Our History

Our History:

August 1997:

Classified Ventures is formed to establish leading online marketplaces in three classified categories: automotive, rentals and real estate.

December 1997:

The Times Mirror Co., Tribune Co. and The Washington Post Co. announced the creation of Classified Ventures, a partnership to help newspapers expand their position — using internet technologies — as the nation's leading suppliers of classified advertising.

January 1998:

CV acquires Visual Properties and its ApartmentsPlus website. ApartmentsPlus is selected to be the online apartment advertising solution for newspaper affiliates across the country.

March 1998:

ApartmentsPlus changes it name to Apartments.com.

May 1998:

Knight Ridder Inc., Central Newspapers, Gannett Co. Inc. and The McClatchy Co. join Classified Ventures, LLC.

May 1998:

Apartments.com launches on the Web site of its first affiliate, The Washington Post

June 1998:

Cars.com was launched to the public, offering classified vehicle listings in eight markets, including four of the nation's 10 largest cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

November 2000:

Dan Jauernig is named President & CEO of Classified Ventures.

November 2001:

The newspaper and television websites of Belo Corp. join Classified Ventures.

April 2004:

Cars.com announced a three-year strategic business relationship to exclusively power MSN Autos' used-vehicle classified listings and become the exclusive private-party used-vehicle classified listing service linked to the site.

May 2004:

Cars.com announced the launch of its first national television campaign.

June 2005:

Classified Ventures acquires NewCars.com and HomeGain.com.

November 2005:

Apartments.com launches ApartmentsPlus

January 2006:

Apartments.com launches RentalHomesPlus

June 2007:

MotherProof.com joins the Cars.com family.

January 2008:

Cars.com appears in its first Super Bowl commercial.

May 2008:

Cars.com acquires PickupTrucks.com

June 2008:

Cars.com launches free classified site Freebo.com

February 2009:

Apartments.com acquires ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

June 2009:

Classified Ventures is recognized as one of Chicago's fastest growing companies by Crain's Chicago Business.

February 2010:

Cars.com iPhone app goes live

June 2010:

Classified Ventures is recognized as one of Chicago's fastest growing companies in 2010 by Crain's Chicago Business.

September 2010:

Cars.com launches iPhone app for PickUpTrucks.com

June 2011:

Cars.com launches Dealer Reviews

Classified Ventures is recognized as one of Chicago's fastest growing companies in 2011 by Crain's Chicago Business.

November 2011:

Apartments.com Invites America to “LIKE” Them to Help End Homelessness and launches first-ever TV commercials to capture renters' attention.

January 2012:

Apartments.com launches Andriod App

Apartments.com donates $15,000 to Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

February 2012:

Cars.com Cares Awards $100,000 Donation to SADD

March 2012:

Classified Ventures launches Project Impact, giving all employees a paid volunteer day and encouraging them to find ways to make their communities better year-round

July 2012:

Classified Ventures celebrates its 15th Anniversary

August 2012:

Apartments.com launches new "Find your perfect fit" marketing campaign

February 2013:

Cars.com launches new "ALL DRIVE. No drama." marketing campaign

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