The weekly newsletter for everyone interested in barter--the world's most versatile business tool!

• Australia's David Johnstone Named President Of IRTA
• There's A New Currency Now...Postage Stamps!
  
• Trade Exchange Industry's Incredible Growth Continues
• Madden Still Enjoying Fantastic Barter Agreement
• Here & There. . .

Trade Exchange Industry's Incredible Growth Continues

Just four decades ago the trade exchange industry was born in Los Angeles. There are now an estimated 450 trade exchanges across the United States.

Twenty years ago only three countries had trade exchanges. Today there are 39 countries around the world with trade exchanges. When viewed objectively, and compared to other professions, like the practice of medicine (evolving since the year 377 B.C. when Hippocrates drafted his famous oath), the future of the trade exchange industry looks exceedingly bright!

Madden Still Enjoying Fantastic Barter Agreement

The nation's best known non-flier is Fox TV football-analyst John Madden. Years ago, during a televised national program he discussed his aversion to flying, saying he was thinking about getting a bus.

A Greyhound Lines public relations man heard Madden's comments, spotting an opening to bring his company some valuable exposure. The result? Greyhound seized the opportunity, in the process getting millions of dollars worth of free press coverage.

The barter arrangement gave Madden a Greyhound bus for cross-country traveling, complete with plush modifications, worth $500,000.

In return Madden was required to give motivational talks to Greyhound employees in the major cities he passed through during the football season. He made 30 talks per year for three years, and then the luxurious bus was his--free and clear!

Here And There. . .

• Two petroleum companies (Anadakro Petroleum and Alberta Energy) are bartering interests in oil and natural-gas exploration in Alaska and Canada's Western Arctic region.
  
  
• Europe's biggest defense contractor BAe Systems and Saab AB have agreed to accept $50 million a year in nuts & bolts, uniforms, safety equipment and electrical goods for themselves and their suppliers. The agreement is part of a countertrade (barter commitment) linked to South Africa's purchase of Saab's Gripen fighter planes and BAe Hank jet trainers.
  
  
• Marcia Mendez-Rodriques is handling the direct marketing and bartering programs for Trivest a private investment firm.
  
  
• Forty-seven percent (47%) of all sales made in the U.S. are done in the small business marketplace.
  
  
• Microsoft has donated (a quid pro quo form of barter, earning tax credit and good will in exchange for products) another $15 million in software to fund the expansion of NPower, a program that helps non-profits with their technology needs. The products will be used in twelve cities across the country.
  
  
• California homeowners have a lot of reserved purchasing power in the value of their real estate. The total value of the state's single-family homes, condominiums and town houses hit $1.98 trillion in June, up 14% from a year earlier...valuations are increasing $58 billion a month.
  
  While it doesn't happen as often as it will soon in the future, savvy businessowners/members of trade exchanges can acquire favorable six figure loans from their trade exchange. The trade dollars are then used to make valuable real estate additions to their business establishments. And the loans are paid off by the additional business the exchange pushes to the member establishment.
  
  
• There are few signs that traditional advertisers are embracing online advertising, according to a recent study released by a unit of Media Metrix. The study shows that of the biggest 200 advertisers on the Web, the proportion of ads purchased by "dot.com" firms climbed to 77% in July, up from 64% a year earlier.
  
  
• GreatDomains.com handles the sale of registered internet domain names for a commission. They usually get 10% if the domain name is sold for cash, but if any type of barter was involved the commission is 15%. Which is perplexing, inasmuch as it should be easier to trade than sell for cash, which means less effort on the part of GreatDomains for their commission.