GETTING AHEAD

The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
06-04-2008

GETTING AHEAD
Date: 06-04-2008, Wednesday
Section: BUSINESS
Edtion: All Editions
Column: GETTING AHEAD

WHAT'S NEW

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has introduced an online classified advertising site, a move that opens a broader range of shopping to Wal-Mart's Internet customers.

The site is run through Oodle.com, a three-year-old San Mateo, Calif., firm, and through links to Oodle's online offerings.

Craigslist has long been considered the leader in the sector, which has seen business improve in the down economy as more people are looking to sell items to help them make ends meet.

Consumers have less cash because of higher fuel prices, a troubled real estate market and tighter credit, Oodle said. Selling items via the online classifieds has given people an easier option for raising cash.

Oodle said it makes money through advertisers who pay for prominent placement on the company's network of classified ad sites, which include newspapers and TV stations.

Oodle, which was founded by a group of former executives from eBay and Excite, said it posts more than 500,000 new listings daily, generated through more than 80,000 sites.

MOVERS

Paramus-based NIA Group LLC has named Kevin Conboy as chief executive officer of the privately held insurance brokerage, the company said in a statement. Conboy is the former president and chief executive officer of Acordia (Wells Fargo Insurance Services). His appointment at NIA was effective as of Sunday.

In a statement, NIA Chairman Paul L. Gross said Conboy will "play a significant role in the execution of our business plan of expanding our footprint through acquisitions and the addition of new brokerage professionals."

During his 16-year career with Acordia, Conboy completed 54 acquisitions and led the successful integration of Acordia into Wells Fargo, NIA said.

STATS

Orders to U.S. manufacturers unexpectedly jumped in April, led by demand for petroleum and chemicals.

The 1.1 percent increase in demand followed a 1.5 percent gain in March that was higher than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said Tuesday in Washington. Bookings excluding cars and airplanes climbed 2.6 percent for a second month.

Increases in orders for machinery and electrical equipment signal demand from overseas is helping to keep some factories running as a weaker dollar has made American-made goods more attractive. Still, soaring costs for raw materials and a cooling in consumer and business spending will prevent manufacturing from strengthening in coming months.

— From news service reports

TODAY

Bergen County Volunteer Center, "Establishing a Web Presence," 1 to 4 p.m., 64 Passaic St., Hackensack. Cost: $35. Call Tess Tomasi, 201-489-9454, ext. 114; or e-mail training@bergenvolunteers.org.

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NJ Creatives network, "The Pricing Game," 7:30 p.m., Museum of Art and Science at Bergen Town Center, Route 4, Paramus. Cost: $10 to $20 for non-members. Call 973-697-8262, or visit njcreatives.org.

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Gas gauge

Bergen/Passaic average, regular gasoline:

Tuesday

$3.879

Monday Month ago Year ago

$3.871 $3.490 $2.977

Source: AAA Fuel Gauge

Illustrations/Photos: ***

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