MSN Money drew nearly 16 million unique visitors in May 2008, a site record, showing how even the roughest of times can’t stem an interest in money.
Good times, bad times, you know I’ve had my share.
— Robert Plant discourses on economic theory, Led Zeppelin
The kids are alright, and they have as keen an interest in money issues as anyone not dwelling in the 18-29 age bracket. Chris Jolley, group manager for the Financial Product Group and general overseer of MSN Money, told murdok in a phone interview.
That younger audience looks more to personal finance topics than investing, though they hold interests in the latter. High gas prices and a general feeling of economic malaise drive them to look at topical items holding an immediate impact.
One example, How To Fight 5 Food Budget Killers, helped MSN Money kick its May 2008 traffic to 15.7 million (per Nielsen//NetRatings), a figure Jolley said was a record for the site. The article noted the inflated pricing for five foodstuffs (flour being the worst) and ways to find some savings in buying them.
An even bigger draw picked up on a theme from 2007. The Customer Service Hall of Shame earned a lot of comments in 2008 at MSN Money’s forums, just as it did last year.
Jolley said MSN Money enjoys a key point of difference compared to other finance sites, as its access to editorial content and an ability to blend calculators and tools with articles make its work contextually relevant from start to finish. The current economy should ensure a steady stream of visitors to that work.
