Respond.com and netgenShopper Merge to Create Largest Provider of Online Lead Generation Solutions for Local Businesses
Businesses Can Now Go to a Single Source to Cost-effectively Reach Online Buyers who are Ready-to-Act
Palo Alto, Calif. and Fairfax, Va.,—June 8, 2001—Respond.com™ (http://www.respond.com), the request-driven lead generation solution provider that matches businesses with buyers, and netgenShopper.com, a reverse auction service linking interested buyers with businesses, today announced that the two companies have merged to become a dominant online lead generation solution provider for local businesses. As a result, businesses can take advantage of a more extensive and cost-effective method to connect with ready-to-act online buyers.
With this merger, local businesses and companies who market to them will have an even more powerful sales channel for capturing revenue through online sales. The merger brings access to more than 50% of all Internet users through a wide array of distribution partners, including Verizon, InfoSpace, Lycos, Network Solutions, AltaVista, and iWon. This larger reach gives businesses a more effective means for receiving highly-targeted leads.
The expanded reach also brings increased lead volume to local businesses, creating a highly-efficient and cost-effective channel for customer acquisition. Several businesses representing a variety of industries are putting this lead generation solution to work for them, including:
Yellow page publishers: Verizon`s SuperPages.com, InfoSpace, WorldPages.com, and YellowPages.Com
Portals: Lycos and iWon
Vertical solution providers: Martindale-Hubbell`s Lawyers.com, The Cobalt Group, and the Associated Builders and Contractors` ABCpoint.com
Trade associations: National Society of Accountants, National Pest Management Association, and Institute of Certified Travel Agents
Franchise and dealer networks: American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, Maid Brigade, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, and Security Public Storage
"The ability to reach an audience prepared to make purchasing decisions poses a great challenge to every business traditionally, but the Internet serves as an effective channel for sourcing active buyers," said Jim Barksdale, partner of The Barksdale Group and Respond board member. "Not only does the merger between Respond and netgenShopper provide a greater pipeline for lead generation, but this merger will also optimize for the commercial relationships, technology platform, and resources which both companies have created."
"The combination of netgenShopper and Respond clearly establishes a forerunner in lead generation," said Lyn Chitow Oakes, president and CEO of Respond. "With our combined network of businesses, buyers and partners, we have the resources to dominate the space and become an essential part of how businesses develop their online sales channels."
Respond`s request-driven lead generation solution offers businesses a robust technology platform that is available as a private label solution for open or closed network environments for both business-to-consumer and business-to-business industries. The platform is designed to help businesses reach buyers who are ready to purchase services or products in areas such as home improvement, health, autos, legal, travel, real estate, and financial services.
"This is the year of lead generation. With buyers so widely embracing the Internet, this merger gives businesses a targeted tool for reaching customers online," said Mike Kohonoski, CEO of netgenShopper. "Today, businesses are better positioned to reach purchase-ready buyers, through the online lead generation solutions offered by the new company."
The merged company will operate under the Respond.com name, and retain Respond`s headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif. with a satellite office in Fairfax, Va. Terms of the merger were not disclosed. Lyn Chitow Oakes will serve as Respond`s CEO, and Mike Kohonoski will assume the role of vice president of client services.
About Respond.com
Respond.com™ (http://www.respond.com) is the request-driven lead generation solution that matches businesses with purchase-ready buyers. Through the Web site at www.respond.com and through Respond`s private label services, Respond has created a new channel for businesses to connect with customers and increase revenue. Based in Palo Alto, California, the company`s investors include The Barksdale Group, Benchmark Capital, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, Morgan Stanley, America Online and American Express. Respond was founded in 1998.
About netgenShopper.com
netgenShopper is a reverse auction service, linking interested buyers to qualified merchants, and creating the largest buyer/seller matching network in the nation. The company was founded in 1999 in Fairfax, Virginia. The service enables local businesses to find new customers and drive new sales, while empowering buyers to make informed purchasing decisions. netgenShopper has long-term agreements with the largest buyer and seller aggregators in the industry, including Internet portals, and online directories. Since the beginning of 2000, netgenShopper has formed strategic partnerships with Lycos, Verizon, InfoSpace, Network Solutions, and Eversave.com.
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