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Introducing Petentials.Com: The Internet for Pets – A
Community-Powered Hub Combining Pet Networking with Animal-centric Entertainment,
Information, and E-commerce
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 20, 2008) --- Orlando-based Petentials, Inc. blends
two thriving industries—the pet industry and online social networking—for
its new venture, Petentials.com, a user-powered Web community aiming to become
the world’s leading online portal for animal enthusiasts.
The brainchild of sociologist/filmmaker Darren McDaniel, Petentials
is a client of the UCF Technology Incubator. The Web site
provides animal enthusiasts a unique ability to form communities,
access animal-themed products and resources, share information
and entertainment, and develop a complete online presence for
each of their pets.
“Online social networking is the phenomenon of our generation,” McDaniel
says. “We’ve built a one-of-a-kind social network
around something held dear in two-thirds of Americans homes—pets.” Social
networking websites already boast 57 million users in the U.S.,
a number expected to grow to 69 million in 2008. While
MySpace and Facebook get the most attention, “the new
era is a battle of the niches,” McDaniel says. “We’re
fortunate enough to be serving a thriving and passionate niche—and
an incredibly popular one at that.”
Petentials stands out with its fun, lighthearted tone—taking
a “by animals, for animals” perspective. “People
love talking about their animals, but finding an appreciative
audience isn’t always easy. Our vision for this
site is to provide animal lovers a welcoming forum for connecting
and sharing with others by expressing themselves through their
pets,” says McDaniel.
“Our team and our approach make the site as much fun
to build as it is to use,” McDaniel says. A Beta
version of the website is already ‘live’ on the
Internet with a wide range of features that includes finding/posting
news items and local events; sharing videos, pictures, and blogs;
connecting pets through a “dating” service designed
to link prospective playmates and/or breeding pairs; and – soon – soliciting
free online veterinarian advice.
Among the first several hundred users are Buddy the golden retriever,
Miso the Siamese, OneDay the ball python, and Bun the stuffed
rabbit. “We welcome all species and breeds—real
or imagined,” says McDaniel, “but you have to be
a human adult to create an account.” Registration
at the site is free for adults.
1“The Promise of Social Network Advertising.” eMarketer. December
14, 2007.
eMarketer. http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1005688
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For more information, contact:
Kia Misowitz, Communications Director, Petentials, Inc. 407-342-8106 kmisowitz@petentials.com
Darren McDaniel, President, Petentials, Inc. 407-616-7546 dmcdaniel@petentials.com
Tom O’Neal or Carol Ann Dykes, UCF Technology Incubator,
407-882-0202
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, LV Communications, 407-644-4142
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About the UCF Technology Incubator
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Technology Incubator has helped
more than 90 emerging technology companies create over $200
million in annual revenue and more than 800 new jobs with an
average salary of $59,000. The UCF Technology Incubator was
named 2004 Incubator of the Year by the National Business Incubation
Association. Headquartered in Research Park near the University,
the Incubator is a true collaboration in economic development
between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando, the Florida
High Tech Corridor Council and the Metro Orlando Economic Development
Commission. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu.
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