PLEASANT RIDGE ? ePrize, which earlier this year landed a $32 million investment round, last week landed the No. 3 ranking in an annual rating contest of interactive agencies, maintaining its position from the year before.

PROMO magazine lauded ePrize as an agency that ?plays the game very well? and one that ?owns the online sweeps space with solid execution and clever creative.? The magazine cited ePrize? rapid growth, tripling its profits since 2003 primarily through repeat sales to existing clients.

The company generated $26.2 million in revenue during 2005, compared with $14.3 million in 2004.

In January, ePrize announced that four Detroit-area business leaders invested $32 million into the company, possibly the largest angel capital investment made in a Michigan company. The investment was done by local investors Brian Hermelin and Gary Shiffman, and joined by Livonia-based Camelot Ventures, which is led by Detroit businessmen David Katzman and Dan Gilbert of Rock Financial fame.

ePrize also grows its financial base in the more traditional way, by adding clients, offices, and personnel.

?Our new office in Dallas now positions us in six major trend-setting markets, helping us support the needs of our clients ? 62 of the top 100 brands in 36 countries?, said CEO Josh Linkner. ?Our staff of 225 will grow to 500 over the next three years, as we make major investments in new product development while continuing our focus on gathering America?s most creative talent. We are delighted that PROMO has recognized the success our clients have enjoyed with our programs, which produce enthusiastic consumers, initiate and nurture direct one-to-one relationships and motivate specific human behavior.?

ePrize develops interactive sweepstakes, points-based reward programs and chance-to-win promotions through which consumers provide demographic and preference information in exchange for the chance to win a prize.

In 2005, more than 50 million unique consumers engaged in ePrize promotions. The company launched 55 new products and services last year and won seven industry awards.

For more information, click on ePrize.Com