Leading Community Toolbar Builder Launches Cross-Platform Version for Firefox Browser

EffectiveBrand, the leader in community toolbar hosting solutions, announced today that it has released a cross-platform version of its flagship application, CommunityToolbar, that now runs on both Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox browsers. This announcement extends EffectiveBrand’s already sizeable technology lead as the industry standard in hosted, community toolbar applications.

According to Janco Associates, a leading market research firm, Firefox currently enjoys 8.83% of the Internet browser market and has been growing quickly, as it battles the 800 lb. industry incumbent, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. “EffectiveBrand is committed to assisting web publishers in extending their communities beyond the boundaries of their websites by moving more and more community content out onto the browser,” says Zack Miller, EffectiveBrand’s Vice President of Marketing. “EffectiveBrand already enables web communities to build, host, and promote their community toolbars. A Firefox version was the obvious next step.”

Firefox has grown quickly in an early-adopter community quick to shun mainstream applications. As Firefox continues to capture an almost double-digit market share, EffectiveBrand looks to position itself nearby. Says Ronen Shilo, EffectiveBrand’s founder and CEO, “Both Google’s and Yahoo’s toolbars are renown for search. EffectiveBrand takes the toolbar concept one giant step further. EffectiveBrand is working to change the perception of the toolbar by associating it with community and customization, two huge trends in the Internet community today. Developing a cross-platform solution reinforces our position as the community toolbar platform.”

With almost 34,000 web publishers already on the EffectiveBrand platform, EffectiveBrand has big ambitions. Says Miller, “In addition to our new Firefox version, we offer technology unrivaled in our industry. Bloggers, forum administrators, and anyone publishing content online can easily customize their toolbar with their own community’s content, functionality, and brand. Combine this level of customization with analytical tools and a built-in revenue model and we really have the complete community solution.”

The market seems primed for EffectiveBrand. Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft are all assuming more aggressive distribution tactics for their own toolbars. JPMorgan analyst, Imran Khan, estimated that revenues generated from searches launched from toolbars will amount to almost $800 million in 2005 and over $1 billion in 2006. With these numbers, it’s understandable that EffectiveBrand has taken a novel approach with its hosted, community toolbar concept.

Contact Information

Zack Miller

VP, Marketing and Business Development

EffectiveBrand

Contact via E-mail