Internet Firm Plans Global Network Of Websites

<H1>Internet Firm Plans Global Network Of Websites</H1><H3>By Cheryl Rosen</H3>San Francisco - Copying the successful business model of the television networks, a San Francisco Internet developer is trying to build a global affiliate network of travel sites on the World Wide Web.

Vivid Studios last week formally unveiled its plans for the Vivid Travel Network, which it plans to have online before the end of the year. Vivid will offer a set of open-standard tools that will allow affiliates to quickly build Web sites offering local travel information to global travelers, said Vivid Studios president Henri Poole.

As in broadcast television, local broadcasters in Asia, Europe and North and South America will pay Vivid an affiliate fee and offer the company advertising space on their individual sites in return for expert advice on technology, programming, Web content and marketing. Vivid will in effect provide "a huge tool kit that will be used by affiliates around the world," Poole said.

For travelers, the Vivid sites will offer an easy way to access local information and Bulletin Board/Forums, rather than wading through the hundreds of travel-related titles that show up on regular Web browsers.

"We're creating Internet tools that make looking around an entertaining experience," Poole said. "What we do is index the Internet to provide deep information from all sources on travel destinations, and to allow travelers to explore the city in an interesting and entertaining way."

The Vivid sites will not provide booking tools of any kind, but instead will offer easy access to all online systems in keeping with VTN's overall goal of "not aligning ourselves with proprietary interests, but rather offering the traveler all the options," Poole said.

Vivid is a well-known Website developer whose customer base includes Microsoft, Sony Interactive, CompuServe and Bell Atlantic.

The company also has its own site on the Web, which can be reached at http://travel.vivid.com.