Ask the Swarming Expert

Looking for a sweet deal?

Bargain hunters now have a new place to search with the launch of daily deals website SwarmJam.com. Postmedia Network Inc. website updates daily with unique deals in 36 communities across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. “This is the fastest growing category online,” said Alvin Brouwer, president, business ventures, Postmedia Network. He said Postmedia Network’s dozens of established newspapers and news websites put the company in the perfect position to create a buzz among local shoppers, and its large sales force is capable of securing sweet deals from local vendors. “Consumers are always looking for a good deal, particularly at this time of year. And our advertisers are interested in new ways to engage customers. SwarmJam is the best of both worlds,” said Brouwer.

Offering a daily deal is “a fabulous way” for businesses to bring in new customers to experience what they have to o er, he added. “It’s also a great way for a consumer to try a new business for a lower price.”

SwarmJam will o er discounts on things like bowling, white-water rafting, haircuts, manicures, fast food and massages, he said. Each day, members are e-mailed the deal — which will be available for 24 hours. If they want in, they pay for it on the site with a credit card. Once enough people have bought the deal, they receive their voucher.

The site is powered by CityXpress, which has been live in Vancouver for a couple of months. “We think it’s good for consumers, we think

it’s good for vendors and we think it’ll be good for Postmedia,” Brouwer said. “Our goal, longer term, is to be best in class.”

SwarmJam is available in all the markets where Postmedia Network has papers