Traditional flower bouquets remain the most popular gift for Valentine's Day

MIVA reveals worldwide Valentine trends based on analysis of billions of web searches

LONDON - February 14, 2005. MIVA, Inc., (NASDAQ: MIVA), Traditional flower bouquets remain the most popular gift for Valentine's in Europe and the US. So says Performance Marketing Network, MIVA (NASDAQ: MIVA), which today released details of the top Valentine related web searches from across its European and US network. According to MIVA further popular gifts for Valentine's include romantic getaways, jewellery and lingerie.

Despite all similarities in celebrating the day of love, the analysis of the most popular search terms also reveals some slight country-specific differences and customs. Key findings include:

Germany:

The Germans use text messages and ecards to say "I love you". While not a romantic form of communication, it is comforting that Germans - known as a nation of poets and philosophers - search for love poems as well.

UK:

Expensive gifts such as jewellery and lingerie are not common in Germany in contrast to the UK. The Brits treat their loved ones with luxury gifts such as jewellery or a romantic getaway to London, Edinburgh or Paris, the latter of which seems to be the epitome of romance.

Spain:

Romantic getaways ranked high in Spain. The Spanish also like to spend a romantic spa day or or to give lingerie on Valentine's Day.

Italy:

In Italy it seems that many couples celebrate their love with a city trip to Milan or Rome.

France:

The French also like romantic getaways while also counting on special Valentine's chocolate to say "I love you".

United States:

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day in the same fashion as the European. According to MIVA's analysis flowers - or rather roses - are the top gift on Valentine's Day followed by sterling silver jewellery.

The analysis Valentine's Day search terms shows that the Internet has become increasingly important in researching unique Valentine gifts and special ideas for loved ones.

MIVA records show that the number of Valentine's related searches have increased significantly in 2006 compared to the previous year. It also seems as if a lot of people who used to go to the corner florist are now buying Valentine flowers on the Internet as evidenced by the fact that the search term "delivery flower" and "flower online" were ranked top in all countries analysed by MIVA.

This trend is also reflected in a current survey from Constant Contact amongst 400 SMEs. According to the survey small-business owners expect to see strong online sales leading up to February 14. Promotion offers will be implemented by 70 percent of small businesses, many of which will count on online marketing to achieve their business goals.

"Analysing the search terms of the weeks before February 14th shows the growing significance of the internet as a research and retail channel for Valentine and other seasonal events", comments Seb Bishop, Director and CMO, MIVA. "Our advertisers can profit from this development by optimising their Pay-Per-Click and Pay-Per-Call campaigns accordingly in an effort to maximise online sales," he continued.

MIVA's Valentine's trends are revealed following the analysis of billions of monthly web queries from across the company's network of partner sites. This network includes leading websites, search engines and directories, as well as hundreds of vertically focused web publishers. The analysis covered the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the US.

About MIVA®, Inc.

MIVA is the leading independent Performance Marketing Network, dedicated exclusively to helping businesses grow. MIVA connects millions of buyers with sellers at exactly the right place and time. MIVA delivers qualified leads to advertisers, helps maximise revenue for partners, facilitates commerce for online merchants and provides relevant information to customers. The Company has relationships with approximately 100,000 businesses, spanning North America, Europe and Asia.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as "plan," "intend," "believe" or "expect'" or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including (1) our ability to develop and successfully market new products and services, (2) our ability to participate in the growth opportunities available in our market, (3) the ability of our products to generate revenue for our partners, and (4) the potential acceptance of new products in the market. Key risks are described MIVA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K/A for fiscal 2004, and the most recently filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q. MIVA undertakes no obligation to update the information contained herein.

®Registered trademark of MIVA, Inc.

Contact Details MIVA Contact: Alex Vlasto +44 (0)20 7943 5522 alex.vlasto@miva.com marketing.uk@miva.com

back >>