Beijing Now says game on

BeijingNow says Game On

New features launched on BeijingNow.

BeijingNow – News Digital Media’s portal covering the Beijing 2008 Olympics – today announced a series of special features launching every day this week. Driven by a national team based in both Sydney and on the ground in Beijing, BeijingNow is found on each of the News Digital Media mastheads:

• www.theaustralian.com.au/beijingnow
• www.dailytelegraph.com.au/beijingnow
•  www.heraldsun.com.au/beijingnow
•  www.couriermail.com.au/beijingnow
•  www.adelaidenow.com.au/beijingnow
•  www.perthnow.com.au/beijingnow

It can also be accessed on News Digital Media’s flagship news site, www.NEWS.com.au and on www.foxsports.com.au.

BeijingNow editor, Rod Savage said that keeping the site fresh with the introduction of various new features ensured readers were able to return and experience something new every day. “We are very pleased to announce a series of new changes to BeijingNow. In order to continually engage our readers, we will add new interactive features to the site this countdown week of the Olympic Games.

 “Today, it will be a complete history of the games; tomorrow, animated graphics explaining every sport in the Olympics; Wednesday, a fully-interactive schedule of events; Thursday, a daily Olympics quiz and Friday, an education interactive game – Race Through Time. This game lets users pit the stars of yesterday against those of today – plus other fun options.”

“And that’s not all. When the first event is run and won, BeijingNow’s fully interactive live medal tally will be activated,” he said.

BeijingNow is also pleased to announce the launch of its unique Hero Wall – a user-generated comments “wall” containing messages of support and well wishes for our Olympic athletes. “The Hero Wall offers sponsors and readers the opportunity to move beyond passively reading about the Games to getting actively involved in support of our Aussie athletes.

“The team in Beijing is forwarding the messages of support on the Hero Wall to the Australian Olympic Committee. Our messages have already proven very popular with the athletes.”

Other features on BeijingNow include: Event Countdown Clock:

• A countdown to the second of every Olympic sporting event
• Olympic Rewind: A recap of each Olympic day
• Beijing Confidential:The sexiest and cheekiest gossip from the Olympic backstage
• Daily Schedule:A customisable schedule of events on each Olympic day
• Aussies in Action:A top four list of Australians in action on a particular day with a full list of Australians in action also available
• Athlete profiles: A dedicated page for each Australian Olympic athlete containing general information about their career, Olympic journey and their personal Hero Wall “It is our goal to provide not only comprehensive Olympics coverage but also a cutting-edge experience.

Our team of journalists and photographers are breaking news on the site 24 hours a day.

BeijingNow was the first site to bring an Australian audience the leaked vision of the Opening Ceremony and it also broke the news about Stephanie Rice and Eamon Sullivan splitting up.

 “Our team also includes video journalists giving users a real reflection of the Olympic Games. BeijingNow is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for Australians wanting to stay up to date with all aspects of the 2008 Olympic Games,” Mr Savage said. A limited number of advertising opportunities are still available.

For more information on advertising, please contact: Martin Curnow – head of integrated sales at News Digital Media on 02 9288 1693.