Savored.com Hires Former AOL Exec as Chief Revenue Officer

It’s shakin an bakin time  

Savored.com – formerly known as VillageVines – just announced the hiring of Mike DeLuca, a former AOL sales Exec. Mike will be responsible for expansion, sales, and revenues at Savored, a ‘foodie’ daily dealer that offers discounted (insider) pricing at high-end restaurants.

Mr. DeLuca’s resume (as seen on LinkedIn) is rather impressive:

• EMC in the 90′s is where I learned everything there is to know about cutthroat sales where losing was not an option.
• Switched over to digital/media in 2003 at Yahoo. Built a huge team and brought it attitude.
• Next was Yodle where we took a 2M company to 67M in less than 3 years.
• I am currently Chief Revenue Officer at Savored.com which is a rapidly growing startup focused (today) on the high end restaurant space.

Mike also has a full plate serving as an advisor at Yodle, Etico Capital, Applied DNA and most recently, Clickable. It’s interesting to note there was NO mention of AOL. Considering how fast Mike’s LinkedIn was up-dated, it appears as though he is stoked about the move.

According to Mike, “I am responsible for revenue at rapidly growing, NY based startup, Savored.com,” it reads. “Venture backed by Hearst, High Peaks and my boy, Mike Lazerow of Buddy Media. I am tasked with growing and managing all things revenue, including sales, strategy, acct mgmt, ops and BD.” He also states that, “Savored is not a deal site but it is an intelligent and more sustainable iteration of the craze.”

The reality is that although Mr. DeLuca believes that “Savored is not a deal site”, it certainly acts and functions similar to one. Mike and Savored still have to deal with the never-ending complexity of empty restaurant tables. Restaurants want a full house; diners want their discounts. Many have gotten accustomed to 50% off which equates to a 2 for 1. Savored members seem to or have been molded to receive a 30 percent discount discreetly applied at the end of the meal. Certainly that price break point is advantageous for the restaurants.

One intriguing platform that Mike gets to work with is “Savored Signatures”. Savored restaurants and other highly-acclaimed industry names partner with their Signatures brand to craft and market unique experiences ranging from mixology classes to elaborate private dinners with Michelin-winning chefs. Savored Signatures launched October, 2011 in New York and plans on adding nine markets later this year.

Time will tell whether or not Mr. DeLuca can tantalize new members with savory deals. Either way, congratulations Mike on your new position and best of luck on your “more intelligent and sustainable”  journey along the daily dealing highway.

About Savored.com:

Savored (formerly VillageVines) brings you access to insider pricing with the most popular restaurants across the United States. We make the dining experiences of our members more convenient and more affordable, and we do so by partnering with the finest restaurants – from the storied icons to the up and coming gemsS

 Source: BetaBeat