San Francisco-based Intellipost Corp., a provider of online
direct marketing and loyalty rewards programs, said it has received an unspecified strategic investment
from PRIMEDIAVentures, the venture
capital arm of publishing company PRIMEDIA Inc.
PRIMEDIA’s investment, terms of which were not disclosed, brings total
investment in San Francisco-based Intellipost to more than $25 million.
“By welcoming PRIMEDIA into our family, Intellipost extends its lead in the
emerging industry of online direct marketing,” said Steve Markowitz,
Intellipost chairman and CEO. Intellipost operates online direct marketing
programs with more than 1.9 million
consumers enrolled.
The investment follows Intellipost’s acquisition of key Internet properties
formerly held by information services company Experian, including
MotivationNet, MyPoints and DirectValue.com.
As part of that transaction, Experian also took an equity stake in
Intellipost. Experian, a subsidiary of Britain’s Great Universal Stores, now
represents Intellipost through its 600-person global sales force.
“We were impressed with the growth prospects and strategic position that
Intellipost has as the industry leader in online direct marketing and loyalty
programs,” said Larry Phillips, managing director of PRIMEDIA Ventures. “Our
in-house direct marketing experts, such as those at PRIMEDIA’s publishing
group, share my enthusiasm, and we intend to leverage our direct marketing
assets on Intellipost’s behalf to generate new
advertisers for Intellipost’s programs.”
PRIMEDIA publishes more than 210 magazines and 215 information products.
The company also operates 20 video networks, 45 trade shows, 100 Web sites
and produces 15,000 education titles.
Intellipost operates a reward-based e-mail service, BonusMail and Web-based incentives program
MyPoints. Members respond to offers by e-
mail or on the Web to earn points redeemable for frequent flyer miles and
merchandise The company also runs online loyalty rewards programs on behalf of
clients such as GTE, NextCard Internet VISA and Prodigy Services Corp.
