Atlanta, Austin, Dayton and West Palm Beach are First Sites to Go Online
ATLANTA, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Interactive Media (CIM), the nation's
largest provider of comprehensive local content on the Web, is continuing the
growth of its online network through the launch of interactive classified
advertising Web sites. The new sites, serving as a one-stop interactive
marketplace, will enable Cox Newspapers, Inc. to extend its classifieds
business to the Web while becoming an integral part of CIMnet(TM), CIM's
network of city and specialty Web sites.
CIM's interactive classifieds are being developed as individual, stand-
alone Web sites in select markets. The sites will also be accessible through
local CIMnet city sites. The CIM interactive classifieds product will protect
and grow the market position of Cox Newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution, the Austin American Statesman, the Dayton Daily News &
Springfield News Sun, The Palm Beach Post, the Palm Beach Daily News and the
Florida Pennysaver.
Features of CIM classifieds sites will include:
-- Powerful search engine capabilities enabling local customers to find
quickly and thoroughly what they want to buy or sell;
-- Customer-generated automatic search agent tools which will notify
users in a daily email when the item they want to buy becomes
available;
-- Compelling editorial content combining local and national news and
features related to automotive, real estate and employment, which
helps users make smarter and more informed decisions;
-- Multimedia features, including online photos, video and audio
excerpts.
Leading this new area is Jim Todesco, manager of classified development.
His responsibilities include overall development and execution of the
interactive classifieds vision, and supervision of four project managers in
Atlanta, Austin, Dayton and West Palm Beach. Prior to joining CIM, Todesco
was the manager of advertising systems and technology for the San Diego Union-
Tribune where he was instrumental in the development of its online classified
advertising.
"Classified advertising is a significant revenue builder for newspapers,
with more than $15 billion spent in 1996 alone," said Todesco. "The Internet
is also experiencing tremendous growth in this area. With CIM's market-reach
through its city sites, it is a natural fit for Cox Interactive Media to
develop localized online classifieds. Not only will our interactive
classifieds enable consumers to conveniently utilize the largest source of
updated classified advertisements through our partnership with Cox Newspapers,
but it will also offer advertisers an alternative medium to reach their
audiences."
This new product will launch first in Atlanta in partnership with the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dean Welch, director of classified advertising
for that newspaper, shares Todesco's enthusiasm for CIM's classified
advertising Web sites. "The people in our communities have come to trust the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution to provide them with a database of classified
advertisements that is rich in quality and quantity," said Welch. "The
addition of online classifieds will not only broaden our reach across the
nation but also allow us to transition to a larger audience and enhance what
we already provide in Atlanta."
CIM's interactive classifieds products will also launch in early 1998 in
three other Cox Newspaper major markets: Austin, Dayton and West Palm Beach.
CIM plans to roll out the product in additional markets beginning in mid-1998.
In the past year, Atlanta-based CIM has experienced explosive growth,
going from a two-person shop to employing more than 225 people. By mid-1998
it will employ 400 people. The company produces the nation's largest, most
extensive and fastest growing network of city and specialty Web sites,
CIMnet(TM). To date, CIMnet includes 14 city sites and six specialty Web
sites.
Cox Interactive Media, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., is
headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. A leading media company, Cox Enterprises
includes Cox Newspapers, Inc. (newspapers, direct mail marketing, book
publishing), Cox Broadcasting, Inc. (TV, spot sales, television production,
research, publicly traded Cox Radio, Inc. (NYSE: CXR)) and publicly-traded Cox
Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX) (cable distribution, programming, broadband
communications). The company is also the world's largest operator of
automobile auctions through Manheim Auctions, providing financial services,
government auctions, online services and price guides.
SOURCE Cox Interactive Media
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Related links:
http://www.cimedia.com
CONTACT:
Marleen Burford, Cox Interactive Media,
404-572-1830; email: marleen.burford@cimedia.com; Paula Smith or
Fonda Berosini, Duffey Communications, 404-266-2600; email:
paulas@duffey.com or fondab@duffey.com
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