PointCast Inc. launched MarketPlace, a new e-commerce
service developed in partnership with Visa for PointCast Network viewers.
MarketPlace serves as the e-commerce component of PointCast’s redesigned Web-
based business resource center, EntryPoint.
PointCast also announced three key
relationships with vendors that will be participating in MarketPlace:
Amazon.com, CompareNet and Impulse! Buy Network.
These relationships provide MarketPlace with advanced e-commerce capabilities,
allowing enterprise professionals to search for the best price on business-
related products and services such as office supplies, computer hardware and
travel services, PointCast said. MarketPlace also offers cars, books, flowers,
gifts and other products.
“PointCast now offers a fully integrated service that business professionals
can use as a valuable and useful commerce tool in the office,” said Don
Albert, senior vice president of advertising sales and e-commerce at
PointCast.
Advertising sponsors for MarketPlace include Acura, barnesandnoble.com,
Compaq, Continental Airlines, Gateway, Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.,
Microsoft and Toshiba. In addition to Visa, PointCast’s EntryPoint sponsors
include CareerPath.com, cars.com, Datek Online, Snap, U.S. Postal Service and
Zip2.
“We have a strong partnership with PointCast, and we’re delighted that
MarketPlace will be the first e-commerce destination for PointCast viewers,”
said Todd Chaffee, executive vice president, Visa International. “MarketPlace
provides purchasers with utility and convenience, allowing them to find the
products they need quickly and easily.”
In addition to the new MarketPlace e-commerce service, version 2.0 of
PointCast’s EntryPoint business resource center features Web-based business
content, including stock market updates, SEC filings from Edgar Online, market
news, brokerage reports
and company information from Zacks Investment Research and mutual fund
information from Morningstar.
Viewers can access EntryPoint by clicking on the “Internet” button from within
the PointCast Network Channel Viewer.
