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Chicago—January 20, 2005—
A new Cars.com study reports sixty-five percent of dealerships surveyed report a change in why they advertise online in the last year. Scheduled for release at the 2005 National Automobile Dealers Association's (NADA) 88th Annual Convention and Exposition in New Orleans, the report shows dealerships' online advertising strategies are evolving. In addition to a change in why they advertise, the dealers voice clear strategies for maximizing their Internet investment and see definite areas for growth and improvement collectively. The study's findings show how dealerships are using online advertising solutions to brand their dealership, merchandise their inventory and gain a competitive edge. "While 2004 marked record growth in the number of dealerships using online services to attract buyers to their showrooms, it also marked an evolution in how dealerships integrate these solutions into their sales and marketing strategies" said Mitch Golub, president of Cars.com. "As we will present at NADA, we are seeing dealerships hone their online strategies, placing greater emphasis on the tactics and partners that help to drive sales." The report, based on in-depth dealer interviews and Cars.com site analysis, will be released at an NADA press conference led by Cars.com President Mitch Golub, Vice President, Alex Vetter, and Director of Training, Ralph Ebersole:Partnered with 175 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their Web sites, Cars.com is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site places vehicle listings from nearly 10,000 dealers alongside nationwide classified advertising and private-party listings to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of consumers connect with sellers each month.
Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, (http://classifiedventures.com), which is owned by six leading media companies including, Belo (NYSE: BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Knight Ridder (NYSE: KRI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) and The Washington Post Company. (NYSE: WPO).