Portland, OR (PRWEB) July 19, 2013
Gift Card Network today announced an industry B2B committee designed to create a peer-to-peer B2B Marketplace where members can provide on-demand information for their current or potential clients about merchant brands, products, services and marketing opportunities. The organization, along with major industry players Groupon and Hallmark Business Connections, is inviting members to join in discussions to maximize gift card B2B opportunities and improve communication between merchants, distributors and vendors. The goal is to understand member’s challenges and to work together to find ways that Gift Card Network members can be more successful, better connected, and have access to resources to make their everyday jobs easier.
Branded gift cards are used in a variety of incentive, wellness, loyalty, fundraising, online store, virtual wallet, and promotional programs, as well as an enormous number of third party retail locations. The process for distributors to understand the details behind each brand’s unique demographics, consumer preferences, and potential card performance is complicated and time/resource-heavy, and merchants currently do not have access to comprehensive information about distributor’s programs, demographics, marketing, and advertising investment opportunities. Created from intense interest from members for great information and opportunity, the Gift Card Networks B2B committee discussions will focus on specific issues within the space to gain insight and advice on how to address and maximize member benefits.
To better understand the needs of merchants, distributors and vendors, the Gift Card Network has launched an initial survey, which can be found online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6MW57C7. The organization is seeking member and non-member participation in the survey. To become of member of the Gift Card Network and participate in ongoing conversations and updates from the B2B committee, go to: http://www.thegiftcardnetwork.com/contactForm.php
About Gift Card Network:
The Gift Card Network is a community of gift card industry members that connect, collaborate and contribute through a highly specialized online platform, events, and group discussions. Members identify and create media, information, and services around education, challenges, and potential solutions to help the industry move forward. Find out more about how we’re revolutionizing the way gift card companies interact here: http://www.thegiftcardnetwork.com
About Groupon:
Groupon is a global leader in local commerce, making it easy for people around the world to search and discover great businesses at unbeatable prices. Groupon is reinventing the traditional small business world by providing merchants with a suite of products and services, including customizable deals,payments processing capabilities and point-of-sale solutions to help them attract more customers and run their operations more effectively. By leveraging the company’s global relationships and scale, Groupon offers consumers incredible deals on the best stuff to eat, see, do, and buy in 48 countries. With Groupon, shoppers discover the best a city has to offer with Groupon Local, enjoy vacations with Groupon Getaways, and find a curated selection of electronics, fashion, home furnishings and more with Groupon Goods. To subscribe to Groupon emails, visit http://www.Groupon.com. To learn more about the company’s merchant solutions and how to work with Groupon, visit http://www.GrouponWorks.com.
About Hallmark Business Connections:
Hallmark Business Connections is the business-relationships unit of the iconic Hallmark Cards brand. We leverage more than 100 years of Hallmark heritage, creativity and innovation to help businesses build and strengthen the relationships that make them thrive. From turning customers into advocates, employees into champions, and companies into healthier environments, Hallmark Business Connections leverages over a century of crafting personal messages into innovative and customizable solutions that impact both business and employee engagement. Hallmark Business Connections is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., with locations in Kansas City, Mo. and Duluth, Minn. For more information, visit http://www.HallmarkBusinessConnections.com.