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PlaceWise Media Launches Engagement Tool for Malls to Connect Shoppers and Retailers

May 21, 2013 By PlaceWise Staff

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Consumer-centric Shoptopia Leverages Online Research with Mobile and Location Technologies to Drive Offline Purchases

Visit PlaceWise Media at RECon 2013, May 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in booth C10-Union Street in the Leasing Mall

DENVER and LAS VEGAS; May 21, 2013 – PlaceWise Media today announced the availability of Shoptopia®, a location-based shopping companion that leverages online and mobile technologies to deliver highly targeted shopper marketing and consumer engagement opportunities for shopping centers, retailers and brands.

Shoptopia delivers retail deals, product and content through an online portal and mobile shopping companion app. The service filters products, retailers and promotions based on shopper preference and location to deliver personalized content and facilitate online research, shopping trip planning and in-store purchases.

A Nielsen study of PlaceWise Media’s mall network shows that 63 percent use online and mobile devices to plan or enhance their shopping mall trips ahead of time. Forty percent of those shoppers visit the mall that same day, and 94 percent visit the mall within one week.

“Reaching shoppers while they research a purchase or plan a shopping trip is a ripe opportunity for shopper marketers,” said John Dee, PlaceWise Media president. “Mobile is influencing where to buy, what to buy and even how much people are spending. It’s essential that retailers have as many integrated options for their shoppers as possible.”

Specific to mobile shopping, Google issued the results of a study earlier this month citing that 62 percent of smartphone users use their device to shop at least once a month, 17 percent use their smartphone to shop once a week, and 84 percent use their smartphones to help with shopping while in the store.

To meet the needs of today’s tech-savvy shopper, Shoptopia uses consumer preferences and location filters to deliver relevant product and retailer information from a database of millions. Every mall retailer in America has a default presence on Shoptopia with basic information such as physical address, phone numbers and hours of operation, but retailers and shopping centers can claim their Shoptopia Storefront to manage the shopper’s experience with their brand.

“Search engines like Google and social mediums such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest have all been retrofitted to facilitate some kind of shopping and shopper marketing,” added Dee. “Shoptopia is built expressly for shopping; Shoptopia members are members for one reason and one reason only: shopping. There is no better way to be present on the virtual path to purchase.”

Shoptopia offers hyper-targeted marketing options through mobile (SMS, text, app placement), social, online and email placements.

Shoptopia is available as a free download in the iTunes app store. A free download for the Android platform will be available later this year. Shoptopia can also be found at www.shoptopia.com. For more information visit www.placewise.com. For thought leadership on the growing concept of waste-free advertising, visit www.wastefreeadvertising.com.

About PlaceWise Media

PlaceWise Media leverages the latest technologies to help retailers, shopping centers and brands effectively reach their target audience with relevant and timely product information, trends and promotions. Its mall-media network provides multi-platform digital marketing services to more than 300 shopping malls in 75 markets across North America, with more than 5 million total monthly visitors. PlaceWise Media also operates the location-based digital shopping companion, Shoptopia® (www.shoptopia.com), available to consumers nationwide. PlaceWise Media is based in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit www.placewise.com.

PlaceWise Media Introduces Shoptopia, the In-Your-Home and On-the-Go Shopping Companion

May 21, 2013 By PlaceWise Staff

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Your Favorite Brands, Your Favorite Stores and the Best Deals – All in One Place Where You Can Browse, Shop, Search, Share and More

DENVER; May 21, 2013 – PlaceWise Media today launched Shoptopia®, an online digital shopping companion that filters products, retailers and promotions to deliver the most personalized, timely and relevant shopping information and deals based on a consumer’s search criteria and location.

For today’s tech-savvy shopper, the shopping experience often begins with online pre-planning. Shoptopia.com is where this journey begins. Shoppers visit www.shoptopia.com, select their category preferences and find information about their favorite products, brands, stores and deals, and learn what’s hot and trending. Shoptopia users can also save and share favorites with friends, and provide feedback and product reviews. At the mall or store, the Shoptopia iPhone app guides shoppers to real-time promotions on their favorite products, in their favorite stores based on their specific location.

“For thousands of years, people have gathered in centralized marketplaces and connected through the shopping experience,” said Mort Aaronson, CEO of PlaceWise Media. “While shopping options and methods have evolved, the satisfaction of finding just the right item, sharing the experience with friends and getting a great deal remain constant. Shoptopia’s online product search and mobile geo-location technology connects the shopper with personally relevant products, stores and deals. You might be just steps from exactly what you’re looking for, and Shoptopia will tell you.”

To further enhance the experience, Shoptopia shoppers receive product information and sponsored content only from the product categories they have tagged as relevant. Personal information will never be sold, respecting consumer privacy. “Benefits of Shoptopia’s personal relevancy to the consumer are obvious, but the sponsor benefits, too. By respecting the consumer’s stated preferences and privacy, marketers don’t risk tarnishing brands with unwanted intrusion along the shopper’s path to purchase,” added Aaronson.

Pricing & Availability
Shoptopia® is now available as a free download in the iTunes app store and can be accessed at www.shoptopia.com.

About PlaceWise Media
PlaceWise Media leverages the latest technologies to help retailers, shopping centers and brands effectively reach their target audience with relevant and timely product information, trends and promotions. Its mall-media network provides multi-platform digital marketing services to more than 300 shopping malls in 75 markets across North America, with more than 5 million total monthly visitors. PlaceWise Media also operates the location-based digital shopping companion, Shoptopia® (www.shoptopia.com), available to consumers nationwide. PlaceWise Media is based in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit www.placewise.com.

PlaceWise Media Grows Digitally Integrated Marketing Platform to 200+ Shopping Centers

May 20, 2013 By PlaceWise Staff

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Connecting Local Shoppers with Mall Retailers and Fashion Content Drives Online Engagement and Revenue

Visit PlaceWise Media at RECon 2013, May 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in booth C10-Union Street in the Leasing Mall

DENVER and LAS VEGAS; May 20, 2013 – PlaceWise Media today announced that more than 200 of its 328 shopping center clients have joined its digitally integrated marketing platform. The advanced marketing platform combines consumer preferences and content to create shopper engagement and monetization opportunities.

Shopping centers that leverage PlaceWise Media’s digitally integrated platform can connect their shoppers with premium lifestyle and fashion content and create additional engagement via Facebook, Twitter and mobile applications. The platform also creates an additional revenue stream through ad revenue sharing across the national PlaceWise Media mall network. All this results in more online traffic, impressions and engagement, which in turn stimulates increased foot traffic and lease rates for shopping centers.

“The growth of the digitally integrated platform indicates that there is a shift in how shopping centers are thinking about digital assets,” said John Dee, president of PlaceWise Media. “We’re also seeing a shift in the brand expectation of what an advertiser should be. The message must fit contextually in this shopping center world. The message and environment should be consistent, and the PlaceWise network ensures that is always the case. By leveraging our digitally integrated platform, shopping centers can invest in proven content and technology, and immediately begin to more effectively connect with their customers and drive traffic to their stores.”

“The additional $45,000 in digital revenue generated by PlaceWise saved our budgets last year. We wouldn’t have met our revenue projections without it,” said Gerritt Smith, senior manager, Partnership Marketing at Glimcher.

The 200 malls on PlaceWise Media’s digitally integrated platform come from more than 45 shopping center operators including Developers Diversified, Forest City, Glimcher, Madison Marquette and Urban Retail Development, among others.

About PlaceWise Media
PlaceWise Media leverages the latest technologies to help retailers, shopping centers and brands effectively reach their target audience with relevant and timely product information, trends and promotions. Its mall-media network provides multi-platform digital marketing services to more than 300 shopping malls in 75 markets across North America, with more than 5 million total monthly visitors. PlaceWise Media also operates the location-based digital shopping companion, Shoptopia® (www.shoptopia.com), available to consumers nationwide. PlaceWise Media is based in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit www.placewise.com.

Employee Q&A Kristen Wilhelm

April 5, 2013 By PlaceWise Staff

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Name: Kristen Wilhelm

Official Title: Account Executive

But this Title Sounds Cooler: Super Helpful.

In 140 characters, what do you do at PlaceWise? Assist clients with the strategic development and implementation of their digital marketing needs while communicating all new PlaceWise features. I also work closely with the developer team to improve and maintain Retailhub and all the educational communication to clients regarding the platform.

How do you get to work in the morning? Mostly drive, but I’ll try and walk when it gets a bit nicer!

What is the most enjoyable part of your job? Getting to surround myself with highly intelligent people with so many different talents!

Name a goal you have for the week? Make sure all my clients have their mobile sites set up!

What’s for lunch today? Soup!

If you knew then, what you know now, what piece of advice would you give yourself? Enjoy the process!

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to work with animals, but did not have the stomach necessary to have a successful career in veterinary medicine.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Creative…extremely broad, but truthful.

Shoptopia Case Study Illustrates How a Partnership with PlaceWise Media Can Increase New Product Awareness

April 3, 2013 By Marisa Martin

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Just in time for holiday season promotions planning, here’s a case study from last season.

The Timing:

Late November 2012-December 2012

The Situation:

Verizon Wireless wanted to increase awareness during the launch of the Nokia Lumia 822 with shopping center consumers during the holiday shopping season. In addition, the company wanted to include unique elements that drove retention and account optimization against current customers. Verizon was looking for a solution that utilized both on- and off-premise platforms.

The Solution:

PlaceWise Media launched an integrated digital and on-premise campaign for Verizon Wireless at 26 of our Mall Network locations in the Midwest, recognizing impressive success at one particular center, Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, OH.

Verizon utilized all of the available easements for the digital portion of the campaign. On both online and mobile web home and secondary pages, PlaceWise placed animated advertising that encouraged shoppers to click the ad to learn more about the Nokia Lumia 822. In addition, Verizon ads were placed in the centers’ weekly email programs during the duration of the program. The emails also featured custom branded content that was written specifically around the campaign and covered topics such as how to capture the best smartphone photo during a Santa visit to which apps are the most entertaining for children during holiday travel. Lastly, Verizon reached out to shoppers through Facebook by sharing tips about how the Nokia Lumia 822 could enhance the holiday season.

As a compliment to the digital campaign, Verizon selected 10 shopping centers in key markets to host Cookies with Santa events for Verizon customers. Like all of the selected centers, Polaris Fashion Place hosted an exclusive event that allowed shoppers to meet Santa in a small group environment. Attendance was driven by a text to local Verizon customers and was also supported with Cookies with Santa digital media campaigns. All of the event information and RSVP forms were hosted on the Polaris Fashion Place website. As a part of the sponsorship of the event, Verizon signage was placed throughout Polaris Fashion Place’s Santa set during the busy holiday shopping season.

After the Cookies with Santa event, Angela Sedivy, Marketing Director at Polaris Fashion Place, reflected that, “The overall experience of creating an event to hightlight a new product launch with Verizon was very positive. The goal of the Cookies with Santa event was to create an event that would allow for Verizon account holders to learn about the new Nokia Lumia 822 in a special holiday setting. Cookies with Santa was all about the children and helping them have a magical experience with Santa Claus and creating an exclusive event for their highly valued Verizon members that were some of the first to see the new product in action!” Verizon Wirless was pleased to play a part in a popular holiday tradition- the Santa visit.

The Results at Polaris Fashion Place:

•427,178 digital impressions across online and mobile web
•1.28% CTR, rich media
•3,375 Facebook Fans
•4,353 Cookies with Santa event email invitations delivered
•10.50% email invitation open rate
•121 shopper RSVPs, Cookies with Santa on premise mall event

The Results Across the Network:

•2,548,160 digital impressions across online, mobile web, and email
•0.2% CTR, rich media
•15% email open rate
•62,874 Facebook Fans
•569 shopper attendees, Cookies with Santa on premise mall event
•10mm impressions, onsite event signage

Contact Information:

Marisa Martin, marisa@placewise.com

Verizon Holiday Sponsorship: Cookies With Santa

January 12, 2013 By Marisa Martin

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In late November, we were excited to launch our first integrated digital and on-premise sponsored campaign for Verizon Wireless. The campaign supported the launch of the Nokia Lumia 822, a Verizon exclusive smartphone using the Windows 8 platform, and ran at 26 of our network center locations. The campaign was very successful in engaging the Shoptopia Network audience with the Verizon brand both on and offline.

Verizon utilized all of the available easements for the digital portion of the campaign. On both online and mobile web home and secondary pages, PlaceWise placed animated advertising that encouraged shoppers to click the ad to learn more about the Nokia Lumia 822. In addition, Verizon ads were placed in the weekly emails during the duration of the program. The emails also featured custom branded content that was written specifically around the campaign and covered topics such as how to capture the best smartphone photo during a Santa visit to which apps are the most entertaining for children during holiday travel. Lastly, Verizon reached out to shoppers through Facebook by sharing tips about how the Nokia Lumia 822 could enhance the holiday season.

As a compliment to the digital campaign, Verizon selected 10 shopping centers in key markets to host a “Cookies with Santa” events for Verizon customers. Each of the participating centers hosted an exclusive event that allowed shoppers to meet with Santa in a small group environment. Attendance was driven by a text to local Verizon customers and was also supported with “Cookies with Santa” digital media campaigns. All of the event information and RSVP forms were hosted on the local center sites. As a part of the sponsorship of the event, Verizon signage was placed throughout each of the center’s Santa sets during the busy holiday shopping season. Verizon was very excited have played a part in a popular holiday tradition- the Santa visit.

We are currently speaking to many clients that are excited about opportunities on the Shoptopia Network and we look forward to bringing more exciting sponsor opportunities to our shopping center partners in 2013.

Black Friday 2012 Success

December 3, 2012 By AllyThiac

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Do you know where the term “Black Friday” actually originated from? This universally used term was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to when a store would move from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand. Red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season.

Each year when Black Friday comes around we work with our network of retailers to try and come up with new and innovative ways to entice shoppers to frequent their stores over competitors. This gives the store a great opportunity to capture an audience that is already engaged by directing them towards their stores product offerings in a truly unique way. This years our stores did this by; extending the length of their sales, increasing the amount of discounts, BOGO (buy-one-get-one-free) and highlighting peak periods when certain items were marked down dramatically. One of the most known change is stores extended their stores hours to motivate shoppers by opening at non-traditional times.

The sales content and support we had was outstanding. We will continue to grow our outreach and sale content that will reach millions of shoppers.

We are already working on more efficient ways to make next year bigger and better!

Black Friday 2012 Success :

We were able to get over 200+ sales posted across our network.

We saw over 1.2 million visits across our participating socially enabled websites in just 5 days! This was a 78% increase in the numbers we saw from the year prior.

68% increase in Unique Visits from year prior.

54% of the traffic came from mobile usage where shoppers were checking out sales as they came in while waiting in line.

Placewise Media Gains Momentum as Retail Centers and Shoppers Increase Mobile Usage

November 15, 2012 By PlaceWise Staff

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America’s Largest Network of Mall Shoppers Grows by 50 Percent in Six-Months

DENVER, Nov. 15, 2012

Placewise Media, an integrated digital marketing provider to the shopping center industry and interactive media network operator, is gaining momentum heading into the fourth quarter. Since July, the Placewise Media network has increased by 50 percent, further solidifying the company’s market position as the largest interactive mall-media network in the U.S. In addition, the company has increased its staff by more than 50 percent compared to the same time last year, and plans to fill another 25 positions over the next six months.

“The future of shopper marketing is in everyone’s pocket—it’s in the two or three screens we carry around with us right up to the point of purchase, said Mort Aaronson, chairman and CEO of Placewise Media. “Shoppers are using mobile technology more than ever, so more and more shopping centers and retailers are looking to Placewise to reach their best customers because we offer simple, one stop solutions.”

The Placewise Media network is currently comprised of more than 150 malls from 35 shopping center operators including Forest City, Glimcher, Madison Marquette and WS Development. Since July 2012, nearly 50 additional malls have joined the network including those managed by Bayer Properties, Cypress Equities, The Rappaport Companies, UCR Asset Services and Urban Retail.

Geographically, the network has experienced significant growth in the West with several malls joining from Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle. The network has also expanded its presence in the greater Washington D.C. area, Boston and Chicago. Placewise Media anticipates the network will double at a minimum in 2013 to include more than 300 malls.

With a presence in 70 DMAs, including 24 of the top 25 markets, the Placewise Media network engages 3-4 million highly-qualified shoppers each month as they connect via mobile, online and social media touch points to prepare for and enhance their shopping experiences. Placewise Media estimates that number will be 5 million next month during the height of the holiday shopping season.

“We currently have more than 70 malls in development that will join the network by Q1 2013. Of course this network expansion means we’ll be increasing our staff to meet demand,” said Aaronson. “We expect to continue on this growth path through expanded contracts with existing mall clients, by adding additional malls owned or managed by our existing mall management clients and through the addition of management companies we have not worked with previously.”

Placewise Media operates the industry’s most sophisticated mall-marketing technology platform, leveraging an established online, mobile, social and on-premise reach to interact with shoppers before, during and after the shopping experience. The network provides shoppers with real-time information on style trends, deals and offers, while creating a media opportunity for marketers to deliver timely and targeted messaging closer to the point of purchase.

About Placewise Media

Placewise Media operates the largest digital and mobile network of mall shoppers in America. The network is connected through an integrated content-marketing platform leveraged by shopping centers, retailers and advertisers. The platform reaches hyper-local shoppers with on line, social, local and mobile (SoLoMo) platforms, giving advertisers a one-stop, integrated ad-buy to reach consumers throughout the shopping experience from planning to purchase. Malls and retailers use Placewise Media to engage their shoppers with shopper-customized content and touch points. Privately-held and based in Denver, Placewise has serviced the retail industry with interactive marketing services since 1997.

Black Friday is On Our Minds!

November 9, 2012 By AllyThiac

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Can you feel it? The air is cooler, the leaves have changed, and Starbucks is offering the Pumpkin Spice Latte; yep, the holidays are near! Which means we are gearing up for Black Friday in all new ways.

Black Friday is just around the corner, Friday, November 23, 2012 to be exact. This holiday season, PlaceWise is committed to helping you increase sales and traffic at your center. Are you new to Black Friday with us? Not a problem, we will be delivering a “Black Friday” tab on your site the days leading up to Black Friday to call special attention to your time-sensitive and exclusive holiday deals.

We want to supply your shoppers with the best sales information to entice them to choose your mall over the competition by highlighting all Black Friday and exclusive sales all in one spot. We want to make this a successful Black Friday for your center, but need your help to ensure that we are showcasing your retailers during this important retail period.

Retail Managers: How Can YOU Get YOUR Exclusive Sales on This Tab?:

As a Retailer Manager, post through Retail Hub: Shortly there will be a special category option to add these sales, stay tuned for Retailhub updates coming soon!

Send to retailinfo@placewise.com

*If you’re sending to us, please make sure to include:

IN THE SUBJECT LINE, note the type of Sale: Regular? Exclusive? Black Friday?

Title of sale

Details of sale

Image/Call to Action (if available)

Fine Print/Restrictions

Start & End Date and Time: Days and/or hours if applicable

*This feature will be automatically added to your site in the Sales/Deals section so please contact us if you have any concerns.

Help Us Help You:

Please keep in mind that we are all coming up on the busy season for the retail industry. We would like to take this time to remind everyone that it’s especially important to plan ahead in order to meet deadlines. Please take a few extra minutes to discuss with your PlaceWise Account Rep any upcoming site additions, events or programs that you may need in the next few months and weeks. The more advance notice we have, the better we can accommodate your requests.

Employee Q&A: Daniel Venegas

November 5, 2012 By PlaceWise Staff

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Name: Daniel Venegas

Official Title: Senior Visual Designer

But this Title Sounds Cooler: Interweb Technologist

In 140 characters, what do you do at PlaceWise? I design compelling graphics for web sites, web interfaces, brand identity, digital campaigns and mobile applications.

How do you get to work in the morning? Oh…what are they called? Stilts.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job? Winning awards and pouring Cristal all over my keyboard.

Name a goal you have for the week? I’m always striving to sharpen my creative skill and learn something new, a technique, or new software, once a week.

What’s for lunch today? I like finding where a favorite food truck is parked and hitting that up.

If you knew then, what you know now, what piece of advice would you give yourself? Learn Mandarin.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A rapper.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A retired rapper.

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