bla.st notice board: innovative online advertising

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

announcing bla.st notice board, an innovative online advertising system

a global service developed in New Zealand

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - 25 September, 2006 - Pear Software today introduces bla.st notice board, an advertising system that could revolutionise how people find and advertise businesses, services, upcoming events and organisations.

"As far as we know, bla.st is the first online visual advertising directory of its kind, anywhere in the world" said Tim Bromhead, the site creator. bla.st allows anyone to post a free business card-sized notice or advertisement to any of the 39 countries supported so far. Visitors can search or browse through cards on the site by keyword."

bla.st can be used like a business directory. Any commercial or non-commercial organisation can place cards on bla.st, with a link to their existing website. bla.st also supports Google Maps, allowing a card to link directly to a physical address. Keywords allow users to find a business by brand, location, type of business, or category.

Short term advertising is also possible, taking bla.st well beyond the capabilities of traditional business directories. Events such as concerts, fairs, shows, company sales and promotions, open homes, market days, or open days can be promoted with ease, and at no cost. Again cards can link through to an official website or a Google Map address.

bla.st introduces an innovative 'pay whatever you want' business model. Anyone can place long or short term cards on bla.st absolutely free. Optionally the user can pay as little as one US cent per day for their card, which will promote it above any cards paying less. Highest paying cards appear on the front page at the top of their categories. This system provides a good balance between providing free facilities, and generating income to support the site.

bla.st was created by entrepreneur Tim Bromhead of Pear Software, a small company based in Hamilton, New Zealand. "New online businesses are very risky ventures, but have the potential to be used globally by millions of users. It's a fantastic challenge" said Tim.

bla.st is available immediately at www.bla.st

Print-ready bla.st media images are available at http://nz.bla.st/site/media-images/
For more about Pear Software see http://pear.co.nz/

ENDS

© Scoop Media