Softbank to expand Euro operations

Softbank Interactive Marketing, the Japanese-owned sales house which handles ad sales for Netscape, Lycos, Playboy and Carling Net, is planning a third-wave expansion of its European office network managed out of London.

The company, which launched its London office in January, officially opened the doors to offices in Madrid, Hamburg and Paris – covering France and the Benelux countries – this month.

In January, Softbank plans to start a Stockholm operation, to cover Scandinavia, and an Italian division to be based in Milan. The company opened its second European office in Barcelona in March, targeting Spain and Portugal.

According to Gordon Simpson, director of European operations, this expansion is aimed at beefing up Softbank’s sales coverage and attracting more local and pan-European advertising to Softbank’s network of sites.