Citysearch has debuted “cityseries,” a new digital “best of” magazine for the iPad that allows users in key cities to quickly find “best” bars, shopping, spas, breakfast and other top categories.
The attractive online magazine, which will be promoted on other iPad sites, relies on Citysearch’s editorial staff and combines reviews with business profile information. Initial monthly editions have been launched in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Washington D.C. and Seattle.
What’s especially unique is that Citysearch combs its coupons database and presents “popover” coupons that appear when the iPad is held horizontally, below the text. Users can either save the coupons to their photo albums or fling away the coupons with their fingers — iPad/iPhone/iTouch style — before continuing. Currently, there are five on a page. There are no additional charges to advertisers for inclusion.
It isn’t really clear what users will do if they save the coupons. Show it to the merchant? Confirm discounts via word of mouth? Email it to themselves and print it out? But they do represent a unique touch screen advertising option we hadn’t seen before.
Note: This post has been updated to reflect Citysearch’s fix of the coupons.
