IgoUgo Creates Swiss Roots Genealogy and Community; Americans and Swiss Can Discover Their...

NEW YORK -- IgoUgo has developed an interactive, online community called Swiss Roots www.swissroots.org which has its headquarters at the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York. The website was launched on March 29, 2006, and allows "Swissophiles" from around the world to share

their Swiss affinity and explore their potential Swiss heritage. Members, who include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and Swiss Roots spokesperson Ben Roethlisberger, can share information, advice, photos, and experiences, and their passion for what Switzerland has brought to the world. Sophisticated database applications allow users to search and sort member stories, and provide personalized content. Members can set up a Friends Network, and can easily contact one another to ask questions, exchange information, and build friendships without geographic bounds. In return for writing their stories, Swiss Roots members accrue valuable points redeemable for gift certificates, Swiss Roots merchandise, and other rewards. The IgoUgo-powered community, developed in cooperation with swissinfo, a Switzerland-based company, also includes message boards, an interactive calendar of local and national Swiss events, and access to thousands of reviews on Swiss destinations.

Founded on viral marketing and "stickiness"

The Consulate General of Switzerland in New York engaged IgoUgo to develop an online community that would promote Swiss culture, particularly for those Americans with Swiss ancestry. The Consulate chose IgoUgo for its ability to build a website founded on viral marketing, site stickiness, and an inherent enthusiasm that would engage users with the site's brand. The site leverages many existing IgoUgo community applications, including personalization functionality, the IgoUgo Friends Network, and IgoUgo rewards program. IgoUgo has previously built a successful, interactive travel community for Switzerland Tourism's My Switzerland site. http://myswitzerland.igougo.com

About IgoUgo

IgoUgo develops and hosts leading online communities for a variety of companies including destinations, media, ecommerce companies and others, like The Travel Channel, RCI, and Rough Guides. Its online community platform includes sophisticated database and personalization applications, the IgoUgo Friends Network, comprehensive editorial review, and a rewards program. IgoUgo communities are known to improve online activity and transaction rates, site traffic, and customer loyalty. IgoUgo also runs one of the most popular online travel communities in the world, IgoUgo.com. Its 350,000 members -- all passionate travelers -- share firsthand travel experiences, advice, and photos, with candid tips and inspiring stories covering more than 4,100 destinations.

About the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York

The Consulate General of Switzerland in New York represents Switzerland and the interests of Swiss citizens in New York. It promotes Switzerland and Swiss companies, sets up cultural events, and handles consular issues for its 19,000 registered Swiss citizens. The Consulate is keen to further strengthen the relations of friendship and common understanding between the Swiss and New Yorkers, and between Switzerland and the United States.

About swissinfo

swissinfo/Swiss Radio International (SRI) is an enterprise of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to inform Swiss living abroad about events in their homeland and to raise awareness of Switzerland in other countries. swissinfo/SRI achieves this through its nine-language Internet news and information platform -- www.swissinfo.org. The enterprise, founded in 1935, currently employs around 160 staff. All employees of the language services are trained multimedia journalists, who work in their native language. swissinfo/SRI has offices in Bern (headquarters), Geneva and Zurich. It also has employees based at the federal parliament in Bern.