Author Archives: Brigette Flood

1. Half Off Depot Appoints Lance Weatherby New Chief Operating Officer

   November 14, 2011 3:01 pm Comments Off

   Half Off Depot is pleased to announce the appointment of Lance Weatherby as chief operating officer. He previously served as vice president of business development and sales for the company, guiding Half Off Depot’s third quarter expansion from two to six markets and making Half Off Depot the leading online deal company in the Southeast. Half Off Depot offers savvy consumers a broad range of local deals on the Internet and was recently recognized in USA Today’s top 10 listing of most visited daily-deals and group-buying websites.

   “One of the most critical factors at a start up is having a strong, successful team. We have a great staff and are lucky to have Lance helping lead it,” says Brian Conley, CEO of Half Off Depot. “His contribution to the growth of our organization has been invaluable. Lance is familiar with the path we are on and helping start ups mature and grow, so I am confidant he will successfully help navigate the next phase of strategic growth for Half Off Depot.”

   Lance previously served as startup and venture catalyst at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), the science and business incubator at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has a proven track record leading successful start-up companies: first as chief marketing officer of CipherTrust, which was acquired by Secure Computing for $274 million and then as executive vice president at Earthlink, formerly Mindspring, where he oversaw their launch into mobile, among other initiatives. Lance joined Mindspring in its infancy in a business development role and contributed to the company’s early growth, eventually leading the organization’s customer base growth from 340,000 to 1.3 million customers as executive vice president of sales and marketing.

2. Half Off Depot Accelerates Market Expansion

   August 30, 2011 8:00 am Comments Off

   Recent Success Driven By Market Expansion in Southeast

   ATLANTA – Within a few months of receiving notable venture funding from Noro-Moseley Partners, BLH Venture Partners and Linch Capital, Half Off Depot, the leading southeast online deal company, is growing significantly through targeted market expansion and member growth. With success in its current cities – Atlanta, Knoxville and recently-launched Tampa – the company is accelerating its expansion into three new Southeastern cities in the third quarter of 2011, providing merchants and customers across the region with a unique deals platform.

   As part of its strategic growth strategy, Half Off Depot expects third quarter market expansion into Charlotte, Nashville, and Orlando to be met with enthusiasm and adoption from customers and merchants.

   “In today’s market, we know consumers want to save money and the majority of the daily deal offerings fall flat. We’re on to something unique in that we give consumers shopping freedom and choice through our online marketplace, where deals are live longer than 24-48 hours. We’re extremely proud of the growth that we have seen in such a short period of time, and we are confident that we have the right formula to gain more traction as we roll out in new markets,” says Brian Conley, CEO of Half Off Depot.

   Success by the Numbers

   Half Off Depot is proud of its considerable success in current markets, as evidenced by its 30 percent increase in revenue growth over the last quarter. The company is also seeing tremendous escalation in member numbers, deal sharing from customers, merchant participation and satisfaction, and web traffic. Year-over-year, the company has seen web traffic increase by 82 percent, with 50 percent of visits coming from new users.

   “Our competitive advantage is that we understand the challenges associated with running a small business, and we strive to provide a cost-effective solution to acquire new customers for our merchants that turn into loyal repeat customers,” adds Conley.

    

3. Half Off Depot Lights Up Tampa For the Fourth

   July 29, 2011 9:00 am Comments Off

   Expansion Offers Savings of At Least Fifty Percent Off Restaurants, Salons, Shopping, Entertainment and More

   Tampa, FL – Just in time for the busy Fourth of July weekend, Half Off Depot is helping Tampa residents enjoy life for less. Today, the online destination to shop for, search for and get deals, launched its expanded Half Off Depot Tampa Bay presence. Available at Half Off Depot Tampa Bay, the company features an average of over 100 discounts of fifty percent off or more at top area businesses.

   Taking the online deal space by storm, Half Off Depot differentiates itself from daily deal sites by providing consumers the ability to shop and select the deals that best suit their lifestyle and current needs. While most deal sites only offer deals for 24 hours, items on Half Off Depot are available on average for 15 to 30 days, giving consumers the opportunity to browse and purchase vouchers at their convenience. Half Off Depot eliminates the stress of missing out on savings that are only available for one day.

   “I’m very excited that Half Off Depot is giving Tampa even more discounts,” said Half Off Depot customer, Debbie Jones. “The offers on the site far exceed any other online coupon or daily deal site that I’ve used, and most importantly the deals are available to me for longer than one day and can be printed immediately after purchase. It’s my go-to source when I’m looking for things to do in the area, or to help me save money at my favorite restaurants.”

   Tampa Deals Available July 1

   Perfect for the Fourth of July, Half Off Depot Tampa Bay currently features a variety of great savings designed to help Tampa residents make the most of the long weekend without breaking the bank, deals include:

   • $100 for a 2 hour Pontoon Boat Rental at Channelside Watersports ($200 Value)
   • $25 for a 90 minute Segway Tour of downtown St. Petersburg with All About Fun Segway Tours ($50 Value)
   • $12 for Glittery Glam Express Spa Package at Sweet & Sassy ($25 Value)
   • $39 for one month of unlimited yoga classes at Evolation Yoga (Up to $150 Value)
   • $10 for two tickets to American Victory Ship Mariners Memorial Museum (Up to $20 Value)
   • $15 for $30 worth of fine meats and wines at Harr’s Surf & Turf Market
   • $25 for $50 off Vizcaya Restaurant & Tapas Bar
   • $5 for $10 worth of frozen treats at Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
   • $5 for $10 worth of hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, and more at Frankies

   Half Off Depot Creates A True Merchant Partnership

   Beyond the company’s cost-saving benefits for consumers, Half Off Depot prides itself on being a valuable online marketing partner to its merchants. In addition to email alerts to promote a deal, Half Off Depot brings businesses a higher percentage of new customers by utilizing search properties such as Google and social media properties such as Facebook and Twitter. For qualified merchants, the company will provide upfront payments as well as allowing them to know exactly how many certificates are available to sell online. According to company data, consumers using Half Off Depot will spend on average 80 percent more with a merchant than then original gift certificate or discount voucher. Unheard of in the industry, Half Off Depot delivers new customers at a low cost of $3 per customer.

   “Tampa is a key market for us and we’re thrilled to offer area residents even more great savings,” said Brian Conley, CEO of Half Off Depot. “There’s no denying that the deal space is a crowded field, but we offer more value. For consumers, we’ve created a true shopping experience with an inventory that offers more depth and breadth than any other site, allowing them to take advantage of more discounts where they live, work and play. For merchants, we offer a tangible and fully trackable customer acquisition service. Additionally, our advance payment method eliminates any up front out-of-pocket expenses for businesses.”

4. Half Off Depot Secures $7 Million in Funding Led by Noro-Moseley Partners

   May 17, 2011 8:00 am Comments Off

   Internet Industry Veteran Lance Weatherby to Lead Sales and Market Expansion
   ATLANTA, May 17, 2011 – Half Off Depot, an Atlanta-based social commerce company announced today that it has secured $7 million in series A funding. Led by Noro-Moseley Partners, BLH Venture Partners, and Linch Capital also participated in the round. The investment will be used to support further technology development, sales growth and market expansion.

   “Half Off Depot offers merchants something more than consumers who are just shopping for deals,” said Alan Taetle, general partner at Noro-Moseley. “The company harnesses a trend in which local marketing spend is being re-allocated from traditional media to online outlets. It provides merchants a cost-effective way to acquire customers, build online presence, and generate repeat purchases,” he added.

   “Not only will the Noro-Moseley led investment help accelerate the already robust revenue growth at Half Off, it also brings with it access to Alan Taetle’s expertise,” said Brian Conley, CEO of Half Off Depot. “The combination serves as the groundwork for building a significant enterprise,” he added.

   Lance Weatherby, a 16-year Internet veteran, participated in the fund raising and has joined the company’s executive team as vice president of business development and sales. In this role, Weatherby will bring his extensive experience growing revenues at early-stage companies to Half Off Depot. He has served in executive roles at MindSpring, EarthLink, and CipherTrust. “Of the hundreds of start-ups I have had the opportunity to meet these last few years, this is one of the most exciting and promising,” noted Weatherby. “I am eager to come in and accelerate Half Off Depot’s growth alongside the team as well as renewing the working relationship Alan and I enjoyed at MindSpring.”

5. Savvy Shoppers Turn to Half Off Depot for Holiday Shopping

   November 17, 2010 8:00 am Comments Off

   Social Commerce Site to Offer 10 Percent Off for Black Friday
   Atlanta – November 17, 2010 – Each year, millions of consumers flock to shopping malls and major retailers the day after Thanksgiving with the hopes of finding the best deals of the holiday season, and while Black Friday’s roots run as deep as the 1960’s, the current economic environment has shoppers being as budget-conscious as ever.

   The National Retail Federation reported that 40 percent of shoppers will be keeping sales and discounts in mind during their holiday shopping this year. However, getting the best deal doesn’t necessarily mean having to bear the crowds on Black Friday. Instead, savvy consumers are turning to websites like Half Off Depot to find great discounts from the comfort of their own homes.

   Sarah Baker, an Atlanta mother of two, uses Half Off Depot to buy holiday gifts for a host of friends and family members.

   “My friends and family lead very busy lives, so when the holidays roll around, I like to encourage them to do something for themselves, and Half Off Depot makes that easy and affordable,” said Baker. “On one site, I can get restaurant certificates for my foodie friends, skydiving lessons for the daredevils, basketball tickets for the fanatics, and a surprise bed and breakfast getaway complete with wine tasting for my husband and myself!”

   Rebecca Tatum of Tennessee says her family does the same.

   “As a one-income family, we have to be creative to make ends meet during the holidays. With Half Off Depot, we can give great gifts without breaking our budget,” said Tatum.

   Currently available in more than 30 markets across the US and Canada, Half Off Depot features a virtual shopping mall of deals from 50-90 percent off at shops, restaurants, bars, attractions and events.

   The idea is simple: Half Off Depot partners with local businesses to offer products and services at a major discount. Consumers are then given the option to buy the deal for themselves or as a gift for someone else. After a deal is bought, the buyer either prints a voucher or waits for a gift certificate in the mail. Then, when it’s time to redeem, they simply present the voucher to the merchant.

   Half Off Depot has already saved consumers across its 30+ markets nearly $5 million to date in 2010 alone, and the company expects that number to significantly increase as the holiday season approaches.

   Last year, Half Off Depot saw a drastic increase in revenue during the holiday season, particularly during Black Friday, when average daily revenue increased by almost 450 percent.

   “The holiday shopping landscape is changing drastically, and frugal consumers are refusing to pay full price for items they could easily get at a discount,” said Patrick Best, president of Half Off Depot. “It’s this budget-savvy mindset that has allowed Half Off Depot to grow and thrive.”

   In order to save consumers even more money as the holiday shopping season kicks off next week, Half Off Depot will offer a Black Friday coupon code. For an additional 10 percent off the website’s already great deals, shoppers should use the code “blackfriday” during checkout from November 26-30. To begin shopping, visit www.halfoffdepot.com.

    

6. Half Off Depot Launches Facebook Application

   October 26, 2010 8:00 am Comments Off

   Virtual Shopping Mall of City-centric Discounts Now Available on Facebook
   Knoxville, Tenn. – October 26, 2010 – As consumers continue to seek a shopping experience more integrated with their favorite social networks, social shopping proceeds to gain significant traction. With that, Half Off Depot today announced the launch of its official Facebook application.

   Currently available in more than half of Half Off Depot’s 30+ markets, Half Off Depot’s Facebook app features a virtual shopping mall of city-centric discounts. Deal seekers can now browse discounts from 50-90 percent off at shops, restaurants, bars, attractions and events in their respective cities, without ever having to leave Facebook.

   “Consumers demand convenience, and because Facebook currently has more than 500 million users — 50 percent of which log in daily — it made sense for us to continue to grow the Half Off Depot brand in that direction,” said Patrick Best, president of Half Off Depot.

   While Half Off Depot intends to launch a Facebook app in all cities it serves in the coming months, the official Half Off Depot app is currently available in the following markets:

   • Atlanta, Ga.
   • Charlotte, N.C.
   • Cincinnati, Ohio
   • Delaware
   • Detroit, Mich.
   • Indianapolis, Ind.
   • Jacksonville, Fla.
   • Knoxville, Tenn.
   • Little Rock, Ark.
   • Miami, Fla.
   • Nashville, Tenn.
   • Orlando, Fla.
   • Philadelphia, Pa.
   • Redding, Calif.
   • Tampa Bay, Fla.
   • Toronto,  Ontario
   • Tuscaloosa, Ala.
   • Wilmington, N.C.

   To use the app, consumers should visit their city’s respective Facebook page and click the “Shop Now” tab.

    

7. Half Off Depot Launches Affiliate Program

   October 5, 2010 8:00 am Comments Off

   Social Commerce Site Enables Bloggers, Website Owners to Share 10 Percent of Profit
   Knoxville, Tenn. – October 5, 2010 – Bloggers and website owners looking to cash in on the online coupon craze while sharing relevant daily deals with their readers now can with the launch of Half Off Depot’s affiliate program.

   Founded in 2008, Half Off Depot currently operates its daily deal website in over 30 markets. Each day, the service offers discounts from 50-90 percent off to the best shops, restaurants, bars, attractions and events in each of the cities it serves, in addition to a virtual shopping mall where people come to shop for a host of great deals 24/7.

   Half Off Depot affiliates can add relevant content to their websites or blogs, sharing great local deals with their readers. When a Half Off Depot affiliate refers a sale to Half Off Depot, the affiliate will receive a 10 percent commission.

   “It’s basically a win-win for everyone involved,” said Patrick Best, president of Half Off Depot. “Visitors to our affiliate sites will discover huge discounts at the best restaurants, bars, spas, shops and more, Half Off Depot will be able to reach new customers, and the website or blog owner will make a nice share of the profits. Everyone wins!”

   Those interested in joining Half Off Depot’s affiliate program should visit www.halfoffdepot.com/affiliate. After signing up, each affiliate will be able to add an official Half Off Depot affiliate image or smart link to their website to ensure tracking for each sale that they refer.

8. Half Off Depot Receives $2 Million in Funding from Apollo Creative Group

   August 25, 2010 8:00 am Comments Off

   Investment to Support Rapid Growth into New Markets, Solidify Position in Social Commerce Industry
   Knoxville, Tenn. – August 25, 2010 – Atlanta-based Half Off Depot, LLC, announced today that it has secured $2 million in funding from Apollo Creative Group, a Knoxville-based media holding company. The investment will be used to increase the rate of Half Off Depot’s rapidly expanding operations across the U.S. and Canada.

   “Half Off Depot is experiencing double digit growth on a monthly basis, and this funding will help solidify our position in existing markets, as well as help us to expand into new markets at a faster pace,” said Patrick Best, president of Half Off Depot.

   Founded in 2008, Half Off Depot currently operates its daily deal website, halfoffdepot.com, in over 30 markets. Each day, the service offers discounts from 50-90 percent off to the best shops, restaurants, bars, attractions and events in each of the cities it serves. Proceeds from each sale are split between the merchant and Half Off Depot.

   Apollo Creative Group became the majority shareholder of Half Off Depot in 2009. This recent investment will allow Half Off Depot to begin implementation of its expansion plans in mid to late September.

   “Half Off Depot’s goal is to become a market leader in the social commerce industry, and this funding is a necessary first step towards achieving that goal,” said Brian Conley, Chairman and CEO of Apollo Creative Group.