Bradford e-commerce group bmedia is using a virtual tour of the city for its first marketing push.

The organisation's new CD-ROM business card gives users a virtual fly-over of the area, taking them around buildings like the Alhambra Theatre. Started last July in a bid to give a co-ordinated structure to the region's booming new media sector, bmedia is producing 1,000 CDs to send out to businesses in 2002.

Chairman Richard Fennell, of Bradford software firm Black Marble, said: "Up until now we haven't had any real material to show people what we are about, and producing something on paper didn't seem right for a new media group.

"So we have used our members' varied skills to produce a CD-ROM business card which will hopefully have a stronger impact."

He added: "That's a pretty effective showcase of our members' skills, and we hope it will encourage visitors to the site to then visit other pages to find out who we are, what we offer, and how to join us."

The group has attracted 40 members, representing companies with 500 'new media' employees, since launching.

Mr Fennell is convinced hundreds more are unaware of the support available.

Supported by Yorkshire Forward, the business card will be presented to business leaders at Leeds Bradford International Airport's new boardroom on Tuesday, January 29. The free event will be hosted by the airport's Deputy Chairman, Councillor Tony Cairns. He said: "The card is a major business tool. Often people need an interactive way of telling their clients what they do nowadays." Anyone interested in attending the free event should contact r.kandt@bilk.ac.uk by January 24.