-By Katy Bachman

Cox Cross Media, the digital sales division of Cox Reps, announced Wednesday (Oct. 21) the creation of a Local Solutions Group to provide advertisers with direct sales solutions across the 350 TV stations and 950 Web sites within Cox Reps. The new unit will be headed by Mary Barnas, formerly executive vp and director of local broadcast for Carat (and a former Mediaweek All-Star).

In her new position as vp of the Local Solutions Group beginning Nov. 2, Barnas will work to draw new advertisers into local TV, working with clients to develop customized programs across multiple mediums and markets. She reports to Steve Shaw, senior vp of Cox Cross Media.

Since the launch of Cox Cross Media in 2007, the number of Web sites repped by the group has grown to reach 60 million uniques and 2.5 billion page views a month. The TV stations repped by the group represent 40 percent of all national spot advertising.

“For the first time a rep firm has significant scale to take this kind of approach. Advertisers can go two or three stations deep in a market,” said Shaw.

As part of the launch of the Local Solutions Group, Cox Cross Media updated its Web site with advanced capabilities that allow visitors to acccess its online database in order to plan digital campaigns.

“Our new approach greatly reduces any complications or multiple layers associated with buying spot television. Advertisers need to move their products and services quickly and efficiently. Our solution does this through one point of contact on a targeted, local level,” said Jim Monahan, president of Cox Reps.