Gannett launches “Nimbus”
Don Day July 3rd, 2007
Gannett launched a new weather feature on a number of its local websites - “Nimbus.” The little corner graphic (right, seen on Denver’s 9News.com) unfurls to the full screen feature (below). By default, the weather page grabs conditions based on your computer’s IP address, including a video forecast loop from HamWeather.com. Currently Nimbus is being served on about 21 million pageviews a month, but the company hopes to ramp up distribution to more than 200 million views per month, as it rolls out more fully across the Gannett network, and partner sites.
7 Comments Add your own
1. Richard | July 3rd, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Seems like a waste to utilize a “peel page” for the weather. You don’t need to entice me to look at the weather forecast. Either I want the weather or I don’t want the weather. I know where to click and I know when I want to click.
“hey look, its the weather! Right here on the computer tv. Well I’ll be damned, its 102.”
And the peel page doesn’t even have the fake reflection that is borderline cool.
These Gannett people seem to be shooting for the most annoyuing TV website award. Do they really have pop-up ads? Yes, they do!.
Nimbus is a Nimrod
Long live the weather dog!
2. Bill | July 4th, 2007 at 5:43 am
The weather forecast does not match the main weather page, the data comes from two different sources.
3. Mike | July 4th, 2007 at 6:01 am
Thumbs up on the name Nimbus.
4. networktv | July 4th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Nimbus comes in multiple shapes/sizes for publisher choice and is available to affiliate websites (rev split). So, if you don’t like the peel back, there’s other choices. Also, as long as we’re picking it apart, click on the audio too…as Nimbus has built a voice engine (add any voice you want to deliver the weather for any zip along with sponsorship messages, if preferred). The character dresses appropriately for the weather (type in Barrow, AK and watch it change) and the unit uses that same logic to deliver condition triggered advertising. Nimbus was developed by PointRoll. Nimbus will soon be available as an embed and you will be able to pick your colors, etc. for his “accessories” (sunglasses, hats, scarfs, etc.). Bloggers, etc. have revenue opportunities, as well. Hey, it’s weather….we’re having a little fun with it and it’s pretty efficient way to get the basics…
5. Steve | July 4th, 2007 at 9:28 am
The Raybans remind me of the Simpsons “Poochie” episode. Ick. Does Nimbus have an evil twin with a goatee when there’s a tornado or hurricane predicted?
6. Richard | July 4th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Upon review,
Actually the affiliate angle is interesting. I was looking at it strictly as a Gannett/TV Affiliate addon and not as a weather network.
I could see if I had a fly-fishing or rock-climnbing or sugar-beet farming website it would make a nice addition. Especially if it generated a few cents per view.
7. trolling for columbine | September 25th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Nimbus is the stuiped. It looks like an 8th grade tech ed class created it
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