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The New York Times Launches Self-Service Advertising Powered by ADReadyNYTimes.com to Deliver Self-Service Online Display Advertising Solution for Small Advertisers

New York, NY and Seattle, WA – June 10, 2008 – The New York Times and AdReady™, Inc. announced today the launch of Self-Service Advertising (www.nytimes.com/selfservice), an online display advertising site that enables small businesses to easily create and manage online ad campaigns on NYTimes.com. [Read more]

Tags: AdReady, The New York Times

Some heavyweight investors are lining up behind AdReady, the Seattle startup that is attempting to make it easier to place display advertising on Web sites. Bain Capital, Khosla Ventures and existing investor Madrona Venture Group are pumping $10 million into the company, cash that it will use to increase marketing and hire new employees.

Founded last year by former Classmates.com executives, the 33-person company plans to end next year with 50 to 60 employees, said Chief Executive Aaron Finn.

Launched in October, AdReady has developed an online library of about 600 prefabricated display ads in categories such as real estate, education and travel. Customers choose an ad, customize it and then — with AdReady’s help — launch it into the ad networks from Google and Yahoo’s Right Media.

So far, about 1,000 companies — ranging from plumbers to painters to major airlines like Alaska Air — have signed up for the service. The ad-creation tools are free to use, with AdReady getting paid when a client decides to set a budget for the campaign. AdReady takes a 20 percent commission on the campaign.

www.adready.com

Tags: AdReady, Alaska Air, Bain Capital Venture Partners, Classmates.com, Khosla Ventures, Madrona Venture Group

SEATTLE, Nov 28, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
AdReady, an innovative advertising technology company, announced today the appointment of Jason Kilar, CEO of Hulu, to its board of directors. Kilar brings extensive Internet sector experience to this role, having spent nearly a decade in key management positions at Amazon.com.

As CEO of Hulu, a joint venture of News Corp. and NBC Universal, Kilar leads the growth of an online video service that aims to help people find and enjoy premium programming when, where and how they want. Previously at Amazon.com, Kilar developed the initial strategy for the company’s entry into the video and DVD businesses and ultimately became vice president and general manager of Amazon’s North American media businesses, which included the books, music, video, and DVD categories. Kilar later served as senior vice president, Worldwide Application Software, where he led an organization of hundreds of world-class technologists and he reported directly to CEO Jeff Bezos.

“Jason knows how to build scalable businesses on the Internet, and his experience at Amazon and Hulu will be invaluable as we expand,” said Aaron Finn, CEO and president of AdReady. “Jason understands first-hand the opportunities and challenges companies face as they grow, and his guidance will help us make effective choices quickly.”

“AdReady makes the luxury of effective online display advertising available to all at low-cost and in a self-service manner,” said Jason Kilar, CEO of Hulu. “I look forward to working with the management team and fellow board members to support the compelling and ambitious vision of AdReady.”

www.adready.com, www.hulu.com

[Read more]

Tags: AdReady, Amazon, Hulu, NBC Universal, News corp