Bazaarvoice, the market and technology leader in hosted social commerce applications that drive sales, announced that JVC Company of America, a leader in consumer electronics, has launched the Bazaarvoice social commerce platform with Ratings & Reviews solution to allow its customers to contribute and browse product reviews on JVC.com, creating a wealth of user-generated content that serves as a resource for shoppers wanting to learn more about JVC products. Customers can now easily access the unbiased opinions of others in order to make the most educated purchase decisions, improving overall satisfaction while reducing customer service calls and costs. JVC also plans to use reviewers’ feedback as a guide to product design and development, furthering the benefits of Ratings & Reviews for its customers and company.

“Bazaarvoice Ratings & Reviews brings relevant user-generated content directly to our product pages, which allows our customers to hear from people just like them as they consider what to buy. As a result, customers are happier with their purchases and make fewer calls to the customer support center,” said Karl Bearnarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing at JVC Company of America. “Reviews can also provide feedback about what we are doing right or wrong on a product level, and insight into how we can improve our customer service. JVC’s partnership with Bazaarvoice helps us to improve customers’ experiences so they can make better informed decisions and be more satisfied.”

JVC selected Bazaarvoice as its social commerce partner based on Bazaarvoice’s deep industry expertise and proven track record of success with other retail manufacturers. Bazaarvoice seamlessly integrates with JVC’s existing Web site and IT deployments, and provides market-leading technology, strategic services, and cutting-edge analytics to help JVC maximize the return on its social commerce investment. JVC also chose Bazaarvoice due to its ease of use for consumers. With Ratings & Reviews, customers are easily able to read, write, and navigate reviews to get the best possible information on products before purchasing them.

“Research shows that user-generated product reviews have a tremendous influence on online and offline purchases,” said Sam Decker, CMO of Bazaarvoice. “JVC clearly understands the importance of allowing its advocates to share their experiences with other shoppers in building its brand, boosting engagement, and driving sales – and is taking the important next step of operationalizing this feedback in order to improve product design, merchandising efforts, and marketing programs. We look forward to working closely with JVC to help them create the best possible customer experience for JVC shoppers and realize the benefits of an integrated social commerce program.”

About JVC Company of America

JVC Company of America, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a division of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Ltd., and a holding company for JVC companies located in North and South America. JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipment, including high definition displays, camcorders, DVD players and recorders, home and portable audio equipment, headphones, mobile entertainment products and recording media. For further product information, visit JVC’s Web site at http://www.jvc.com or call 800-526-5308.

About Bazaarvoice

Bazaarvoice offers outsourced technology, services, analytics, and expertise to help companies enhance the online shopping experience with social commerce applications that drive sales. Bazaarvoice Ratings & Reviews™, Ask & Answer™, and Stories™ deliver immediate success by minimizing implementation risk and maximizing the strategic impact of user-generated content through complete customization, deep integration, community management, advanced analytics, search engine optimization, and syndication across the Web and to offline channels.

Bazaarvoice's recent awards include the 2008 ClickZ Marketing Excellence Award for Best Social Media Marketing Platform and the Austin Business Journal's 2007 Tech Innovator Award. Bazaarvoice currently serves over 290 eCommerce leaders including Borders, Dell, Macy’s, Office Depot, Inc., Overstock.com, PETCO, P&G, QVC, Sears, and ZipRealty. The company has headquarters in Austin, TX, and offices in London, Paris, and Singapore. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.bazaarvoice.com, read the blog at www.bazaarblog.com, or email info@bazaarvoice.com.