Spark Commerce Announces Initial Opening of its GIFT Network

BOSTON, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Spark Commerce Inc. today announced national operability of its exclusive acquisition marketing platform, GIFT (Give Incentives For Transacting). Now, when customers shop at partner stores (whether web-based or mobile) they may receive unique and targeted gifts upon purchase completion based on Spark's proprietary curation algorithms.  

E-commerce businesses using GIFT benefit from customers who convert, spend and refer friends more.  The program generates extra revenue for its partners, and requires little-to-no technology investment to integrate.  Tools for increasing social activity and engagement are incorporated into the platform.  Digital commerce companies interested in increasing revenue and improving customer shopping propensity by offering such gifts may now apply to enter the program.

Brands searching for ways to attract new qualified customers while paying only for effectiveness may also now join the network. Spark's flagship product is being used by leading brands to overcome the complex and expensive challenge of promoting their services and wares.  Using GIFT closes the loop for advertisers and is a turn key ROI-positive solution for effectively delivering large volumes of loyal users – those who return repeatedly to a store (online and off) or an app. 

"Our focus is on developing innovative and scalable technology with high-quality design to deliver the best marketing solutions for advertisers like Uber, LivingSocial, Peapod, Qdoba and others who want new customers on a performance basis," said Andrew Moss, Spark Commerce's CEO.  "We have studied and adopted learnings from top social commerce companies, and incorporated a variety of superior attributes – such as our patent pending '1-click card-link' concept – that make GIFT a uniquely win-win-win platform for our curated partnerships."

The platform incorporates the scientific findings of noted neurologist Dr. Paul Zak, professor at Claremont Graduate University and author of The Moral Molecule, who has studied the brain's response to receiving gifts and coupons. "The unexpected gift is likely to cause oxytocin production and a desire to reciprocate by making another purchase. It's a big win-win."

A study by Harris Interactive found that free gift receivers are generally more likely to buy from an online retailer after they are given a gift.[1]  In fact, Spark's own surveys have now shown this result with the vast majority of people Spark targeted and responding saying they are now "more likely to purchase again with the retailer where they shopped originally."

Several major saas ecommerce platforms, credit card processors and point of sale providers are now exploring additional integrations to tap into and expand the efficacy of GIFT on- and offline.

About Spark Commerce Inc.
Spark Commerce Inc. has developed the only closed loop performance-based acquisition marketing network for brands both online and off.  The company's flagship platform, GIFT, is a solution that unites advertisers, merchants and shoppers: online stores make more sales from their current traffic, advertisers acquire new customers on a pay-for-performance basis and shoppers get a free product with every purchase.  Based in Boston, MA, Spark Commerce is privately held.  More at http://www.sparkcommerce.com/.

[1]Harris Interactive poll for IDR Marketing Partners, Nov. 13, 2012: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20121113005866/en/Study-Finds-Free-Gift-Purchase-Drives-Increase

SOURCE Spark Commerce