NeoMedia & Gavitec Ready For CTIA Wireless

NeoMedia, the global leader in camera-initiated transactions for mobile devices, and Gavitec, the leading provider of mobile ticketing technologies and marketing solutions, are excited to showcase their innovative optical code reading technology and mobile ticketing solutions at CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas from April 1 - 3.

CTIA Wireless, the largest wireless data event in the industry, embodies the ever-changing, dynamic, and innovative world of wireless data in enterprise and in entertainment. CTIA Wireless is the one show that brings key audiences such as enterprise users, solution providers, content owners, and mobile distribution channels together to form strategic partnerships, service industry needs, and create new innovations in wireless data. With over 300 exhibitors and special technology pavilions in mobile entertainment, enterprise mobility, M2M and application development, CTIA Wireless is the most comprehensive expo in wireless data showcasing ground-breaking innovations and creative solutions for enterprise and entertainment.

NeoMedia's flagship optical messaging and code reading platform, along with Gavitec's mobile ticketing technologies and marketing solutions will be on display at CTIA Wireless in booth #1259.

In addition, NeoMedia's CEO Chip Hoffman will be participating in a CTIA educational session on April 1st, from 3:30pm to 5:00pm at the Las Vegas Convention Center in room: North 107. The panel discussion, Cameraphone Code Scanning Technologies: A Survey, will be focused on the devices, software, applications, etc., that enable code scanning via a mobile phone’s camera functionality. While cameraphone code scanning has the potential to revolutionize the way users access information, content, and advertising, questions still remain. What is the current state of the technologies? What are the main obstacles to mass adoption and what are the strategies to overcome them?

In order to create a global ecosystem for mobile codes, NeoMedia is collaborating with recognized leaders in telecommunication infrastructure management to create a worldwide infrastructure for the processing of optically initiated transactions - called the Optical Messaging Interchange. This interchange would provide the mass reach required by brands and advertisers to invest in the technology, while enabling operators to leverage their investments in networks and subscribers. By embracing open standards, full interoperability, and by being barcode symbology agnostic, NeoMedia Technologies wants to provide a global infrastructure to insure that all transactions requested by end users “work” as intended, all parties are compensated correctly, and that the technology achieves mass adoption globally. In doing so, NeoMedia enables a seamless, secure, and reliable platform for mobile commerce using 1D and 2D barcodes and mobile devices. NeoMedia’s mission is to offer new ways to make mobile internet transactions effortless and more accessible while enhancing customer value and convenience.

CITI Telecom Powers Smirnoff With Gavitec EXIO

Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company and the leading provider of mobile ticketing and marketing solutions, in conjunction with CITI Telecommunications, an innovative solutions and services company, partnered for the Smirnoff Experience in Dubai.

The CITI Telecommunications mobile ticketing technology was used along side Gavitec's EXIO scanners to enable 4,000+ participants to enter a drawing via SMS. The participants received an entry ticket on their mobile phone in real time at the venue allowing them a chance to win 2 VIP trips to Paris France.

Gavitec’s flexible and easy-to-use technology offers many advantages such as new channels of distribution, a more targeted and directed sales approach and precise response evaluation. The capabilities of the Gavitec product range allow for many other mobile marketing applications: For example, different data contents like tickets, coupons or discount vouchers can be encrypted in the form of two-dimensional codes and sent to mobile phones via SMS. The code appears in the mobile phone display and is then read by Gavitec scanners (EXIO or MD-20). Codes are automatically and securely validated against a database via GPRS. Gavitec’s code-reading technology turns the mobile phone into an ideal platform for the transfer and verification of electronic tickets.

The event was a first of its kind in Dubai and an overall success. Please enjoy the pictures below:

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.

NeoMedia & DIMOCO Partner For DICOM 2008

DIMOCO, a full solution mobile service provider offering mobile marketing, mobile messaging and payment, as well as mobile campaigns, has partnered with NeoMedia and Gavitec for the 2008 Austrian Dialog Marketing Congress (DICOM) taking place in the Congress Casino Baden on March 13th.

Industry leading presenters will voice their opinions on whether all media is destined to become dialog media in this era of constant technological breakthroughs. The motto: "Dialog or die!" The examples: Community Marketing, interactive TV, Radio 2.0, talking posters, virtual game worlds, dialog-oriented print campaigns, and last but not least, mobile marketing.

In addition to engaging presentations, discussions and expert round tables will offer added insight, for example, about how mobile marketing is used in the Mobile Dialog Lounge. Based on a practical example, attendees will be able to test mobile codes using the NeoReader. Those taking part in the DICOM-Mobile Codes prize game will have an additional chance to win the main prize, a wellness weekend package.

Based off the award winning Lavasphere technology developed in Germany by Gavitec, the NeoReader features NeoMedia's patented resolution technology combined with Gavitec's ultra-small footprint and platform independent algorithms. It is able to read and decipher all common non-proprietary 2D codes (Data Matrix, QR, Aztec, Maxi) as well as URL embedded 2D codes and all 1D UPC/EAN/Code 128 open source codes. The NeoReader supports direct and indirect code linking, which guarantees maximum interoperability with already existing platforms like 2D Data Matrix Semacodes, and Japanese QR links. This allows the user to click on a variety of codes with a single application installed on their mobile device.

According to DIMOCO, "Mobile Tagging offers more mobile experience with only one click. Mobile Tagging shows you a brand new method of communicating with your target group. By taking a picture of the 2D code (the tag) the end-user instantly gets the information (news, coupons, sweepstakes) behind it."

DIMOCO's portfolio includes everything from campaign planning through software development, all the way to providing technical infrastructure. Since every Austrian, German, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Croatian, Slovenian, Ukrainian and Swiss mobile provider is their partner, DIMOCO can cost effectively apply the most up-to-date mobile telephone technologies and carrying mediums (SMS/MMS).

Interview With NeoMedia's CEO Chip Hoffman

Interview with NeoMedia Technologies' CEO Chip Hoffman at the Show Stoppers stage during the 2008 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

NeoMedia & Gavitec To Attend CeBIT 2008

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in camera-initiated transactions for mobile devices, and Gavitec AG - mobile digit, the leading provider of mobile ticketing technologies and marketing solutions, are participating in CeBIT 2008 in Hannover Germany from March 4th - March 9th. NeoMedia and Gavitec will be exhibiting in the Marketing Solutions Area - Hall 4 - booth F58.

CeBIT is the world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. The key target groups are users from industry, the wholesale/retail sector, skilled trades, banks, the services sector, government agencies, science and all users passionate about technology. CeBIT offers an international platform for comparing notes on current industry trends, networking, and product presentations.

Consumers everywhere desire the ability to obtain product information and prices quickly and easily – wherever and whenever the need arises. This desire is made possible via scan commerce. With a simple click on a data-enabled camera phone, product data can be accessed from the internet in seconds via a 2D code.

In order to make the scan commerce experience consistent and compelling for consumers everywhere, NeoMedia is collaborating with recognized leaders in telecommunication infrastructure management to create a worldwide infrastructure for the processing of optically initiated transactions - called the Optical Messaging Interchange. This interchange would provide the mass reach required by Brands and Advertisers to invest in the technology, while enabling operators to leverage their investments in networks and subscribers. By embracing open standards, full interoperability, and by being barcode symbology agnostic, NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. wants to provide a global infrastructure to insure that all transactions requested by end users “work” as intended, all parties are compensated correctly, and that the technology achieves mass adoption globally. In doing so, NeoMedia enables a seamless, secure, and reliable platform for mobile commerce using barcodes and mobile devices. NeoMedia’s mission is to offer new ways to make mobile internet transactions effortless and more accessible while enhancing customer value and convenience.

Scan commerce has a great deal of potential. The mobile phone is arguably the most personal technology we use in our everyday life. The ability for consumers to turn their camera phone from a communications device into a content acquisition device is powerful. Savvy mobile marketers will leverage this opportunity by delivering relevant and valuable information and content via 2D codes – coupons, tickets, price comparisons, online ordering, special services, etc.

To help make the promise of mobile marketing a reality, NeoMedia also offers Gavitec hardware scanners that are capable of reading 2D barcodes from a cell phone display. For example, instead of purchasing tickets at the box office, movie-goers can obtain tickets through a cash-free Web-based transaction, or from special call centers, and receive an electronic ticket as an SMS on their mobile phones. Tickets, displayed graphically in form of a 2D barcode on the phone, are read by Gavitec scanners at the entrance to the cinema, letting guests in without having to wait at the box office. To gain access, ticket holders simply place the display of their cell phone against the reading lens of the Gavitec scanner. The system compares the electronic ticket with an existing database, where it is verified by GPRS in seconds.

This system dramatically expands the number of people able to use mobile barcodes for ticketing and commerce to any phone that is SMS capable. Currently only 20%-30% of users are able to use mobile bar codes for redemption of tickets and coupons verses nearly 100% of current mobile users with the Gavitec system from NeoMedia. The Gavitec scanners are available as desktop solutions for innovative marketing campaigns and as installation modules for third party providers.