Newspaper classifieds push to cell phones

Real estate and other classified ads are going mobile at one of the nation's newspaper publishing companies under a new service with CellSigns, which also provides mobile services for real estate property listings.

CellSigns on Tuesday announced a partnership with Cox Newspapers, publisher of 17 daily and 25 nondaily papers, including news sites affiliated with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (ajc.com); Austin American-Statesman (Statesman.com); Dayton Daily News (daytondailynews.com); and The Palm Beach Post (PalmBeachPost.com). The agreement provides Cox Newspapers with custom interactive mobile application services for its newspapers' classified sites.

The mobile service launched in November on PalmBeachPost.com. Users can request information on classified ads such as homes, autos and other advertising content by text messaging specific codes or using a natural language search to access the information on their mobile device. They will then receive a message via SMS with the classified ad information including pictures when available or contact the seller directly with a click to call.

"Mobile devices are the perfect way to quickly connect buyers and sellers," said Robb R. Olsen, vice president of advertising, The Palm Beach Post. "And, you don't have to be in front of your computer or reading the newspaper to find what you need."

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