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Travel Ad Network aims to build largest travel audience online

April 23, 2008 | Online Travel

Travel Ad Network has raised $15 million in a first-round venture financing for international expansion. With 9.3 million unique U.S. visitors in March, Travel Ad Network is the top-ranked travel information site, just ahead of Yahoo Travel, according to comScore.

The company, which sells advertising across more than 50 travel sites including LonelyPlanet.com and RandMcNally.com, will use the funding to expand operations in the U.S. and abroad and increase the size of its network.

The company plans to grow to 75 to 100 employees by year’s end, up from almost 30 currently. Much of the hiring will be focused on building up its sales force and expanding overseas in Europe, India, China and South Africa.

Travel Ad Network also plans to expand its network to 100 travel sites by the end of 2008 and to 1,000 in three years. Despite the recent proliferation of vertical ad networks, Lawson said plenty of room remains for growth in the travel category.

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