Powered Helps Shop.org FirstLook 2007 Attendees Use Online Consumer Education to Drive Sales & Loyalty

Business Wire, Jan 29, 2007

Powered Director & Vice President of Business Development Paul Franz Appointed to Shop.org Member Services Committee

AUSTIN, Texas -- Powered, the leading provider of online consumer education programs for Global 2000 brands, today announced that it will be exhibiting at Shop.org FirstLook 2007, the annual kickoff event for Internet and multichannel retail leaders. Shop.org attendees can visit booth number 117 for retail-specific case studies and best practices for using online consumer education programs to reach customers. Attendees can also benefit from insight and practical tips gleaned from such brands as Atkins, Circuit City, HP, Radio Shack and Sony on how to cut through marketing and advertising clutter to increase sales and build brand loyalty.

Powered also announced that Paul Franz, director and vice president of business development, has been appointed to the Shop.org Member Services Committee. The committee, which will hold its first meeting at FirstLook 2007, is tasked with ensuring that Shop.org remains relevant and responsive to member interests, while continuing to remain at the forefront on online retail research and community.

Shop.org FirstLook 2007 will take place from January 31 through February 2, 2007 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. The event includes two full days of sessions designed to help online and multichannel retailers meet the eCommerce future by becoming more customer-centric.

"I am extremely honored to be appointed to the Shop.org member services committee," said Paul Franz, director and vice president of business development at Powered. "I look forward to lending my insight and experience in online consumer education programs to Shop.org, and serving as a resource for online and multichannel retailers who are looking to stand out in a crowded market by providing a superior, value-add experience for their customers."

Leading retailers such as Atkins, Gateway, HP and Sony are using Powered's pioneering consumer education programs to provide consumers with rich online learning experiences that increase sales, improve brand loyalty, and deliver new insights into consumer attitudes and buying behavior. Recent research from Next Century Media, available online at http://report.powered.com, has demonstrated that consumers who complete courses are 29 times more likely to buy the sponsor's products compared to traditional media advertising, and five times more likely to buy compared to direct marketing. In addition, 94 percent have a more favorable impression of the brand because of the experience, and 90 percent are likely to recommend it to a friend.

About Powered, Inc.

Austin-based Powered, Inc. is the market and technology leader in online consumer education. Powered provides a proven way for the world's largest brands to use online education to drive sales, build brand loyalty and deliver a significantly higher ROI than other marketing programs. Manufacturers, retailers, media properties and web publishers also rely on Powered to gain new insights into consumer attitudes and buying behavior. Powered clients include Atkins, BusinessWeek, Gateway, HP, P&G, and Sony among others. For more information, visit www.powered.com.