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Auctionbytes-NewsFlash, Number 473 - January 31, 2003 - ISSN 1539-5065      Previous Story |

Barnstable Airport May Become the Next Half.com
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
January 31, 2003
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If Buzzmarketing has its way, the Barnstable Airport on Cape Code could be renamed for a corporation, similar to many sports stadiums (and even one Oregon town). The Super Bowl was played in "Qualcomm" Stadium last weekend, named after a telecommunications company.

Marketing firm Buzzmarketing believes renaming the airport could bring the town $1 million in newly found revenue. The company is famous for convincing the town of Halfway, Oregon, to change its name to Half.com, an online retailer of used books, music and movies. 19 days after the name change, eBay initiated discussions to acquire Half.com.

"Towns across the country are faced with budget cuts, and a naming rights program can bring in much-needed revenue to close budget gaps. It's better than raising taxes," said Buzzmarketing President Mark Hughes. "We've sent a detailed proposal to the Barnstable Town Manager, who is interested in exploring this further. Not only would Barnstable receive a significant windfall, but it would receive the panache of being the first community in the nation to use this creative method of revenue generation."

Hughes' idea to change the name of Halfway, OR to Half.com for the year 2000 allowed the town to purchase snowplows, computers for the school, and the town's own Web site that enabled 75 local businesses to get online at no cost. This naming program catapulted Half.com onto the Today Show, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time magazine, and other print publications totaling over 40 million impressions.


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