Grizzard Will Rep Church-based Internet Ad Network

Atlanta-based Grizzard Communications Group reported it has been retained by a group of Christian and church-related Web publishers and opt-in newsletters to represent them for ad sales on the Internet.

Under terms of the deal, Grizzard will serve as a full-service sales agent, offering advertisers both placement and server management/support capabilities.

According to William Greene, director of Internet marketing at Grizzard, some 20,000 nonprofit banner ads are already being served daily. Meanwhile, a leading ministry recently contracted with Grizzard for a buy that will increase that figure substantially, he said.

Organizations available for sponsorship through the Grizzard Internet Ad Network include: CIRnet–The Christian Internet Radio Network; Churches dot Net; CITV–The Christian Internet Television Network; and the MCU Virtual Library. Collectively, the Web sites for these organizations draw nearly 30,000 page requests per day, Grizzard said.

Most publish online newsletters that accept text ads. Advertisers wishing to target readers of these opt-in publications–a group that includes more than 30,000 email addresses–can receive up to five lines of text messaging, plus a hyperlink to the advertiser’s Web site or designation email address.

Although the network is currently geared to the evangelical audience–a strategic move leveraging Grizzard’s decades-long experience in nonprofit fund-raising–plans call for the network to ultimately expand and include commercial sites.

Through wholly owned and commonly owned companies, The Grizzard Communications Group maintains offices in several major markets across the country. It is among the 10 largest direct marketing organizations in the United States (based on domestic revenues), with nearly $125 million in capitalized billings.