Knight Ridder Joins Classified Ventures

Classified Ventures in Chicago said that Knight Ridder has joined the newspaper industry online effort for the delivery of real estate sales and rental ads as well as automotive classified.

Knight Ridder New Media will contribute to Classified Ventures’ online services classified advertising listings from Knight Ridder’s 31 daily newspapers, plus a series of Web sites for cars and homes.

“With the addition of Knight Ridder, Classified Ventures now has truly national coverage in localized online classified advertising,” said Tim Landon, Classified Ventures’ chief executive officer. “We have an unmatched ability to offer readers and Internet users in eight of the nation’s 10 largest markets and beyond the most extensive print and online classified listings and services in their communities.”

Said Tony Ridder, chairman and chief executive officer of Knight Ridder: “Classified Ventures represents the best opportunity for American newspapers to maintain and strengthen their position as the leading source of classified advertising and information, in print and online.”

Knight Ridder New Media brings to Classified Ventures HomeHunter.com, a used home-for-sale listing and information site. Knight Ridder will adopt the Classified Ventures products in autos and apartments, while Classified Ventures will adopt Knight Ridder’s HomeHunter product in real estate.

Classified Ventures now has a network of 42 daily newspapers, reaching 19.2 million readers daily and 26.8 million on Sundays. At Classified Ventures, Knight Ridder joins The Times Mirror Co., Tribune Co. and The Washington Post Co.

Classified Ventures currently operates the national Apartments.com Web site and is developing its cars.com automotive site.