MW launches free online contacts bible: MW opens up its directory to the world, with new free-to-access website offering more advanced functionality.(Awards)

Music Week is significantly expanding its online proposition this week, with the launch of a free-to-access version of the Music Week Directory.

The site, which launches at www.musicweekdirectory.com, makes the 10,000-plus listings contained in the current Music Week Directory available to non-Music Week subscribers for the first time, as well as offering improved functionality to the current directory site.

Access to the site will be free, with users required to register in order to receive log-in details. Existing passwords and user names for musicweek.com will also give access to the directory.

New features on the site include a more advanced search facility, which allows users to search by several different criteria, including region and type of activity, as well as deeper data. In addition, new opportunities have been created for companies to expand their profile and promote their products and services to an international audience via an enhanced listings menu including logos, added text, images and banner adverts.

"This is the biggest update to Music Week online since the launch of Musicweek.com in July 2003," says Music Week publisher Ajax Scott. "We will be constantly updating and evolving something that has previously been static.

"We are opening up the directory to the world. This significantly increases the profile ...