Coupons.com launches social media offer-sharing service

Coupons.com has launched a platform enabling client marketers to share coupons via social media but maintain controls over the number of offers. Litehouse Foods, a marketer of salad dressings, dips and sauces, began using the service on April 22 as part of its digital coupon campaign.

The service enables consumers to share coupons via Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz and other social networks.

Stacey Orlando, national programs marketing manager at Litehouse Foods, said her brand has grown its Facebook fanbase from about 300 in February to more than 1,800 this month.

“We really hope to engage people on the Web site as well,” she said. “Instead of them just clicking the button, we want them to participate on the wall.”

Patrick Crisp, spokesman for Coupons.com, cited a recent Razorfish study that revealed 43.5% of respondents follow a brand in social media for exclusive deals or offers, while 23.5% do so because they are customers.

“We all know that coupons are of value, and brands want to leverage that in their social media conversions,” he said.