Ackroo Strengthens its Focus on Local Merchant Sales

OTTAWA, Jan. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Ackroo Inc. (TSX-V: AKR)(the "Company"), a loyalty and rewards technology provider, announced that it has made operational changes to strengthen its focus on the growth of its local merchant market in North America. Ackroo's web-based loyalty and rewards software platform enables small- to medium-sized merchants to launch their own gift card and loyalty program, allowing them to compete with their big box competitors' programs at a fraction of the cost.

Eamonn Garry has been appointed to the role of chief operating officer, expanding from his previous position as chief technology officer. Garry brings over 20 years of engineering and operations management experience in senior roles at Bridgewater Systems (acquired by Amdocs in 2011) and Nortel.

Steve Levely has been appointed to the role of vice president, sales and will lead the sales organization with a focus on expanding its gift card and loyalty offering to local merchants in North American through direct sales and channel partners. Levely has over 15 years experience in sales management and business development roles at companies including Maritz Canada and Pitney Bowes Canada.  Sean Erjavec has moved to an advisory role for newly acquired automotive sector agents with a focus on the DealerCard line of business.

With the company's initial financing process and public listing behind it, Tyler Nelson, chief executive officer and John Chapman, chief financial officer will assume internal oversight of the investor relations mandate as the company winds down its investor relations services agreements with TMX Equicom and Trade Mark Equity Marketing Inc. The company thanks both firms for their contributions to date.

"We have solidified our operating plan and cost structure for 2013," said Nelson, "We will continue to grow our share of market through our direct sales team and the relationships we have built, and continue to build, with strategic channel partners in the payment ecosystem. This growth plan combined with execution of our technology development roadmap will result in an exciting year ahead for Ackroo."

About Ackroo

Ackroo enables small to medium sized businesses, independent merchants and business networks to increase profitability and build long-term customer relationships through customized loyalty and rewards programs. Their web-based solutions provide the power of a massively scalable software platform in a lightweight online tool that works with existing point-of-sale equipment, making it easy and affordable for businesses of any size to design and launch their own five-star loyalty program.Ackroo is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. For more information, visit: www.ackroo.com.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding business strategy, plans and other expectations, beliefs, goals, objectives, information and statements about possible future events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Ackroo Inc. and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits Ackroo will derive there-from.

 

SOURCE: Ackroo Inc.

John Chapman
Chief Financial Officer | Ackroo
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

Jennifer Nelson
Vice President, Marketing | Ackroo
Tel: 613‐599‐2396 x705
Email: [email protected]