LivingSocial Names Longtime Technology Exec Dickson Chu to Lead New Merchant Solutions Division

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LivingSocial, the online and mobile source for great local values, today named longtime technology and commerce executive Dickson Chu as Senior Vice President for Merchant Solutions.  A current executive at Citi who formerly directed PayPal's product strategy and development, Chu will lead LivingSocial's Merchant Solutions division, which will develop and promote products and services to meet the marketing and operational needs of local merchants.  

"LivingSocial has direct relationships with tens of thousands of local merchants around the world, giving us a tremendous opportunity to help our merchant partners improve their businesses through innovative marketing and customer management tools," said Tim O'Shaughnessy, CEO of LivingSocial.  "Dickson brings a deep background in developing vital business services for merchants, and we believe he is the ideal leader for a new division within LivingSocial dedicated to the creation of the next generation of local merchant solutions."

In addition to the Merchant Solutions division, LivingSocial also named current executive Jake Maas as Senior Vice President of Consumer Businesses, covering all consumer-facing products and services, and Eric Eichmann as President of International, directing all of the company's operations outside of North America.  The Consumer Businesses division includes the core LivingSocial Daily Deals, as well as new products like Adventures, Escapes, Families, Instant, and Gourmet.

A 25-year technology and financial services veteran, Chu joins LivingSocial from Citi, where he was Managing Director of Digital Networks in the company's Global Enterprise Payments unit, directing the development of new payments capabilities for mobile, online and technology companies.

Prior to Citi, he was Vice President, Global Products and Experience for PayPal, leading product strategy, development and user experience for PayPal's millions of customers and merchant partners around the world.  At PayPal, Chu was part of the initial leadership team that developed the merchant services business and served as general manager of that unit from 2006-2008.  Before PayPal, Chu was General Manager for Yahoo! PayDirect.  He has also held leadership positions at companies such as Wells Fargo and CSC Index.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary's College in California.

About LivingSocial

LivingSocial helps people around the world find, share and enjoy great local deals and new experiences. We'll help you get more out of your city. Through its daily deal e-mails and alerts, LivingSocial introduces members to handpicked local businesses, products or services each day at significant savings. With a range of products for different interests, like Families and Adventures, LivingSocial helps delight members with the perfect deal for them. Other services include LivingSocial Escapes, which features easy "vacations in a box" to leading destinations, and LivingSocial Instant, which helps members discover real-time discounts at nearby restaurants, stores and businesses. LivingSocial works with each merchant partner to create customized marketing solutions that attract and retain loyal, long-term customers. Based in Washington, D.C., LivingSocial now has more than 46 million members in 25 countries.

SOURCE LivingSocial