--Widget Is Part of Cross-Platform Digital Couponing Partnership with Cellfire
Verizon has launched a Spend Smart interactive TV coupon widget in its FiOS TV Widget Bazaar Applications Marketplace as part of a cross-platform initiative with electronic and mobile couponing specialist, Cellfire, that also sees it offering free Spend Smart coupons on its Wireless and Internet services. According to the company, Cellfire's Spend Smart coupons cover a wide range of products and can be redeemed at over 4,000 locations of more than 20 national grocery chains, including ShopRite, Safeway and Kroger. Coupon brands and products rotate every two weeks, the company says, with more than $25 in monthly grocery discounts available at any given time.
In addition to accessing the coupons through the new interactive TV widget on the FiOS TV service, Verizon customers can access them on the Verizon Wireless Mobile Web under the Shopping Channel, and through Verizon FiOS Internet in the Entertainment and Apps channel (note: they can also access them on the Internet through a dedicated Web site, www.vzspendsmart.com). When customers sign up on one of the three platforms, their sign-up information is automatically synched with the other two, allowing them to view and use coupons on each platform. In order to register, customers have to provide their shoppers club or loyalty club number from the participating grocery store they shop at, Verizon says, and will then be able to view, save and use the coupons that are currently available from that store. According to the company, when customers present their loyalty cards at the grocery store's cash register, if they have an item with an associated coupon, the discount is automatically applied to their bill. In a posting on a corporate blog, Wednesday, Verizon spokesperson, Bobbi Henson, described the experience of using the FiOS TV Spend Smart interactive TV widget as follows: "Customers who subscribe to both FiOS TV and FiOS Internet can log onto the Spend Smart Widget, register their mobile phone number, year of birth, rewards card and ZIP code to set up an account. See a coupon you need? Select it by pressing the 'OK' button on the remote, and it saves to your rewards card. Choose as many coupons as you want and when you're ready to do you're shopping, scan your rewards card at checkout and save some hard-earned cash."
