Prodigy, Phase2Media Partner for Ad Sales

Prodigy Communications Corp., one of the earliest Internet service providers, this week signed a deal for Phase2Media to be its exclusive ad sales representative.

The deal calls for Phase2Media and Prodigy to look for “beyond the banner” advertising opportunities — unique ways to integrate advertisers’ messages into Prodigy’s products.

Phase2Media will create a dedicated sales team to handle the account.

“We see an extraordinary opportunity to create customized, highly targeted advertising strategies for Prodigy with the Internet’s premier marketers that will serve as both innovative and revenue benchmarks in the industry,” said Richy Glassberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Phase2Media.

Prodigy cited the move as a means to boost its advertising revenue and improve its sales strategies. The company tailors its services and technology to three Internet markets: consumers, small business owners and the U.S. Hispanic population.

Also this week, Phase2Media set up a separate division to handle online ad sales for Hachette Filipacchi Medias, the publisher of consumer magazines.