Canary Towers was developed after findings from a series of reader focus groups conducted by FTAdviser.com revealed that IFAs across the UK were looking for a way to easily access the wider community, openly discuss the issues affecting them and seek support and advice from their peers. The development of the site is part of an ongoing initiative from FTAdviser to strengthen relationships with its existing readership and attract new subscribers to both print and online.
IFAs can create an online persona on the site and then search and link with their peers to build out their own professional social network. They can also engage with online content by commenting on and recommending articles, take part in forum discussions and access and contribute to a number of blogs run by industry experts. This is all made possible by the Pluck4 social application server.
Charl Porter, lead product manager for FT.com and FTBusiness, said: “FTAdviser.com is no longer simply a broadcaster of news; we are now engaged in a direct two-way conversation with our readers. Through our focus groups, we knew exactly what functionality our readers wanted from their online community and the Pluck platform impressed us with its broad portfolio of applications. The site has only been live since 15thApril, but we are already delighted with the number of discussions taking place. Our goal is to make Canary Towers the online community for all IFAs based in the UK”.
The FTAdviser.com editorial team has taken over the community management function of Canary Towers and the journalists actively contribute to forum discussions. The site has a strict commenting policy which is detailed in its online user guidelines and all comments made on the site are post-moderated by the online team.
“Demand Media technology already powers the comments on the Investors Chronicle site so we had a good existing relationship with the Financial Times, and we were excited to work with them on the development of Canary Towers” said Stephanie Himoff (pictured), vice president of Sales & Business Development for Demand Media in Europe. “This was a much more ambitious implementation that really speaks to the strength and breadth of the Pluck platform.”
About Demand Media
Demand Media says: “Demand Media is a leading online media company that informs, entertains and connects millions of people every day. Through a portfolio of vertical web properties that reach more than 80 million monthly visitors, a global network of digital partners, and a breakthrough content studio, Demand Media publishes what the world wants to know and share. Founded in 2006, Demand Media is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with offices in Bellevue, WA, Austin, TX, New York, NY and London, UK.”
