Swirl's iBeacon Marketing Platform Goes Live Nationwide with Alex and Ani®

BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Swirl Networks, Inc., the leading enterprise-grade iBeacon marketing platform provider, today announced that following a successful pilot in 2013, Alex and Ani has now deployed Swirl's technology in more than 40 stores nationally with further plans to leverage the technology in authorized retailers like department stores. Swirl's platform allows large-scale retailers to create, manage and deliver in-store mobile marketing campaigns leveraging iBeacon technology.

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Investments in digital innovation have been a key contributor to Alex and Ani's position as one of the fastest growing retailers in the world.  "It's the strategic and foundational investments like iBeacon that have enabled Alex and Ani to grow our customer-centric omnichannel strategy at record pace," said Ryan Bonifacino, vice president of digital strategy for Alex and Ani. "In 2013, Alex and Ani generated $230 million in revenue with the help of over 1,000 of the company's employees. Beacons are dramatically changing the in-store retail experience, and with Swirl, we're at the forefront of this revolution."

"Utilizing Swirl's marketing platform we can deliver highly-targeted content to consumers precisely when they are most engaged and primed to spend − while they are shopping in our stores," continued Bonifacino. "Our earlier pilots yielded impressive results: more than 75 percent of shoppers engaged with the content that we delivered while they shopped, so we're extremely excited about the future possibilities for this technology."

The Swirl platform -- consisting of the Swirl Marketing Console, SecureCast™ beacons powered by Bluetooth® Smart technology and a mobile client SDK -- provides the industry's most robust end-to-end solution for in-store mobile marketing. Available for both iOS and Android, Swirl allows retailers to deliver relevant messages and offers to smartphone users while they shop. Using its opt-in, micro-location targeting capability, retailers can leverage a shopper's precise location within a store to create personalized, contextual shopping experiences. Whether it's greeting a loyal customer with a surprise "thank you" reward at the store entrance or helping a shopper make a purchase decision in a specific department, retailer mobile apps can now become an integral, value-added component of their in-store experience.

"The deployment of our beacons at all Alex and Ani locations nationwide signals that the retail transformation for in-store mobile marketing is fully underway. We're now beyond the trial stages and into full commercial implementation," said Hilmi Ozguc, founder and CEO of Swirl. "The power and potential of iBeacon technology for retail marketers is undeniable, and pioneers like Alex and Ani are leading the charge."

For a complete list of Alex and Ani store locations, visit http://www.alexandani.com/locations.

About Swirl Networks
Swirl is the leading enterprise-grade iBeacon marketing platform provider helping retailers leverage the power of mobile to attract and influence consumers while they shop in stores. Top retailers such as Timberland, Kenneth Cole, and Alex and Ani use Swirl's patent-pending micro-location technology to increase their store traffic, customer engagement and sales conversions. The company is led by an accomplished entrepreneurial team and backed by top-tier investors including Hearst Ventures, SoftBank Capital, Longworth Venture Partners and General Catalyst Partners. Learn more at swirl.com.

About Alex and Ani
Alex and Ani, LLC offers eco-friendly, positive energy products created by Designer Carolyn Rafaelian, Founder and Creative Director. Alex and Ani is synonymous with Made in America. Its World Headquarters are located in the Greater Providence, Rhode Island area, where its products are designed, manufactured, and assembled using recycled local materials. Carolyn believes that every individual has a positive message to share with the world and that, by incorporating powerful symbolism and design into each positive energy piece, Alex and Ani provides a vehicle for wearers to express their individuality. An Inc. 500 Company, Alex and Ani has retail stores in addition to retail partners both domestically and internationally. Please visit www.alexandani.com for more information.

PR Contacts:
Rob Murphy
Swirl Networks
[email protected]

Lisa Mokaba
InkHouse for Swirl
[email protected]
(617) 750-5939

SOURCE Swirl Networks, Inc.