SmileCity Healthcare all smiles over DtCA decision

NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, 12 December 2006

SmileCity Healthcare all smiles over DtCA decision

SmileCity welcomes the Government’s decision to continue supporting Direct to Consumer Advertising (DtCA) for prescription medicines.

SmileCity is a permission based online rewards programme that gives its members “SmileCity points” for every email they receive direct from health care marketers. These points can then be converted to cash, donated to charity or used to bid in SmileCity’s online auctions.

Launched in May, SmileCity Healthcare (www.smilecity.co.nz/healthcare) has attracted 25,347 New Zealand members that have opted to receive information direct to their inbox from marketers of prescription and non-prescription medicines.

Tom Skotidas, Sales and Marketing Director of SmileCity, says the Government’s decision is a positive step for New Zealand’s reputation in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide.

“New Zealand has led the world when it comes to innovative marketing solutions for prescription medicines.

“The decision reached is common sense, and we applaud the Government for allowing New Zealand to continue creating innovative touch points for marketers to reach consumers,” he says.

One of the key benefits of SmileCity Healthcare for members is tailored information to suit their health interests.

At the time of signing up members are asked which healthcare topics they are interested in from a list including asthma, hayfever, diabetes and many more. They then receive tailored messages from healthcare companies with products and services that relate directly to these areas of health.

On the back of this decision, SmileCity Healthcare is looking to attract more in-house pharmaceutical marketers or agency representatives that would like to communicate directly with consumers about their health care products and promotions.

ENDS

Web: www.smilecity.co.nz/healthcare

About SmileCity Healthcare

SmileCity Healthcare is a first in New Zealand for consumers who are interested in receiving health-related information and offers direct to their inbox. When consumers join SmileCity Healthcare they give SmileCity permission to send them information and offers from New Zealand’s leading healthcare organisations and companies. All SmileCity Healthcare emails are carefully screened to ensure they comply with New Zealand laws and regulations.

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