Mashalot Launches In Minneapolis!

Co-founders John Marino and Joe Serrano announced the official launch of Mashalot, a social retail marketplace. The site provides a unique social retail experience that allows businesses to promote products and services, while “Mashers” leverage their own social networks to save money on products and services. Serrano and Marino plan to launch Mashalot nationally in early March of 2012 at the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. “Joe and I knew that consumers and small businesses deserved more power in the marketplace. Big business has the advertising dollars to buy influence but small businesses really need the power of social media and word of mouth to build a customer base and drive revenue,” said John Marino. “Mashalot is our way of equalizing the market using the power of the consumer. With Mashalot, everybody wins."

Mashalot works by encouraging consumers or “Mashers” to use their social media influence to gain special pricing from participating Mashalot businesses. Transactions in the marketplace are called “Mashes”. Mashes can be created by a business transaction that drives specific promotions, or with a consumer-driven price request from an individual or group of Mashers. Each Mashalot ad is available for five days and all promotions are pre-approved to meet Mashalot advertising guidelines. “Foursquare introduced the idea of a mayor, but there really is no additional influence gained with that title. With Mashalot, “Mega-Mashers” gain followers and can greatly influence pricing and promotions within the marketplace,” said Joe Serrano. “Mashalot is a social retail marketplace combining the advantages of several popular social media networks. The marketplace helps a business drive sales through social media to achieve measurable success using the power of Facebook. It also significantly increases the influence of the customer.” 

Businesses are charged no upfront fee to participate in Mashalot and revenue for the company is 100% commission-based. Several local Twin Cities businesses have already signed up including Suburban Chevrolet in Eden Prairie, La Casita Mexican Restaurants and Lucky Dog Pet Lodge in Bloomington. Mashers may also request a “Mash Your Price” from non-participating businesses. Mashalot will then contact the requested business to negotiate the Mash. About Mashalot – More power for the Consumer. More power for the Business. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mashalot is the first online marketplace embedded in social media. Fully integrated with Facebook, Mashalot helps businesses grow their fan base while consumers leverage their own social network to save money on products and services. Mashalot is co-founded by John Marino and Joe Serrano. Marino is the founder of online publisher Brio and RSP Marketing, a social media management firm. Serrano was the founder of Vantagio.com, a consumer ecommerce company. For more information visit www.mashalot.com.

Check out Mashalot on Facebook, as well as Mashalot on Twitter.