Pan-Asian technology portal joins other ZDNet sites in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand as part of continuing Asian market expansion
SINGAPORE, 21 October 1999 - Ziff-Davis has launched ZDNet Asia (www.zdnetasia.com) in a move designed to extend its leadership in the Asian technology content and commerce marketplace.
The site joins a worldwide network of technology sites in 19 countries, including sites in Japan, Thailand, China and Taiwan. With the addition of ZDNet Asia and, in January 2000, ZDNet Korea and ZDNet India, ZDNet is the only company poised to offer the entire Asian region information on technology products and companies, and offer advertisers access to Asia's key technology buyers.
"ZDNet Asia is being launched to provide the Asian technology community with a comprehensive destination for content and services about computers and the Internet," says Roger Yuen, Managing Director of Ziff-Davis Asia Pacific.
ZDNet Asia will provide users across the region with a content-rich destination for all their technology needs, including daily news, product reviews and shopping advice, technology investing information, online help and over 30,000 free software downloads.
"We're committed to providing technology buyers and enthusiasts with a full range of technology-related information, including how they can make the most of the Internet economy," says Adam Power, Vice President, Asia for Ziff-Davis Inc.
"For example, ZDNet Asia's Asian Inter@ctive Investor section will feature stock quotes and investment news from an initial nine stock exchanges throughout the region, along with investment news from the US and Europe that impacts Asia," he adds.
ZDNet Asia will provide English-language content to technology buyers and enthusiasts around Asia, as well as for those around the world with an interest in the Asian technology industry. The site will be aggressively promoted throughout Asia, using online, print, trade show and direct mail advertising.
"ZDNet Asia expands the ZDNet network of sites throughout the Asia region and globally," says Jon Epstein, Executive Vice President, International, for ZDNet. "Those companies selling technology, whether based in Asia or elsewhere, benefit through ZDNet's ability to offer comprehensive, worldwide technology marketing solutions for the online community."
Mr Liew Heng San, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, says, "we welcome Ziff-Davis's setting up of a pan-Asian website and are especially pleased that they have chosen to host ZDNet Asia in Singapore. This is yet another endorsement of Singapore's information and communication infrastructure to support the Internet economy. We believe that ZDNet Asia's presence here will enhance Singapore's position in the global Internet map."
Charter sponsors of ZDNet Asia include such companies as 3Com, Checkpoint Software, Compaq, FIC, SESAMi.com, Sony, APC and Xircom.
"Compaq is pleased to partner ZDNet Asia to provide a platform that delivers non-stop solutions for the enterprise and e-commerce markets. We are unique in having the breadth of technology, the innovative spirit and the depth of skill that companies need to help them build the new infrastructure to compete and succeed in the new Internet Age," says Mark Manners, Director of Compaq Non-Stop E-Business, Compaq Computer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
Poh Mui Hoon, Managing Director, SESAMi.com Pte Ltd, says, "as a revolutionary new company in the area of B-to-B commerce and e-Procurement, SESAMi.com finds perfect synergy in ZDNet Asia in reaching out to the online trading communities that spans across the Asia-Pacific region."
The Asian Internet population targeted by ZDNet Asia and the other ZDNet sites in Asia is growing at an incredible rate, according to virtually all market studies. In an August report, the Yankee Group predicted a tenfold increase in Asian Internet use in the next six years, with the audience of Internet users growing to 374 million by 2005.
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