Msnbc.com acquires EveryBlock

MSNBC Interactive News LLC (msnbc.com) has acquired Chicago-based EveryBlock, a ground-breaking site that has pioneered the local news space by offering news and information down to the neighborhood block level in 15 cities. The acquisition answers the growing consumer demand for more local news, underscores msnbc.com’s commitment to innovative news gathering and advances the site’s unique ability to deliver a fuller spectrum of news.

EveryBlock, which will continue as an independent brand, offers msnbc.com’s highly engaged “news explorers” another avenue to discover perspectives on local news, entertainment and information. EveryBlock allows users to type in their address, neighborhood name or ZIP code to view nearby news coverage, blog entries, civic data, photos and dozens of other types of information – all updated throughout the day.

“EveryBlock has developed the platform, tools and services to inform and transform community news using a data driven approach,” said Charlie Tillinghast, president of msnbc.com. “At a time when traditional news coverage of local government has declined under severe economic pressure, EveryBlock has emerged as a scalable solution to reporting basic public information. Combined with our editorial skills, presentation strengths, and the community capabilities of Newsvine, we are positioned to help EveryBlock lead us into local markets nationwide and serve as a foundation for a new form of local journalism.”

“Joining with msnbc.com gives us the resources to turn EveryBlock from a cool, useful service into something much bigger,” said Adrian Holovaty, founder of EveryBlock. “Just wait until you see what we’re cooking up.”

EveryBlock won a two-year grant (July 2007- July 2009) from The Knight Foundation for its unique development of platforms, tools and services to inform and transform community news. By joining the msnbc.com brand family, EveryBlock will have access to resources that will enable it to continue to innovate and reach more consumers on a larger scale. The combined assets and expertise will offer consumers a richer news experience and allow msnbc.com to explore new ways to work with its local partners.

Adrian Holovaty, EveryBlock’s founder, and the employees will continue to be located in the company’s Chicago office.

EveryBlock is in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Users can visit www.EveryBlock.com to keep track of what’s happening on their block, in their neighborhoods and all over their cities.