities on our local websites. We’re excited to expand our applications with the Echo platform in the coming year to further drive user engagement, reader loyalty, and ad revenue,” said Matthew Jaeger, VP of technology and operations at Advance Digital.

While Advance Digital has already been leveraging the Echo Platform for the past year, this announcement solidifies the ongoing partnership and renews the agreement for a second year. Advance Digital expects to further extend its use of the Echo platform in the coming year.

About Echo
Echo provides the industry’s first and largest real-time web platform, enabling the rapid implementation and scale of applications for social TV, social music, social news, social sports, social commerce and social finance. Brands can leverage the Echo platform to transform their static websites and mobile apps into real-time experiences that significantly boost traffic, increase user engagement, and drive more revenue. A leader in the space, Echo currently serves over 1 billion streams per month for brands including ABC, AMC Networks, ESPN, NASDAQ, NBC News, The Washington Post, Universal Music Group, USA Network and WWE. To learn more, visit www.aboutecho.com.

About Advance Digital
Advance Digital Inc., is a leading creator of digital news and information products that deliver multi-platform solutions for consumers and advertisers in markets across the United States, in partnership with local media companies affiliated with Advance Publications Inc. Embracing new ideas and innovation, Advance Digital is committed to providing engaging digital solutions that inform, connect, empower the communities we serve. The company has its headquarters in Jersey City, N.J.