PLEASANT RIDGE ? Interactive promotions company ePrize announced Tuesday that founder Josh Linkner has been shifted to chairman of the board, turning the chief executive officer duties over to Matt Wise, effective March 1.
Wise has served as CEO of Q Interactive since 2006, transforming the
company from its origins as a coupon and savings site into a multi-channel
marketing services company that is widely regarded as a leader in the
lead-generation and e-mail marketing fields. Wise successfully grew the
company and sold it to Intrepid Investments. He also led the company’s
expansion into the U.K. and the purchase of two companies, PostMaster
Direct and Vente.
Founded in 1999, ePrize has launched more than 6,000 interactive
campaigns, including promotions and loyalty programs, for 74 of the top 100
brands in 39 countries.
Long-time investor and ePrize Board Member Brian Hermelin said: “We are
confident that Matt’s leadership skills, marketing experience and industry
knowledge will enable ePrize to deliver new solutions and even more
effective results for our clients.”
A year ago, ePrize laid off 20 people from across the company. Linkner then predicted ePrize would post about 20 percent sales growth in 2009, down from about 31 percent the year before. ePrize’s headquarters is in a former brewery in Pleasant Ridge. The company also has offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and London.
ePrize got a $35 million investment from Quicken Loans co founder Dan Gilbert in 2005. Quicken Loans was formerly known as Rock Financial. Gilbert owns the Cleveland Cavaliers National Basketball Association team and other properties, including an entrepreneur training program called BizdomU based at Wayne State University’s TechTown.
“I am tremendously excited about the opportunity to join ePrize,” Wise
said. “As the undisputed leader in their space with a heritage of
innovation and an outstanding blue chip client base, the ePrize platform is
extremely well positioned for explosive growth in the coming years.”
Linkner will remain with the company on a full-time basis in the role of chairman and will focus his energies on innovation and building client relationships.
“ePrize is fortunate to gain the dynamic and proven leadership of Matt Wise,” Linkner said. “This addition to our team will help ePrize continue its market dominance
throughout the next leg of our journey.?
For more information, click on ePrize.Com
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