Sales promotion company Valassis Communications Inc., (VCI), Livonia, MI, signed an agreement to purchase up to 50% of Merge, LLC, to launch an Internet coupon distribution and proprietary target marketing system. Merge is a technology developer based in Pacific Palisades, CA.
VCI said the new coupon program is not a Web site, but an enabling software technology that allows any affiliated Web site to deliver and manage targeted coupons, promotions and advertisements through Merge’s server-based network. VCI plans to complete regional testing during the summer and roll out nationally after that.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. VCI management said the venture’s initial investment is already included in its 1999 budgets and forecasts, and does not anticipate it having a material impact on 1999 financial results.
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