FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- Media Contacts:
- qtags, llc:
- Allison Gower, 877-667-2633
- agower@qtags.com
- John Wagner, 281-565-6045
- john@wagnermarketingandpr.com
- xtramedium, llc:
- Steven C. Philpott, 312-213-9391
- steven@xtra-medium.com
qtags inks deal with XtraMedium to distribute service throughout Aspire Music Network
Houston (April 3, 2006) - qtags™, a service that allows Advertisers to interact with customers and instantly connect and direct them to important off-line and on-line information, today announced they have signed a deal with Chicago-based XtraMedium Communications LLC to distribute the qtags service through their extensive music network.
A leader in the promotion and delivery of digital music content, XtraMedium is integrating the qtags text-based customer connection service into their portfolio of web-based and out-of-home music networks.
How the qtags service works
Advertisers can add a qtag (short for quick-tag) to any existing print, broadcast, signage or display campaign. Viewers or listeners wanting to remember a special offer or learn more about a product can use their mobile phone to text the advertisement's displayed qtag word to the qtags short-code, 78247.
The qtags service instantly sends information about the advertisement to the individual's mobile phone via a reply text. The qtags service also converts the keyword to a web-link, and stores it in an inbox that the individual can access online at www.qtags.com. This inbox is like a secure 'locker' of references, and extends the life of any Advertiser's message by making it easy for a customer to store, retrieve, and forward information.
The Advertiser controls the message and web-link sent to their customer and can update them anytime, real-time. Advertisers' also have access to real-time reporting showing volumes of texts, click-throughs and links forwarded to friends.
qtags does not charge the texter to use the service (an individual's mobile phone provider's SMS text messaging rates will apply), and Advertisers' are charged by volume of keywords texted. Anyone with a mobile-phone can use qtags, and there is no need to pre-register. The qtags service works with all U.S. and Canadian mobile carriers, and will go live in Puerto Rico on May 1, 2006.
"Providing an easy way to bookmark and find a web-link with music content will help our audience better connect to their favorite artists and learn about new network artists" said Steven C. Philpott, CEO XtraMedium Communications, LLC. "As we use qtags to map our audience to content, it will grow awareness for the service and increase its value for our advertisers. Qtags presents an invaluable tool for our advertising community to interact with and engage their customers".
"We are particularly excited about qtags' ability to direct the audience from the offline message to online content. This will allow our advertisers to better leverage online opportunities in their offline messaging and will allow them to deliver special offers and information not usually included in out-of-home media," continued Steven Philpott.
Sarah Darlington, qtags co-founder and Vice-President, said "XtraMedium's large reach, innovative sales team and unique, creative client base makes them an ideal environment in which to build exciting new uses for qtags and to thereby help advertisers connect and interact with their audience".
About qtags
qtags are currently being used in the US and Canada by some of the world's most well-known brands, including Hewlett-Packard and Rip Curl, to offer consumers a unique way to remember advertising and to gain more information on the companies and advertisements that interest them. The company offers the qtags service to non-profit organizations at no cost. For case studies and more information on how this innovative marketing concept works, visit the company blog at www.allaboutqtags.typepad.com or the company site at www.qtags.com.
About XtraMedium Communications
XtraMedium works with brands large and small giving them time-to-market advantages in mobile marketing and traditional advertising. XtraMedium services digitally deliver ad content to its own consumer network of digital displays, MegaTouch touchscreen games, Rowe/AMI digital jukeboxes, Aspire websites and cell phones as well as affiliate channels. Its Aspire Entertainment Network was developed to promote, showcase and distribute the works (music, movies, and gaming) of independent and major content producers and attract brands to live and online co-branded programs on the XtraMedium network. For more information about XtraMedium Communications visit the company website www.Xtra-Medium.com and www.YouAspire.com.