Google has acquired Incentive Targeting, and no the source is not a bogus press release. This one appears legit.
The news was even tweeted by Googler Mike Dudas (h/t: TechCrunch):
Google acquires Incentive Targeting to power highly targeted manufacturer and private label coupon programs: http://t.co/ClqPBjxm
“Incentive Targeting..[does] for retail couponing what Google [does] for online advertising: make simple, relevant, measurable, & effective”
Incentive Targeting’s Ben Sprecher also tweeted about it:
I’m excited to announce that my company, Incentive Targeting, has been acquired by Google! http://t.co/M8KrVhz4
@bensprecher Welcome aboard Ben!
The Incentive Targeting Team says on its site, “When we founded Incentive Targeting in 2007, we set out to do for retail couponing what Google had done for online advertising: make it simple, relevant, measurable, and effective. So, it is both humbling and gratifying to be joining the ranks of the company that inspired our initial vision.”
“As part of Google, we will have the resources and expertise to continue the transformation of couponing from a way to give discounts to a way to build business,” the team adds. “And, we can now work towards that vision as part of a company that improves the lives of hundreds of millions of people every day.”
“We didn’t reach this milestone alone,” the team says. “From day one, we have relied on the support and commitment of our retailers, brands, investors, partners, and advisors, as well as the hard work and dedication of our team. We could not have done this without them, and as we look ahead, we are thrilled to be part of Google!”
Incentive has been around since early 2007. It partners with retail chains to provide targeted marketing services to manufacturers of grocery and consumer products.
No word so far on terms of the deal.
