AUTO TRADER TO LAUNCH NEW DIGITAL MEDIA IN-HOUSE SALES TEAM
January 15th, 2008Auto Trader, the UK’s no 1 motoring website and magazine, will be taking its digital media sales in-house. Effective as of 1 March 2008, agencies will be dealing directly with Auto Trader for all bookings, whilst AdLink will continue to manage RON campaigns.
The new structure will allow Auto Trader to continue to deliver quality ad campaigns, whilst providing more innovative, integrated solutions such as microsites and sponsorship opportunities, alongside bespoke research, cross-media opportunities and pitch support. The new structure will also allow Auto Trader to offer agencies more expertise and knowledge of the site and the automotive market as a whole, as well as dedicated support.
Agencies’ digital teams will now be allocated three dedicated teams of experts from Auto Trader, each serving an individual sector: Automotive, Finance and Insurance and Lifestyle and FMCG. In addition to this, Naomi Lay, Head of Display Advertising at Auto Trader, will oversee all agency activity.
Auto Trader will sell directly to agencies on a variety of advertising solutions across the site, from innovative, integrated solutions to more traditional, targeted campaigns. For all campaigns, agencies will be able to go to Auto Trader directly to develop the most effective campaigns for their advertisers.
Jason Biffin, Commercial Director - eCommerce at Trader Media Group explained: “We have spent the past 12 months building a team and new products to suit both existing advertisers and new sectors, such as lifestyle and new car advertising. We are confident that the changes we are making will have a positive effect for agencies and that by working more closely with their teams, we will be able to offer more to their advertisers.
“In conjunction with the unveiling of our new in-house sales team, we are also launching a new look website, offering prime display positions and new integrated solutions for advertisers.“
Auto Trader is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for agencies and as such will be organising roadshows to all agencies over January and February, as well as launching a dedicated agency-only website aimed at providing up to the minute research, case studies and advertising opportunities.
Auto Trader has positioned itself as the channel of choice for buying and selling a new and used vehicle, built on the combination of local targeting and comprehensive national coverage and can be accessed via its magazine, website and WAP media.
- Ends -
Notes to Editor:
• AutoTrader.co.uk has been voted amongst the top 10 most trusted online brands, reliable websites and best websites to visit* according to The eSuperbrands Council – experts in marketing, managing, creating or reviewing Internet brands. (*Source: eSuperbrands 2006)
• With 13 regional Auto Trader magazines across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the brand is building a competitive position across all effective channels including print, the web and WAP.
• Auto Trader is owned by Trader Media Group, which also publishes market leading niche titles such as Top Marques, Bike Trader, Truck & Plant Trader, Ad Trader, Motorhome and Caravan Trader, Boats and Yachts for Sale, Boat Trader , Farmers Trader, Auto Freeway, TNT magazine – all with the largest reach in their sectors, through magazine readership and web visitors.
• Trader Media Group publishes over 70 titles every week with a combined circulation of 1.5 million and has leading websites for its top titles.
• Trader Media Group, a division of Guardian Media Group, employs over 3,900 people across 40 locations in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Italy and South Africa. The Group is looking to expand on its winning formula - developing a car supermarket and one-stop-shop for motorists; giving trade customers the opportunity to choose all effective channels to market; building the service and relationship with dealers and manufacturers; and strengthening its portfolio of automotive and specialist classified titles.
For further information, please contact:
Karen Hughes/Caroline Burnell
The Drum Consultancy
Tel: 020 7025 8044
Fax: 020 7025 8100
Email: karenh@drumbeat.co.uk
Posted in Press releases
