GrownUps began as an idea to service the rapidly Internet savvy mature demographic in New Zealand.
The founders, Richard Poole & Shane Bradley, had an interest in the both the phenomenon of the online world and in providing a free website that allowed both visitors who were new to the Internet and those already familiar with it, to find useful and interesting information in one place, rather than scour all search engines to find local information specific to them.
Working with SeniorNet for initial feedback in early 2006, the site launched in June 2006 and continues to work alongside a number of organisations and of course all visitors, in requesting feedback in order to continue improving the site.
GrownUps now around 100,000 unique visitors per month, viewing over 400,000 pages of information and features. There are now almost 80,000 GrownUps members across the country, with some scattered around the world.
The site is New Zealand’s best lifestyle website for over 50 years, reaching over 300,000 total visitors each month. The site offers 5000+ lifestyle articles of interest from travel, health, sports, pets to name a few, as well as games, competitions, discussions and provides a meeting place for like-minded people keen to make the most of time and money, whether via trusted and useful information from the brands on the site or directly via the GrownUps online shop with over 200 products.
Advertisers can expect ROI's that rival mass media sites, by returning up to 3 x better clicks and views.
Channels include communicating with members via email newsletters or general banners, sponsorships, coupons and competitions, all centered around good information via an articles or a library of articles within a microsite.
The website is highly ranked in NZ by Nielsen Hybrid & Nielsen/NetRatings (excluding Blog sites) for Average Page Duration, meaning visitors enjoy spending time reading articles of interest.
GrownUps is an independent site and as such wishes to be open to all views. It is a Free site that is maintained via Advertising and Sponsorship.
Garth Hill has now joined as a shareholder and in charge of Sales for GrownUps.
Please do take part in the site for it will grow only with your help and your participation in Discussion Groups, adding articles, images, comments, your clubs and organisations.
Please read more about the 50+ market in the media here.
Thank you very much and please enjoy.