AdStar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADST), the leading provider of e-commerce transaction software and services for the advertising and publishing industries, today introduced its next generation of Web-based Ad Sales designed to provide incremental revenue, advanced features and enhanced control for advertisers and publishers. AdStar's new technology automates the ad development and placement process, and allows advertisers to design print and online advertisements specifically for vertical classified ad markets, including merchandise, automotive, recruitment and real estate.
Traditionally, advertisers have created and scheduled a single ad to run in both the print and online version of a newspaper. AdStar's next-generation technology, available now, improves the efficiency of ad placement by capturing the information from the advertiser and then automatically formatting the ad for the appropriate vertical market and publishing destination. With AdStar's new technology, advertisers can create a distinct ad for print and a unique version for online publication, schedule the ads individually, and select from a number of enhancements, including photos, e-commerce-enabling options, preferential listings and Web identifiers. AdStar captures the ad information in such a way that it can also be repurposed for a variety of publishing channels and opportunities.
"The Web has always been about making things easier, and with our next-generation of Web-based Ad Sales, we have provided advertisers and publishers with a number of features and controls that truly facilitate the classified ad placement process," stated Leslie Bernhard, president and chief executive officer of AdStar, Inc. "Our new Web-based Ad Sales features extensive metadata for online ads, giving publishers the capability to literally publish the ad content anywhere, from print and online, to mobile technology and search engines. AdStar's next-generation solution creates a number of revenue-generating opportunities for our media partners, and allows them to more effectively compete in the 'online' world while still capitalizing on the reach and power of their unique print brands."
Advertisers now have the ability to effectively manage their print and online classified ad campaigns through a single online console. AdStar's new technology also provides advertisers with directory tools that allow them to edit current online ad content, schedule ads for additional days, track changes made to an ad once it is purchased, renew ads, cancel online ads and notify publishers of ad cancellation.
AdStar's administrative tools allow publishers to review ads before they are sent to the publishing systems; approve, reject or edit ad content; and cancel or extend online ads. AdStar's media partners also have enhanced administrative tools for quality control, and can use AdStar's latest technology to apply promotional discounts, accept free ads and offer a number of "up-sell" features that will integrate their print and online ad sections.
Bernhard added, "Our new technology is changing the way that advertisers and publishers are working together. Each vertical has unique requirements for a classified advertisement, and with our next-generation solution, advertisers now have the flexibility to design their ads according to the needs of the market. For publishers, the power of our system is in the information -- the way it is collected, formatted and used -- which will allow newspapers to truly extend their advertising reach beyond their print and online offerings."
About AdStar, Inc.
AdStar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADST) is the leading provider of e-commerce transaction software and services for the advertising and publishing industries. AdStar's proprietary suite of e-commerce services includes remote ad entry software and web-based ad transaction services, as well as payment processing and content processing solutions that are provided through its Edgil Associates subsidiary, the industry's largest supplier of automated payment processing services. AdStar's ad transaction infrastructure powers classified ad sales for more than 40 of the largest newspapers in the United States, CareerBuilder, and a growing number of other online and print media companies. EdgCapture, Edgil's automated payment process solution, is currently employed by call centers at more than 100 of the nation's leading newspaper and magazines. AdStar is headquartered in Marina del Rey, Calif., and its Edgil office is located in North Chelmsford, Mass. For additional information on AdStar, Inc., visit http://www.adstar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning the business and products of the company. Actual results may differ from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements depending on a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: historical business has already matured, new online business is unproven and may not generate expected revenues, and Internet security risks. Other risks inherent in the business of the company are described in Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the company's annual report on Form 10-KSB. The company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
AdStar Company Contact: Jeff Baudo, 310-577-8255, jbaudo@adstar.com
AdStar Media Contact: Kevin Wilson, 513-898-1008,
kwilson@kevinwilsonpr.com