Overview

Britain leads Europe in terms of digital interactive TV and with digital switchover already underway, the use and awareness of this medium will only grow, presenting a wealth of opportunities for effective government service delivery. This combined with our focus on mobile phones, especially smartphones, and our ability to move quickly to keep up with technical trends is unrivalled in public - and possibly - the private sector.

For national organisations looking to reach members of society that the Internet does not reach, Looking Local is a unique government owned service with an unrivalled financial and technical model.

Key Points of note:

• Looking Local is owned and managed for local government and the wider public sector by Kirklees Council; it is a government designed, owned and run service
• On DiTV Looking Local is free to access, offering those in the lower income brackets access to services for free, when they need them, from the comfort of their home
• Looking Local is the only technical solution that allows an organisation to simultaneously publish services on all the digital interactive TV platforms and mobile (as well as other emerging consumer electronics)
• Our technology is based on inter-operable standards and offers an XML-based web services interface to allow systems integration where appropriate
• No investment is required, access to Looking Local's technology is on an annual subscription basis
• Looking Local research proves the service is reaching parts of society the web does not reach, often those with the biggest need for 24/7 government services, the digitally unengaged
• Looking Local brings together government bodies from across the spectrum and partners benefit from marketing and an existing user base
• Provides government organisations with future-proof means of providing digital communication to local people at low cost - all branded and capable of spanning new media as technology continues to change and grow
• Looking Local is working with the government backed TV initiative YouView (formerly BBC Project Canvas) to ensure government services are represented on this new platform due to launch in the first half of 2011
• Looking Local allows you to keep up with the cutting edge of electronic communication without incurring expensive development costs or duplicating resource and effort
• In 2009 Looking Local had just under 20 million hits and 1,350,000 sessions, so far in 2010 we are experiencing a 27% growth in usage
• Allows iPhone users to access local and national public sector services via a dedicated UK-wide free app using all the benefits of the iOS interface. Read more or download the app.

Looking Local strives to partner with relevant national organisations that deliver useful, complementary services to our core local partners and has had huge successes with Jobcentre Plus, a number of regional transport executives and the DfT's award winning Transport Direct. These are key services, particularly for our audience; the personally and locally relevant content allows people nationwide to find a job, get advice, plan journeys, track buses and look at up to the minute traffic and transport news.

In fact the jobsearch provided in partnership with Jobcentre Plus is one of the most popular services on Looking Local, particularly in the current economic climate, when more people have been using the service - for free - to find employment. For a more detailed understanding of these services please click either Jobcentre Plus or Transport Partners.

By partnering with key government, voluntary and charitable organisations, Looking Local is able to bring all sectors together to provide a comprehensive citizen focused local and national offering.

Looking Local is keen to find partners with local, regional or national services to complement what is already on offer. With a growing user base, unique technology and a tried and tested integration process, Looking Local is the only option for public or private sector organisations wanting to publish on DiTV and mobile. Please do contact us to talk further.