THE SUN LAUNCHES ONLINE PRINTABLE GROCERY COUPON PROGRAMME

7th April 2008

The UK’s fourth largest newspaper website TheSun.co.uk adopts CouponNET™ platform from Couponstar to provide money saving offers to its customer base and tap into FMCG online spend

The Sun Newspaper has partnered with printable-coupon market leader Couponstar to offer an extensive range of grocery print-at-home coupons to its online audience for in-store redemption. Using Couponstar’s CouponNET™ network - a “white label” platform for securely distributing printable-coupons and vouchers via the Internet – The Sun will provide a vast array of offers to its online audience to suit a wide range of consumer demographics.

Despite its strong position in the UK print market, The Sun recognised the need to embrace the opportunities provided by the Internet as its audience increasingly moves online. Additionally, the Sun realised that its online users are growing increasingly sophisticated in their online behaviour and as such expect a higher level of website interaction, which it has continued to deliver. The coupon programme will take this interaction to an even greater level, further improving the online experience and encouraging loyalty in the website’s users.

The Sun also recognised the coupon programme as a great opportunity to increase its penetration of FMCG advertisers and offer the FMCG market an online advertising platform with particular relevance to their target consumers. The advertising industry is increasingly moving online, but with belts tightening in 2008 it is paramount that advertising budgets are spent wisely where ROI is most likely to be achieved.

The coupons and vouchers available are predominantly grocery offers across categories such as food and beverages, baby care, pet care, health and beauty, but extend as far as spa breaks and family internet security trials. The Sun is currently targeting specific sections of the website, such as Money and Groceries, and is working with Couponstar to increase exposure of the campaign through other mediums available.

Katrina Vitou, Head of Women’s Lifestyle at News Group Digital, explains “We selected the CouponNET™ platform from Couponstar for its unique ability to take coupon redemption to the next level of accessibility. The internet printable coupon software enables our online audience to send an array of coupons straight to their home printer with the minimum amount of fuss and commitment. It also presents a great opportunity to tap into FMCG online advertising spend.”

Vitou continues, “The Couponstar technology allows us to track the behaviour of our online audience, from clicking on a link and printing a coupon to redeeming that coupon in-store. This insight is of great importance to us and our FMCG advertisers. We are using this information to assess the effectiveness of the promotion and make informed decisions about how and when to launch similar campaigns in the future.”

Oliver Felstead, European general manager at Couponstar, comments “Research has shown that consumers are hungry for online printable coupons that they can redeem in a bricks and mortar store. The CouponNETTM platform is a secure and trackable means of giving the consumer exactly what they want. Additionally, it presents an unparalleled opportunity for website owners and FMCG brands to work together to benefit from the growing presence of the consumer online.”

-ends-

For further information, please contact:
Lisa Williams/Kieran Kent
The itpr Partnership
t. +44 (0)1932 57 88 00
www.itpr.co.uk
lisaw@itpr.co.uk