IAR Bits and Bytes

ValueClick Adds Advertisers

Pay-for-performance advertising network ValueClick is trumpeting the addition of new advertisers at the end of 2000, and noting that many of its new clients are traditional, non-dot-com companies.

New traditional advertisers on the ValueClick network include Ticketmaster, Nabisco, General Mills, Citibank, Nordstorm, MCI/WorldCom, British Airways, the U.S Postal Service, Verizon, MSN Israel, and SBC Communications. Internet-related clients were BlueNile, The Motley Fool, Commerce One and MySimon.com.

“While the general industry consensus is that the first part of 2001 will be challenging for the online advertising arena, we are pleased with the number of new advertisers who have signed up with ValueClick. We are also particularly encouraged to see more traditional advertisers testing online advertising and embracing the performance-based model,” said James Zarley, chairman and chief executive officer of ValueClick.

“With the variety of advanced targeting and marketing products we now offer — including banners, email, affiliate programs, co-registration, and ROI measurement — ValueClick is able to match the most appropriate marketing solutions to each advertiser’s objectives and provide them with a greater ROI. Now, we are focusing on the efficient integration of our latest acquisitions in order to deliver the most seamless solutions to these premier advertisers.”

ValueClick recently acquired email signup company Z Media, in addition to CPC network Click Agents.

Mighty Seven Finds New CIO

Mighty Seven Networks, an online direct response network and marketing services provider, has appointed Peter Tobeason as its new chief information officer. Prior to this, Tobeason was the founder and former chief executive officer of Dialog Software, an email marketing and customer relationship management service.

Interrep Opens New Offices

Interep, a cross-media sales and marketing firm and parent company of ABC Radio Sales, Allied Radio Partners, and Infinity Radio Sales, has opened an office in Kansas City, MO to work with advertisers and agencies in the region. Daniel Sanders and Michelle Sanders have joined Interep to run the new office as regional market directors. Daniel Sanders joins Interep from KMCI television in Kansas City where he served as a senior account executive. Michelle Sanders joins Interep from KSMO television in Kansas City where she also served as a senior account executive.

Aptimus Lands New Advertisers

Aptimus, an online direct marketing network, has signed agreements with more than 15 new partner Web sites to promote direct marketing offers to consumers. New partners include Slate.com, NetCreations, myBeautyCenter.com, Nova International, and GiantRewards.com. These new sites join current Aptimus clients NBCi, About, and iVillage.

Netcentives Bolsters Management Team

Direct marketing services company Netcentives has added three new members to its management team. Kevin Johnson will serve as senior vice president of client services for Netcentives’ email marketing group. Prior to this, Johnson worked with the Boston Consulting Group. Steve Koenig will serve as Netcentives’ new vice president of consulting. Most recently, Koenig served as general manager and senior client partner at Viant, an integrated strategy and solutions provider. Lastly, Netcentives also hired Judy Player as its new vice president and general counsel. Player has worked for several technology firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer Corporation and Informix Software.