Founded: August 2000 by Harvey Shulman, joint MD of property management firm Solitaire Group.

Launched: 15 December 2000 to over 650 blocks of apartments in London and over 15,000 residents.

Management: Harvey Shulman (MD), Marcus Richardson (brand/content manager), Dylan James (publisher).

Proposition: News On The Block offers residents in blocks of flats the chance to discuss issues within their building via an online forum.  Residents can voice views on local service providers and contractors and can derive revenue from their community site, which goes towards building service charges.

Market: Local businesses that serve residents - plumbers, dry cleaners, electricians, restaurants.

Revenue Streams: Advertising and Microsites for local businesses.  Brand promotions and e-commerce on the site.

Funding: The Solitaire Group, Capital Tech and FCC Paragon.

Competitors: "News On The Block has no true competitors because all of our customers/users are pre-registered.  The users will have the ability to control content and benefit from promotions geared specifically to them.  In addition, they'll be able to profit from anything sold via the site (including advertising, which they may recommend themselves).  Profits are in the form of 10% of the revenue collected by NOTB and will directly apply in a discount of service charges on their block"

Audience: First targeting London, will roll out across the UK in 2001.

Marketing Strategies: Direct mail to raise awareness amoung local residential communities, followed by e-mail and site promotions.  The company will also promote the site through seminars for residents' association board members.

Contact: Marcus Richardson, marcus@newsontheblock.com, www.notb.co.uk

NMA says: News On The Block intends to create online communities and forums within residential blocks.  The service can be adapted to individual properties and aims to generate additional income for residential group's service charges by reinvesting 10% of all revenue raised on the site.  However the site relies on advertising revenue and take-up by residents associations.  Its success will be dependent on marketing within local communities and Internet penetration, although its community aspects will help to encourage take-up.

NEW MEDIA AGE, 14th December 2000