PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ForkFly, a powerful social engagement and advertising platform transforming the way publishers and merchants offer deals and advertising, today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with The Seattle Times. By integrating ForkFly into its current advertising initiatives, The Seattle Times will now offer area merchants an intuitive, self-service platform for delivering custom advertisements, offers, and geo-targeted messaging to consumers on the Web and via the ForkFly mobile app. Merchants pay a low, flat monthly rate to The Seattle Times for the use of these services.

ForkFly Features and Benefits Include:

• Easy & Automated Merchant Dashboard: Advertisers create and manage their own ad campaigns, and have real-time access to deep campaign analytics, location events and social profiles for executing campaigns that gets customers in the door, with proven ROI.
• Location-Based Technology: For advertisers that want advanced consumer targeting, Forkfly utilizes a combination of geo-aware applications, segmentation, push notifications, and an upcoming plug-and-play hardware component to accurately determine position.
• Easy to Use and Redeem: Consumers can easily find the nearby offers they want, and redeem them with their smartphone or printable vouchers on the fly.
• Increased Traditional Revenues: Distribution partners bundle ForkFly with traditional advertising packages to increase revenues beyond the digital space.
• Integrated Sales Tools: Distribution partners can drive local advertisers to GoForkFly.com to learn about the value proposition of the ForkFly platform.

"The Seattle Times is among the most forward-thinking major metropolitan newspapers in the country, and we're thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them," says Paul Wagner, CEO of ForkFly. "With ForkFly, they'll be able to offer local advertisers a great new way to execute affordable digital advertising. The Seattle Times will gain access to a seamless channel for driving new ad revenues and increasing advertiser engagement and retention. Consumers love these services as well. It's a win for everyone involved."

"ForkFly's innovative use of technology, simple dashboard for advertisers and seamless channel for driving our own ad sales is not only a great opportunity for us as a media company, but also answers the advertising needs of Seattle's local merchants," said Nick Lazaroff, Executive Director - Advertising for The Seattle Times. "We're thrilled to open up this platform and look forward to making advertising even easier for Seattle businesses."

For more information on ForkFly, please visit http://forkfly.com, or its merchant portal at http://goforkfly.com/.

About ForkFly
ForkFly is a powerful social engagement and advertising platform that's transforming the way publishers and merchants offer deals and advertising to consumers. Through strategic partnerships with media outlets, ForkFly gives businesses affordable access to digital media and greater reach to consumers. Merchants can leverage digital advertising, mobile technologies, social media and a creative distribution strategy to find new business, engage customers and build brand loyalty in their local area and nationwide. Consumers use Forkfly to find deals, and get perks, rewards and other incentives from local merchants via the ForkFly mobile app. Based in Portland, OR, ForkFly was founded in 2010. For more information, visit http://forkfly.com. 

About The Seattle Times

The Seattle Times serves the Northwest with thoughtful, independent, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism.  As one of the region's most trusted news media companies, The Seattle Times provides clarity above the information clutter, engaging readers across print and digital platforms with news, information and entertainment when and how they want it. Founded in 1896 by Alden J. Blethen and now led by the Blethen family's fourth and fifth generations, The Seattle Times news media company also owns and operates the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, the Yakima Herald-Republic, The Issaquah Press, the Newcastle News, the Sammamish Review and the SnoValley Star.

All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Lankford
Jennifer@lankfordpr.com

SOURCE ForkFly