Press release: The new XING – providing an optimized information structure for lively networking

• Improved usability thanks to a standardized and intuitive structure
• Increased focus on users’ own networks
• Mobile Web App now comes with new communication options
• New claim: “The professional network”
   

Hamburg, June 6, 2011 – Tomorrow the new XING will be launched and features a completely revamped information structure. This new professional networking structure is based on months of user testing to ensure a clear and simple design, in turn making it easy for networking newcomers and power users alike to find their way around. The latest in a member’s network forms the core of the new XING, which is now available throughout the entire platform and intensifies interaction between users and their networks.

Stefan Gross-Selbeck, CEO at XING AG, said: “We’ve completely revamped XING, which now resembles a mobile application. That’s no coincidence - the rapid growth and popularity of mobile apps have had a major impact on the needs of online users. A clear and streamline design is key to meeting these needs, and that’s precisely what the new XING now offers. This allows us to provide our members with a platform where it’s even easier to generate new contacts and get involved in what’s going on.”

Overview of the new information structure:

• New main navigation section:
  The main navigation section was pared down to five key areas: My Network, Jobs and Careers, Groups, Events, and Companies. All of the dropdown menus now feature the same structure.

• Focus on the latest information:
  The new XING now primarily focuses on the latest in a user’s own network, which is now available throughout the entire platform. Members who visit the Jobs and Careers section will now see such a list of jobs matching their profile or upcoming events when visiting the Events section.
  
  
  
   
• “My XING”:
  The My XING bar appears on the left-hand side of every page, no matter where the user is on the platform. My XING provides instant access to all key features relating to the user, i.e. messages, event invitations, contact requests, etc. As soon as a user receives a new message, they will be immediately notified via My XING. All of the items that are available or appear there can be dealt with immediately thanks to the lightbox that appears when clicking on the respective My XING icon. That way the user can handle new items without having to leave the section of the site they were using before the new item arrived.
  
   
• XING recommendations:
  XING provides users with recommendations in their “What’s new in your network” feed that are based on their profiles such as job ads or tips on how to improve their profile.
  
   
• Redesigned profile:
  For many users, their profile is the main focus of their online reputation. Profiles on XING now have a more professional and appealing look and feel while also incorporating a CV as a table and a new preview of their “About me” page..

Mobile Web App now comes with new communication optionsXING members can stay in touch with their network in exactly the same way as the desktop version when out and about thanks to the Mobile Web App launched in spring 2011. The Mobile Web App offers the same high level of usability as the native apps and can be accessed by any HTML5-capable browser by going to “touch.xing.com”.

“The professional network”
XING’s new and improved platform will also be accompanied by a new brand claim – “The professional network”. XING will now incorporate the claim throughout the site and use it in all of its marketing and external communications. The new claim was developed together with the Berlin-based agency PREUSS UND PREUSS plus marketing and strategy consultant Dr. Mirko Caspar. About XING
XING is the social network for business professionals. More than 10.8 million members worldwide use XING to boost their business, job, and career. XING is a platform where professionals from all kinds of different industries can meet up, find jobs, colleagues, new assignments, cooperation partners, experts and generate business ideas. Members can meet and exchange views in over 45,000 specialist groups, while also getting together at networking events. The platform is operated by XING AG, which was founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 2003 and has been publicly listed since 2006. In December 2010, XING acquired amiando AG, a Munich-based company and Europe’s leading provider of online event management and ticketing. Please visit

www.xing.com for more information.