Guardian's Open Platform launches commercially

A year on from launch, the Guardian's Open Platform is to operate commercially, with the introduction of new commercial partnerships.

Commercial partners will be able to build applications for external use as well as within the Guardian network. GNM says online publishers will be able to use its content to develop campaigns, products and services.

"A variety of models for sponsorship, revenue sharing, and commission-based partnerships to help brands and businesses reach audiences in new, innovative ways on a range of online platforms will be demonstrated," GNM announced today.

Open platform was released in beta last March, with two main features: a Content API and Data Store. The feature opened up the Guardian's data and content for free reproduction and adaptation by its developer partners

Following its commercial launch in London today, the Guardian is hosting a '24-hour Developer Challenge', in which developers will compete to produce commercial products by 2:00pm on Friday 21 May.

Additionally, the Guardian is offering £50,000 media value to the next commercial project using Open Platform, if they commit £100,000 or more. "Smaller publishers who want to enhance their online presence by using our content will also be able to take advantage of the new model," said Adam Freeman, director of GNM consumer media.

Commercial possibilities and the potential for an advertising network were discussed and developers were encouraged to to think about embedded advertising, behavioural targeting and ways of re-selling data.

Since its release, over 2,000 developers have signed up and over 200 applications, products and data visualisations are now live, GNM confirmed today. One example for advertisers given by GNM is the 'Enjoy England' project, which was built with Guardian Open Platform API feeds and makes use of Google mapping. The map has also been embedded into Enjoy England’s website.

In another revenue driving exercise, Guardian News & Media also launched its membership scheme today, which promises subscribers access to exclusive events and briefings.

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