Excite Sees High Early Demand for Netscape Advertising Inventory

Strategic Insights -

Excite Inc. has secured $21 million in advertising revenues through agreements with Netscape, marking high early demand for keyword, directory, channel, and sponsorship opportunities. The partnership, one of the largest on the Internet, grants Excite the right to sell and program search, directory, and channels for Netscape NetCenter. In conjunction with the launch of Netscape NetSearch, Excite will program and sell 50% of the advertising in the first year for NetSearch traffic.

Key Takeaways:

  • Excite has signed agreements for $21 million in advertising revenues with Netscape, demonstrating high advertiser demand for keyword, directory, channel, and sponsorship opportunities.
  • The partnership between Excite and Netscape allows Excite to sell and program search, directory, and channels for Netscape NetCenter.
  • Excite will program and sell 50% of the advertising in the first year for Netscape NetSearch traffic.
  • Excite has hired 12 new sales people in the past three weeks to meet the demand for ad space.
  • George Bell, President and CEO of Excite, Inc., stated that the early reaction from the advertising community has been positive and anticipates continued ad revenue opportunities.
  • NetSearch represents a significant opportunity for Excite, with 30% of the initial $70 million committed to secure the Netscape relationship.

Statistics:

  • $21 million in advertising revenues have been secured by Excite through agreements with Netscape.
  • Excite will program and sell 50% of the advertising in the first year for Netscape NetSearch traffic.
  • 12 new sales people have been hired by Excite in the past three weeks to meet the demand for ad space.
  • $70 million is the initial amount committed to secure the Netscape relationship, with 30% already secured.
  • 50% of the initial Netscape/channel inventory will be sold to advertisers through Excite in the first year of the partnership.

Sources:

  • Excite Inc. (PR Newswire, June 2, 1998)
  • Netscape Communications Corp. (PR Newswire, June 2, 1998)
  • America Online, Inc., Intuit Inc., Netscape Communications Corp., Prodigy Internet, and Tribune Company are all strategic partners of Excite, Inc.