Two hours ago, it was announced that United Online (the owners of NetZero, Juno, and Classmates.com, among other sites) will be buying MyPoints for $56 million.
Note that United Online is NOT related to MyPoints’ former owner, United Airlines.
United’s CEO Mark R. Goldston: “Our purchase of MyPoints.com represents another major step forward in United Online’s strategy of expanding our growing content and commerce business. MyPoints.com is a major name in the online media and loyalty business, effectively bringing millions of active and loyal Internet consumers together with marketers that speak directly to their interests. We are excited about the prospect of offering United Online’s over 50 million registered accounts in North America the opportunity to earn MyPoints.com loyalty rewards for many of the activities they are already doing today, both offline and online.”
They plan to keep MyPoints’ offices in San Francisco and in Schaumburg, IL. (They have 100 employees between the two sites.)
MyPoints has 1.4 million active members…United Online has 50 million. So they didn’t get bought out by some podunk business run out of someone’s garage. What changes may be coming to the program are anyone’s guess, but hopefully (fingers crossed) any changes would only be for the better. Stay tuned.
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So does this mean we should start cashing out now? or wait?
Gee, so all of your previous conjecture, and what we’ll charitably call reporting was wrong. You’re quite the journalist.
Ummmmm…..what part of what was posted here was wrong?
I’ve been saying since 12/02 that MyPoints’ future was uncertain due to UAL’s bankruptcy. I was one of the FEW places on the internet reporting last September that UAL had requested permission from their bankruptcy court to sell MyPoints. I’ve said again and again that members should be very, very cautious about that program, and I CONTINUE to feel that way.
I’ve been looking today at analyst comments on the purchase, and I am not confident at all with United Online. Did you know that during the last week of March, according to their most recent 8-K filing, United Online approved their bigwigs receiving a bonus for any acquisitions made that would further their business goals? Just barely two weeks before announcing the purchase of MyPoints? That sounds shady to me.
Other analysts are saying that United Online is in trouble because of their reliance on dial-up internet access in this, the broadband age.
So…out of the frying pan and into the fire? Who knows.
But in any event, I’d be more than happy to read YOUR blog with news and analysis of the rewards program world. What’s the URL? I’m certain that someone so quick to criticize must have an alternative to offer, right?