Fandango Cross-Links Flicks with eBay

Fandango and eBay formed a strategic marketing relationship to cross-link between related sections of the two sites. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

The alliance is aimed at developing a shared audience between the two sites. For example, eBay users browsing the auction site’s family DVD section would be linked to movie synopses, reviews, show times and advance ticket sales for films in the same genre. Users of Fandango looking at a particular film would be linked to related movie posters or other promotional items on eBay.

“There’s great cross-over potential to this relationship, and we hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship,” said Art Levitt, CEO of Fandango. “As one of the largest, most passionate communities on the Internet today, eBay is important alliance for us. And as a brand, we consider eBay parallel to ours as they represent fun, trust and community.”

Entertainment marketing agency First Fireworks helped set up the partnership. “We helped broker the strategic relationship between the two companies,” said Rene Santaella, COO at First Fireworks. “We’re excited about the Fandango relationship…it makes sense for the community.”

Fandango has existing partnerships with Amazon.com’s IMDB and Yahoo in which it acts as exclusive ticketer.