This week, the Macaroni Kid community of over 500 local publishers throughout the country and Canada announced it has been acquired by CertifiKID, a national website that offers discounts on kids' activities and family experiences. The combination of the two media brands makes CertifiKID and Macaroni Kid one of the largest and most extensive family-focused digital platforms nationwide.
CertifiKID Founder and CEO Jamie Ratner is a Washington, D.C.-area mom and self-professed “Expert Deal Finder”. She launched CertifiKID with her husband Brian in 2010 focusing on deals specifically geared to kids and families. CertifiKID took off immediately and has since grown into a $6M+ per year business with hundreds of thousands of parent members nationwide who purchase deals that save them up to 50% off on everything from indoor play places and amusement parks to family getaways and summer camps (Think Groupon for family-friendly experiences).
You may have seen the founders making a deal with Kevin "Mr. Wonderful" O'Leary on ABC's Shark Tank last year, one of his largest during his 12 seasons on the show:
“The exposure CertifiKID received from ‘Shark Tank’ and our partnership with Kevin O’Leary and his first-rate team have allowed us to grow exponentially over the past year to offer our family-friendly deals to even more parents across the country,” said CertifiKID Cofounder and President Brian Ratner. “Our acquisition of Macaroni Kid builds on this success by providing broader resources and more nationwide and hyper-local capability that are truly unparalleled in the industry.”
Macaroni Kid's extensive reach in over 500 communities across the country via hyper-local e-newsletters, websites and social media complements CertifiKID's parent-focused digital media and advertising prowess, allowing the company to deliver more of the best deals on family-friendly attractions, events, and experiences as well as kids' classes and activities.
What Will Happen to Macaroni Kid?
We're here to stay... and get even better! As explained in a recent meeting with local publishers, CertifiKID intends to keep the Macaroni Kid team, platform and all local editions in place as a complementary division. During a time when more resources are needed to support moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers, families throughout the country will have at their fingertips the best in digital parenting lifestyle content and a comprehensive resource for helping them on a budget. In other words, more family fun!
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as plans unfold to leverage the best of both brands. In the meantime, be sure to check out CertifiKID. Currently, CertifiKID doesn't offer any local special deals but Lowell Macaroni Kid is ready to embrace their platform and work with local businesses to bring local families exclusive deals every day on kids’ camps and classes, products, family activities, restaurants, entertainment, birthday party activities, special needs offers, and much MORE!
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