Google launches Zavers, targeted digital coupons

Just so everyone knows, Zavers is a company (local to me here in Kansas City) that was bought by Google probably over 6 months ago now. This article doesn't even appear to mention that fact.

Edit: Here is the techcrunch link to the story when they bought it: http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/02/google-zave-networks/

The name annoys me coming from Google. I know making 'creative' names like this is all the rage for startups and it works for new companies but Google thankfully has used far more reasonable names (GMail for mail, groups for group messaging, images for their image search, etc).

Why couldn't they have just called this "Google Coupons" or "Google Savers" instead of adding that oh-so-annoying "Z".

I'm a little confused by this.

The article states that Google is primarily targeting online shoppers, but when you read a bit more about the program on the Retailers page on the product site, it talks extensively about benefits like not needing to scan coupons, increasing foot traffic (e.g offline commerce).

So is it a mobile/digital coupon solution, a "targeted" promo code for online shoppers, or both?

Google goes to show, time and again that no amount of resources (including a ton of money) or cross promotion or advertising alone can make a new product a huge success. Sometimes you just have to be lucky.

This is at least the third time Google has tried something like this; most recently they attempted to enter the daily deals market with Google Offers, after groupon turned down a buyout offer.

I think Zavers would see a whole lot success than they hope.

The whole automation thing would reduce the effect of coupons in the first place - they're forgetting the human psychology.

Don't think I'm wrong

With this, Google gets a lot of data about the last stage of the funnel, conversions/purchases.

Ha exactly what my startup has built! I guess the playing field just got interesting!

I hope this goes well for Google, wishing them the best.