ServiceMagic getting into SEM and site building

ServiveMagic announced an interesting acquisition today, buying a company called Market Hardware, which does websites and SEM for SMBs in some high-volume online verticals. This is going to be interesting, as it makes them more competitive to the IYPs and companies like ReachLocal who are all going after the same customers. I have to think that SM's stable of Lead customers will have huge potential to convert to SEM customers as well (and may shift their spend to SM from those other legacy providers). We'll see what happens...

Kelsey Group Blogs » IAC’s ServiceMagic Buys Market Hardware

Idearc and YPC working together

Looks like the big boys are starting to work together. Idearc (SuperPages) and AT&T Yellow Pages (YellowPages.com) have signed an agreement to share advertisers (and I would assume revenues). This is the first step to creating a super-IYP that can start to think about competing with Google in the local space and give them a real competitor. Interesting stuff and will be interesting to see if RHD and others follow suit...

Idearc, AT&T YP in Distribution Agreement « Screenwerk

YellowBook showing strong growth online

Some strong numbers out from Yellowbook...

Interesting Yellowbook Stats « Screenwerk