Rare Medium Helps Interstate Batteries Expand its Business Model with Aggressive New Online Strategy
17 January 2001
Rare Medium Helps Interstate Batteries Expand its Business Model with Aggressive New Online Strategy
Business Editors & High-Tech/Automotive WritersNEW YORK--Jan. 17, 2001--
Rare Medium has helped Interstate Battery System of America, Inc. (Interstate Batteries) and its sister company, Retail Acquisition & Development, Inc. (RAD) launch a new e-commerce initiative designed to utilize the Internet as a strategic distribution channel for the companies.
One of the world's leading suppliers of automobile batteries, Interstate Batteries is launching the e-commerce functionality on its web site, www.interstatebatteries.com, as part of an expanded business model to sell "Every Battery for Every Need." The initiative, developed by Rare Medium, includes B2B sales to retail customers as well as direct sales to consumers, who can now order batteries for laptop computers, cellular phones and camcorders directly from the web site. The new site also features a sophisticated dealer locator that will allow businesses and consumers to find automotive and other "non-shippable" batteries through an extensive network of dealers, distributors and the growing number of Interstate's new All Battery Centers.
"We built the site to interface with existing inventory and fulfillment systems providing an interface that meets the needs of both B2B and B2C environments," said Rare Medium's Chris Johnston. "By redesigning the graphic look and feel of the site and integrating the e-commerce component, we believe this will be the premier battery site on the web."
Interstate Batteries chose Rare Medium to help implement the e-business initiative because of its ability to translate existing brands and corporate identities to the web, as well as its experience in helping companies get established in e-commerce. The web site was built on the Microsoft platform providing the scalability and security needed for a "best-of-breed" e-commerce solution.
"We wanted a world-class site that would help us establish interstatebatteries.com as an easy-to-use battery source on the web as well as to drive business to our dealer, distributor and All-Battery Center locations," said Dennis Brown, Interstate Batteries vice president of E-Commerce and Retail Sales. "With Rare as our partner, we've been able to bring our new offerings together in a short timeframe, and we're very excited to see what the new year brings with the new site in place."
In addition to its e-commerce component, the site also features extensive information related to Interstate Batteries' sponsorship of the Joe Gibbs Racing team, featuring Bobby Labonte, last year's winner of NASCAR's Winston Cup Series.
About Rare Medium Group, Inc.
Rare Medium provides end-to-end Internet services and invests in next generation Internet companies. Rare Medium's Internet services include development and authoring of business plans and strategies; strategic, creative and technological consulting for Web initiatives; online brand development and management; development of content for broadband and wireless applications; and launch of online commerce trading exchanges. Rare Medium incubates, finances and manages private companies and also makes strategic investments in independently managed companies that it believes possess superior Internet-focused business models. Rare Medium leverages its Internet services expertise to increase the overall success of the companies in its investment portfolio. For more information, visit http://www.raremedium.com.
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Rare Medium Group Inc., and its subsidiaries' business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ are Rare Medium's inability to fulfill its contractual obligations on complex technical engagements in a timely, cost-effective manner and to meet our clients' expectations; our ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel; our ability to manage growth; our lack of long-term contracts; the potential loss of major clients; Rare Medium's reliance on strategic relationships; rapid technological changes and an inability to complete transactions on favorable terms and those risks discussed in the company's reports and filings with the SEC.