Classified Ventures and CitySearch Team Up

Classified Ventures and CitySearch Inc. said they are pairing to enable the rapid launch of online classified advertising products and services.

CitySearch publishes online city guides around the world in partnership with prominent media companies. Classified Ventures, a provider of online classified advertising solutions to the newspaper industry, will use CitySearch’s proprietary systems to develop and distribute online automotive and real estate classified applications to Classified Ventures’ affiliates. Financial arrangements were not disclosed.

Classified Ventures has a network with more than 130 affiliate newspapers in 42 states; the products and services developed by the company are designed to enable affiliates to provide classified advertising through the Internet under unified national brands.

CitySearch and Classified Ventures will collaborate initially to roll out the Classified Ventures’ services available at www.apartments.com, www.cars.com and www.newhomenetwork.com.

“Our agreement with CitySearch will give us access to the systems and processes that CitySearch has refined through its award-winning city guide service in order to rapidly roll out our automotive and real estate products and services to our affiliates,” said Bob Bellack, vice-president of operations for Classified Ventures.

According to the multi-year agreement, CitySearch will assist Classified Ventures by providing elements of its technology, Web site production systems and business systems, along with consulting services. Some of CitySearch’s local city guide services may also serve as Classified Ventures affiliates in their respective markets.

Classified Ventures is funded by seven media companies–Central Newspapers Inc., Gannett Co., Inc., Knight Ridder, The McClatchy Co., The Times Mirror, Tribune Co. and The Washington Post Co.

CitySearch has city guide partnerships with The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Baltimore Sun, The Dallas Morning News, The San Diego Union- Tribune, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age, Toronto Star, and Schibsted ASA, among others.