DealerNet, TVI Inc. Partner in VW Sweepstakes

Seattle-based auto site DealerNet is partnering with TVI Inc., the parent company of Value Village and Savers thrift department stores, in a spring promotion that combines the Internet, traditional media and retail.

DealerNet and TVI are co-sponsoring a sweepstakes in which they will award a Volkswagen New Beetle to the grand prize winner. The promotion, called “Catch the Savings Bug,” runs in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Value Village and Savers stores and plays off of TVI’s current slogan, “Everything old is new again.”

The sweepstakes runs through May 10. The grand prize winner will be drawn at random at the conclusion of the contest.

The sweepstakes will be supported by local television, newspaper and in-store advertising in 56 markets across the U.S. and Canada, as well as online banner advertisements on various Web sites. Spending was not disclosed.

“TVI is committed to serving the needs of bargain hunters everywhere, and partnering with DealerNet to give away a New Beetle is part of that effort,” said TVI marketing manager Eric Farley.

“With the recent redesign of TVI’s corporate Web site, and the cross promotion of the sweepstakes, we believe this is a great opportunity to bring our retail promotions to a whole new level.”

“This is the first integrated sweepstakes that DealerNet has ever offered.” said Suzanne Sellers, product manager of DealerNet. “Partnering with Value Village and Savers gives us an opportunity to expand our reach through traditional media and attract more consumers to DealerNet.”

DealerNet is owned and operated by The Cobalt Group, a provider of Internet marketing solutions to automotive dealerships. The Cobalt Group, founded in March 1995, hosts and services more than 8,000 Web sites nationwide.

TVI, Inc owns and operates 167 thrift “department” stores in 25 U.S. states, 9 Canadian provinces and in Melbourne, Australia. The stores, known as Savers, Value Village and Village des Valeurs, employ more than 6,000 people. TVI stores feature quality used merchandise which is sold at 10 to 50 percent of its original retail price.