Auto-By-Tel Signs Sponsorship Agreement with Excite

Auto-By-Tel Corp. signed an agreement with Excite Inc. to feature its services exclusively on the Netscape and Excite co-branded channels on Netscape’s NetCenter.

This two-year agreement, combined with Auto-By-Tel’s existing sponsorship agreement covering Excite’s flagship excite.com service, means that Auto-By- Tel’s potential audience will be more than 20 million consumers every month, the company said. Spending was not disclosed.

Auto-By-Tel is featured on Excite’s recently launched co-branded Netscape NetCenter Autos Channel, and its advertising will appear on all of the Excite- programmed channels, which include Autos, Shopping, Arts & Leisure, Auctions, Education, Games, Lifestyle and Real Estate channels.

“Auto-By-Tel is a strong partner for The Excite Network, providing powerful, comprehensive services and information for potential car buyers,” said Kenneth Wachtel, senior vice president for sales at Excite.

Media.com, a division of Grey Interactive Worldwide, negotiated the two-year agreement. “Auto-By-Tel has consistently set trends when it comes to Internet marketing,” said Dave Dowling, media.com’s president. “Our challenge was to ensure Auto-By-Tel went ‘beyond the banner’ to reach its audience.”

Auto-By-Tel and Excite will work together to create and promote contests and car giveaways across the co-branded NetCenter channels. Up to three vehicles will be given away during each 12-month period the contract is in effect.

Auto-By-Tel Corp. is an Internet-based purchasing program for new and certified used vehicles and related consumer services, including automotive financing, leasing and insurance.