Guess Who Just Got into the Daily Deal Biz?

MasterCard’s newest partnership moves one of the nation’s largest payments networks into the daily deal space.

Merchants and issuers are the keys to MasterCard’s approach to deals — those groups, plus its teaming up with Local Offer Network, a Chicago-based player in the group buying space.

The release — reprinted below — isn’t precise about how MasterCard will be partnering with merchants and issuers to roll out these new discount offerings to consumers. But it won’t be long before we know more: the companies say they will deliver “specific offers programs” by the end of the quarter.

Here’s what MasterCard had to say about its newest venture:

MasterCard today announced plans to expand its support of issuer and merchant efforts to meet Americans’ desire for increased shopping value through relevant “daily deal” offers.

This daily deal content will initially be powered by Local Offer Network, a pioneer in deal aggregation and syndication services, and integrated with products and solutions delivered by MasterCard to issuers and through other network programs. Through these activities, MasterCard will help reinforce merchant and issuer connectivity with consumers through mobile, social media and traditional shopping channels.

“Increasingly, consumers are looking for a great deal and savings- whether that is in paper coupons or through digital channels that create a more enhanced holistic shopping experience,” said Mario Shiliashki, group head, U.S. Markets emerging payments lead, MasterCard. “Our collaboration with partners like Local Offer Network will make MasterCard the ‘go-to’ offers solution for merchants and issuers looking for a stronger connection with our cardholders.”

Through MasterCard Offers Services, merchants will be exposed to a broad consumer base through a simple, easy-to-navigate technology system. At the same time, issuers will have access to relevant and geo-targeted offers from hundreds of local and regional merchants. The result is a win-win for their shared customers.

“From day one, we’ve focused on providing consumers with great deals across the broadest range of products and services,” said Dan Hess, CEO and co-founder, Local Offer Network. “Our partnership with MasterCard reinforces the continued value of the deals segment to shoppers, merchants and the financial institutions that serve them.”

MasterCard and Local Offer Network are working with issuers to deliver specific offers programs by the end of this quarter.

For additional information, issuers and merchants should contact their MasterCard account manager. Deal originators wishing to participate should contact Local Offer Network at originators@localoffernetwork.com.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Learn more at www.mastercard.com, follow us on Twitter @mastercardnews or join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog.

About Local Offer Network

Local Offer Network (LON) creates new competitive advantages in the fast-growing group buying market. LON products and services include DealWire™, a web-wide distribution network that allows publishers to tap new revenue streams, and group buying sites to achieve instant audience scale; VoucherPro™, an offer creation platform that enables the rapid creation of new daily deal advertising products; and Dealradar.com, a convenient deal-shopping tool for consumers in 130 markets in four countries.