Ask.com Launches Ask Sponsored Listings 2.0

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ask.com, a wholly-owned business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) , today introduced version 2.0 of Ask Sponsored Listings, offering powerful new features to search marketers and partners.

"Since the launch of Ask Sponsored Listings just over a year ago, we have been working with advertisers to create a better paid listings product. Consistently we heard that they wanted more control over ever expanding campaigns and keyword lists. They also wanted more Ask.com inventory, and above all, they wanted it all to be easy," said James Speer, vice president of products and marketing at Ask.com. "Everything we are introducing today is in direct response to the feedback we've heard. We expect advertisers will be very happy with the new platform."

New Version 2.0:

Version 2.0 of Ask Sponsored Listings offers a range of new and enhanced capabilities that simplify the management of marketing campaigns, while improving visibility into campaign performance. Improvements include:

  -- Daily Budgeting: ASL now supports daily budgets, providing advertisers
     with more control over their spending patterns
  -- Variable Refill Amount: Self-serve advertisers can now specify the
     refill amount to control the frequency of credit card charges. In
     addition, the minimum monthly spend has been eliminated
  -- Hourly Billable Data: Billable data is posted hourly allowing
     advertisers to track ROI in near real time
  -- Bulk Upload Enhancements: All aspects of the campaign can now be set
     and controlled from desktop tools, including MS Excel. Uploads are
     processed in the background, and ads/keywords from many campaigns can
     be included in one file. This allows marketers to perform several tasks
     simultaneously
  -- Dashboard Reports: A simplified view allows marketers to track the
     performance of multiple campaigns from a single dashboard. Enhanced
     custom reporting tools expose more detailed data about campaigns
     including keyword cost reporting across campaigns and accounts

  New Open Platform Partner Program and ASL API

The Open Platform Partner Program is a new initiative that provides technology partners with access to a robust API (Application Programming Interface). By leveraging the API, partners can develop tools and services that augment the ASL 2.0 platform. Some of the first solutions available from leading marketing tool providers offer integrated campaign management and bid management tools operating across ASL, Google Adwords, Yahoo! Marketing Services and Microsoft AdCenter. The API is provided for free to new and existing partners, with unlimited access.

"Open APIs are essential for improving search engine marketing performance across an ever-expanding set of distribution outlets, including Ask.com," continued Speer. "As new outlets emerge, marketers will turn to technology providers to help maximize returns efficiency and transparently. Ask Sponsored Listings is levering industry-leading technologies and strategic partnerships to provide the best options for search engine marketers seeking multi-search engine buys."

  Key features of the ASL API include:
  -- Unlimited, Free API Access: ASL delivers unlimited, free API access
     that provides more business opportunities
  -- Support for Industry Standards: The new API supports Simple Object
     Access Protocol (SOAP), an industry standard communication protocol. In
     addition, a dedicated API support team, and extensive documentation,
     accelerate solution development
  -- Access to Enhanced Data: Complete access to the Ask Sponsored Listings
     keyword pricing and auction marketplace creates new opportunities for
     solution developers. In addition, all major functions from the ASL 2.0
     console are supported via the API

"The Ask Sponsored Listings API makes adding another high-quality search engine to our search marketing mix very easy," said Nilesh Dherange, chief technology officer, BON Marketing Group, Inc., and program beta-user. "Its ease of use, keyword-level and campaign-level bid options, and particularly real-time reports, make advertising on Ask.com very appealing, and our clients have responded enthusiastically. Plus, the API is flexible and well supported, and absolutely free. You don't get all of this with other APIs in the space."

Companies interested in the Open Platform Partner Program can call 510-985-7630 or email to apisupport@ask.com.

New Inventory

As part of the launch, Ask Sponsored Listings has expanded the paid search inventory available to direct buyers. Now, marketers can bid for the top three listings on IAC properties, including Ask.com, Evite, CitySearch and RealEstate.com.

About Ask Sponsored Listings

Ask Sponsored Listings, introduced in the Fall of 2005, is an automated open-auction system allowing marketers to purchase, manage and optimize campaigns on Ask.com and its publisher network. ASL sources more than 5 billion queries each month, and supports over 10,000 advertisers bidding on more than 10 million keywords.

IAC Advertising Solutions is also demonstrating its commitment to stemming click fraud as a member of the IAB Task Force on the issue.

About IAC Advertising Solutions

One the world's largest online advertising solutions and sales groups, IAC Advertising Solutions offers complete solutions for a variety of communication needs and a comprehensive range of advertising products, including search, media, and direct marketing. Search solutions include Ask Sponsored Listings, an automated open-auction system allowing marketers to purchase, manage and optimize campaigns on Ask.com and its advertising syndication network. Media solutions include online templated ad units and integrated sponsorships, as well as offline media capabilities on IAC's network of leading online brands, including Ticketmaster Citysearch, Evite, Match.com, iWon, Excite, Expedia, and The Huffington Post. Direct Marketing solutions include email, lead generation, co-registration, sweepstakes and promotions. IAC Advertising Solutions is a division of IAC Search & Media, a wholly-owned business of IAC/InterActiveCorp. IAC Advertising Solutions can be contacted at http://www.iacadvertising.com/ or 212-404-1000.