Carlton Signs Net Deal With WHSmith

Carlton Communications has signed a deal with WHSmith to link the two companies’ internet businesses, ‘maximising the potential of their entertainment and e-commerce portals’. They will cross-promote their sites, www.whsmith.co.uk and www.carlton.com, with the newsagent advertising the TV company’s pages in its stores.

The deal will see Carlton selling advertising space across both companies’ sites and providing content for WHSmith’s web pages; in return Smith’s is to handle e-commerce administration and delivery and sell books, CD’s and videos on Carlton’s site. The strategic partnership will break from current e-commerce alliances which are based on commission payments and will see the two groups sharing the risks and rewards of the venture.

Michael Green, chairman of Carlton, said: “Carlton/WHSmith is a powerful partnership. Carlton brings online content, mass media promotion and interactive potential, while WHSmith has a nationwide retail presence, a strong online e-tail business and distribution and fulfilment expertise.”

Carlton Online owns a number of websites and is content provider for two ISPs (see Carlton Online Becomes Content Provider For ISPs).

Carlton Communications: 020 7663 6363