Webstop, PlaceWise Team Up on Shopper Marketing Network

Webstop, a Tampa Bay, Fla.-based digital marketing provider for grocery retailers, has formed a partnership with PlaceWise Media, a digital marketer for malls and retailers and the provider of one of the nation’s largest shopper media networks. Webstop retailers, which represent more than 1,700 stores nationwide and providers of millions of shopper connections each month via web, mobile and email, will now have the opportunity to display advertising on their digital properties and gain revenue as a result.

“We are launching national advertising on Webstop client sites,” said Robert Hemphill, president of Webstop. “PlaceWise’s network opens up new revenue opportunities for our clients and brings the necessary scale to effectively compete with the larger grocery and discount chains. That’s very timely and meaningful given today’s aggressive advertising marketplace.”

Along with its core offering of website and mobile features for grocers, Webstop will now provide advertising from many of the nation’s top brands. Retailers will have an opportunity to display these promotions throughout their digital properties including on mobile devices that continue to see increased use from grocery consumers. The PlaceWise platform allows retailers to benefit from the Research Online/Buy Offline (ROBO) trend, driving more traffic to physical stores with online and mobile tools.

“Bringing scale in services, content, deals and audience to the world of independent grocers is a major step in enabling them to attract CPG advertisers, like the mega-chains do,” said Mort Aaronson, PlaceWise Media CEO. “Webstop is the ideal affiliate partner, with national grocery chains such as IGA and Tops, and a variety of digital marketing services that complement those we offer our clients.”

Webstop’s partnership with PlaceWise Media is another example of the company’s willingness to work with best-of-breed providers versus developing everything in house. Webstop partners with other grocery specific technology companies such as Inmar, You Technology and Accelitec. “We see ourselves as a facilitator for our retail clients. Not necessarily providing everything but making it all work together as a seamless consumer experience,” explains Hemphill.

PlaceWise and Webstop will be exhibiting at the FMI Connect show next week in Chicago in booth No. 2127.