RefreshClassifieds

White Directory Publishers, a division of Hearst Holding, has partnered with BIAP to become the exclusive sales force for Yellowpages TV listings.  BIAP is one of the leading technology companies in the the new interactive TV listings marketing and has created the Yellowpages TV listing services for TV set-top boxes.  The relationship allows BIAP access to advertisers from White Directory Publishers, Talking Directory product, the third largest directory publisher in the US.  The partnership covers 28 key markets across the US.

The Yellowpages TV technology leverages the Interactive TV capabilities available in many set-top boxes available across the US that have been relatively unused.  The Interactive TC capability allows consumers the ability to search web sites, or in this case business listings with just their TV remote control.  Its not clear how easy this functionality will be use to but it does create an interesting partnership in the business directory market.

The Denver Post is reporting that their local TV station KUSA-Channel 9 has started looking at classified advertising.  So far their only initiative seems to be to pull some ads onto their own site through a local search. You can see some of the results here:

http://search.9news.com/sp?aff=102&keywords=classifieds

Its not clear the value that this provides to the KUSA channel except to become more of a destination for users. They don’t currently have a method to advertise directly with them or monetize the adverising thats come through from competing local media. It might let them test the market and provide another reason for users to visit their website. As it becomes easier and easier to develop an online classified experience I think we’ll see more of these odd mash-ups.