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.