Ebay Partners With Newspapers For Local Classified Listings
Posted on May 4, 2001
eBay, an online marketplace, announced the launch of eBay Seller Classifieds, a service that allows eBay sellers to advertise their items in a dedicated eBay sellers section of newspaper classifieds. Readers find items in print, and then go online to bid and buy. eBay Seller Classifieds, powered by AdStar.com, is currently offered in the Star Tribune, a daily newspaper serving the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, and will soon launch in the St. Petersburg Times, a daily newspaper in Florida. Ebay will determine expansion plans based on user adoption in these two markets.``We believe eBay Seller Classifieds will be a valuable tool for our sellers to market their items to even more potential buyers,'' said Bill Cobb, senior vice president global marketing, eBay. ``Now buyers have a way to browse eBay listings before turning on a computer.''
Beginning in May, when sellers list an item on eBay they will have the opportunity to also advertise their item in a branded eBay sellers section featured in local newspaper classifieds. eBay sellers can include product information, including item number, title, starting bid price and sellers can also create ads promoting their eBay user IDs. AdStar.com has adapted its Advertise123 product to enable eBay sellers to place ads in the eBay Seller Classified sections. The AdStar.com service collects the ads and distributes the ads to participating newspapers.
``We're excited to be working with eBay to bring buyers and sellers together in this marketplace,'' said Nick Rogosienski, vice president, Interactive Media at Star Tribune. ``The synergy created by using both our online services and our newspaper makes it easier for the consumer to find eBay listings -- and that's good for sellers. eBay Seller Classifieds are a great addition to our shopping channel on startribune.com.''