iVillage to Relaunch With Video and Social Networking Tools

Posted on September 18, 2006

A Financial Times article (on MSNBC) says iVillage is gearing up for a major relaunch that will include video and social networking tools. iVillage has already been busy expanding their blog network this year.

Bob Wright, NBC chief executive, told the Financial Times iVillage would become the cornerstone of the GE-controlled group's online activities, much as MySpace has become for News Corporation. The relaunch of iVillage, which attracts about 15m users a month, will add video and community tools, allowing its core audience of women aged between 30 and 50 to swap ideas and advice about topics ranging from health to news.
Mr Wright said it would be tied much more closely to NBC's television programmes, highlighting the opportunity for cross-branding with the Today show, its morning magazine programme. "You're going to see a lot more editorial combinations. It may be as common to see iVillage bringing material to the Today show as the Today show bringing material to iVillage," he said.
It will this year launch iVillage Live, a television show available on the site, which it will also offer to television stations in the NBC network. The site's relaunch will target advertising revenues from the beauty, health and fashion categories, but may also include subscription elements.

iVillage will be entering an arena already crowded by dozens of social networks. iVillage Live will cover a specific demographic demographic niche but they will also have the Martha Stewart social network to contend with. Martha Stewart's social network is expected to launch next year.