All Smiles At Stunning Growth

5 October 2004

All Smiles At Stunning Growth

SmileCity breaks 60,000 members to become a Top 10 NZ city

SmileCity, an online community for Kiwis, is celebrating the registration of its 60,000th resident.

The site has only been operating for eighteen months, but is already ranked as the ninth largest New Zealand city after Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Napier-Hastings, Dunedin, Tauranga and Palmerston North.

SmileCity is a diverse destination in that it provides online chat, games, competitions and shopping, whilst operating a rewards programme with genuine bargains.

The cyberspace city offers residents the opportunity to earn rewards that are converted into e-cash and can then be used to bid for brand new products as diverse as DVD players and perfume. The online auctions have no reserve price and products are regularly purchased well below their retail price.

SmileCity Marketing Director Jeff Glazer says the key to building an online city that encouraged interactivity and repeat custom was the introduction of the virtual "economy".

“The currency we use is ‘SmileCity points’ and, like any real currency, the points have a true value and can be converted into real dollars,” he says.

“Our job is to provide a safe and rewarding online environment where members can earn points that actually benefit them. In earning points, via online shopping and completing surveys, they’re part of an environment that is dynamic and fun.

“We’re determined to make SmileCity the best community reward site on the Internet. Our growth and the feedback from residents proves the formula is working.” Ends

To read what some residents have to say about the cybercity, please go to: http://www.smilecity.co.nz/page.asp?go=testimonials

Becoming a resident is easy. It’s free and open to all New Zealanders over 13 years of age. To join, simply visit: www.smilecity.co.nz

SMILECITY BACKGROUND

Earning Reward Points Residents earn reward points simply by reading emails from marketing companies; completing surveys online; buying products online from partners like Real Groovy, PC Wise, Pharmacy Direct and Tesora Gifts; even for referring friends to join the community.

Redeeming SmileCity Points The reward points never expire. Residents simply continue collecting them in their SmileCity online account and then cash them in for real dollars, products or vouchers. SmileCity has a unique auction system where you can bid for new products like portable CD players, DVD players, computers and perfume. Residents also have the option to donate their reward points (cash) directly to charity.

Other SmileCity Activity Residents can communicate with each other online, chat in the forum, take part in competitions, play games and even access horoscopes. Occasionally SmileCity books out an entire movie theatre and gives free movie tickets to lucky SmileCity residents.

ENDS