Swagbucks
Swagbucks is an American rewards and loyalty-program operator operated by Prodege, LLC, and based in El Segundo, California.
Type of site | Rewards, Loyalty Program |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Headquarters |  United States |
| Key people | Chuck Davis, Josef Gorowitz, Scott Dudelson, Eron Zehavi |
| Revenue | $54 million (2013) |
| Parent | Prodege |
| URL | www |
| Registration | Required, services free |
| Launched | February 27, 2008 |
| Current status | Active |
History
Swagbucks' website is owned and operated by Prodege, a provider of digital services, including an online rewards portal (Swagbucks), content distribution platforms (Yowgo, nCrave), and an online polling technology platform (SodaHead).[1]
In 2006, Prodege introduced its first product: private label search engines that allowed charities to raise funds by having supporters perform internet searches[2] In early 2007, Prodege developed a second search loyalty product that allowed celebrities, brands and sports teams to engage fans through their own branded rewards program offering "swag" merchandise. In February 2008, Prodege launched its current business, Swagbucks.com – under Co-Founders Josef Gorowitz and Scott Dudelson – and introduced the SB as a digital currency earned for activity throughout its network of websites.
In January 2013, Prodege Founder Josef Gorowitz appointed former Shopzilla and Fandango CEO Chuck Davis as the company's executive chairman.[3]
In May 2014, Prodege announced that Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV) had invested $60 million into Prodege,[4] parent company of Swagbucks and other portfolio brands, and that Prodege also had appointed Executive Chairman Chuck Davis as its new CEO and Chairman, while Josef Gorowitz assumed the title of Founder and President. This was the company's first external investment.
In July 2014, Prodege announced its acquisition of SodaHead.com, an online polling technology platform founded by Jason Feffer.[5] SodaHead.com CEO Chris Dominguez and Founder Jason Feffer joined Prodege's executive leadership team in the move.
References
- Mills, Elinor (April 7, 2008). "Searching for swag: Music to fans' ears". CNET. Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- Kuo, Benjamin F. (July 5, 2011). "Interview with Scott Dudelson, Swagbucks". Socaltech.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- Bloom, David (May 13, 2014). "Ex-Fandango CEO Chuck Davis Joins Swagbucks; Company Raises $60M For Expansion". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- Faughnder, Ryan (May 13, 2014). "Swagbucks raises $60 million; former Fandango chief named CEO". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- Novellino, Teresa (July 31, 2014). "Swagbucks acquired SodaHead and now they'll be kings of web polling". Upstart Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2016.