Tickets.com and Visa USA Ink Marketing Pact
Tickets.com and Visa USA signed a strategic alliance agreement making Visa the preferred payment method at the event ticketing site, and enhancing online security.
The companies said they would roll out integrated marketing programs to
encourage Visa cardholders to take advantage of the offering of live events
available through Tickets.com’s multi-channel distribution system. Visa
cardholders also will be eligible for special privileges and promotions at
Tickets.com.
Additionally, Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Tickets.com will become the first
company to implement the Visa Payer Authentication System based on the 3D
Secure Protocol, a proprietary technology that strengthens the safety and
security of consumer transactions. Financial details were not disclosed.
The 3D Secure system allows customers (who have registered in advance through
their card issuer) to be prompted for a password during the checkout process
whenever they make a purchase on Tickets.com. The service verifies the credit
card account number used in the transaction, beefing up security and reducing
the chance of fraud, San Francisco-based Visa USA says.
Helene Curtis Expands Marketing Pact With MSN
Consumer products giant Unilever said its Hair Care business selected
Microsoft’s MSN network to serve as lead Web partner in 2001 for Helene
Curtis, maker of such hair-care brands as ThermaSilk, Salon Selectives and
Finesse.
Unilever cited customized MSN marketing solutions as the key behind the
decision to expand its advertising relationship with MSN. Spending details
were not disclosed. The two companies have been working together for several years, mostly on marketing Unilever’s products aimed at women.
The Helene Curtis marketing program on MSN includes cross-media sponsorship
with MSNBC and NBC’s top-rated morning TV news program, “Today,” as well as
interactive sponsorship on the Microsoft WebTV service and premier
sponsorship of the Oscar package on the MSN Entertainment channel.
Unilever said its marketing program on MSN, created in part by J. Walter
Thompson’s digital@jwt/chicago group, will include content integration, an ad
effectiveness research program, cross-media sponsorships, MSN promotions and
sampling programs.
Helene Curtis also will supply consumer content and tools on MSN WomenCentral.
Touchpoint Snags $8.2 Million in Series B Funding
Emeryville, Calif.-based personalized marketing company Touchpoint Inc.
secured $8.2-million in Series B funding and said Roger Strauch has stepped
in as the acting chief executive officer, with Jinee Tao taking on the
chairman and chief strategic officer role.
The investment round was led by previous investors Highland Capital Partners
and the Roda Group, along with participation from new investors including
Crimson Group and Rukuten Inc. of Japan.
The company said it would use the funding to further the development of its
software applications and for sales and marketing.
The company markets communications services apps that allow businesses to
send personalized printed communications as easily as e-mail.
Touchpoint’s co-founder and current CEO Tao will now serve as chairman and
chief strategic officer in order to focus on outbound corporate
communications, strategic sales and alliances and product vision. Acting CEO
Strauch is an existing board member and chairman of the Roda Group.
Touchpoint provides turnkey solutions that enable companies to create,
personalize and send printed communications — such full color, high quality
cards and postcards. Touchpoint’s patent-pending technology platform
integrates online publishing, digital image management, contact management,
on-demand state-of-the-art digital printing and direct mail fulfillment.
