November 13, 2008 12:00 ET

Fisher Communications Launches a Revolutionary Employment Marketplace Featuring Breakthrough Matching Technology

New Disruptive Technology and Pricing Model Replaces Antiquated Keyword Searching

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - November 13, 2008) - Fisher Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSCI) announced today the release of a new online employment platform across 8 markets. The new employment marketplace provides job seekers, employers and recruiters that visit Fisher's online sites, such as www.komonews.com, with a superior recruiting experience. The platform offers no-cost job postings and a continually updating results page that grades, filters and ranks candidates according to how well they qualify for a job. The technology behind this offering features a new profile-matching paradigm with a comprehensive taxonomy and proprietary algorithm eliminating the need for candidates to search through unwanted listings.

One of the largest complaints among online job seekers is the requirement to use keyword search technology which forces users to weed through hundreds of irrelevant job listings in the hope of finding one or two ideal opportunities. Fisher's new job marketplace uniquely allows job seekers to see precisely matched jobs within two minutes, and allows them to remain anonymous while exploring new career opportunities. Further, match alerts are sent to users in real-time when a new job matches their profile and preferences.

Removing the risk of pay-to-post job sites

Unlike conventional job boards, Fisher has introduced RealMatch's pay-for-performance pricing model that allows employers and recruiters to post jobs across Fisher Interactive's sites and the entire RealMatch Network for free. Posted jobs are immediately matched with qualified candidates from across the entire network. Employers may view, at no charge, the profile of matching candidates; they are charged a nominal fee only if they decide to reveal the contact information of the matching and interested individual. Employers are also provided a free applicant tracking system to manage candidates throughout the hiring process.

"Fisher Interactive serves 9 markets and reaches some 2.7 million unique visitors every month," said Nancy Bruner, vice president and general manager of Fisher Interactive Network. "We chose the RealMatch platform because it provides our audience with better technology and a more useful interface. It also allows Fisher to leverage and connect each of the Fisher Interactive media sites onto one employment platform."

"Fisher Interactive reaches and serves a large audience of working professionals," said Rafael Cosentino, vice president of business development for RealMatch. "Fisher's professional audience now has access to matching technology which can connect them with the jobs and companies that match their skills and preferences."

About Fisher Communications

Fisher Communications, Inc. is a Seattle-based communications company that owns and operates 13 full power television stations (including a 50%-owned television station), 7 low power television stations and 8 radio stations in the Western United States. The Company owns and operates Fisher Pathways, a satellite and fiber transmission provider; Fisher Plaza, a media, telecommunications, and data center facility located near downtown Seattle; and Pegasus News, an online start-up and hyper-local media pioneer based in Dallas. For more information about Fisher Communications, Inc., go to www.fsci.com.