WorldNow Brings Meredith Back Into Its Orbit

Good news for WorldNow: Meredith is back in the fold.

Four years after leaving WorldNow, Meredith Local Media Group has returned to for WorldNow’s online technology and sales support. The two companies signed a four-year contract that covers all 12 Meredith stations and starts in June.

“Meredith is very focused on expanding its digital footprint, and the WorldNow team offers robust products to support those priorities,” Steve Schwaid, VP of digital content, Meredith Local Media, said in a prepared statement. “Additionally, WorldNow has built strong social media applications which are very impressive.” 

Meredith was an early client for the 12-year-old WorldNow, but in 2006 and 2007 it moved its Web business to Internet Broadcasting Systems, a WorldNow rival.

WorldNow CEO Gary Gannaway was clearly delighted to have Meredith back, noting that his company had to earn the business. “Meredith did the most extensive and exhaustive due diligence we’ve ever been a part of. They did a deep dive into our technology, customer services and sales services.”

Based on the feedback he has gotten from Meredith, Gannaway says, WorldNow won the contract because it provides a single platform that clients can use for content management, video and mobile. “It’s easier to publish from one platform than many.”

Meredith also liked that WorldNow “is the only provider that drives local revenue,” Gannaway says. “That meant a lot.”

Gannaway noted that Meredith is the second big contract it has landed in the past year. Allbritton, which had been handling its sites in-house, signed on in June 2010.