NetZero to Offer Advertisers Amazing Media Tools

NetZero, a leading advertiser-supported free ISP, Thursday announced that it has entered into a cross-branding agreement with Amazing Media.

Geared toward smaller businesses with limited advertising budgets, Amazing Media provides clients with online services to create, measure and optimize rich media, transactional ads. Ads are served over Amazing Media’s network of about 7,000 sites.

Under terms of the agreement, advertisers on NetZero’s zCast system will be able to design, target and track ads using Amazing Media’s technology on a co-branded site.

The zCast system serves rich media ads through a floating window that remains open during users’ online sessions.

“Our strategic alliance with Amazing Media represents a significant move to attract and serve local advertisers and small businesses, a historically underserved population,” said NetZero chairman and chief executive officer Mark Goldston.

“Millions of small businesses are looking for an easy, cost-effective way of advertising online,” said Amazing Media president and CEO David Geller. “The alliance puts the power of advertising and direct marketing into the hands of advertisers.”

NetZero has been busy increasing its co-branded marketing and e-commerce initiatives lately.

In May, the ISP entered into an agreement with Global Sports , an e-commerce provider for sporting goods retailers, to provide customized ISP services for retailers including The Athlete’s Foot.

NetZero earlier announced a co-branding initiative with Aetna, Inc. to provide free, co-branded Internet access to all of Aetna’s U.S. employees. NetZero also signed a similar deal with General Motors early this year.

By engaging in co-branding and diversification of its revenue streams, the deals lessen NetZero’s exposure to the online ad sales market’s continued mood swings.