Macromedia Inc. is launching an ad-backed
entertainment Web site featuring online games, interactive comic strips, and
animated shorts.
The new site is called ShockRave. Initial advertisers include
United Media’s Snoopy Shop, LifeSavers candy, Symantec, and the GetSmart
Mortgage site. The ads appeared to be served by DoubleClick.
Macromedia Chief Executive Robert Burgess told Reuters, however, he could not
estimate when the Web site would become a major revenue generator for the
company.
Macromedia is best known for computer programs that let graphic artists create
computer-generated illustrations and short animated sequences. It also offers
Shockwave, a popular utility that allows Web browsing software, like Netscape
Navigator, to display animated figures and play music.
Burgess said people visit Macromedia’s Web site about 5 million times a month
to get a free copy of Shockwave, making Macromedia’s existing site one of the
most popular destinations on the Internet.
In the most recent quarter, Macromedia’s revenue declined 5% to $26.6
million.