MediaNews Group Interactive Signs Kaango to Jumpstart Online Classifieds
24 June 2006
MediaNews Group Interactive (MNGi) today announced that it has selected Denver-based Kaango, Inc. to provide MediaNews Group affiliated newspapers with their new online classified software platform. According to MNGi, the Kaango platform will provide a way for its newspapers to present print, display and full-featured, online-generated classified advertisements all from a central marketplace.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060622/LATH015LOGO)
MNGi selected Kaango from a short list of the nation's leading providers of online classified software. "We view online classifieds as an important extension of our print classified service. The Kaango platform will allow us to deliver our online marketplace users a high level of service and satisfaction," said MNGi CEO, Eric Grilly.
With Kaango, MNGi newspapers will become part of a syndicated network of classified ads. Ads from any single newspaper in the network will appear in the classified areas of all other newspapers in the network, giving sellers a wider audience and buyers a wider selection. At the same time, each ad displays a link to the newspaper from which it was originally published. Member newspapers will have the option to exclude ads from competing newspapers located within a 100 mile radius. For the most part, however, users need only post one ad for instant exposure on every site in the network, regardless of their geographic location. Similarly, users can shop without geographic restriction when looking for a particular item. Users can limit results, if needed, by distance. MNGi newspapers will also be able to provide their users with central ad and offer management, user-friendly "WYSIWYG" listing tools, photo slide shows, sorting filters, thumbnail previews, mini discussion areas within each ad, wish lists, watch lists and much more.
The new system mimics real-world transactions by using an integrated "offer and acceptance" business architecture. Buyers can make firm offers and sellers can correspondingly accept, reject or invite new offers. "With this system, buyers and sellers have a complete online record of their transaction, which prevents disputes between parties and helps ensure smooth dealing," said Kaango President, Michael Kranitz. The system also brings with it a host of other features, including; a full user feedback system, a sales invoice generator, integrated PayPal buttons for buyers, and a security and complaint system.
As of this release, MNGi's newspapers in Los Angeles, Park City, New England, Pennsylvania and Connecticut had launched their systems.
About MediaNews Group, Inc.
MediaNews Group, Inc. is the nation's seventh largest newspaper company, with headquarters in Denver, CO. MediaNews Group and its affiliated companies publish 50 daily newspapers and 121 non-daily publications in 12 states with daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 2.1 million and 2.4 million, respectively. In addition, MediaNews Group owns a CBS affiliate in Anchorage, Alaska and four radio stations in Texas. MediaNews Group maintains 74 Web sites for its daily newspapers and an umbrella site, newschoice.com.
About Kaango, Inc.
Kaango, Inc. is headquartered in Denver, CO. It provides online classified ad software for newspapers and other publishers of online classified listings. It also operates Kaango.com.
Inquiries
For MediaNews Group:
Eric Grilly, CEO
MediaNews Group Interactive
1560 Broadway, Suite 2100
Denver, CO 80202
Tel (303) 563-6360
For Kaango:
Michael Kranitz, President & CEO
Kaango, Inc.
2330 Broadway, Suite 104
Denver, CO 80205
Tel (303) 858-0415
Fax (303) 858-0409
Source: prnewswire
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