Louisville Courier-Journal Launches Ground-breaking Classified Services with AdPay

Oct. 20, 2008 - PRLog -- Powerful web and print consolidation with partner Digital Technology International

LOUISVILLE, KY, October 20, 2008 –The Courier-Journal in Louisville, KY today announced the launch of AdPay’s Click•N•Buy Classifieds Enterprise Suite of web-to-print, print-to-web and web-to-web classified technologies.  A core component is the direct front-end system integration between AdPay and Digital Technology International’s ClassSpeed advertising suite.  

Newspapers are under pressure to find innovative solutions to compete in the ever-expanding world of online classifieds.  One of their unique opportunities is to seamlessly connect print and web for today’s increasingly capricious online user.  Using online technology to enhance the value of the printed classified and increase revenue is critical.

“After struggling for years with the web order entry system for our classifieds, we decided to look for a third-party vendor that could take our online classifieds to the next level.  We decided to use AdPay as our partner for online classifieds, both for entering classifieds and for classified search and display,” said Gary Shawd, VP of Information Technology for Gannett’s Courier-Journal.  “AdPay has given our customers the ability to have that rich experience they expect when advertising their merchandise.  The customers can upload multiple photos and even a multimedia file to show off their pet or merchandise.  We also can offer a Make an Offer or Buy It Now option to our advertisers.”  

In response to changing online user expectations, The Courier-Journal and AdPay have made significant improvements to the process of ordering classified ads online.  In the new approach, the online ad is created first, followed by the print ad.  The “print” ad becomes essentially an upsell to the online classified.  This is a noteworthy shift from prior newspaper order entry systems which have maintained the online portion as the upsell.  Once complete, the ad is simultaneously sent to the AdPay online marketplace and into DTI’s ClassSpeed front-end system for print publication.  AdPay’s comprehensive classified search platform rounds out the online user experience.

“The classified search and display makes it easy for buyers to find the merchandise offered by our private party advertisers,” said Shawd.  “AdPay has been very willing to work with us and has enhanced their product to give the user a better web experience than we could provide with our existing systems.  They were also able to interface into our DTI classified system, which allowed us to continue to track revenue without the need for additional customization.  The Courier-Journal believes we have picked the right company to partner with for the future of our classifieds.”

“The Courier-Journal has taken a leadership position by connecting with the online user in a way that enhances the experience for everyone involved," said Mike Heene, CEO of AdPay, Inc. "As they take action to combat the threats to their classified franchise, we’re honored to be chosen as their partner.  DTI has been a terrific partner in this process.  The combined technologies are exactly what the industry needs to meet tomorrow’s challenges, today.”

“We have appreciated working with The Courier-Journal over the years," said Louise Cliche, Advertising Solutions Manager of DTI. "DTI and AdPay have been working together for many years.  This deeper direct integration between the companies demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the best-of-breed online solutions to the industry and our clients.”

About AdPay
AdPay, Inc. is the leading provider of online classified e-commerce solutions to the media industry. AdPay’s patented technologies deliver an Internet-hosted solution suite that unifies print and online classifieds into a single, dynamic transactional classified network. The AdPay Classified Network is the media industry’s largest and fastest growing classified network with over 2 million classifieds and 3 million monthly unique users.  AdPay customers include many of the nation’s largest media groups including, but not limited to:  Gannett, McClatchy Interactive, F+W Publications, Morris, Media General, New York Times Company, Clear Channel Television, Belo Interactive, Advance Internet, Raycom and Journal Broadcast.  For more information, go to www.adpay.com.

About Digital Technology International
Digital Technology International is a leading provider of audience-centric multi-media, multi-channel publishing solutions. The company’s unique technology and strategic partnerships help news media organizations manage content more efficiently, build greater audiences, and sell more successfully. Whether on-premise or via SaaS, DTI helps its customers generate new revenue, reduce costs, manage resources, and make more informed business decisions. Its solutions are successfully implemented at more than 1000 newspapers around the globe. DTI is headquartered near Salt Lake City, USA, with offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, Panama, UK and USA. DTI may be found on the web at: www.dtint.com

# # #

AdPay’s patented online classified solution enables you to create a web-based classified marketplace that reinforces your position as a local destination site.