NeoMedia Wins Latin American With Telefonica

Bems, the leading Spanish provider of mobile solutions based on 2D barcodes, has partnered with US-based industry leader NeoMedia Technologies to distribute 2D barcode solutions throughout Latin America.

Earlier today, Bems announced it had been chosen by Telefónica International as its exclusive partner to develop a 2D barcode business in Latin America for the next 4 years.

Bems has chosen NeoMedia as their primary technology and platform vendor for mobile barcode reading and campaign management, with a key focus on the brand marketing and advertising sectors. In addition, Bems will promote NeoMedia hardware solutions related to ticketing and couponing. As a key part of this platform, NeoReader will be the preferred barcode reader for pre-installation on handsets and all code transactions will be routed through the NeoMedia infrastructure. The solution will be distributed to markets including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay.

This initiative to promote 2D barcode technology is part of a wider strategic plan for the operators to introduce cutting edge tools for mobile to the Latin-American market. Operators will leverage the expertise the Bems/NeoMedia partnership provides in areas such as technology, marketing, R+D and an extensive sales force to enable the widespread adoption of this technology.

"The alliance with NeoMedia represents an important step towards delivering the best technology to Bems and providing an advantaged position in the implementation of the agreements with Telefónica for the Latin-American market," commented Javier Mañas, Chairman of Bems.

Based in Madrid, Spain, Bems is known as the go-to company for 2D barcodes and has developed solutions for a wide range of brands, distributors, intermediaries, public and private institutions, retailers and media groups. It has worked with some of the world’s most influential organizations - from Warner Brothers to Yell and Bacardi. Bems strives to unite best of breed technology with creativity to achieve the best results for its clients.

NeoMedia Technologies, based in Atlanta, Georgia is the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions. NeoMedia’s technology allows mobile devices with cameras to read 1D and 2D barcodes and provide “one click” access to mobile content. Combining this technology with advanced analytics and reporting capabilities revolutionizes the way advertisers market to mobile consumers.

"As we’ve consistently maintained, commercialization of barcodes calls for an open and interoperable market that can provide the scale needed for brands and advertisers to exploit the benefits of the mobile marketplace. We feel that our work with Bems and gaining entry to the Latin American market is yet another step closer to global adoption of this powerful technology," commented Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia.

The 2D barcode market is increasingly gathering momentum as its potential as both a valuable marketing tool and the ideal way of delivering services via the mobile web are being realized.

Bems and NeoMedia will implement the interoperable standard of 2D barcodes based on the recommendations of the GSM Association, guaranteeing compatibility with other global operators, not only in Latin America, but also throughout the rest of the world.

To succeed with this new "2D barcode Ecosystem," the active participation of all industry players from operators and manufacturers of mobile devices to developers and mobile marketers is needed. Bems will aim to create models of collaboration with all of them and to generate the scale that is needed for the space to develop to its full potential.

It is expected that operators in Latin America signaling their commitment to an open operating environment via this initiative will lead the way to unifying the marketplace and encourage other operators and brands to invest in mobile barcoding as a marketing channel.

Neustar Becomes NeoMedia's Licensing Agent

Neustar recently announced a landmark agreement with NeoMedia Technologies to have Neustar act as the exclusive patent licensing agent in the US for NeoMedia’s intellectual property for two-dimensional (2D) barcodes. The agreement creates a “one stop shop” for consumer brands to simply and affordably use barcodes to deliver exciting new applications, services and compelling content to mobile consumers.

The addition of Neustar’s central registry services to NeoMedia’s patented barcode technology also means that brands now will be able to offer barcode marketing to consumers regardless of which mobile service provider or barcode reading software a consumer’s mobile device uses. The Neustar/NeoMedia collaboration enables brands to offer more targeted and dynamic communication options to mobile consumers, beyond simply taking them to a general website.

"Neustar is committed to establishing an open, consistent, and easy opportunity for brands to deploy 2D barcodes that reach the widest audience possible,” said Diane Strahan, Vice President of Mobile Services at Neustar. “This licensing agreement, combined with Neustar’s interoperable 2D barcode pilot launched in March, provides the advertising and mobile operator community confidence for a more rapid commercialization of mobile barcodes."

"Customers and the advertising community can now easily secure a clear and predictable path to licensing and implementing NeoMedia’s patented barcode technology,” said Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia. “Advertisers have been waiting for a reliable and scalable barcode system, and with this agreement, mobile barcode technology can now fulfill its promise of turning mobile devices into ‘point-of-sale’ catalysts for mobile commerce."

Klambt Media Group Selects NeoMedia

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, and philipp, an Austrian-based mobile solutions and services company, were selected by Klambt Media Group, to provide 2D barcode services for a contest launched last month in Germany's The Star, Style and In magazines.

Readers were encouraged to text NEO via SMS, which linked them to the NeoReader download site. Once the NeoReader code scanning software was installed on their device, readers can scan the Data Matrix code, which connected them to mobile content and entered them into a raffle.

MIT Technology Review Selects NeoReader

Technology Review, a magazine published and owned by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has selected NeoMedia's NeoReader as the preferred QR code reading application for their recently launched mobile code initiative.

Quick-response, or QR, codes are two-dimensional barcodes that provide an easy way to access the Mobile Web. Simply download the NeoReader to a web-enabled phone, snap a picture of one of the QR codes found in Technology Review with the phone’s camera, and you’ll automatically be transported to the relevant page within Technology Review.

To obtain your free QR-code reader, visit NeoReader.com or download it from the iPhone App Store. The NeoReader is also available for the Blackberry and many other web enabled mobile phones.

Look for QR codes in the current and upcoming issues of Technology Review!

Dornbirner Selects NeoMedia For Herbstmesse

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions, and philipp, an Austrian-based mobile solutions and services company, have been selected by Dornbirner Messe, to provide 2D barcode services for the Fall exhibition Herbstmesse, which will take place September 9th - 13th in Dornbirn, Austria.

Trade fair organizer, Dornbirner Messe used 2D codes from NeoMedia in their Spring promotion campaigns for Frühjahrsmesse. Due to the success of the Spring promotions, Dornbirner Messe has once again selected NeoMedia for their Fall campaign.

Visitors at the Fall exhibition can text MESSE via SMS, which will link them to the NeoReader download site. Once the NeoReader code scanning software was installed on their device, visitors can scan the Data Matrix code, which will connect them to mobile content.

Brown Printing Launches New Mobile Solutions

Brown Printing Company, in conjunction with Prinovis and NeoMedia Technologies, announced today the launch of B.Mobile.

The new service transforms traditional print advertising into an interactive, multi-media experience. Utilizing 2D mobile barcodes, B.Mobile turns mobile phone cameras into barcode scanners allowing consumers instant access to real-time product or service information, downloadable content, and mobile commerce transactions.

B.Mobile integrates products from Brown’s sister company Prinovis and NeoMedia to provide a total solution package. B.Mobile provides the ability to optimize websites for the mobile phone display, adaptation of content for mobile internet, and statistical reporting on scanning activity. Code management tools provide the ability to change and update content linked to barcodes at any time, so printed pieces become interactive and dynamic. The mobile barcodes provide a reliable response tracking mechanism that helps measure success and allow campaigns to be adapted in real-time.

"B.Mobile’s tool kit makes executing barcode activities easy and intuitive, allowing magazines and catalogs to run smarter, more successful marketing programs," explained Mark Treat, Chief Information officer for Brown Printing Company. "This technology allows consumers to engage with barcodes on their own terms. The self selection yields interested and motivated prospects."

Mobile Tag Licenses NeoMedia's Patents

NeoMedia Technologies and Mobile Tag, leaders in mobile barcode technology, announced a non-exclusive patent licensing agreement for machine readable mobile codes under NeoMedia’s patent portfolio. This is the first contract to be announced under NeoMedia’s recently launched licensing program.

NeoMedia’s objective is to create an open and interoperable 2D barcoding ecosystem which will create lucrative and compelling opportunities for all participants, including brands, advertising agencies and mobile operators. By licensing its technology, NeoMedia aims to foster innovation and competition to create exciting new applications and services that will appeal to consumers. This activity will unlock the potential of mobile barcoding to become an integral part of consumers’ daily lives.

This licensing deal enables Mobile Tag to engage consumer brands, advertising agencies, mobile operators and the OEMs that supply them with NeoMedia’s officially licensed U.S. patents. As a charter licensee, Mobile Tag, Inc. recognizes NeoMedia’s contributions to the industry and efforts to establish real world interoperability in the mobile barcode market. Both companies participated in the NeuStar sponsored interoperability pilot program at CTIA in March 2009, and this commercial licensing agreement shifts the marketplace from trial to practical reality.

NeoMedia and Mobile Tag, Inc. are committed to establishing an open operating environment. Licensing arrangements like this are the foundation needed to unify the marketplace and create the scale needed for consumer brands to invest in mobile barcoding as a key advertising channel. Mobile Tag, Inc. is the first company licensed to operate under NeoMedia’s Intellectual Property for indirect mobile barcoding solutions.

“This deal is a critical milestone for the industry and we’re grateful that Mobile Tag, Inc. stepped forward to work with us. It affirms that the market has realized the importance of creating a legitimate, licensed and open environment for all and I believe it marks the tipping point for rapid commercialization of mobile barcodes in the U.S.,” commented Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia.

“Mobile Tag, Inc. recognizes the innovation and capability enabled by the art captured in NeoMedia’s IP,” stated William J. Hoffman, CEO of Mobile Tag, Inc. “We are pleased to license with NeoMedia and believe it will spur innovation and adaptation of this technology on par with the explosion witnessed by SMS services earlier in this decade. Mobile machine readable codes will be mainstream in the U.S. just as they are in Japan, France and Poland where they are found on nearly 210 million phones. It is time to get on with it!”

“Mobile Tag focuses on delivery of carrier-grade client software and transaction infrastructure,” continued Hoffman, “while insuring brands, businesses and consumers who use that technology are pleased with the experience.”