Prio, Inc., an online rewards program provider, has entered into a marketing and distribution agreement that offers NOVA merchants Prioís Internet-based rewards system.
The Prio "e-nabled" rewards system includes a network of Internet sites and distribution partners that place Prio "e-nabled" merchant promotions on their sites. (If the word "e-nabled" looks a little weird to you, donít worry, itís a new one.)
The system can be compared to Dining a la Card. Consumers look for stores and restaurants on Prio Internet partner sites and view promotions that are relevant to their search. They then visit the online or physical storefront and make a purchase, as they normally would using their pre-registered credit card. Consumers then receive rewards automatically on their credit card account. Prio promotions are effective whether a consumer prefers online or physical shopping. But, unlike Dining a la Card, Prio is free for consumers.
Merchants acquire and retain customers via the online and physical storefront promotions, without any changes to existing processing systems or procedures. Merchants can also target, track, and measure web-based marketing and promotional efforts. The rewards system provides merchant processors, such as NOVA, an easy way to leverage their existing credit card transaction processing systems by offering Internet promotions and rewards that drive sales to participating merchants.
NOVA will support the Prio rewards system as a new seamless capability added to its payment processing services. Edward Grzedzinski, Chairman and CEO, NOVA Corporation said, "This partnership will provide NOVA merchants with a valuable new service that empowers merchants of all sizes to gain the powerful distribution benefits provided by the Internet."
Prio investors include Intel, Microsoft Corporation, DataCard Corporation, and VeriFone, Inc. For more information on Prio, visit www.prio.net or call (650) 919-0800.
NOVA specializes in providing integrated credit and debit card payment and information processing services, related software application products, and value added services to more than 480,000 merchants in the U.S. For more information visit www.novacorp.net.
