BrightStreet, Freeshop to Expand Free Offer Distribution

BrightStreet.com, an enabler of Web-based promotion solutions, formed a partnership with e-commerce incentive site FreeShop.com to distribute promotional offers on the Web via BrightStreet’s network of media and portal sites.

BrightStreet and FreeShop said in a statement that they are attempting to create “a paradigm shift in online marketing, which has relied on depreciating banner ad and click rates, to deliver targeted sales promotions that drive transactions.”

BrightStreet will distribute FreeShop’s offers on the Web via its network of media and portal sites, which includes McClatchy Newspapers, Nando Media and The Newspaper Network, and presently represents 32 million page views per month.

Financial arrangements were not disclosed.

“The number one thing people want online is free offers and promotional incentives,” said Scott Wills, chairman and CEO of BrightStreet.com. “Our mission is to encourage Web sites to enhance their sites and generate incremental revenues merely by giving people what they want — promotions. Then we’ll support them by bringing in world class offers and content, which epitomizes FreeShop.”

“FreeShop is delighted to team with BrightStreet in order to more broadly deploy the single largest source of free national offers on the Web,” said Tim Choate, CEO of FreeShop. “Our content and BrightStreet’s network are a perfect complement.”

BrightStreet, which debuted its patent-pending, Web-based promotion platform and affiliate network last week, enables portals, manufacturers, and retailers to offer controlled, branded coupons and incentives on their Web sites.

Clients can design and manage their own promotional campaigns using BrightStreet’s targeting engine, which tailors offers based on geography, demographics, or custom profile information.

FreeShop.com says it lists more than 1,000 promotional offers from over 100 companies.