Metro launches internet strategy with "Metro Market"

Metro International S.A. (“Metro”), the international newspaper group, today announced a major international internet strategy that will take the company into online advertising and content for the first time. A new subsidiary, Metro Modern Media, has been created to operate all of the global publisher’s new online activities.

Simultaneously Metro has launched its first online product – “Metro Market” – a classified advertising site for consumers. The first of these goes live in Sweden today, with approximately 900,000 classified ads, at www.metromarknad.se. Over the coming months Metro plans to roll out the “Metro Market” concept in other countries where it currently publishers newspapers. In addition, the Metro Modern Media subsidiary will develop and launch different online products and services, levering Metro’s unique position as the largest free newspaper in the world with more than 15 million readers internationally. Prospective services include dating and music downloads. Initially Metro will launch these in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and The Netherlands, but will extend them over time into all of Metro’s 17 existing countries. Pelle Törnberg, President and CEO of Metro International, commented: “Online advertising and online services are some of the fastest-growing media segments globally. Metro International has been waiting for the right time to launch into this area and we believe that the current size, growth and profitability of online make this the perfect time. Our decision to establish Metro Modern Media and to launch Metro Market as our first product will strengthen our position as a leading media for all types of advertisers advertiser – from global brands to local consumers.” For further information, please visit www.metro.lu, email info@metro.lu or contact: Pelle Törnberg, President & CEO tel: +44 (0) 20 7016 1300 Henrik Persson, Corporate Communications tel: +46 (0) 8 562 000 87