At the International Parking Institute annual conference, MasterCard (NYSE:MA) and Parkeon today announced the launch of  “City Connector”, a unique couponing platform that delivers offers and services from local businesses via on-street parking meters.

 

The solution, powered by the Enterprise Offers Platform from MasterCard, turns traditional parking meters into connected devices to engage consumers, providing cities with a smart way to connect local businesses with citizens and visitors. The SaaS (software as a service) solution allows 3rd parties to publish offers, manage entire campaigns and specify targeting criteria, enabling more relevant and more customized experience for consumers around the globe.

 

The first implementation of City Connector will be in Downtown Las Vegas around its newest retail destination, Container Park (707 Fremont Street). A total of 16 interactive kiosks will go live today with offers from participating stores and restaurants.

 

No registration or sign-up process is needed, enabling people parking their car or just walking by to scroll through the offers local businesses are displaying via the parking meters. Customers can then select any deals using the kiosks’ interactive screens, after which the relevant coupons are immediately printed. These coupons can then be redeemed at point of sale when visiting the merchant.

 

Brandy Stanley, City of Las Vegas Parking Services Manager, comments: “City Connector will provide a new and innovative way for Las Vegas to deliver value to our citizens and to support the local business community. By guiding people from their cars directly to local businesses, it totally rethinks the concept of a parking meter. We are excited to see the impact it will have on the Downtown Container Park and the businesses that have enrolled in the service.”

 

The launch demonstrates MasterCard and Parkeon’s shared vision to enhance the urban mobility experience. Combining MasterCard’s global network and loyalty platform with Parkeon’s world leading parking services, the collaboration is ideally placed to connect multiple parties within a city for the benefit of consumers and local economies.

 

“MasterCard is at the heart of smart city development. We partner with innovative municipalities and companies around the world to realize unfulfilled potential across cities, ultimately transforming the urban experience for citizens and visitors,” says Will Judge, Head of Urban Mobility at MasterCard.

 

Bertrand Barthelemy, CEO of Parkeon adds: “Parkeon has a strong history of delivering innovative parking solutions and is thrilled to be working with the City of Las Vegas to bring City Connector to its citizens and local businesses. In partnership with MasterCard, we have developed a solution that is truly unique; City Connector has the potential to enhance how people interact in cities and we look forward to bringing this new service to other cities across the globe.”