AmuZnet.com Adds Online ‘Merchandize’

Online entertainment site amuZnet.com spiced up its offerings this week with the addition of electronic commerce and digital audio downloads. Site owner MediaX Corp. says the moves are a response to an overwhelming demand for the latest interactive features.

A new section called “Merchandize” highlights amuZnet.com’s transformation. For its first foray into e-commerce, MediaX chiefs felt that toys, art and “gear” would appeal most to consumers.

The company has already forged partnerships with eToys for games and toys, Artrock for rock-and-roll memorabilia and posters, and FogDog.com for sporting goods. The e-commerce section, however, does not enable amuZnet.com visitors to make purchases without leaving the amuZnet.com site. Instead, it is a page of links, with descriptions of the merchants and advertisements for special offers.

To promote the new “Merchandize” section, amuZnet.com is offering free shipping for all items purchased from its partner merchants when buyers connect through amuZnet.com. In addition, Artrock is offering amuZnet.com visitors 20 percent off all items purchased at its site, and new customers at eToys will receive $10 (US$) off any purchase.

The “Merchandize” page also includes a link to Rod Stewart’s shopping site, RodStewartLive.com, and the company hopes to add more artists’ shopping sites in the future.

Audio Salez

MediaX also beefed up its digital audio section, adding links to four digital download sites: Microsoft, MP3, Liquid Audio and CustomDisc.com.

The amuZnet.com “Downloadz” section allows visitors to find downloadable music and offers suggestions for “picks of the day.” Unlike the “Merchandize” section, amuZnet.com’s music sales section offers e-commerce hosted on the Web site. Some record producers are tying custom download offers to sales of pre-set CDs.

Racing to Keep Up

Nancy Poertner, president of MediaX, attributed the amuZnet.com site changes to visitor demand. “Our global marketing campaign is a blessing and a curse. The response has been so overwhelming to amuZnet.com we have to constantly introduce new technology, new products, and interactive ideas to feed our audience’s ravenous appetite.” The site’s recent campaign for Paul McCartney’s “Band on the Run,” for example, yielded 7.5 million page views in four weeks.

AmuZnet.com continues to offer entertainment information as well. The AmuzLounge added an “Eventz” page with archived chats, concerts and behind-the-scenes footage, and the “Music Bitz” section displays UK music charts, new releases, merchandise and contests. MediaX also operates Rodstewartlive.com, www.jbirdrecords.com, www.Divinemusik.com and www.EYCLive.com. It has marketing relationships with AOL, Broadcast.Com, EchoStar Communications, Infoseek and others.