First Data Acquires Perka, Reports Increase in Third-Quarter Earnings (Oct. 29, 2013)
First Data Corp., an Atlanta-based payments processor, has acquired Perka, provider of a mobile marketing and consumer loyalty platform enabling small to midsize merchants to better engage with customers through location-based smartphone apps. Perka will continue to operate autonomously as an entrepreneurial company led by its current management and product development team, according to an announcement. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Perka’s cloud-based platform features merchant-validated transactions, triggered offers, mobile messaging and customer relationship data. Perka operates loyalty programs for businesses, such as neighborhood coffee shops, retail stores and sit-down restaurants, and supports merchants throughout the U.S., as well as Canada, the U.K., Australia, Africa and Latin America.
“Loyalty is a critical component of the seamless shopping experience that consumers are demanding as they engage with mobile phones more than ever,” said Guy Chiarello, First Data president. “With Perka’s open and scalable platform, merchants of any size now have agility to customize a mobile loyalty marketing program that works for their business needs.”
In other company news, First Data today reported consolidated revenue of $2.7 billion for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013, up $38 million, or 1 percent, compared with a year ago. Adjusted revenue increased $14 million, or 1 percent, year over year to $1.7 billion. Click here for more earnings information.
