Virtual gifting now a reality

News release
20 February 2007

Virtual gifting now a reality

Texting, emails, pictures, video – you can do lots of things on your mobile phone. And with the recently launched POCKETvouchers.com you can now say goodbye to paper gift vouchers and receive ‘virtual’ gift vouchers on your mobile.

POCKETvouchers is a New Zealand company which has launched an innovative new online service for sending gift vouchers directly to mobile phones as a text message.

The first of its kind in the country, POCKETvouchers.com has launched offering Liquorland gift vouchers, with more leading New Zealand retailers to join soon.

Gift vouchers made a huge comeback in 2006 as frustrated shoppers searched for the perfect gift and according to the company’s managing director Todd Wackrow POCKETvouchers.com makes the process even easier

“The great thing for senders is the entire process is handled online. You don’t need a delivery address, just the recipient’s mobile phone number.

“Because people always carry their mobile phones with them, not only does a POCKETvoucher reach the recipient whenever, wherever, but it also eliminates the problem of forgotten gift vouchers or a crammed wallet.”

To buy and send a POCKETvoucher you visit www.pocketvouchers.com and choose a dollar amount or product you’d like to gift. You then enter the recipient’s details and a personalised greeting and pay by credit card via an independent secure server.

The POCKETvoucher is sent immediately or at any time the buyer chooses within the next three months.

Each POCKETvoucher contains a unique code and expiry date used for validation at the store. To redeem the POCKETvoucher, you simply take your mobile phone into any Liquorland in New Zealand where the code is verified via the EFTPOS system.

If the voucher is for a dollar value, the entire amount does not need to be spent at any one time; the residual amount stays linked to the code until the POCKETvoucher expires three months after validation.

Liquorland’s Brett Wilson believes POCKETvouchers has major benefits for consumers and retailers.

“Liquorland has led the way in retail in recent years with electronic Giftcards, but quite simply we see POCKETvouchers as the most convenient and easiest way to give someone a gift voucher – full stop!

“Not only is it easy for the consumer – and us as a retailer – but also it’s much more personal, with the ability to immediately identify the giver and personalise the gift by selecting a product.”

Mr Wackrow says POCKETvouchers are also ideal as a corporate gift that is a little bit different and for people who “can’t be there to help celebrate”.

“It’s a great service for New Zealanders living overseas because now they can easily send gift vouchers to friends and family in New Zealand. And all they need is a credit card and the recipient’s mobile number.”

With a background in brand marketing in the liquor industry, Mr Wackrow has developed the POCKETvouchers concept by integrating a number of technologies.

“Text vouchers sent to mobile phones have been used in the past, but the innovation of the POCKETvouchers system is that vouchers can be verified instantly in-store and payment provided to the retailer.”

He says similar concepts exist in the UK and Australia but they have a very narrow focus on voucher redemptions in bars, whilst the POCKETvouchers.com concept is designed to work across the whole New Zealand retail industry.

So in 2007 whether it be liquor vouchers, CD vouchers, book vouchers, or petrol vouchers it looks like New Zealanders will be able to send them all straight to mobile phones without leaving their computer.

ends

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