A Christchurch-based internet auction site billed as a world first when it started two years ago is set to go global.
Australian-born marketing guru Bob Pritchard is taking Webuy to the world, through his international Market Force One organisation.
Webuy traders are allocated shares in the online co-operative, in a unique concept that has attracted the attention of Mr Pritchard, named International Marketer of the Year in 1999.
Now based in Los Angeles, his Market Force One organisation operates in the United States, Europe and Australia, focusing on sales, marketing and motivation.
Confirming his involvement in a letter to Webuy founder and director Christchurch entrepreneur Brooke McKenzie this week, Mr Pritchard said he was embracing the concept globally "with great enthusiasm".
Market Force One looked at more than 3000 projects in the last year, identifying just six with "potential to be a true global success story", Mr Pritchard said.
In an era when great online concepts could become "enormously successful" he said he believed Webuy was "another such opportunity".
"A great idea where its customers share in its success, where the entrepreneurs who created it, in Barack Obama's words, are `spreading the wealth around'.
"I believe that Webuy provides its users not only enjoyment, but an opportunity to share in very considerable wealth in the future," he said.
Webuy New Zealand Ltd would remain a separate stand-alone company linked to the global entity. Discussions on the company structure were continuing.
Mr McKenzie said he welcomed the approach from Mr Pritchard which would take Webuy to a new level.
"We're appreciative that such an organisation as Market Force One and Bob Pritchard have decided to run with the Webuy concept."
