News

CINCINNATI – July 1, 1999 -- Cincinnati Bell Directory, a subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell Inc., today announced the launch of its new integrated e-commerce and information Web site, www.CincinnatiExchange.com (formerly www.cincinnati-today.com). The site is based upon the Cincinnati Bell Electronic Yellow Pages and centers around online shopping, business listings, and community information. The integrated shopping and information Web site includes new and expanded features such as 90,000 electronic business listings, online storefronts, push-to-talk audio messages, video Yellow Pages, online coupons, career opportunity information, online auctions, and more.

This new Web site was designed with many easy-to-use features making navigation through the site quick, simple and efficient. The community information and Yellow Pages business listings are organized into 18 searchable categories designed to mimic the way area residents shop and seek out information.

"With this new Web site, we capitalized on what we know best - bringing buyers, sellers and information seekers together in one forum," said Vince Weseli, director of new media for Cincinnati Bell Directory. "The name, Cincinnati Exchange, was chosen because it better reflects the user's experience on the site - exchanging products, services, community information, conducting business and shopping online."

Video Yellow Pages has also been incorporated as part of the Cincinnati Exchange Web site. These 30-second video links enable online shoppers to view traditional television commercials and testimonials from area merchants to augment their buying decisions.

Visitors can also link directly to Cincinnati's first localized online auction site, Up4Sale Cincinnati. The online auction site, which was officially announced at a press conference held by Up4Sale and Cincinnati Bell Directory in March, will be featured as a key resource and e-commerce application on the new Cincinnati Exchange launch page.

Online coupons are also available for shoppers with a click of the mouse.

Cincinnati Exchange features the Talking Yellow Pages, a direct voice connection to local information such as lottery news, weather, business headlines, and world news. Just like the Talking Yellow Page listings in the front of Bell's print directories, these listings are now delivered in audio format, directly through your computer. This technical trial with eFusion of Beaverton, Oregon, features the latest in telephony functionality. "Cincinnati Exchange and eFusion are demonstrating online what the print yellow pages has done for decades - efficiently connecting buyers and sellers quickly and easily," added Weseli.

The Cincinnati Exchange Web site provides consumers and businesses with an up-to-date city guide which gives in-depth coverage of Greater Cincinnati including arts and entertainment, weather, community events, news and sports, transportation, and more. Many more purchasing and information options are available with Cincinnati Exchange, including Up4Sale online auctions, electronic bulletin boards, and links to key content partners including the Cincinnati Art Museum, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Cyclones, CityBeat, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, Cincinnati Symphony, Contemporary Arts Center, SORTA/Metro Bus Service, WLWT-TV, WOXY-97X, and more.

"Cincinnati Exchange is really a total solution that consumers and businesses can use to save themselves time and money," said Weseli.

Cincinnati Exchange, a product of Cincinnati Bell Directory, was launched in 1999 as an interactive home for Cincinnati Bell's Electronic Yellow Pages, while also serving as Greater Cincinnati's one-stop, e-commerce and community information solution. The site offers a varied list of informational and interactive services to consumers and businesses through state-of-the-art technology features and key partners with area business and organizations. For more information about Cincinnati Exchange, or the services it offers, visit the Web site at www.CincinnatiExchange.com.

Cincinnati Bell Directory is a subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell Inc., a full-service, integrated communications company that provides competitive local communications as well as Internet, wireless, entertainment, directory and data networking services to customers in the Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area and in many other Midwestern cities. Cincinnati Bell is on the World Wide Web at www.cincinnatibell.com.