Mobile Marketing Association: Mobile Marketing To Grow 26% This Year

Average mobile marketing budgets will increase 26% this year even as overall marketing expenditures decline by 7% this year, according to new research presented by the Mobile Marketing Association Wednesday at its conference in New York.

While mobile is bucking the downward spending trend resulting from the recession, the emerging medium is still only a small fraction of total marketing budgets, at 1.8%. The MMA projects that mobile ad spending will grow from $1.7 billion this year to $2.16 billion in 2010.

The trade group found that about half of brands and advertising agencies it polled were doing at least some type of mobile marketing, with SMS text campaigns being the most common at 66%, followed by having a mobile Web site (53%), and mobile email marketing (33%).

About half of agencies said they overall viewed mobile marketing as still being part of experimental expending, compared to 36% of brands. Both brands and agencies reported having "average" success with mobile efforts compared to other marketing channels.

While that might not be the ringing endorsement the industry would like to hear, MMA President and CEO Mike Wehrs said the increase in mobile spending despite the downturn shows that more dollars are shifting to the category from traditional media. "The benefits of [mobile marketing] are clear and they're being proven out," said Wehrs, in terms of metrics like ad response rates and brand lift found in MMA case studies.

Peter Johnson, who is leading the MMA's research efforts as vice president of market intelligence and strategy, said the findings highlighted mobile's strengths as a vehicle for performance-based advertising. "This recession just provides more evidence to show marketers are putting in dollars where they're going to be able to track and target and serve it. So, of course, mobile," he said.

Not surprisingly, the study also showed that the Internet is the medium that advertisers are most often integrating mobile efforts with, at 70%. Less expected is that trade shows and other promotional events would be the next most popular type of marketing effort tied into mobile, at 36%.

The MMA research, which the organization plans to release more widely in the coming days, also relied on input from partners including the Advertising Database Inc. and Luth Research.

by Mark Walsh

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=107270

Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) today opened its annual Mobile Marketing Forum (MMF) in New York

The two-day event discusses such topics as consumer engagement, branding in the mobile channel and social media. Featuring executives from companies with widely recognized brands, the MMF emphasizes marketers’ case studies and discussions around privacy, location services and creating opportunities through the evolution of the market. “

Consumer privacy will continue to be at the core of our organization, with an emphasis on education and awareness around making the mobile marketing ecosystem profitable for all involved,” said Mike Wehrs, president and CEO of the MMA.

Wehrs said that the show’s attendance was good and said the investment in mobile advertising this year is definitely there. "By far, this year is the largest spend in mobile advertisement we have ever seen," he said.

In March, the MMA announced that the four largest U.S. wireless service providers – Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile USA – had agreed to incorporate their mobile marketing guidelines within the MMA’s best practices, resulting in a transparent, consolidated playbook of consumer best practices.

Wehrs today said that the MMA will be announcing some big news in the next couple of weeks. While he couldn’t be specific, he said the new solution from MMA “will have an enabling effect for everyone in the ecosystem. We just need a little bit more time to get a couple pieces in place.”

By Andrew Berg WirelessWeek
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article.aspx?id=169794

GoMo News reveals several new sponsors NeoMedia, Win, Movidilo and ZeepMedia

I am delighted to announce and welcome some new sponsors to GoMo News. I am sure you will know them as many are repeat sponsors of GoMo News – showing that we are indeed a great place to advertise.

Not only do we deliver great traffic to sites we also write relevant detailed analysis and news on our sponsors independently. But that isn’t all. I spoke to everyone that is sponsoring us and to past sponsors and the main reason they love GoMo News is partnerships.

It is indeed true. Cian and I know everyone in mobile and we attend all the good conferences. If we have a sponsor nearby we make sure we introduce them to the best brands, publishers and vendors to support their business.

Everyone knows that word of mouth and introductions are vital to succeed and that is what GoMo News does best.

So, more about our great sponsors:

NeoMedia

Mobile barcode provider with a mobile reader solution. It owns the patent for indirect barcode solutions in mobile. NeoMedia has signed up as a GoMo News headline sponsor for the next year. Yep! One year! This is a major package with different benefits tailored to trade shows. Two headline banners are also included and regular interviews with the CEO.

Win PLC

Mobile solutions and platform provider with a strong enterprise arm. WIN-plc has been a sponsor of GoMo News for the past 12 months and will now be a Gold sponsor for the next year. Last year we drove over 3,000 visitors per quarter to the WIN website and we hope to improve on that over the next 12 months! WIN is a very innovative company and an interview with CEO Graham Rivers will be published this week.

Movidilo


Movidilo is the mobile arm of mobile voice solutions company Ydilo. It provides mobile voice and visual multi-modal solutions to clients. An interview with Movidilo will be published this week focusing on some innovative voice and visual solutions. This is the third time Movidilo has sponsored GoMo News and some exciting video and interviews to follow.

ZeepMedia


ZeepMedia is a self-service mobile SMS solutions provider. It is our first every CPM based advertiser. We will be running an SMS campaign on ZeepMedia and will publish the results. We already did a review of the new self-service platform. Waiting for two more! Hopefully we will also showcase two more companies here We have lots of opportunities and we are affordable, strong and independent. A great place to show that you don’t buy good reviews you buy banners for honest, simple opinion.

Courtesy: Bena Roberts on Jun 1, 2009 16:55

NeuStar Appoints Eric Burger as Chief Technology Officer

Respected Technologist Brings Deep Expertise in Communications Technologies and Entrepreneurship to CTO Role.

STERLING, Va., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jeffrey Ganek, chairman and chief executive officer of NeuStar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR - News), today announced the appointment of Eric Burger to the position of chief technology officer. Burger will be responsible for setting NeuStar's forward-looking technology and service strategy, and devising the architecture to help strengthen the company's position by developing new services and solutions. He also will oversee the early stages of new technology development, and will work closely with NeuStar's operations team to drive the successful launch and commercialization of future IP services.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080310/NEUSTARLOGO )

"Eric has an unparalleled combination of technical acumen and entrepreneurial savvy, and I am delighted to welcome him to NeuStar," said Ganek. "He is, first and foremost, a highly respected scientist with a proven skill set in technology strategy, market evangelization, intellectual property generation and research. Eric's broad expertise in communications technologies and his active leadership in standards organizations in the industry are just two of the many attributes that will make him a key contributor to NeuStar's future success."

Prior to joining NeuStar, Burger was acting general manager of the Communications Products Division at BEA Systems, Inc., where he also held the posts of deputy chief technology officer and vice president of engineering earlier in his BEA tenure. He also has served as chief technology officer at Cantata Technology, Inc. and Brooktrout, Inc.; founder and chief technology officer at SnowShore Networks, Inc.; chief scientist at Centigram Communications Corporation; vice president of engineering at The Telephone Connection, Inc.; and manager of software development at Cable & Wireless USA, Inc.

In addition, Burger currently chairs various Internet Engineering Task Force working groups involving Speech Services Control, Mobile and Unified Messaging, and Media Server Control, and is actively involved with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Association of Computer Machinery. He sits on the Boards of Advisors at Mobera Systems, AGNITY, Sigma Systems and Dexrex LLC, and is Chairman of the Board of Directors at the SIP Forum.

Finally, Burger holds 17 published patents in the United States with several pending, holds additional patents in other countries, and has been widely published in technical and standards publications. Burger holds a Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology; an MBA in economics and marketing from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium; and a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Nokia Selects NeoReader For Star Trek QR Code

Nokia has selected NeoMedia's NeoReader as the preferred QR code reading application for their Star Trek mobile code campaign.

Star Trek fans are encouraged to point their phone's browser to get.neoreader.com which will link them to the NeoReader download site. Once the NeoReader code scanning software is installed on their device, fans can scan the QR code which will connect them to mobile content.

This marks the third mobile code promotion between Nokia and NeoMedia Technologies. Due to the overwhelming success of Nokia's past two campaigns with NeoMedia and IQ mobile, mobile code enthusiasts can expect more promotions like this now and into the future.

Courtesy: Streetstylz

Spektacle Selects NeoReader For QR Codes

Spektacle, a contemporary culture bi-monthly magazine, selected NeoMedia's NeoReader as the preferred QR code reading application for their spring 2009 edition.

Throughout the magazine, readers will be greeted by a series of QR codes that act as a turnstile to another world. Using the NeoReader iPhone application as a first class ticket, readers are encouraged to scan codes from page to page and connect to everything good Spektacle has to offer.

After finishing one article, simply move on to the next one and scan again to experience a new way of interactive reading.


Courtesy: Streetstylz

Dornbirner Messe & T-Mobile Select NeoMedia

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, and philipp, an Austrian-based mobile solutions and services company, were selected by Dornbirner Messe and T-Mobile, to provide 2D barcode services for the spring exhibition Frühjahrsmesse, which took place in Dornbirn, Austria.

Trade fair organizer, Dornbirner Messe used 2D codes from NeoMedia in their promotion campaigns for Frühjahrsmesse.

Visitors at the spring exhibition were encouraged to text MESSE via SMS over the T-Mobile network, which linked them to the NeoReader download site. Once the NeoReader code scanning software was installed on their device, visitors could scan the Data Matrix code, which connected them to mobile content.

Through NeoMedia, traditional advertising is instantly transformed into a multi-media experience when advertisers incorporate 2D barcodes into their marketing mix. Any product, magazine/newspaper, retail display or billboard with a 2D code can provide access to real-time product or service information, downloadable content or mobile commerce transactions.


Courtesy: Streetstylz

NeoReader Latest Campaigns Available On Website

Neoreader website now has latest "live 2d barcodes" ..... they just added links to their latest campaigns including tele.ring, mazda, nokia, dornbirn, volkswagen, etc.

Tele.ring (2009/05)
Mobile network operator, tele.ring, has started an innovative 2D code campaign to educate people on mobile code reading and mobile tagging in more than 260 highschools throughout Austria.

Mazda (2009/05)
To promote the pre-launch of its new Mazda 3, car manufacturer Mazda has run an innovative QR code campaign in Austrian magazines Sport Week and Format.

Nokia (2009/04)
NOKIA has leveraged 2D codes in their advertising campaign to promote the Nokia Music Device 5800 via the Mobilezone®, a major catalog retailer in Switzerland.

Dornbirn (2009/04)
Trade fair organizer, Dornbirner Messe, has used 2D codes in their promotion campaigns for the spring exhibition "Frühjahrsmesse" taking place in Dornbirn, Austria.

Volkswagen (2009/02)
Volkswagen has run a mobile barcode scanning campaign to promote its new Siroco car. While scannig the 2D code in several Austrian magazines, car fans are able to preview the Siroco video trailer on their mobile phone for free (zero-billing).

NeoReader

Courtesy: fuego10

tele.ring Partners With NeoMedia & IQ Mobile

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, was selected by IQ mobile, the leading mobile marketing company in Central Europe, to provide 2D barcoding services for Austrian carrier tele.ring.

With the support of the youth marketers, Young Enterprises will be introducing Mobile Tagging technology at 263 Middle and Secondary schools. For this campaign, mobile advertising tags will be placed on posters with a detailed explanation on how to download the NeoReader code scanning software from NeoMedia Technologies. By scanning the tags with their mobile device, students are directly connected to a campaign site where they can access free content.

"tele.ring is famous for its unconventional form of communication. We have considered a new way to communicate with the youthful target audience to engage in dialog. Young people are mobile, alert and always interested in new things. With our Mobile Tagging campaign, we reach our target audience efficiently and can mobilize. In the first five school days, there were over 250 Reader software downloads, 225 day-scans and page views, as well as 90 content downloads," said Peter Hörlezeder, communications director at tele.ring.

"The tagging campaign by tele.ring is something very special. Mobile tagging is not only part of the campaign, but the main actor. They give a detailed description of how it works. As expected, is precisely the target group of young people very experimental, mobile tagging is perfectly placed here," said Harald Winkelhofer, founder and CEO of mobile marketing agency IQ mobile.

IQ mobile already has numerous campaigns in various sectors (including automotive, cosmetics, telecom) and media (tags on posters, city lights, mail, magazines and newspapers) and the response has always been excellent.

The creation and implementation of this mobile tagging campaign was carried out in cooperation with Young Enterprises and NeoMedia Technologies. IQ mobile was the brainstorming and the complete implementation of mobile, Young Enterprises was responsible for the billboard advertising in schools and NeoMedia provided the code reader software and 2D barcodes.


Courtesy: Streetstylz

Mazda & NeoMedia Technologies Launch QR Code Campaign In Australia

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, has been selected by Mazda to power an innovative QR code campaign in Austrian magazines Sport Week and Format to promote the pre-launch of the new Mazda 3.

Readers of the magazines are encouraged to text CODE to 48000 which will link them to the NeoReader download site. Once the NeoReader code scanning software is installed on their device, readers can scan the QR code which will connect them to mobile content.

Through NeoMedia, traditional advertising is instantly transformed into a multi-media experience when advertisers incorporate 2D barcodes into their marketing mix. Any product, magazine/newspaper, retail display or billboard with a 2D code can provide access to real-time product or service information, downloadable content or mobile commerce transactions.

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

Nokia & NeoMedia Technologies Extend 2D Code Campaign To Switzerland

Due to the overwhelming success of the recently concluded multi-channel Nokia Navigation phone promotion in Austria, Nokia, IQ mobile and NeoMedia Technologies have extended their 2D code campaign to Switzerland.

IQ mobile uses NeoMedia’s patented technologies to provide their customers with mobile advertising campaigns that leverage 2D barcodes. The NeoReader application delivers a fast and accurate scanning experience to consumers and the NeoSphere code management platform provides IQ mobile with a simple but powerful tool to create, track and measure 2D barcode campaigns.

"The performance of the 2D code campaign has far exceeded both ours and Nokia’s expectations. Due to the strong response rates and opt-in interest, Nokia will be incorporating more campaigns with 2D codes in Central Europe. We are currently running a campaign in Switzerland featuring 2D codes to promote the Nokia Music Device 5800 via the Mobilezone®, a major catalog retailer," said Harald Winkelhofer, Founder & CEO of IQ mobile. "In general, the 2D code technology plays a very important role in all the mobile marketing concepts that we bring to our client base of international brands and agencies."

Alexander Oswald, Head of Marketing - Alps South East Europe for Nokia added, "We are very pleased with the results and being the first one to use this solution. As we are one of the leading mobility brands, using mobile advertising technologies is important as a new and exciting communication channel. And as well part of our brand DNA of connecting people through mobile solutions."

Courtesy: Streetstylz

NeoMedia Technologies Announces Licensing Program Based On Barcode Lookup Patent

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, has finalized its patent licensing program and begun negotiations with interested vendors.

In response to the successful reexamination by the USPTO of NeoMedia’s "Barcode Lookup Patent", NeoMedia has moved assertively to re-energize the U.S. mobile barcode marketplace by helping lead a pivotal interoperability pilot and initiating a licensing program both designed to unify the marketplace.

"Now that the patent situation has been clarified, we are looking forward to quickly establishing a viable system that provides the critical elements needed to attract advertisers: reliability and scale. Our recent partnership with NeuStar demonstrates that an interoperable infrastructure is deployable now and provides advertisers with a trusted solution that delivers the largest audience in the U.S. mobile barcode marketplace. It was a great success and a real rallying point for the industry," stated Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia.

In keeping with its vision and commitment to developing an interoperable global ecosystem, NeoMedia is licensing its technology to foster innovation and competition in the creation of exciting new mobile barcode applications and services for the advertising industry. NeoMedia’s licensing program is available to all participants who are interested in becoming part of a collaborative ecosystem aligned and committed to growing the mobile barcode marketplace.

"Between the PTO ruling and the NeuStar pilot, the interest in our technology and services is spiking on both the vendor and advertiser fronts. We’ve had some key brand deployments in Europe leveraging NeoSphere, our new code management platform and we’ve had strong initial interest in our licensing program as well," said Dean Wood, VP of Business Development for NeoMedia.

NeoMedia has recently requested the stay be lifted in their pending infringement case against Scanbuy. At a pre-trial hearing on April 17th, NeoMedia pushed for the case to move forward on an expedited basis.

NeoMedia currently has 30 active patents spanning 13 countries, with 29 additional patents pending. These patents cover various linkage methods including: Barcodes, RFID, Mag Stripe, Voice, and other machine readable and keyed entry identifiers.

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

NeoMedia Technologies & Arvato Reach 120 Million Worldwide

NeoMedia Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with arvato services. The cooperation brings together innovative technology and leading services in the fields of media service, customer relationship management, data, finance, supply chain management, customer care, mail and IT to create a new and unique service chain.

arvato services is a leading service provider for effective customer communication, customer loyalty and supply chain management solutions both inside and outside of Europe. NeoMedia is a global leader in camera-initiated transactions using mobile phones and offers innovative and service-oriented solutions for targeting consumers with mobile marketing tactics. Using the NeoReader barcode scanning application and a 2D barcode on print products, consumers can connect to the mobile internet. By linking classical “push” media with the barcode as a “pull” instrument the marketing circle is completed. NeoMedia technology effectively turns books, magazines, posters and advertisements into vehicles that create an interactive dialogue with consumers.

In order to provide its customers with targeted, inexpensive marketing campaigns, arvato services is increasingly focusing on mobile marketing, and therefore on mobile code reading, taking advantage of the innovative technologies supplied by NeoMedia Technologies. With NeoReader® a mobile phone camera becomes a barcode reader, giving the user immediate access to content and services available on the World Wide Web. Valuable customer data can also be generated in this way.

Thomas Leitner, Vice President of arvato media GmbH explains: "NeoMedia is enabling us to open up a new dimension of dialogue with the customer. The ability to interact with a consumer via his or her mobile device adds infinite value to the CRM and marketing disciplines. NeoMedia’s system offers an unrivaled level of performance monitoring – way above that of conventional methods, allowing us to precisely tailor future marketing activities for our customers as well as accurately measure feedback."

Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia Technologies: "Gaining arvato services as a business partner is very gratifying. This accomplishment underlines our global market leadership and the outstanding quality of NeoMedia solutions. With this partner at our side we believe we will be able to reach new target groups and extend our mobile marketing value chain to the highest level thanks to integrated arvato solutions."

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

NeoMedia Technologies & IQ Mobile Power Nokia Campaign

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, was selected by IQ mobile, the leading mobile marketing company in Central Europe, to provide 2D barcoding services for their advertising campaigns. The first campaign launched using this technology was an interactive advertising campaign to promote Nokia’s new Navigation phones in Austria, which recently concluded.

IQ mobile uses NeoMedia’s patented technologies to provide their customers with mobile advertising campaigns that leverage 2D barcodes. The NeoReader application delivers a fast and accurate scanning experience to consumers and the NeoSphere code management platform provides IQ mobile with a simple but powerful tool to create, track and measure 2D barcode campaigns.

Nokia recently launched their new line of Navigation phones and IQ mobile wanted to provide an innovative campaign that would garner attention and highlight the navigation features of the new phones. Leveraging NeoMedia’s mobile barcoding solutions, IQ mobile developed a multi-channel advertising campaign that enabled mobile consumers to scan a 2D code for a chance to win a Nokia 6210 Navigation phone.

This heavily promoted launch featured a 2D barcode in full-page print ads placed in the high profile Austrian men’s lifestyle magazine “WIENER” as well as “Weekend,” another popular lifestyle magazine. The campaign was further supported with banners, flyers and posters which were placed in bus stations and city lights across Austria. A digital component featured banner ads across 10 different mobile portals.

"IQ mobile was looking for an innovative solution that would help reinforce Nokia’s ‘pioneering’ spirit as well as provide clear value and results. NeoMedia’s 2D barcode solutions created intrigue for consumers, but more importantly, delivered real added-value to Nokia by "turning on" the printed mediums and delivering real-time results for each element of the campaign. The combination of a qualitative interactive consumer experience with a quantifiable and measurable response mechanism makes mobile barcodes a powerful tool for marketers," said Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia Technologies. "IQ mobile understands the power of 2D barcodes and works hard to ensure the experience is easy and intuitive for consumers in order to optimize results for their clients."

IQ mobile conducted in-depth response analysis to understand how each element of the Nokia campaign performed. The response rates were similar to that of SMS campaigns which was very compelling when comparing a new technology with a more mature, highly available technology. Additionally, the re-marketing opportunity proved valuable due to the high rate of consumers who opted-in to receive more information. The additional costs required to include the 2D barcodes in the media campaign were minimal but the interactive dialogue with consumers delivered real value.

"The performance of the 2D code campaign has far exceeded both ours and Nokia’s expectations. Due to the strong response rates and opt-in interest, Nokia will be incorporating more campaigns with 2D codes in Central Europe. We are currently running a campaign in Switzerland featuring 2D codes to promote the Nokia Music Device 5800 via the Mobilezone®, a major catalog retailer," said Harald Winkelhofer, Founder & CEO of IQ mobile. "In general, the 2D code technology plays a very important role in all the mobile marketing concepts that we bring to our client base of international brands and agencies."

Alexander Oswald, Head of Marketing - Alps South East Europe for Nokia added, "We are very pleased with the results and being the first one to use this solution. As we are one of the leading mobility brands, using mobile advertising technologies is important as a new and exciting communication channel. And as well part of our brand DNA of connecting people through mobile solutions."

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

NeuStar Announces Barcode Interoperability

NeuStar today unveiled the first successful demonstration and implementation of technology that enables cell phones to scan and process two-dimensional barcodes - regardless of the mobile service provider, type of bar code symbology, or scanning technology used.

NeuStar's pilot program is based on open standards and demonstrates interoperability among the world's most successful barcode campaign managers, symbologies, and code reader technologies through NeuStar's trusted third party central clearinghouse and registry services. Announced at CTIA, the program currently involves industry-leading companies 3GVision, Mobile Discovery, Mobile Tag, and NeoMedia.

"Each of our current partners brings unique values and capabilities to the market," according to Diane Strahan, vice president of Mobile Services at NeuStar. "Consumers can simply click, send, and enjoy immediate access to cool content. This program is a critical step toward linking various barcode readers and players in the marketplace, and toward creating a seamless, open, and scalable solution for brands, consumers, and mobile operators."

Unlike the linear (striped) EAN/UPC barcodes typically used for inventory and point-of-sale transactions, the more advanced two-dimensional (2D) codes provide mobile consumers with a "shortcut" to access rich content and helpful information, as well as to engage in m-commerce. For mobile consumers, barcodes offer the ability to rapidly discover, interact, and transact with brands without typing out a web address or searching for a website.

NeuStar anticipates that two-dimensional bar codes will be of particular relevance to advertisers and brands, which can immediately leverage their traditional packaging and print - as well as interactive media buys - to reach consumers on the move. More than simply providing mobile consumers with a link to an Internet address, indirect 2D barcode systems can use location, language, or other information shared by the consumer, allowing advertisers to deliver dynamic, individually tailored content. Barcodes offer direct response accountability through measurable ROI, and enable advertisers to adjust their content based on real-time tracking of each campaign's performance.

"Whether the call to action is a short code or a barcode, NeuStar is enabling consumers to opt in to and connect directly with their desired mobile content and interactive experiences," continued Strahan. "The current industry partners in this program are highly successful players in mobile marketing and bar code scanning solutions, as well as intellectual property leaders. These partners have the widest deployment of barcode solutions and penetration in Japan, France, Australia, and other countries. The strength of the open interoperable service we are demonstrating is that it provides the underlying infrastructure needed for brands to confidently deliver a consistent, high-quality customer experience across mobile operators for maximum reach and return."

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

Interview With NeoMedia CEO Iain McCready

NeoMedia Technologies' CEO Iain McCready talks to bnetTV.com's Michelle Sklar at GSMA Mobile World Congress 2009.

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

Who Will Be First To License NeoMedia's Patents

The mobile code ecosystem has been a buzz ever since NeoMedia Technologies announced last month that the United States Patent and Trademark Office had ruled in favor of NeoMedia in the reexamination of its U.S. Patent No. 6,199,048 -- System And Method For Automatic Access Of A Remote Computer Over A Network.

NeoMedia currently has 30 active patents spanning 13 countries, with 29 additional patents pending. These patents cover various linkage methods including: Barcodes, RFID, Mag Stripe, Voice, and other machine readable and keyed entry identifiers.

According to NeoMedia's CEO Iain McCready, "A couple of competitors in the USA have already asked us for a free license but we can’t accept that. We are a business and so are they. In a reasonable manner, and at a fair price, we want to move forward with this. I am open to discussion and we want to be seen as fair. We want the whole mobile barcode market to succeed and the license fee model is tried and tested and it works. It can be as simple or as difficult as people want it to be and we aim to keep it simple. We have been working very very closely with both the GSMA and the OMA, and by being connected, the introduction of a license model can and will only succeed."

With the Google backed ShopSavvy and CompareEverywhere barcode applications making strong headway, and the recently launched Microsoft Tag reader carving out its niche, the mobile code ecosystem is quickly attracting major industry players.

Last week France's Mobile Tag announced that former NeoMedia CEO William "Chip" Hoffman had joined the company to head up their US operations. Mobile Tag uses mobile barcode technology patented by NeoMedia, and makes for a very likely patent licensee. Likewise with Google, Microsoft, Scanbuy and Upcode.

In keeping with its vision and commitment to developing an interoperable global ecosystem, NeoMedia is licensing its technology to foster innovation in the creation of exciting new mobile barcode applications and services.

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

NeoMedia Featured In Mobile Entertainment

Courtesy:
Streetstylz

Brandscape Fuels Powerade With Gavitec EXIO

Brandscape, in conjunction with Wayin and Gavitec AG - mobile digit, unveiled a powerful new use of Bluetooth content delivery and instant prizes at Powerade's Pick n Pay Argus Expo stand.

If you registered for this year's Pick n Pay Argus Cycle Tour at the Good Hope Center in Cape Town South Africa, you would have come across a new promotional mechanic that's raising eyebrows. Promoters wearing Hypertags® that can transmit content via Bluetooth or infrared approached cyclists in the event's registration area. Content included Powerade's great “ICE RUGBY” video commercial, the soundtrack as a ringtone, and branded wallpapers. The incentive to take up the offer? - A bar coded win voucher Bluetoothed to consumers' mobile phones and redeemable at the award-winning Powerade expo stand. High-quality prizes included Powerade - branded wallets, saddle bags, bandannas, golf towels and the obligatory and always popular caps and lanyards. Voucher holders scanned their barcodes at the stand using Gavitec's EXIO readers to find out what they had won.

Gordon Parkin, Creative Director at Brandscape says: “This is the perfect mechanic to ensure that Expo visitors make a stop at the Powerade stand. It also allows the brand to penetrate the consumer's personal space and utilize the billboard space of the future: the mobile handset.” All interactions are logged, and prizes are given out according to a closely monitored database, ensuring effective use of prizes.

Powerade Brand Manager, Ismail Nanabhay had briefed Brandscape to find an accountable, compelling way of engaging cyclists at the Argus, in a way that could be extended to other sponsored events, such as the Two Oceans Marathon.

“Powerade is the perfect brand to launch a digital strategy, fun, sporty, yet with serious technology behind the product. We're experimenting with Hypertag®, and are impressed with its accountability, and ability to engage – especially when combined with Brandscape's mobile handset scanners. Watch this space, there's a lot of exciting stuff still to come from us,” commented Nanabhay."

Eventing is the perfect place for brands and advertisers to wet their toe's with our technology,” says Brandscape Managing Director Damian Hardy, “but the real power lies in retail, where simple, effectively-incentivised purchases and card-less loyalty is now a reality.”

Brandscape Proximity Marketing Solutions offers marketers innovative and personal ways of communicating, interacting and rewarding individual consumers directly to their mobile phones. Rich media content is sent, at no charge to the recipient, via Bluetooth and infrared that starts a permission-based conversation that benefits both brand and consumer. Mobile tickets and vouchers are delivered by SMS, MMS, WAP or via Hypertag® Bluetooth and redeemed online with Brandpoint scanners. Brandscape partners with clients to create effective, intelligent, hard working consumer activation campaigns for mobile proximity marketing. Activation results are measurable and accountable. Brandscape is the South African business partner to Hypertag® UK, This partnership affords local clients, access to global technologies, best practice, support and expertise.


Courtesy:
Streetstylz

Dean Wood To Lead NeoMedia Sales Efforts

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in camera-initiated barcode transactions for mobile devices, today announced that Dean Wood, former Commercial Vice President at ShoZu Ltd, has joined the company as Vice President of Business Development.

Wood brings a wealth of internet, service provider and mobile sector experience to NeoMedia, having spent the last 10 years specializing in converged web/mobile software and services. He will be responsible for driving business development and sales activities at the company, helping educate the market and drive interest in 2D barcoding solutions within the mobile operator, handset manufacturer, and advertising communities across the globe.

"I am thrilled to be joining NeoMedia at such an exciting time for the company and the mobile barcoding industry in general,” said Wood. “Now that the ambiguity related to our patent situation has been resolved, the industry can move forward and I am sure we will begin to see 2D barcodes appearing everywhere on a daily basis. NeoMedia gives brands a fast, accurate and measurable form of interaction with consumers and I cannot wait to get started to help position the company as the leader in mobile barcode solutions."

Most recently, Wood was responsible for securing strategic partnership and licensing deals with social media sites, media companies, mobile operators and handset manufacturers at ShoZu, the leading mobile social media service. Prior to this, Wood was Director of Mobile and Devices at Macromedia, where he was responsible for driving sales and strategic partnerships within the operator, handset manufacturer and consumer electronics sectors.

Commenting on Woods’ appointment, Iain McCready, CEO at NeoMedia Technologies said: "I have no doubt that Dean’s enthusiasm, dedication and in-depth knowledge of our industry will help NeoMedia develop a rich partner ecosystem and open new revenue opportunities for brands, operators, handset manufacturers and advertising agencies. We are delighted to have him on board and I look forward to working closely with him as our business develops."

Courtesy:
Streetstylz