NextCard Invests In Flooz

Internet Visa issuer NextCard Inc. has announced a marketing partnership and an undisclosed equity investment in New York City-based online gift currency issuer Flooz.com. Flooz, pitched on television by actress Whoopi Goldberg, has partnered with San Francisco-based NextCard on promotions before, says Liza Landsman, Flooz.com's vice president of business development. Landsman says the companies will deepen the partnership with seasonal promotions and more integrated marketing plans. "We're looking at the possibility of doing something with their concierge product," Landsman says. Another likely use for Flooz is as an incentive to encourage people to apply for NextCard, says Landsman. "That is a natural fit for us."