ZiXXo Delivers the First Self-Service Online Couponing Solution

June 22, 2006; 02:28 AM
Supernova, San Francisco, CA - ZiXXo Inc. today launched the first self-service online coupon service. Small and midsize businesses can create an online coupon in less than 5 minutes, or upload an image of an existing coupon, to quickly populate offers to the Internet and attract a growing customer base.

Once a business owner uploads a coupon, ZiXXo syndicates it through its own website, custom email alerts, custom RSS feeds and a growing network of syndication partners. By leveraging ZiXXo’s application programming interface (API), syndication partners can integrate coupons into everything from yellow pages to maps to search results and more. Users simply print the coupons, on demand, and redeem them with local businesses.

Last year, according to market researcher Carolina Manufacturing Services (CMS), there were 335 billion coupons printed and distributed in the United States; 88% of these coupons were distributed by national companies through Sunday newspaper inserts. Now ZiXXo makes it cost-effective and easy for local businesses to participate in coupon-based advertising.

“Online marketing is great, but local businesses don’t get too excited about clicks and page views,” said ZiXXo CEO Mike Hogan, “ZiXXo delivers local consumers, at their location and ready to buy. That gets local business owners really excited.” Hogan recognized that online marketing is relegated to the borders of web pages, areas often ignored by users. But coupons are the only form of advertising that is also considered valuable content. In fact, over 50% of Sunday newspapers are purchased for the coupons. This realization led to the creation of ZiXXo. By providing an API, ZiXXo coupons can be integrated right into the content, alongside things like maps, driving directions and contact information.

True to its roots in promotional marketing, ZiXXo’s launch is being celebrated with a promotion. Through 2006 there is no fee for businesses to create, manage and syndicate coupons through ZiXXo. Starting in 2007, ZiXXo will charge advertisers 50¢ per coupon printed by consumers. ZiXXo then shares this revenue with the affiliate who referred the advertiser and the affiliate who published the coupon.

ZiXXo is one of only 12 companies selected as a “Connected Innovator” by Michael Arrington of Techcunch.com and The Supernova Group, in conjunction with The Wharton School. “The next phase of innovation has clearly begun and, as always, Supernova is shining a light on what’s in store for the technology world. These 12 innovators were selected from scores of promising ventures as epitomizing how the world will expect to be -- and need to be -- connected,” said Kevin Werbach, Supernova founder and assistant professor at Wharton.

ZiXXo for Businesses:
ZiXXo makes it easy to create online coupons to promote your business. Simply enter your information and it creates a professional looking coupon for you in less than 5 minutes. ZiXXo provides sample offers to achieve various business objectives, from growing average revenue per customer to increasing traffic during slow times. Any business, from beauty salons to pizza parlors to auto mechanics can use ZiXXo’s online coupons.

ZiXXo for Users:
Users can find local coupons, print them and redeem them. ZiXXo also offers web 2.0 features like reviews, ratings for companies and coupons, tagging and more. For users who want their coupons sent to them, they can get “deal alerts” emails or RSS feeds that are easily customized to their location and interests.

ZiXXo for Affiliates:
Affiliates can add coupons to their website in minutes. Or, using ZiXXo’s application programming interface (API), these coupons can be integrated right into search engine results, maps, blogs, yellow pages, and other web applications. ZiXXo shares its pay-per-print revenue with affiliate partners who refer advertisers or who publish the coupons to consumers.

About ZiXXo
ZiXXo™ is a pioneer of local online coupons. Local businesses create and manage their online coupons at www.zixxo.com. ZiXXo then syndicates these coupons through a growing network of affiliate partners. The coupons are easily integrated right into maps, online applications, yellow pages, search engine results and much more. Users can get their coupons online, print them and redeem them with local merchants. Other forms of online marketing serve the 2% of U.S. commerce that is conducted online, offering page views and clicks. Online coupons serve the 98% of U.S. commerce that is conducted offline, delivering live customers at the business and ready to buy. For more information call (650) 683-0394 or visit our website at www.zixxo.com.