Gary Rice, formerly managing director of
Australian television broadcaster The Seven Network, has been appointed
chairman of Australia e-Commerce and Click-On Australia.
Australia e-Commerce plans to be owner of the world’s first generic
e-commerce Web site, as it brings together some 1300 popular generic names
under one corporate structure. Click-On Australia will manage the new site.
Pleased to be at the helm of this world-first venture, Rice said that the
concept, “creates a whole new playing field and takes Australian users well
beyond that currently on offer anywhere else. Simply put, it makes
Australian business far more visible.”
Although Rice’s experience in Australia has been through his work with
television (he also held senior positions at Network Ten and the Nine
Network), Click-On deputy chairman and CEO Kerry Henry welcomed his
addition.
“Gary’s experience, knowledge and reputation in the electronic media
industry fits perfectly with our electronic interactivity plans,” said
Henry. “We have already had a number of approaches from local and overseas
media keen to be involved with the transparency that our concept allows
between differeing forms of electronic and print media. Gary’s appointment
will result in a number of others emerging as well.”
Australia e-Commerce will operate as a shop front for vendors of various
items including cars, wines, travel, boats, and leather goods.
Users enter
a generic URL, such as www.cars.com, and are taken to a list of companies.
They can then enter their area to ensure geographically relevant
information. If this does not offer what they are after, the Australia
e-Commerce site offers a search option as a last resort. The premise is to
make the search for products to buy on the Internet as straightforward as
possible, particularly for those whose knowledge extends little beyond how
to enter a URL.
Australia e-Commerce has also implemented security measures to protect
credit card data . The development of Australia e-Commerce’s site is
currently underway, with a projected official launch in early 1999. In the
time before this launch, the site is offering sponsor positions under each
of its 1300 generic names.
www.ClickOn.au.com
