Cineplex Entertainment says it will expand its website over the next year with new e-commerce and social media tools for cinema-goers.

The first steps will be the launch of a movie/entertainment community and an e-commerce platform — both to go live on cineplex.com before the end of this year.

Cineplex’s technology partners in the new features include Bell Canada, ATG and RepeatSeat, the Calgary-based online and mobile ticketing service.

Cineplex.com traffic in May was up 20% over 2007’s numbers, based on page views, unique visits and total visits. Online ticketing commerce is up nearly 70% for that period — growth that Cineplex attributes to new online content and promotions, such as the ability to purchase gift cards.

Cineplex VP of interactive media Gary Fearnall says the site is now the number one ‘movie exhibition site’ and the number two movie site in Canada. Overall, Cineplex owns, leases or has a joint venture in 132 theaters (1,337 screens) across Canada and serves approximately 61 million guests annually.

From Media in Canada