MediaWorks deal boosts co's online ad revolution

TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2007

MediaWorks deal boosts Dunedin company's world-wide online advertising revolution

A major deal struck between Dunedin-based company Vouchermate and nationwide media company MediaWorks will revolutionise the online advertising industry and provides the boost for Vouchermate to take its unique product worldwide.

Online company Vouchermate has created a software platform to host and process coupon-based media campaigns. The concept makes advertising products attractive to consumers by offering discounts online that can be downloaded, or transferred to mobile phones.

The MediaWorks deal will provide resources for Vouchermate to target the lucrative US, UK and Asian online advertising markets.

MediaWorks will sell advertising, via its radio stations, targeting general consumers and promoting discounts that can be obtained from its free-to-use website.

Vouchermate CEO Christian Kasper said discounts range from a free burger and coke to discounts off household products, clothing and entertainment to name a few.

"Advertising plays an important role in a market-driven economy, and the Internet is excellent for looking up information. We've just mixed the two up together," he said. "Basically, Vouchermate is a compilation of the best discounts. It's always updated and it's instantly available, anytime, anywhere.

"The online discount voucher system means people can find the most efficient way to spend their money before they go shopping. They can either print out the discount or download it onto their cellphone and show it at the shop.

"People will access the site because it offers real information with real benefits. That's attractive for consumers and it's attractive for advertisers."

Sussan Turner, Chief Operating Officer at MediaWorks said: "We are thrilled to be working with Vouchermate and launching this unique concept to New Zealand. It's one of those great opportunities to provide both our advertisers and our listeners incredible benefits.

"The team charged with making this happen are one of the most focused and dynamic teams I have ever seen and their level of commitment and passion will ensure this product flies," she said.

Vouchermate's software platform is unique in that it unifies automatic content creation, online mapping and mobile data technologies with market research capabilities.

The MediaWorks deal includes The Rock, More FM, The Edge, Solid Gold, Radio Live, The Breeze, Radio Pacific and Kiwi FM radio stations. The deal is the first step in the young company's plan to take its unique product worldwide, beginning with the United States. Negotiations with a well established international media company which will fast track overseas expansion are well advanced.

Mr Kasper said the United States currently spends around US$16 billion per year on Internet advertising, which is expected to reach $19.5 billion by the end of 2007.

"There is great potential for Vouchermate and its partners to secure a share of this expenditure that would be worth many millions of dollars," he said.

Vouchermate also intends to enter the UK online advertising market, which grew by 41.2% last year.

ENDS

www.vouchermate.co.nz

Background

Vouchermate is the brainchild of three Dunedin men: Pete Hau, Christian Kasper and Robert Guthrie. They launched the first site in April 2006, followed by improvements over the next months. In December 2006 they joined the Dunedin Business Incubator Upstart.

Vouchermate grew quickly from one to ten full-time staff and was now taking another 10 on board, mainly developers and customer support officers.

The latest Vouchermate site was launched in July 2007, and included TXTVouchers (Vouchers to send to cellphones) and a new branding.

Upstart is a business incubator based in Dunedin which aims to grow new innovative companies to help both them and the regional economy to flourish.

Company mentor and Upstart CEO Dr Norman Evans said Vouchermate was on its way to being a global company. Its growth had been unusually rapid, and that was because they had a great team, superb technology, and an innovative business model" he said.

www.vouchermate.co.nz

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