Swagbucks
Swagbucks.com 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 |  |
| Key people | Chuck Davis, Josef Gorowitz, Scott Dudelson, Eron Zehavi |
| Revenue | $54 million (2013) |
| Parent | Prodege |
| URL | http://www.swagbucks.com/ |
| Alexa rank |  |
| 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).[2]
In 2006, Prodege introduced its first product: private label search engines that allowed charities to raise funds by having supporters perform internet searches[3] 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.[4]
In May 2014, Prodege announced that Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV) had invested $60 million into Prodege,[5] 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. Prior to the TCV investment, Prodege had been fully bootstrapped and had grown to $53 million in profitable revenue in 2013.
In July 2014, Prodege announced its acquisition of SodaHead.com, an online polling technology platform founded by Jason Feffer.[6] SodaHead.com CEO Chris Dominguez and Founder Jason Feffer joined Prodege's executive leadership team in the move. SodaHead operates a consumer website and provides polling technology to media partners including ESPN, Fox News, and Good Morning America.
Awards and accolades
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Josef Gorowitz, Founder of Prodege / Swagbucks | Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Los Angeles, Advertising Category | Won |
| 2014 | Brad Kates, CFO of Prodege / Swagbucks | Los Angeles Business Journal: CFO of the Year | Won |
| 2014 | Shane O'Neill, CTO of Prodege / Swagbucks | Los Angeles Business Journal: CIO of the Year | Nominated |
| 2011–2014 | Prodege / Swagbucks, #28 for 2014 | Los Angeles Business Journal, Best Places to Work Awards | Won |
| 2011–2014 | Prodege / Swagbucks, #41 for 2014 | Los Angeles Business Journal Fast Growing Private Companies | Won |
| 2013–2014 | Prodege / Swagbucks, #96 for 2014 | Deloitte Fast 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies | Won |
| 2011–2014 | Prodege / Swagbucks, #1,245 for 2014 | Inc. 5000 | Won |
References
- "swagbucks.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- 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.