Next Door Media is a network of neighborhood news sites in Seattle, the first of its kind in the country. Founded in early 2008 by two longtime journalists, Kate and Cory Bergman, Next Door Media is committed to creating a community-powered approach to local journalism while providing sustainable value for advertisers.

Unlike many blogs, Next Door Media sites are authored by experienced journalists who produce original, objective news coverage. Next Door Media’s MyBallard.com won a 2009 Online Journalism Award for community collaboration, beating the LA Times and Miami Herald for the award.

“My Ballard is exactly what newspapers are trying to do with hyperlocal content. And these guys do it,” said the judges. “There was no site that fulfills the sense of community collaboration better.” Next Door Media is an editorial partner of the Seattle Times, a partnership inspired by The Institute for Interactive Journalism.

The Next Door Media network generates 900,000 page views a month with dozens of advertisers in many of Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods. Through a partnership with WestSeattleBlog.com, advertisers have access to 1.6 million page views a month — the largest neighborhood network of its kind. Next Door Media also runs Just Seattle Coupons, a coupon site dedicated to local Seattle businesses. To learn more about advertising, click here.

Prior to Next Door Media, Kate Bergman was coordinating producer of KING 5 Morning News, and earlier, assignment manager of Northwest Cable News. She was named one of the “top 100 women in Seattle tech” by TechFlash.com. Cory is the director of new product development at msnbc.com, and earlier he headed up KING5.com and NWCN.com, where his team won two national journalism awards. (Next Door Media is not affiliated with msnbc.com.)

Contact Kate Bergman at Next Door Media at kate@nextdoormedia.com.