GetAsia launches M'sian Web site

The site is targeted at Malaysians who are looking for a meeting point on the Web to get the latest and most updated information for their social and personal activities.

The launch of the Malaysian site marks the fifth site for GetAsia in the region and will showcase a host of channels which include movies & TV, food, sports, music, arts and technology.

GetAsia currently operates one site in Singapore and three in the Philippines, with plans to launch a site in Thailand soon.

"Part of our regional expansion plan is to be the premier online Asian network for the local lifestyle and entertainment scene and Malaysia is part of our strategic growth progress," GetAsia Inc chief executive officer Kenneth Felberbaum told reporters last week.

"With getasia.com.my, we seek to become the authoritative daily resource on localized social and personal activities for urban youth and young professionals in the age group of between 18 and 35 years old.

"Our visitors in this age group are active, with disposable income to spend on leisure activities. They come to the site to get an unlimited choice of restaurant recommendations, cinema schedules, an arts guide, latest clubbing information and almost anything one needs on the local entertainment scene," he said.

However, Felberbaum said, the company would not repeat the mistakes of the "old New Economy" portals of the last two years, which were too dependent on banner advertisements for revenue.

"Our revenue stream will come from interactive advertising, e-commerce as well as offline promotions. We will also provide content syndication for other lifestyle-related portals and even Web solutions for businesses," he added.

"Our business services include building end-to-end solutions for their clients. Solutions can range from a basic micro-site to a complex content management solution."

Felberbaum declined to elaborate on the company's local investments and also did not reveal any financial estimates.