In an effort to provide readers with the latest news and
information across multiple platforms, USA TODAY is pleased to offer an
innovative text messaging service that provides real- time news and
information to users through their mobile phones. USA TODAY is the only
national newspaper to offer this mobile service, which augments the news
readers rely on from the print edition and USATODAY.com's desktop
and mobile web sites.
USA TODAY partners with 4INFO, Inc., a pioneer in mobile search and
text messaging services, to offer this informative and entertaining
service to its readers. Users sign up to receive free text alerts on the
subjects that are most important to them -- from news, sports scores,
stock quotes and weather forecasts to celebrities, movies, travel, and a
variety of other topics. Promoted daily in the newspaper, anyone can
sign up by sending a text message to the short code 44636, along with a
key word for the subject desired.
"USA TODAY's short code-based text message partnership is
yet another innovation for a brand that is continually embracing new
platforms and the latest technologies," said Jeff Webber, senior
vice president of advertising for USA TODAY and publisher of
USATODAY.com. "This service capitalizes on core brand strengths and
offers great new real-time interactive services for readers and
advertisers."
When readers receive a text alert with their news or entertainment
information, messages are often accompanied by a small ad offering
related benefits or special offers. Consumers can then reply via text
message to the ad for more information. In addition to promoting
products and services, advertisers can leverage this mobile platform to
deliver coupons and contest entries, collect email addresses, conduct
polls and provide directions to the nearest store or physical location.
Advertisers are beginning to maximize the benefits of directly
engaging consumers with their brands in a medium (text message) that
allows them the ability to refine their targets. Chevrolet rolled out a
mobile advertising initiative with USA TODAY and 4INFO's text
messaging platform in 2006. During the 2007 March Madness tournament,
more than 750,000 text messages were sent to USA TODAY readers, many of
whom were looking for updates on the NCAA basketball tournament. These
consumers were able to reply to the ads to find the Chevrolet dealer
closest to them.
"4INFO is pleased to partner with USA TODAY, the nation's
top-selling newspaper, to provide a service to consumers as well as to
marketers looking to connect with an engaged, tech-savvy audience,"
said Zaw Thet, CEO of 4INFO. "The SMS/text messaging technology of
4INFO, combined with the reach of USA TODAY, provides a powerful
combination for advertisers as well as a valuable source of information
for readers."
A leading provider of SMS/Text messaging technology, 4INFO connects
companies with their mobile audiences. 4INFO's SMS/Text Publishing
Platform gives publishers the easiest and most trusted means to mobilize
and monetize their content and our ad network gives marketers the only
opportunity available today to connect with mobile audiences via
targeted, relevant SMS/Text advertising. 4INFO's consumer suite of
mobile services provides real-time access to sports scores, stock
quotes, 411, weather updates, horoscopes, and a host of other
information and entertainment services. 4INFO's investment partners
include U.S. Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Gannett
Company, Inc. 4INFO is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. Learn more at:
http://www.4info.net/
USA TODAY, the nation's top-selling newspaper, will be
celebrating its 25th anniversary on September 15th, 2007. It is
published via satellite at 36 locations in the USA and at four sites
abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY
is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc.
(NYSE:GCI) . The USA TODAY brand also includes: USATODAY.com, an
award-winning news and information Web site that is updated 24 hours per
day; USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a magazine for enthusiasts of professional
football and baseball; USA TODAY Mobile, offering up-to-the minute news
and information on a variety of mobile platforms and devices; and USA
TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the USA TODAY brand that brings the
spirit and quality of the newspaper to television.
For more information, visit http://www.usatoday.com and
http://www.4info.net or call 703/854-5304.
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