The account was handed to the agency without a pitch.
Waterson has been handed a three-pronged brief, the first element of which is to attract more car dealers to the site by targeting the motor trade press.
The other tasks are to use the consumer press to attract more people looking to buy cars to eBay, as well as promote eBay’s subsections on motorcycles, spare parts, memorabilia and classic cars through the specialist press.
eBay retains Joe Public Relations across consumer and corporate comms. An eBay spokeswoman said: ‘eBay Motors is part of the site, but something that we are promoting as a specific category. It will be a big part of the business. It is the first time that we have hired an agency other than JPR.’
Waterson handles UK PR for motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson UK.