Microsoft Announces Bing Offers Test

Microsoft today debuted Bing Offers, which is a Card-Linked program that saves credit card details for automatic discounts. Called “Bing Offers Card-Linked,” the program is based on a partnership with transaction processing company First Data, as well as credit card networks like Visa and MasterCard. The goal is to leverage the “offers” space, which is vibrant, but customers can’t easily take advantage of the variety of offers thrown at them. Microsoft figures that if it can store card and offer information in one, easy-to-access location, users will have a very simple way to utilize digital interoperability, without a lot of the friction that third party systems offer. By signing up, offering your Credit and Debit card information, and simply shopping through Bing, you’ll be automatically reminded of updates and offers. 

Yahoo Acquires Mobile Deals Startup, AdMovate

Publishers have been looking to monetize on mobile but the smaller screen and lack of user data makes it a challenge for many. Yahoo is the latest to boost its offerings, acquiring AdMovate, a mobile location-based offer platform. The union should provide more targeted messaging and direct response opportunities for Yahoo’s advertisers, amidst weak Q2 earnings. 

Iboota’s New Take On Mobile Couponing

Traditionally getting paid to shop is a job for the professional personal shopper, but a new startup called ibotta is using that model to reinvent mobile couponing.  The company has partnered with retailers like Walmart and Target to provide cash rewards to users who upload receipts proving purchase of certain items.  You can also earn cash rewards by engaging with products by watching commercials, getting branded recipes, or taking branded surveys and quizzes.  The app has been steadily climbing the iTunes charts with over 100,000 registered users in its first 75 days, and a notably young core demographic for couponing— primarily 15 to 34 years olds.