SM CHAMBER — In a first of its kind promotion that Chamber of Commerce officials hope will generate buzz for some of their members, five Santa Monica businesses this week will be featured by the Web site groupon.com, which promises “one ridiculously huge coupon each day.”
For each of the 47 cities the site covers, the company offers a steep discount at a different business every day, giving out savings as high as 90 percent to go to selected restaurants, spas, and hotels, or to try something new, like sky diving or a live lobster delivery service.
Through a special arrangement with the Santa Monica Chamber, for the week beginning April 12 the site’s Los Angeles page will feature “Santa Monica Week,” with a deal at a local business offered Monday through Friday.
The deals will include a $50 certificate for La Cachette Bistro available for $25 through the Web site, and an admission ticket to Pacific Park for just $10.
Enzyme Bath at Willow Spa, Border Grill and the Fairmont Miramar and Bungalows hotel are also offering discounts through the promotion.
True to its name, the coupons are only good if a large enough group takes the offers.
To Laurel Rosen, the Santa Monica Chamber’s CEO, the partnership with Groupon was a good way to highlight local companies and to promote the city’s Buy Local campaign.
“People are always excited about Santa Monica, so we’re always looking for those opportunities,” she said of the arrangement.
Julie Mossler, Groupon’s public relations manager, said Santa Monica was a natural choice for the promotion because it has “so many really strong, classic local businesses.”
“It was really important that we do it with the kind of local city that has its own personality.”
The companies that will be featured this week, she said, are perfect examples of the kinds of businesses Groupon likes to spotlight.
“We feel like it’s the best of the best,” she said.
For the companies taking part, the promotion offers the chance to bring in new customers through a novel marketing approach.
Sam Jagger, director of sales and marketing at the Fairmont Miramar, said he’s expecting about 250 people to jump at the chance for a one-night stay at the hotel for $219, which is about 40 percent off the normal rate. The Fairmont Miramar coupon will be available through Groupon on Friday.
Jagger said participating in the promotion is a way to support the goals of the chamber while doing something that makes good business sense.
“You’ve got to embrace new technologies, and this is one of those opportunities that I think we’re going to see for the foreseeable future,” he said.
nickt@www.smdp.com
