Leading behavioral targeting firm Tacoda today announced (pdf) that a group of large local websites have joined its online advertising network (Tacoda Audience Networks) bringing the number of unduplicated, unique users reached by the network in the U.S. to over 140 million. The agreements further expand the network's reach into major local markets, including Chicago, Seattle, Denver and San Francisco.

Among the new sites are those owned and operated by Tribune Interactive, Denver News Agency, North Jersey Media Group, Hearst Newspapers' SFGate.com and Topix.net, and also include MyCity/411, Times Shamrock and the Seattle Times.

"Brand advertisers have occasion to overlay geography onto the behavioral audience segments they target," Larry Allen, Tacoda's SVP of business development said in a statement. "By adding content-rich, heavily trafficked local sites…we enhance advertiser access to relevant audiences in local markets as well continue to grow our national reach at a rapid rate."