Planana Launches Online Event Sponsorship Service Connecting Brands to Local Events

New "Perks Platform" to disrupt the sponsorship industry by helping sponsors be more than just a logo on a banner

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new online event service, Planana.com, launches today at TechCrunch Disrupt.  Planana connects mass-market sponsors to local events through the company's "Planana Perks" technology. 

Seamlessly integrated with the RSVP or ticketing process, "Planana Perks" are rewards attendees earn by doing simple tasks or social actions that engage with the brand. Sponsored perks include discounted tickets, products or VIP benefits.  Planana also helps facilitate at-event sampling and provides a performance dashboard for sponsors to track their analytics in real time.

Small and medium sized events attract over 400 million attendees per year - almost triple that of large events like major concerts or sports games. Yet, corporate sponsors who spent nearly $20 billion targeting large events last year cannot cost-effectively reach this larger audience.  Planana helps sponsors easily access this massive new audience.

"Traditionally, sponsorship of small events is fragmented and brand engagement is poor.  At best, brands see their logo on event materials or get a verbal mention at the few local events they sponsor," according to Anna Sergeeva, Planana's Co-Founder and CEO. "Planana disrupts this model by providing tangible results for sponsors, organizers and attendees."

When attendees engage with sponsors through "Planana Perks," they become brand advocates spreading word of the event and sponsor to their social networks. The organizers benefit from the added promotion and the sponsors see their reach extend far beyond the events' attendees.

"Consumers are tired of getting bombarded with ads," said Fei Xiao, Planana's Co-Founder and COO. "They want to connect with like-minded brands in a way that positively impacts their lives and helps them better enjoy the events they're already passionate about."

Since launching into public beta in July, Planana has been used by over 200 event organizers, with "Planana Perks" reaching nearly a million people nationwide. The company has worked with sponsors such as Uber, IZZE, Treehouse, Health in Reach and Sleepful Nights. Planana is incubated by OrganicStartup LLC and funded by Tech Coast Angels.

About Planana (www.planana.com)
Planana connects mass-market sponsors to local events through the company's "Planana Perks" technology.  Seamlessly integrated with the RSVP or ticketing process, "Planana Perks" are rewards attendees earn by doing simple tasks or social actions that engage with the brand. Planana, located in Los Angeles, CA, was founded in 2011 by Anna Sergeeva and Fei Xiao, incubated by OrganicStartup LLC and funded by Tech Coast Angels. The founders won a DEMOgod Award at DEMO conference.

More detail, screenshots and logo available in the electronic press kit at http://planana.com/media.

About TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2012
TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2012 (http://techcrunch.com/events/disrupt-sf-2012/) is TechCrunch's sixth annual conference in San Francisco. The format combines top thought-leader discussions with new product and company launches. During morning executive discussions, technology-driven disruptions in many industries will be debated. Afternoons are reserved for the Startup Battlefield, where 30 new companies will launch for the first time on stage, selected to present from more than 1,000 applications received from around the world. The winning company will receive a $50,000 grand prize and the Disrupt Cup at the conclusion of the conference. The conference is Sept. 10-12, 2012, at The Concourse at San Francisco Design Center located at 635 8th St. (at Brannan) in San Francisco's downtown SOMA district.

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SOURCE USC Stevens Center for Innovation