Salon.com (NASDAQ: SALN; www.salon.com), one of the Internet's leading media companies, announced today that GAVELNET.COM (www.gavelnet.com), the Web-based fine art and premium collectibles auction house, has signed an agreement to become the exclusive auction site on the Salon.com network. The agreement includes advertising, editorial content and co-sponsorship of events -- both online and offline.
Under the agreement, Salon.com users will be able to register for and participate in GAVELNET.COM's secure auctions directly from Salon.com's network of 10 Web sites and two communities. Beginning this month, GAVELNET.COM will offer an extensive selection of art and collectibles, news and information and exclusive auctions supported by a global network of galleries and dealers.
On November 14, 1999, Salon.com and GAVELNET.COM will kick off their partnership with a live auction featuring the "Millennium Poster" collection. This event will feature more than 650 lots of original poster art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Broadcast live on the Internet from New York, the auction will include real-time bidding on the Salon.com-GAVELNET.COM site (http://posters2000.gavelnet.com/salon). In addition, those who register online by November 7 will receive the beautiful, full-color auction catalogue, Posters for the Millennium, free.
The companies will also develop a co-branded site to be launched later this year featuring custom online auctions coupled with Salon.com's award-winning content.
"We've found the perfect fit for our auction strategy in GAVELNET.COM," said Michael O'Donnell, Salon.com's CEO and president. "Working with their experienced merchandisers, Salon.com and GAVELNET.COM will go beyond what is offered by today's mass auction sites to provide our users access to premium collections -- from fine art and furniture to signed books and collectibles."
"We knew there would be a natural synergy between GAVELNET.COM and Salon.com," added George Noceti, founder and CEO of GAVELNET.COM. "By drawing on Salon.com's superb content and reaching out to their influential users, GAVELNET.COM is significantly enhancing the online auction experience for our users worldwide."
About GAVELNET.COM
GAVELNET.COM is a web-based auction house that offers premium collectibles, decorative and fine art items from a worldwide network of respected galleries and dealers in an entertaining and interactive online format. Launching in the fall of this year, GAVELNET.COM is "Taking Auction to a Fine Art " by creating an exceptionally safe and satisfying online auction experience. With headquarters in San Francisco and offices in London and New York City, the company has received financing from Benchmark Equity Group of Houston, and may be found on the Internet at www.gavelnet.com.
About Salon:
Salon.com (NASDAQ: SALN; www.salon.com; AOL Keyword: Salon) is an Internet media company that produces a network of 10 original content sites and two communities -- Table Talk and The Well. Salon.com was founded by David Talbot, former arts editor of the San Francisco Examiner. Premier advertisers and sponsors of Salon.com include Visa, IBM, Microsoft, Lexus, Virgin.com, Intel, DrKoop.com, barnesandnoble.com and EDS. The network has relationships with 275 advertising sponsors. Salon.com also has distribution agreements with major online companies including America Online, Lycos, Go.com, Alta Vista, CNN.com and CNet. In September 1999, the site had 1.9 million unique visitors.
Salon recently announced an e-commerce ticketing arrangement with CultureFinder.com and distribution arrangement for its books, news and technology content via Rocket eBooks and AvantGo. Salon.com's content is also syndicated to U.S. newspapers through United Features.
Shares