ShopText has teamed up with AOL Shortcuts to leverage merchants and consumers who are still feeling out the murky waters of mobile payments. The partnership creates a heavier direct-to-card footprint for brands while giving the consumer the loyalty respect they so often want. PYMNTS.com got the full scoop from ShopText’s Founder and CEO, Steve Roberts: Continue reading →

I heard yesterday that Groupon may be the fastest growing company in America.  Why do brands give huge economics to Groupon on top of huge consumer discounts?
It is almost as if brands have given up on their ability to connect directly with consumers.  In the Groupon model, brands provide incredible content, Groupon collects all the consumer information and establishes a direct connection with the consumer…only to turn around and monetize that connection again WITH THE BRAND’S GREAT CONTENT. Continue reading →

Advertising has shifted to an era of value exchange.  Consumers now readily exchange personal information when they perceive value from a brand.  Sure, “branding” only ads will continue, but increasingly brands are running ads that provide utility, services, content and value in exchange for personal information.  In doing so, brands and new intermediaries establish direct relationships and future communication channels with consumers that are much more powerful than email.  This diverts ad dollars from traditional and digital media publishers while creating new media vehicles for advertisers. Continue reading →