International Parts Announces Online Marketing Initiative
3 January 2001
International Parts Announces Online Marketing Initiative
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--Jan. 3, 2001--International Parts, Inc., the world's largest auto parts locator, today announced the signing of an online advertising agreement with the world's most visited portal, MSN(R)(a).
The goal is to drive business to International Parts' Internet subsidiary, ezfindparts.com. The marketing program is the latest outcome of a continuing effort between Microsoft(R) and International Parts. The auto parts locator has been working with Microsoft Consulting Services to install .NET Enterprise Servers and Microsoft Windows(R) 2000 platforms, and has agreed to adopt Microsoft Passport(TM) as the single sign-in wallet service to make shopping easier and more convenient for customers. By harnessing the new technology and brand power of MSN.com, International Parts is poised to take its Internet business to the next level.
Under the agreement, ezfindparts.com will receive prominent placement on CarPoint(TM), the Web's leading automotive site(b). In addition, when Internet users enter auto parts-related keywords into MSN Search ezfindparts.com will be listed as the featured site link in the search results. The search will automatically trigger display of an ezfindparts.com banner ad with click-through capability. Finally, ezfindparts.com will be listed in the MSN Yellow Pages.
"It all adds up to high exposure for ezfindparts.com," said Steve Joiner, vice president of marketing and sales, International Parts. "By being a featured site link with exclusive keyword designation in the automotive category, ezfindparts.com will achieve a new level of awareness. We will reach our online customers at the moment of their greatest interest in our service."
"This is very targeted advertising," said Jed Savage, national sales manager for MSN. "We're pleased that visitors to CarPoint and those looking for auto parts on MSN Search will no have an easy way to connect and complete their transaction on ezfindparts.com."
Since the soft launch of ezfindparts.com in August 2000, International Parts has experienced steady traffic and sales at the site. "We have been very encouraged by the success we've achieved so far in our e-commerce effort," said Lonnie Margol, president, International Parts. "As our marketing of ezfindparts.com becomes more aggressive, we expect a dramatic increase in visitors and sales generated at the site."
The e-commerce expansion provides an additional distribution channel for International Parts' auto parts locating business, complementing its call-center distribution channel. The Internet venture includes both direct and wholesale sales business models.
Established in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1992, International Parts has built a proprietary database of available auto parts from more than 3,000 suppliers nationwide that include auto recyclers, parts rebuilders and aftermarket manufacturers. Ezfindparts.com gives customers access to the database to find and compare available parts and order completely online.
The marketing push comes at a time when International Parts is finalizing its next generation of software developed in tandem with Microsoft's system 2000 platforms. For the past nine months, Microsoft programmers have served as a resource to International Parts programmers working to integrate the newest technologies. The unique business relationship places International Parts in the forefront of e-commerce as a model of operating systems platforms developed by Microsoft.
International Parts, Inc. is the world's largest parts locating service specializing in locating hard to find parts for both foreign and domestic cars and light trucks. For more information on International Parts, visit the company's Web site www.ezfindparts.com.
(a) IDSS Microsoft Internal
(b) Media Metrix, Oct. 2000