Grocers Using Vertis Inserts2online® Services Boost the Bottom Line by Transforming Printed Circulars into Powerful Interactive Online Content

BALTIMORE–Vertis Communications, a results driven marketing communications company that delivers inventive advertising, direct marketing and interactive solutions to prominent brands across North America, today announced a strategic partnership with Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) that will enhance the Inserts2online® (I2O) services Vertis provides to some of the most recognized grocers in the United States and Canada. Nearly 100 of North America’s top brands – including three of the top 5 food retailers – use Vertis’ I2O services to transform their traditional printed store circulars into interactive Web content that advances their marketing strategies and has measurable impact on the bottom line.

More than one third of U.S. households access advertising circulars via store websites, the majority of whom (65%) research weekly specials and discount coupons, according to Vertis Customer Focus® research. Vertis I2O for Grocers will enable grocery retailers to meet demand for online content while:

• Generating revenue from GSN digital display ads placed on online circular pages;
• Achieving greater return on their investment in printed circulars by converting advertising insert design to web content and adding functionality available only online;
• Building customer awareness, program participation and website traffic through opt-in registration, RSS feeds, email features and social sharing;
• Increasing store traffic by promoting weekly specials and unique offers;
• Boosting sales through e-commerce integration;
• Measuring impact with analysis of online activity and leveraging that intelligence to better target their customers’ viewing and buying preferences.

“Consumers buying everything from televisions to tortillas are researching purchases before they set foot in a store,” said Jerry Sokol, Interim President & Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Vertis Communications. “Grocers need to be online with savings opportunities and product information, as well as tools consumers can use to plan their trips to the store. Our new partnership with GSN will give grocers the power to connect with their customers while also generating revenue and driving sales. It’s a win-win all around.”

The partnership gives Vertis I2O for Grocers’ clients access to GSN’s display advertising network, which operates on more than 90 sites. As grocers build display ads into their online circular pages, they open new revenue streams and provide product-specific information to customers planning their grocery purchases. Grocers also have the ability to access data about consumer engagement with display ads, making future marketing efforts more targeted and relevant to customers.

“Like Vertis, GSN is extremely data-focused. We create the industry’s most precise data on shopping behavior to connect grocery consumers with the resources they need to optimize their shopping experience,” said Scott Lutz, CEO and president at Grocery Shopping Network. “We are committed to harnessing the power of digital communications to improve the shopper experience by conveniently saving time and money. The combination of Vertis’ I2O client sites and our display advertising network will ensure shoppers have the most relevant information while deciding what to buy.”

About Vertis Communications

Vertis Communications is a results-driven marketing communications company that delivers inventive advertising, direct marketing and interactive solutions to prominent brands across North America. Our deep industry knowledge and extensive range of offerings—including integrated data solutions, digital program management systems, creative services, world-class print and mail production, logistics, out-of-home and business process outsourcing—are used to deliver superior program performance that drives bottom line results for our clients. With 100 strategically positioned locations and more than 5,000 dedicated professionals, we deliver impeccable quality and fast turn-around to any market. For more information, visitwww.vertisinc.com.

New Program Leverages Existing Technology to Tie Retailer’s Social Media Strategy to Brick & Mortar Floor Strategy

Minneapolis, MN – Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Quick Response (QR) Code program that offers retailers the ability to engage shoppers in a non-intrusive manner. Shoppers can now become a fan of their favorite grocer’s Facebook or Twitter profile instantly while in the store via signage embedded with QR Codes. This service is now available to retail grocers across the United States.

“QR Codes are part of our expanding mobile and social media strategy, we believe they will continue to play a larger role in our strategy as shoppers’ use of smartphone scanners continues to increase,” said Robert Krajeski, VP of Digital Marketing at Grocery Shopping Network. “The key is finding a valuable connection with the shopper while they are in-store. QR codes provide retailers an easy way to activate shoppers’ in-store and ultimately engage with them on a one-to-one level.”

Targeted towards maximizing shopper value in a digital format, GSN works with retailers to identify the best position for the in-store signage and then provides a printable pdf of the signage, complete with the embedded code, to the retailer. Retailers simply print and place the signage in the store.

“With this emerging technology, we’ve developed a simple method for retailers to enhance their social media presence while engaging shoppers in the store,” said Robert Mews, eMarketing Manager at Grocery Shopping Network. “This will extend the shopper relationship beyond the stores’ physical location while also being able to measure performance.”

Traditionally, this technology has assisted businesses in monitoring inventory, managing supply chains, and connecting print advertisements to online distributors. QR Codes are becoming a hot trend in many industries from advertising to marketing as recent reports highlight huge increases in mobile barcode scanning.

According to a recent report published by ScanLife, an estimated 30-40% of all smartphone users have downloaded a barcode scanning application. The report went further to say that in 2010, there was a 1600% increase in mobile barcode scanning and mobile bar code scanning doubled in the 4th quarter of 2010.

The study also highlighted a survey that found that 97% of respondents found mobile barcodes useful in some capacity while 3% found them not very useful. Additionally, the report indicated that the top uses of mobile bar code scanning are coupons, prices, and nutritional information.

Incoming CEO Brings Strong Industry Experience to Leading Retail Advertising and Analytics Firm

Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Lutz as its Chief Executive Officer. GSN Founder and former CEO Andy Robinson has been named Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) where he will be responsible for the continuing development of GSN’s industry leading online marketing and advertising offerings.

“We are excited to have Scott’s extensive business management experience to catalyze our rapid growth,” said Andy Robinson, Founder/CKO of Grocery Shopping Network. “I look forward to my new role within the company where I can focus my energies on enhancing our core business by creating new innovative processes for our platform, products, and services.”

Mr. Lutz brings nearly 30 years of extensive senior level experience in domestic and international brand management with industry leaders including Procter and Gamble (NYSE:PG); General Mills (NYSE:GSI); Con Agra (NYSE:CAG); and 8^th Continent LLC, a joint venture between DuPont (NYSE:DD) and General Mills (NYSE:GIS) where Mr. Lutz won the DuPont Marketing Excellence award during his tenure as CEO.

“GSN is the leader in harnessing the power of digital to optimize shopper experience, retailer loyalty, and brand-marketing efficiency. This category is growing significantly and GSN is uniquely positioned to accelerate growth,” said Scott Lutz, CEO of GSN. “I am excited to join the Grocery Shopping Network team during this period of rapid growth. Shoppers are clearly ready to expand their use of a virtual shopping experience to make their in-store experience more enjoyable and productive.”

Prior to joining GSN from Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM), Mr. Lutz has held top executive management positions with Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) and venture-backed Coolham Holdings. Mr. Lutz is a respected thought leader on the topic of transforming ideas into profitable businesses; he was an inaugural winner of Fast Company Magazine’s “Fast 50 Champion of Innovation” award as well as CIO Magazine’s “Top 100 Innovative New Products” award. He is featured in several books on new wealth creation and is a frequent speaker on innovation at national conferences as well as corporate executive outings; he is also a guest lecturer at top MBA programs across the country.

“Grocery Shopping Network now enters a new phase of growth with Scott’s arrival,” said Richard Andolshek, Executive Chairman of GSN. “His skills and expertise will accelerate GSN’s momentum as we expand our reach and services, adding to the innovations in our platform. Grocery Shopping Network has achieved a leadership position under the helm of Andy Robinson; we look forward to advancing that success further.”

Leading Provider of eCommerce Solutions for Grocery Industry Continues to Provide Successful Strategies for Clients

Grocery Shopping Network (“GSN”) is pleased to announce that coupon prints on grocer websites powered by their proprietary suite of online tools will have a projected increase of 60% over 2009. In 2009, yearly print totals rose an astounding 517% from 2008. The company set a new record for coupon prints in October 2010 and expects continued growth in this area.

“With the best months still ahead of us and with the addition of some new clients, our 2010 print goals are well within reach,” said Duane Kolsrud, Vice President of Client Performance at Grocery Shopping Network. “Our web coupons in conjunction with our proprietary suite of web-based tools engage our client’s shoppers, leading to increased sales and website traffic.”

Pop-up blocking software and spam blockers are creating a more competitive environment for advertisers by eliminating many advertisements before they reach their targets. Consumers are exposed to a constant bombardment of advertisements that are not relevant to their product search or personal needs; GSN has been able to sustain their growth in coupon prints by providing relevant content to users at the critical decision point in the pre-shopping planning process.

“Grocery Shopping Network is at the convergence point of consumer awareness and trade advertising,” said Andy Robinson CEO and Founder of GSN. “Our platform reduces the degrees of separation between initial consumer impressions and their decision to purchase a product.”

Grocery stores have traditionally implemented their advertising efforts through print, radio, and television media channels. The increased availability of online news sources in addition to the rising costs of print media has allowed the internet to quickly become the leading provider of information to the general public.

“In today’s changing world, progressive grocers are adapting their overall advertising strategy to include a diverse mixture of media including digital,” said Andy Robinson, CEO and Founder of GSN. “By captivating and engaging their shoppers through digital media, grocery retail operators are increasing the loyalty and performance of their best customers while attracting new customers to their retail brand.”

With triple digit growth in each of the past 3 years GSN’s Ad Network now represents over 7000 retail store locations, the growth of the Grocery Shopping Network is a result of experience, research, and strategic planning initiated and implemented by visionary leadership.

Grocery Shopping Network Reinforces Creative and Digital Marketing Teams to Answer Industry Needs

Grocery Shopping Network (“GSN (http://www.groceryshopping.net/about/detail.html)”) announced today the addition of Jennifer Flanagan and Robert Mews as eMarketing Managers to the firms Digital Marketing Team as well as the addition of Jon Fischler and Megan Tregedar as Web, Content, and UI Designers to the firms Creative Team. Grocery Shopping Network’s new additions, combined, have comprehensive experience working with industry leaders including General Mills, Best Buy, 3M, and Land O’Lakes.

“We’ve grown over 1000% in the last 3 years to represent over 6000 retail store locations, the new additions to our Creative and Digital Marketing teams will not only allow us to sustain our growth; they will allow us to better serve our clients,” said Robert Krajeski (http://www.groceryshopping.net/about/management.html), Vice President of Digital Marketing at Grocery Shopping Network. “Jennifer, Megan, Robert, and Jon are experienced professionals with a history of innovation; we are very excited to welcome them to the GSN family.”

Jennifer and Robert will work with Grocery Shopping Network’s Digital Marketing Team to assist retailers converting GSN’s advertising campaign ROI analysis and POS transaction data from over 40 million loyalty card holders into more successful marketing programs that drive registration and customer programs. Playing a vital role in the development and implementation of marketing communication plans, targeting both consumers and businesses, Jennifer’s diverse experience combined with Robert’s innovative digital thinking and extensive industry expertise positions GSN to sustain their continued growth while enhancing their service capabilities to more efficiently meet their client’s needs.

Bringing a fresh perspective to design and style direction, Megan and Jon will work with Grocery Shopping Network’s Creative Team to expedite project workflows while supporting the creation of relevant content that reflect the quality workmanship GSN’s clients depend upon to succeed. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds as well as their individual histories of innovation and success, Megan and Jon will be key elements in GSN’s continued expansion into the social media space and also the mobile shopping space.

Manhattan Based Grocer Expands eCommerce Strategy with New Interactive Tools and Resources

Grocery Shopping Network (“GSN”) is pleased to announce the launch of D’Agostino Supermarkets (“D’Agostinos”) newly enhanced consumer website. Based in Manhattan, New York, the 18 store chain has served area communities since 1932.

Strengthening their e-commerce strategy, D’Agostino’s newly enhanced website provides interactive tools for shoppers, including the ability to search by department or brand; personalized specials tailored to the shoppers preferences and previous shopping history; a recipe center that includes wine parings; online shopping from the weekly ad circular; access to in-store specials and sale items; as well as the ability to create a master shopping list and a record of previous orders. With the new design and promotion, the website has seen an immense increase in traffic as well as online orders for groceries.

“D’Agostino’s Supermarkets has a great presence in New York City and a longstanding reputation of serving local communities,” said Andy Robinson, CEO of Grocery Shopping Network. “Grocery Shopping Network aims to enhance D’Agostino’s current website with improved digital initiatives that serve shoppers on a one-on-one level.”

D’Agostino’s new online enhancements also allow shoppers to schedule the delivery of their groceries directly to their door while taking advantage of all offered specials, savings, and opportunities provided to in-store shoppers.

About D’Agostino Supermarkets:
Founded by Nicola (Nick) and Pasquale (Patsy) D’Agostino in 1932, D’Agostino Supermarkets are still owned and operated by the D’Agostino family. The supermarkets history started in the mid-1920’s when the two teenage brothers set out from their home in L’Aquila, Italy to seek their fortunes in the United States. The stellar reputation of D’Agostino’s was-and remains based on three simple principles: Quality, Service, and Innovation. Now, D’Agostino’s has opened more stores in New York and they have earned their reputation as “New York’s Grocer.” For more information about D’Agostino Supermarkets, please visit their website at: http://www.dagnyc.com/

Grocery Shopping Networks Continues Innovative Growth in Social Media Age

MINNEAPOLIS- Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) announced today the initial launch of their Social Media Integration suite with 20 of their retail partners in the United States. The new Social Media Integration suite allows shoppers to easily register for a website using their Facebook identity, while also allowing retailers to personalize their shopping experience through a mix of transactional data coupled with Facebook profile information.

“Shoppers who register using their Facebook identity have proven to be our retail partners most active and loyal shoppers; in return we are able to provide shoppers with an enormous amount of relevant resources, delivering a personalized shopping experience prior to visiting their favorite grocery store,” said Andy Robinson, Founder and CEO of Grocery Shopping Network. “By allowing consumers to register through their Facebook identity, we have simplified the shopper registration process for our Grocery retail partners.”

Using Grocery Shopping Network’s Social Media Integration suite, shoppers also have the ability to share their favorite recipes with their family and friends by pressing the Facebook “Like” button or Twitter “Tweet” button featured on each recipe detail page on their favorite grocery retail websites. By selecting to either Like or Tweet a recipe, consumers will also assist retailers in creating a more personalized shopping experience.

“Through our research, we’ve verified that consumers use their grocers’ digital presence (website, mobile, and social) to pre-plan their shopping trips, this “Pre-tailing” activity takes place before shoppers get to the store; combining GSN’s proprietary intelligence with transactional data and current store offers has resulted in an increase of consumer spending with our participating retail partners,” said Andy Robinson, Founder and CEO of Grocery Shopping Network. “This personalization goes a long way towards creating a more dynamic consumer experience on our existing platform for grocery retailers.”

Grocery Shopping Network’s 20 retail partners that have launched their new Social Media Integration Suite include: Scolari’s Food and Drug Company, Strack and Van Til Supermarkets, Ultra, Grand Union Family Markets, Coborn’s, and D’Agostino’s.

Taking place at a later date, the full launch of Grocery Shopping Network’s Social Media Integration suite will include new tools that allow consumers to register and log-in with their existing Google or Yahoo identities. The new tools will also give consumers the ability to share circular items with their friends through Facebook and Twitter.

$500 Dollar Grocery Giveaway Winner Chosen Monthly Through December

MODESTO, Calif.– Save Mart and Lucky Supermarkets have launched their 1^st Annual$500 Gift Card Grocery Giveaway program, a special initiative that combines online shopping tools with excellent in-store service; running through the end of December, shoppers that create a shopping list and bring it to the store and scan it will receive a pin code to enter the contest on the web site. In addition they will receive a $5 off $50 purchase coupon good on that shopping trip.

“Our future looks bright as we continue to grow and expand, while finding practical yet innovative ways to service our customers,” said John Kelly, Vice President of Marketing at Save Mart. “Most of all, we continue to perfect daily the things that we were built on…quality and service.”

Utilizing shopping tools created by Grocery Shopping Network, Save Mart and Lucky Supermarket’s extensive online tools provide shoppers the ability to build a digital shopping list online and also provides interactive tools for shoppers; including the ability to search by department or brand; personalized specials tailored to the shoppers preferences and previous shopping history; a recipe center that includes wine parings; online shopping from the weekly ad circular; access to in-store specials and sales items; as well as the ability to create a master shopping list and a record of previous orders.

For additional information on the $500 Grocery Giveaway, please visit our website and watch our informative video at: http://www.savemart.com/500promo.

About Save Mart:

Save Mart is known for innovation and for their commitment to working with the communities and businesses that they serve. Founded in 1952, Save Mart operates 244 stores, Smart Refrigerated Transport, Yosemite Wholesale Warehouse in Merced, Vacaville Distribution Center, Roseville Distribution Center, and is a voting partner in Super Store Industries (SSI). Save Mart Supermarkets is a privately held food chain headquartered in Modesto, California; operating stores throughout the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and Northern Nevada under the names of Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, and FoodMaxx. Our newest stores have a smaller carbon footprint than most buildings their size.” They are a showcase of “green” technology.

About Lucky Supermarkets:

Lucky Supermarkets began in 1931 when Charles Crouch purchased the chain and became known as an innovator in grocery retail. His idea to provide a great selection of fresh products under one roof proved to be a winner and he began to call the stores his “lucky stores.” We are proud that we have been able to carry on Charles Crouch’s legacy. Lucky is committed to working with the communities and businesses that they serve. There are 70 stores under the Lucky banner; they are located throughout the Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Lucky Supermarkets now carry a full selection of Sunny Select, Sunnyside Farms, World Classics international foods, Paws pet care, Top Care health and beauty products, Full Circle Organics, Pacific Coast Café, Valu Time, Master Cut meats, Master Catch seafood, and Foxbrook and Piccinini Wines.

Industry Executives & “Shopper Marketing” Magazine Editors Select Group of Industry Leaders as Featured Exhibitors at Expo

CHICAGO-Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) is pleased to announce their participation as a Featured Exhibitor at the In-Store Marketing Institute’s Shopper Marketing Expo titled “Paving the Path to Purchase”. The expo will be held at Navy Pier in Chicago on October 5, 2010 form 1pm- 4:30pm as well as on October 6th and 7th from 7am-6:30pm.

Selected for having an inspiring new product, a game-changing service, or a fresh approach to shopper marketing; the exclusive group of Featured Exhibitor’s are handpicked by a jury of brand marketers, retailers, and the editors of Shopper Marketing magazine as the Expo’s “must see” exhibits.

As one of the Featured Exhibitors chosen from a field of 148 participating exhibitors, Grocery Shopping Network is very pleased to be considered an industry leader. Representatives from Grocery Shopping Network’s executive team participating at the Expo include Andrew Robinson, Founder & CEO; Robert Krajeski, Vice President of Digital Marketing; and Chuck Bolkcom, Vice President of Advertising Sales.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a Featured Exhibitor at the Expo by our peers,” said Andrew Robinson, CEO of the Grocery Shopping Network. “We look forward to connecting with other leaders in the industry and exchanging ideas on the impact of new technologies, consumer insights, and shifting consumer values as well as best practices and some of the major milestones we have reached at GSN.”

Grocery Shopping Network is a leading provider of advertising, marketing, analytics and technology solutions to retailers and CPG companies across North America. Growing rapidly, GSN has added more than 2000 stores to their network in the last twelve months that now includes 6200 retail locations that includes Albertsons, Hy-Vee, Save-Mart, Lucky’s, Jewel, BI-LO, Roundy’s and many more. This direct shopper audience has grown to over 7 million unique visitors per month through their retail clients’ websites (GSN StoreSITE™), and their GSN OutREACH™ product provides access to all the shoppers in the USA featuring GSN proprietary product category purchase behavior. Grocery Shopping Network has gained significant market coverage through their audience delivery and successful execution for top CPG brands, the Shopper Marketing Expo is a great venue to discuss industry developments as well as developments at GSN.

About the Shopper Marketing Expo:
The world of retail is entering an era of profound change. The continued success and growth of retailing will depend on retailers and manufacturers working more closely together — not just for their benefit — but for the benefit of the shopper. The Shopper Marketing Expo provides the leadership and information the in-store marketing community needs. Executives attend the Expo looking for these solutions and inspiration. To learn more about the In-Store Marketing Institute, please visit: http://shoppermarketexpo.com/attendees/.

About the In-Store Marketing Institute:
The In-Store Marketing Institute is a global association serving the needs of retailers, brands, agencies, P-O-P firms, research organizations and other solution providers along the path to purchase. The Institute is committed to fostering best practices and the understanding of all marketing efforts that culminate at retail. To achieve its mission, the Institute provides members with an ever-evolving variety of resources including robust websites and databases of shopper marketing information, world-class publications, leading educational/business forums, and groundbreaking research. The In-Store Marketing Institute is the producer of the Shopper Marketing Expo. To learn more about the In-Store Marketing Institute, please visit:http://www.instoremarketer.org/.

New Interactive Features Allow Shoppers to Pre-Plan Trips, Save Money, and Learn New Recipes

MINNEAPOLIS-Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) is pleased to announce the launch of Sullivan’s Foods enhanced consumer website. Based in Savanna, Illinois; the 13 store group has served area communities for over 40 years.

“Our shoppers now have access to the best online grocery shopping technology, allowing our customers to enjoy an enhanced shopping experience while saving time and money,” said John Sullivan, CEO of Sullivan’s Foods. “Our internet strategy is designed to engage our customer base through new and exciting tools that will provide the quality of service that reflects our #1 priority; to treat our customers how we would want to be treated.”

Sullivan’s newly enhanced website incorporates features from Grocery Shopping Network’s proprietary digital shopper planning platform; including a store wide search function that allows shoppers to find items from circulars, temporary price markdowns, and items that are in the store but not advertised as on sale. The new website also includes the ability for in store coupon placement as well as manufacturer coupons which are searchable and displayed next to relevant sale items

Consumers that visit Sullivan’s newly enhanced website will also have the ability to pre-plan shopping trips online by building a shopping list, researching healthy recipes in an online library of over 60,000 recipes, and learning new cooking techniques from a library of over 100 cooking videos. Registered users will experience even more benefits, including the ability to save a favorite past shopping list, the option to receive weekly emails highlighting featured sales items, as well as access to exclusive web-only discounts.

About Sullivan’s Foods:

We are Sullivan’s Foods, a customer service team where our #1 priority is to treat our customers as we would want to be treated. Our purpose is to provide the widest variety of quality goods and service while keeping in mind the value of our customer dollars. Our success will always be measured by how well we service the needs of our communities. Come and grow with us, the stores where the customer always comes first! For more information on Sullivan’s Foods, please visit our website at: www.sullivansfoods.net.