Media

Green Publication Gaia Discovery Hits 100!

21 October 2008, Singapore - Since its launch in May 2008, the Gaia Discovery ecological online magazine (www.gaiadiscovery.com) has grabbed the attention of readers from 100 countries and territories around the world. Due to its unique Asian environmental content, it makes eco living and travel easily accessible on the internet.

Page visits average tens of thousands monthly, based on Google Analytics and SquareSpace web traffic monitoring tools. According to the statistics, the top ten Asian visitor countries are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Hongkong, Laos and Cambodia. In addition, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, New Zealand, Sweden and the Netherlands rank top ten among countries from other regions.

Referring to its unique approach to content delivery, founder and Managing Editor Mallika Naguran is confident that the magazine strikes a chord with readers who are concerned with global warming and climate change. "We communicate serious messages using real-life stories, gripping anecdotes and graphic pictures and videos. Exclusive interviews allow people in the trenches such as environmentalists and conservationists to voice their concerns. Our content is crafted first hand and carefully researched, hence articles are newsworthy while being engaging," she says.

Average time spent on the site is four minutes, with nearly 60% of traffic arising from search engines, 25% from direct links and 15% from referring sites such as UNEP's Climate Neutral organisation, Australia's search engine WebWombat, US-based Global Coral Reef Alliance, Thai Climate Organisation and Laos Ecotourism promotions agency. Access to Gaia Discovery content is free of charge; readers can also post comments without prior registration.

One internationally-acclaimed interviewee and subscriber is Nobel peace prize laureate and Champion of the Earth, United Nations Environment Programme 2008, Dr Balgis Osman Elasha. "Gaia Discovery is my new discovery of a very interesting newsletter," she says. "Through her interviews Mallika knows how to bring out the hidden and unspoken environmental messages and presents them in the most simple, direct and attractive way. Many people told me that they became more enthusiastic to play an active role in conserving the environment after reading her interview with me."

Dr Balgis notes that Gaia Discovery helps educate readers and encourages them to bring the lessons home. This is borne out by the increasing numbers of readers signing up for Gaia Discovery eNewsletters, subscribing to RSS feeds and participating in joint-promotions.

This month, there is an opportunity for readers to experience Vietnamese culture and heritage by winning a stay at the beautiful Victoria Hoi An Resort & Spa, close to the UNESCO heritage listed site of Hoi An town.

In addition to joint-promotions, there are advertising opportunities on Gaia Discovery such as affiliate marketing, promotional banners and classified listings that help companies strengthen their green branding. Ten percent of all proceeds will go to the Gaia Discovery Conservation Fund.

For media enquiry, contact Mallika Naguran at mal@gaiadiscovery.com.