Ebates Announces Creation of Performance Marketing Brands & Acquisition of FatWallet and AnyCoupons

Becomes Leading Independent Shopping Rewards Company

BELOIT, Wis. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ebates, the leader in online cash back shopping, today announced the creation of a new company called Performance Marketing Brands, Inc. (PMB) to own and operate the world’s most rewarding shopper loyalty programs. PMB has acquired the savvy shopping and reward site FatWallet.com (www.fatwallet.com) and the coupon shopping site AnyCoupons.com (www.anycoupons.com) and united them with Ebates.com (www.ebates.com) to create one of the largest independent shopping rewards companies. In 2011, shoppers are expected to spend over $1.1 billion through PMB’s sites, equivalent to a top 50 internet retailer in terms of gross merchandise volume according to data from the latest Internet Retailer Top 500 E-Retailer report.

“One of the 50 Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America”

Ebates.com, FatWallet.com and AnyCoupons.com will continue to operate distinct websites, but common ownership will help give the sites and their users access to the most compelling rewards and best deals available anywhere. Retailers now will be able to advertise through a single partner to attract and retain the world’s savviest shoppers.

“Today shoppers are bombarded with an overwhelming number of coupons, codes, deals and sales,” said Tim Storm, founder of FatWallet and strategic advisor to Performance Marketing Brands . “With Ebates.com, FatWallet and AnyCoupons.com we will help consumers cut through the clutter to get the very best offer every time they shop. We also expect to grow and innovate faster by combining the collective ideas of multiple industry pioneers.”

“In addition to providing our users a more rewarding shopping experience, as a combined company, we will give retailers a more effective way to attract new buyers, recapture lost customers, and make sure their best shoppers keep coming back,” added Kevin H. Johnson, CEO of Performance Marketing Brands. “Over the coming months, we will be announcing exciting new ways for retailers to reach active shoppers and for consumers to be rewarded for all their shopping activities.”

Ebates’ creation of Performance Marketing Brands and acquisition of FatWallet and AnyCoupons has been funded by August Capital, Cannan Partners, Foundation Capital and Silicon Valley Bank. The terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

“The online reward and discount shopping space is growing rapidly and we felt the time is right to establish a clear leadership position by combining the best companies under Performance Marketing Brands,” said David Hornik of August Capital. “We are happy to support this new combination and look forward to driving new levels of growth and innovation in the industry.”

About Performance Marketing Brands

Performance Marketing Brands (PMB) owns and operates the world’s most rewarding shopping programs. Through its family of distinct websites and reward programs, PMB users can get a great deal and earn money back every time they shop. PMB owns and operates Ebates.com, the leader in online cash back shopping, FatWallet.com, the preferred online resource for savvy consumers, and AnyCoupons.com, the one-stop shop for any coupon available online. The company also operates a growing number of co-branded and private-label shopper reward programs for leading media companies. In 2011, shoppers are expected to spend over $1.1 billion through PMB’s websites and shopping programs. To learn more, visit www.performancemarketingbrands.com.

About Ebates

Ebates is the leader and pioneer in online cash back shopping. Over 1,200 online stores have joined the roster of retailers that offer cash back, special deals including free shipping, and over 5000 coupons to the rapidly growing Ebates.com member base. The free membership allows consumers to shop online at their favorite retailers while earning cash back, paid via a "Big Fat Check" or through PayPal, every time they shop. To learn more, visit www.ebates.com.

About FatWallet

FatWallet is a preferred online shopping resource for millions of savvy consumers. FatWallet.com works closely with hundreds of retailers like HP, Newegg, Walmart and Amazon to publish thousands of special offers, discounts, coupon codes and Cash Back rewards to online shoppers. FatWallet forums represent the pulse of an evolving online marketplace where smart consumers gather to share and learn the latest shopping and saving tips. FatWallet has been voted “One of the 50 Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America” by Great Places To Work® and “One of the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces”™ in the United States. To learn more, visit www.fatwallet.com.

About AnyCoupons

AnyCoupons is a one stop shop for virtually any coupon, code, or discount available on the web for use at thousands of retailers, both online and off. For everything from diapers to diamonds, www.anycoupons.com has any coupon you need.