Hearst to partner Helium for content, engagement

Add another content partner to the Hearst Corporation's family of publications. Hearst has announced a partnership with social publishing platform Helium to supply even more content to readers. In the publishing world more content means deeper engagement, which should be good for publishers, advertisers and consumers.

by Kristina Knight

Peter Newton, vice president of business development for Helium said, "We are excited to help this prestigious media company to easily and cost-effectively produce quality, custom, local and lifestyle content while also increasing their ability to engage readers and serve as a 'virtual' town meeting place."

According to details of the partnership Hearst will utilize Helium's social platform to deliver local and lifestyle editorial content to readers. Helium's 'debate' feature will also be used so that readers and comment and engage with the content. Hearst will begin by pushing this new content in two local newspapers in Connecticut.

In addition to local news headlines, the partnership will be readers of these local papers more access to lifestyle features on every subject from traveling tips to entertainment reviews.

For any content website the key to more readers and to readers remaining on-site is the addition of more content. Newspaper websites have done a good job of placing their paper stories on the Web, but many simply don't have the staff to include consumer-rich features; this type of collaboration is a win-win for both publishers because of that increased content.

Tags: Hearst Corporation, Helium, online content, online newspapers, social content