• by Adam Bernard , June 22, 2001

Every week brings a myriad of ad campaign and website launches and it's nearly impossible to keep up with them all. If you missed a few, here are some of the major launches of the week that was, and the week that will be.

Addis, the integrated branding firm, created the first-ever e-commerce site for Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma Inc., which launches this week at www.potterybarnkids.com. Addis created a website that is engaging and easy to use and that mimics the traditional browsing and shopping experience. Shoppers choose bedding, furniture, and other Pottery Barn Kids products simply by clicking on them in photographs of room displays.

Circuit City Stores Inc. will launch a new advertising and marketing campaign in early July for its consumer electronics stores, which have been hit hard by falling sales and profits. There will be a new logo introduced as a part of the campaign.

Buick has launched a campaign for the 2002 Rendezvous cross-over vehicle, which combines features of a sedan, minivan and SUV into an all-new vehicle. The first of two spots for Rendezvous will debuted during Good Morning America on ABC on June 20. Both commercials will air during coverage of the Buick Classic golf tournament June 21 through June 24 on ESPN and ABC. Buick combines expressive soundtracks, special effects and Tiger Woods to punch through with Rendezvous' "three vehicles in one" capability.

uBid, a retail auction and e-commerce marketplace, announced the launch of a redesigned site that includes new features and functionalities designed to increase the benefits of online buying and selling. The redesigned site enables users to access a broader selection of items, while providing sellers with additional avenues for reaching potential buyers. Based on user feedback, the site redesign merges product listings from its core site (uBid Direct), uBid Preferred Partners (formally Vendor Exchange), and Consumer Exchange.

Unico launched their new website, www.indynews.com, for its wholly owned subsidiary Independent News. Independent News, a freely distributed newspaper in northern New Jersey serving more than 22 communities, and will be Unico's as of July 1, 2001. Independent News was established 14 years ago by Joe Nicastro, its current publisher and new President of Unico, Inc. During the past few months, the Independent News' website has been completely revamped. The site now has many more features to enhance value not only for its readers but also for every customer of TheLocalTimes. It also benefits advertisers and readers as Unico first tests and improves its products in the Independent News' own home market before providing the new features to TheLocalTimes (Unico's other subsidiary which is a complete integrated web solution for the nation's estimated 15,000 local newspapers).

24/7 Media, an ad network that has seen its share of woes recently, is launching a trade advertising campaign designed to increase its appeal to advertising agencies. Starting this month, and going through July, resuming in autumn, ads will appear in trade print magazines. The ads will promote 24/7 Media's expertise in technology, consulting and managing online marketing and advertising campaigns.

Bravo Networks New Media has unveiled a new look for bravotv.com, the Internet sister service to Bravo Network. Integrating Bravo's newly adopted on-air look, bravotv.com features a greater breadth of content within a visually appealing and user-friendly navigational interface that meets the evolving needs of not only film and arts fans, but also Bravo's current and future advertising and sponsorship partners. Incorporating integrated and valuable advertising opportunities such as monthly e-cards, games, polls, sweepstakes, music players, and creative interstitials, the site allows advertisers to extend their reach beyond traditional banner ads and reach consumers on-air and online.

BigDates.com has set a July 1 launch date for its new online service aimed at anyone with an agenda. The site aims to provide a free web-based service giving users the means to keep track of all important dates and appointments. Members will have the aid of Dottie, a virtual personal assistant, and can log in and categorize their appointments and dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The company has affiliations with Amazon.com, Disney, Brooke Brothers and others, which supply gift recommendations for users of the service. The site will also sell greeting cards.

Gannett Co. Inc. will launch the USA Today Careers Network, a national online employment site, in the third quarter of this year. The site will be a co-venture of USA Today and the Gannett Newspaper Division, which publishes 97 daily newspapers across the U.S. Employers who advertise in these newspapers will now have the opportunity to also list their ads on the USA Today Careers site for a nominal fee, which is yet to be determined. The site will include job listings, resumes, and interactive tools to help job seekers.