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RewardsNow Inc. Rolls Out 'Shop Main Street' In Metro Detroit

DOVER, N.H. (WWJ) -- RewardsNow Inc. announced Tuesday it is rolling out its innovative Shop Main Street local merchant funded rewards program in the Metro Detroit area.

Approximately 250,000 consumers who have a credit or debit card tied to a loyalty program offered by one of 15 area credit unions earn bonus rewards when they shop at local merchants participating in the program. These rewards are in addition to the rewards they already earn from their loyalty program when using their card for purchases.

The program breaks new ground by offering participating merchants an extensive suite of online marketing tools that helps them build their business effectively and affordably. And since Shop Main Street is integrated into local credit unions' loyalty programs, merchants benefit from increased consumer awareness and interest.

Said Jan VanWassehnova, executive vice president of NuPath Community Credit Union, one of the participating financial institutions: "NuPath Community CU will be offering business accounts, and with the roll out of Shop Main Street, the timing couldn't be better. This product is an added bonus for our business owners; not only by promoting their business but also reminding our members shopping local can pay off. Shop Main Street adds to the meaning of a partnership between NuPath Community CU and our business owners."

NuPath's view reflects the vision of RewardsNOW and its CEO, payments industry veteran Steven VanFleet: "Our goal is to create and encourage a community-focused ecosystem in which local credit unions encourage their members to shop at local merchants who provide bonus rewards to those members who are then able to use those rewards to shop at those same merchants. It's truly a win for all parties and supportive of local credit unions' goal of supporting their local communities. We believe that consumers here in Michigan want to shop locally whenever possible. Shop Main Street gives them a great opportunity and incentive to keep more of their hard earned dollars within their own community."

Shop Main Street lets participating merchants choose from more than 20 different offers to address their unique business objectives. Shop Main Street also features useful content, including merchant news, and links to Facebook and Twitter, all of which bring "word-of-mouth" marketing to a wider audience. And, unlike most local merchant funded programs, Shop Main Street gives merchants valuable information about their customers and their purchasing behavior. Merchants interested in Shop Main Street can learn more on the program's web site, www.ShopMainStreet.com or by calling toll-free 855-733-SHOP (7467).

Shop Main Street was developed by RewardsNOW together with Boca Raton, Fla.-based Zavee LLC. Shop Main Street is the latest enhancement to the RewardsNOW loyalty program offering that RewardsNOW manages for more than 200 mid-size banks and credit unions in the U.S.

Since 1997, RewardsNow Inc. has been offering loyalty systems that include a configurable, web-based loyalty platform; marketing communications; analytics and ROI reporting; rewards catalog andfulfillment; and 24/7/365 customer support. RNI's programs also include an online, national based merchant funded program as well as a unique, local merchant funded program. For more information, visit www.rewardsnow.com.

Zavee is a Web-based social loyalty application that provides merchant-funded rewards to consumers who shop at participating local merchants. Shoppers earn rewards by shopping with a credit or debit card that is registered with the program. Zavee programs provide merchants with innovative online tools to improve loyalty, word of mouth and relationship marketing. Zavee runs on a secure, proprietary platform that supports multiple programs, both branded and white-labeled. For more information, visit http://www.zavee.com.

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