Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) is preparing to launch a real-time bidding (RTB) platform, according to a Netease Tech report.

The company has been developing an RTB platform for some time, and predicted that Baidu will announce the platform this year, the report said, citing an unnamed senior executive at a major Chinese demand-side platform (DSP).

"Baidu planned for this a long time ago, but has been very slow in carrying out its plans," the source said.

Baidu began internal research into RTB platforms two years ago, the source said, but plans were delayed due to a dearth of support within the company.

Zhang Chuan, product director for the company's Baidu Union advertising network, had been in charge of the RTB project before his late 2011 departure for 58.com, where he serves as vice president. The product manager overseeing the RTB project under Zhang's leadership was subsequently poached by Taobao, according to the report.