Fry Multimedia agrees to `present' Upresent.com to major eRetailers
9 November 2000
Fry Multimedia agrees to `present' Upresent.com to major eRetailers
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Nov. 9, 2000--E-mail Gift Delivery in personalized presentations aims to decrease
holiday delivery stress
Upresent.com, the online gift presentation service, announced today it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Fry Multimedia, Inc., the leading eBusiness design, development and management firm.
The agreement entails co-marketing opportunities for both companies. Fry Multimedia, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will also be responsible for hosting the Upresent site.
Upresent.com (www.upresent.com) seamlessly links to an eRetailer's shopping cart area. The application invites gift shoppers to customize a memorable presentation or greeting for the recipient. The shopper can send an interactive game, puzzle or personalized quiz that, when completed, allows the recipient to "open" the gift online. Upresent.com eases the stress of on-time delivery by giving shoppers a chance to get recognition for ordering a gift on time. The concept also takes some pressure off eRetailers to fulfill "rush" deliveries during the holidays.
Unique delivery options also include "Upresentawish" where any gift or greeting sent and "opened" automatically registers the sender and the receiver for a chance to win a fantasy gift, which include travel, shopping sprees and collectibles.
For a demonstration of the Upresent.com application, check www.upresent.com.
Fry Multimedia designs, develops, and manages some of the world's most recognized and visited eBusinesses, delivering solutions to world-class international online brands including Crate & Barrel, Eddie Bauer, Coach and Godiva. Upresent.com targets such eRetailers, striving to enhance the online gift-giving experience for both the retailer and the consumer.
"We offer the tools and software to make our eRetailers more profitable and consumers more satisfied with the personalization and entertainment of sending and receiving gifts over the Internet," says Upresent.com CEO and founder David MacMahan.
The partnership between Upresent.com and Fry is a natural marriage for both companies. "We believe that Upresent.com is fine enhancement to many eRetailers' shopping experience," said David Fry, founder and president of Fry Multimedia. "This co-marketing alliance with Upresent.com allows us to continue to provide unique functionality to our customers."
Upresent.com also announced the hiring of Matthew Horgan as president and chief operating officer. Horgan leads the operations, strategic planning and business development for the company.
Prior to joining Upresent.com, Horgan was president, COO and co-founder of CUEVoice Corporation, a high-speed, wireless data service provider developing applications for FM broadcasters. He also served as president for the venture capital start-up, Arch Southeast Communications, Inc. Horgan began his professional career as a CPA with Ernst & Young, spending seven years in their New York City, Boston and Charlotte offices.
"With 20 years of professional experience in the technology, telecom and financial arenas, Matt has a history in start-up businesses as well as the management expertise necessary to lead Upresent.com through its initial launch and further development," said MacMahan.
To date, Upresent.com has raised more than $800,000 in cash and services for equity. Ballantyne Investment Group was a key initial investor of capital, while Ballantyne Consulting Group, Inc., an eBusiness consulting group, is the developer of the Upresent.com concept and site. Strategic partners include Interactive Fun! and Locomotive Design of Los Angeles.
About Upresent.com
CEO and founder David MacMahan is the creator of the Revenger, the dashboard mounted black box that allows frustrated drivers to aim statements and sound effects at other motorists. MacMahan founded Upresent.com in February 2000. He brings eighteen years of professional experience to Upresent.com, which includes serving as president and CEO of two start-up gift, toy and collectible companies and pioneering new categories within these industries.
Based in Davidson, NC, Upresent.com operates with guidance from a board of advisors that includes individuals from Eddie Bauer, Godiva, Send.com, Belk, Inc. and former Sharper Image executives.
About Fry Multimedia, Inc.
Fry Multimedia, Inc. (www.frymulti.com) designs, develops, and manages some of the world's most recognized and visited eCommerce Web sites. Fry has delivered powerful eBusiness solutions to world-class international online brands including 1-800-Flowers.com, Crate & Barrel, Eddie Bauer and OnStar. Recently ranked as one of the "Top 20 eCommerce Integrators" by Forrester Research, Inc., Fry employs over 250 specialists in offices in Ann Arbor, New York, Chicago, Seattle and Washington D.C. Established in 1994, Fry Multimedia is privately held, profitable and maintains an equity relationship with Summit Partners, a leading venture capital firm.