NeoMedia Partners With Costa Rican Carrier ICE

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in camera-initiated barcode transactions for mobile devices, has partnered with ICE, the leading mobile network operator in Costa Rica, to create a new measurable mobile marketing platform using 2D barcode technology.

The NeoMedia platform will enable retailers, banks and other organizations to build a mobile marketing ecosystem that will drive innovative mobile-based marketing applications that, for the first time, can track, trace and measure consumer activity.

ICE, the only telecom operator at this time in the Costa Rican market, will deploy NeoMedia's NeoReader® on camera phones, transforming the phones into barcode readers that provide immediate access to Internet-based content and services.

Consumers use the phones to scan 2D barcodes on product packaging, advertisements, retail displays and publications. The codes open up a vast range of potential for product marketing, incentive-driven promotions, and value-added benefits to be offered to the consumer.

Each scan that triggers a visit to a promotional site can be traced and tracked, enabling 100 percent measurable activity and feedback on the performance of the promotion, and therefore 100 percent measurable ROI on the mobile marketing spend.

NeoMedia representative Agilos will provide in-country support for ICE, and will work with both NeoMedia and ICE to sign up agencies, companies and customers to the mobile marketing ecosystem.

"Using the mobile as an effective and efficient marketing tool is the goal of every mobile operator," said Orlando Cascante Moranga, MBA Director Customers Division - Telecomunicaciones, ICE. "The NeoMedia platform will catalyze individual, interactive dialogue between our customers and companies in Costa Rica, strengthening customer loyalty and adding massive value to the mobile device as a marketing tool."

"The mobile industry can now deliver the solution that is at the top of every marketeer's wish list -- and provide a new revenue stream for the mobile operators," said Iain McCready, Chief Executive Officer of NeoMedia. "This solution is the real deal -- a traceable mechanism that delivers the message directly to potential customers, can evaluate feedback and capture demographic data for future use and doesn't waste one cent of the investment made in the technology."

Iusacell & NeoMedia Bring 2D Codes To Mexico

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in camera-initiated barcode transactions for mobile devices, has partnered with Iusacell to bring 2D codes to Mexico.

Iusacell, Mexico's 3rd largest mobile operator, has more than 4.3 million subscribers and provides cellular services to 90% of Mexico's population, including Mexico City. The company also offers local and long-distance telephony, messaging services, mobile television and wireless broadband services over the only 3G nation-wide network in Mexico.

In order to leverage its mobile code reading technology in Mexico, NeoMedia and Iusacell will deploy NeoSphere, NeoMedia’s Code Management Platform. This suite of tools has been designed to easily develop, launch and manage mobile marketing campaigns based upon 2D codes and camera phones. NeoSphere provides a simple way to interact with consumers and offers an enriched mobile experience with brands. Moreover, it allows advertisers, marketing agencies and publishers to better monetize their traditional ad placements, and boost their marketing return-on-investment by providing detailed response metrics for traditional media as well as rich reporting and analytical information.

To interact with 2D codes, Iusacell subscribers can download the NeoReader, which is a free universal mobile code reading application developed by NeoMedia Technologies and Gavitec AG - mobile digit. By installing the NeoReader, Iusacell subscribers will enjoy the value and convenience of a rich and relevant interactive experience whenever they encounter a mobile code.

In combination with NeoSphere and NeoReader, the mobile channel has become a viable new media platform in Mexico for brands, advertisers, marketing agencies and publishers looking for a new and innovative way to interact with their audience.

NeoMedia Partners With TecCom

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in camera-initiated barcode transactions for mobile devices, has been selected by TecCom, the leading B2B platform for the automotive replacement part market, to help identify if security coded automotive parts are genuine.

TecCom has chosen NeoMedia’s NeoReader® 2D barcode scanning solution to launch its new TecIdentify product. The system enables the camera in a mobile device to scan and read 2D CLEPA security barcodes on automotive parts and immediately check, via the internet, if that part is genuine – significantly reducing the risk of counterfeit parts making their way onto the market.

Commenting on the deal, Jurgen Buchert, CEO of TecCom said: "Our TecIdentify system is an especially efficient and convenient system that traces goods within the logistics chain. In rolling out NeoMedia’s NeoReader enterprise scanning solution, we are able to offer a new level of convenience to our customers. By employing the NeoReader solution, suppliers of automotive parts and traders can simply use their everyday mobile phone to scan a barcode and determine the validity of automotive parts."

Codes were previously only able to be captured and recorded using high-end, expensive scanners or by suppliers and traders manually inputting barcode numbers. NeoMedia’s technology introduces a convenient, low cost and ubiquitous option which enables information to be read courtesy of the camera function installed in a mobile phone.

"NeoMedia’s mission is to enable the global market to realize the ease, convenience and simplicity of 2D barcode technology," said Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. "By extending the reach of our technology to the mobile handset, we are able to add increased flexibility and portability to our 2D barcode offering, while reducing the cost of existing fixed location scanning solutions. Our work with TecCom reflects the practicality and adaptability of our technology and demonstrates the vast range of commercial applications for 2D barcode systems."

To take advantage of the system, users simply install the NeoReader application onto their mobile phone and launch it to scan the part’s 2D security code. Once scanned, users are automatically directed to the TecIdentify website, where the code is checked for authenticity against its database. There is no adaptation or customization needed for the NeoReader application to work, nor does a user need to purchase a special mobile phone.

Arvato Showcases Mobile Tagging & Couponing

Arvato AG, a Bertelsmann company, and a leading internationally networked media and communication services provider, showcased NeoMedia's Mobile Tagging and Mobile Couponing technology at Mail Order World 2008 on October 2nd in Germany.

Mail Order World Germany is the largest trade fair for the entire spectrum of mail and provides information and business platforms in parallel with the German Mail Order Congress. The Mail Order World is characterized by a diversified portfolio of exhibitors. At the congress, discussed topics visualize and thus illustrate the theory and practice combined. The exhibition parallels to the Congress of German mail industry gathering for decision-makers from mail order, e-commerce and direct marketing.

Hubert Peter, Head of New Business Development at Arvato Services attended the event and participated in Trade Conference 4: E-Commerce and New Business Models where he presented, Mobile Couponing & Mobile Tagging: New Business Approaches for Steering Customers in Target Groups.

For his presentation, Mr. Peter showcased Mobile Tagging and Mobile Couponing using NeoReader and EXIO technology from NeoMedia.

This past August Arvato teamed up with NeoMedia to launch an innovative mobile marketing campaign in Germany using 2D barcodes with INFOBON International and Deutsche Post.