Skift Take

Poster was the person who created actor William Shatner's ubiquitous "Priceline Negotiator" character.

Jord Poster, a Priceline.com co-founder who went on to create the fan philanthropist company Charity Partners, died last night at Brigham and Women’s Hospital after a nine-month bout with non-smokers lung cancer.

The lifelong Boston resident was 56. News of his death was confirmed today by current Charity Partners CEO Jay Whitehead, who said Poster was the person who created actor William Shatner’s ubiquitous “Priceline Negotiator” character for the commercial website that helps users get discounts on airline tickets and hotel stays.

“Jord was a giant in the online entertainment and marketing world,” Whitehead said. “Without him, the concept of turning buying into giving with online purchases would not exist. He pioneered the concept of name your own price for Priceline.”

Whitehead said Shatner was the first major star to take company stock for his endorsement.

In 2005, Poster founded Charity Partners, a company that turns fans into philanthropists, and Tickets-for-Charity, a company that sells professional sports and entertainment tickets with a portion of sales going to charity. Since its inception, Charity Partners has raised about $20 million for charities, Whitehead said. Poster stepped down as CEO in April to become chairman of the company.

Before becoming part of the founding team at Priceline, Poster was the president of American Express’ VIP division, and a senior vice president at Hub-based advertising agency Hill Holliday.

Poster, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-smokers lung cancer in September 2011, also owned a second home in Nantucket, Whitehead said. He is survived by his wife Allison and two young sons.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

(c)2012 the Boston Herald. Distributed by MCT Information Services.

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