Vocus, Inc. : Vocus Partners with Hearst’s LocalEdge to Provide Online Visibility to Local Businesses Nationwide

Vocus Partners with Hearst's LocalEdge to Provide Online Visibility to Local Businesses Nationwide

Hearst Media Services to integrate PRWeb news releases into its LocalEdge platform; PRWeb to integrate 40 Hearst online news outlets into its syndication network

Beltsville, Md. -- January 19, 2012 -- Vocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: VOCS), a leading provider of cloud-based marketing and PR software, today announced a partnership with , the multimedia Internet marketing provider within Hearst Corporation. The partnership will allow LocalEdge customers to access PRWeb, Vocus' online visibility service, directly through the LocalEdge platform.

The partnership is an extension of Vocus' existing partnership with the San Francisco Chronicle which began in January 2011 and has gained significant customer traction.

In addition, PRWeb customers will benefit from the addition of over 40 Hearst online properties to PRWeb's syndication network. These properties, which include the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, will join PRWeb's syndication list of 500+ online properties.

"The network that PRWeb has established is a tremendous asset for local businesses in need of creating a positive buzz by developing and sharing greater information." said Jeff Folckemer, President & CEO of LocalEdge and an SVP of Hearst Newspapers. 

"The synergy that will exist between our current suite of digital products; including search engine marketing and optimization, social media management, online video, email marketing, web sites and mobile web sites, reputation management, short message service texting and behavioural targeting with the addition of PRWeb strengthens progress towards the goal of a converted action.  Online and offline exposure as well as brand development are integral parts for improving our advertisers' foot and click traffic."

"LocalEdge is an innovator in the media industry and a driver of the progression into Web-based advertising," said Bill Wagner, Chief Operating Officer at Vocus. "Adding PRWeb makes it even more compelling as a digital marketing platform. Including the Hearst online properties in the PRWeb syndication network will extend PRWeb's reach to a larger and more targeted audience." 

PRWeb helps businesses create and share content, optimized for the Web.  PRWeb content is distributed through major search engines, directly to over 300,000 direct subscribers, 50,000 journalists and media outlets and syndicated through a network of over 500 Web properties.

About Vocus
Vocus (Nasdaq: VOCS) is a leading provider of cloud-based marketing and PR software that helps organizations of all sizes reach and influence buyers across social networks, online and through the media. Vocus provides a suite of software for social media, content marketing and media relations, creating a comprehensive solution for our customers looking to generate awareness, build their reputation and increase sales in today's customer-led buying cycle.  Vocus is used by more than 30,000 organizations worldwide and is available in seven languages. For more information, please visit or call [phone].

About LocalEdge
LocalEdge, a Hearst Media Services Company, is a premier multi-media company leading the transition to web-based advertising for any size business. The organization has been in business for over 40 years and services customers nationwide.

Through the development of proprietary technology and partnerships with major search engines, social network sites and other leading tech-focused companies, LocalEdge offers a full line of digital marketing products that help its customers reach and interact with today's consumer.

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