The FINANCIAL -- AOL Canada and The Huffington Post Media
Group announce the launch of the Huffington Post Alberta, a powerful new
online platform from The Huffington Post Canada that will deliver local
stories and embody the unique culture of Alberta.
As AOL reporetd, the site will deepen the conversations around the stories that matter most to communities in Alberta, including politics, business, opinion, energy, lifestyle, and news. HuffPost Alberta will inform, inspire and connect readers to a platform that allows them to be involved in their online communities and encourages visitors to participate in the conversations and stories that interest them most.
"I'm delighted to welcome Alberta to the HuffPost Canada family," said Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group. "HuffPost Alberta's editors' unmatched local expertise, together with the power of our blogging platform, will help us tell the stories that need to be told - and just as important, help the people of Alberta tell their stories themselves."
The Huffington Post Canada's first regional expansion, Le Huffington Post Québec launched in February 2012; regional expansion into the Western Provinces of Canada includes The Huffington Post British Columbia ("HuffPost B.C.") also launching today. The Huffington Post reaches 3.4 million online Canadians per month and has grown 117%* since launch. Le Huffington Post Québec has seen a similar growth trajectory at 156% since launch. HuffPost Alberta will bring a more local flavour to the already 535,000 monthly unique visitors to Huffington Post sites that reside in the Prairies.
Alberta based editorial teams will be a key ingredient to the success of HuffPost Alberta. The site will be managed by Pablo Fernandez, news editor, formerly of the Calgary Sun with support from Michelle Butterfield, associate news editor, formerly of the Calgary Herald, reporting to Kenny Yum, managing editor of The Huffington Post Canada. The site will feature stories from Huffington Post editors, bloggers, and will feature contributions from high profile members of the surrounding communities.
Launch week editorial features will include stories such as a preview of the coming by-election in Calgary-Centre, the effects of an overhaul of Edmonton's ridings and a look into the increase of emissions in Alberta.
"With close to 1 million people in Western Canada already visiting Huffington Post sites, expansion in this region was a logical choice," said Graham Moysey, GM AOL Canada. With its DNA of social engagement and quality, compelling content, HuffPost is a great site for both advertisers and consumers alike and we are very excited about the new possibilities for both HuffPost Alberta and B.C."
The Huffington Post Canada has an ever-growing social following, boasting more than 50,000 Facebook fans, more than 36,000 Twitter followers and more than 14,000 comments per week. The Huffington Post Alberta will have a dedicated Facebook page and Twitter account where Albertans can connect with the site's content and conversations.
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