News

Trehy flies to Shopping Mall Online

March 19, 2002

EVERSON, Wash. - Veteran airline executive V. Roni Trehy has joined Shopping Mall Online, Inc., as vice president of aviation new business development as the on-line retail company prepares to launch its line of E-Station kiosks in airport terminals, the company announced in a news release.

Trehy, who will also serve on the company's advisory board, has worked for six different airlines, including Israeli carrier El Al Airlines and World Airways, as a sales and marketing executive. Her experience has included developing marketing strategies with airlines in North and South America, Africa, and Europe.

Shopping Mall Online recently created a new division, SMO Airport Information Systems, in preparation for introducing its airport kiosks. The company hopes to cater to travelers with the new kiosks by providing concourse information, services, and gift-card programs tied to airport shopping areas. A rollout date for the airport kiosks was not given in the release.

The company's expansion plans come as it prepares for a planned merger with Skytalk Communications. The two companies signed a letter of intent to merge on July 26. Terms of the deal have not been announced.

The move into airports is part of an expansion model developed in recent months by Shopping Mall Online. After originally developing a business plan catering to shopping malls, the company has expanded its scope to airports, discount retail centers, and international locales. But the company did unveil a new kiosk for shopping malls, Center Mall, at the International Council of Shopping Centers Spring Convention in Las Vegas in May. Center Mall offers coupons, maps, gift cards, and mall reward programs.