Press Releases
1-800-FREE411 Media Channel Generates 4-6 Percent Average Conversion Rates for Direct Response Advertisers in Initial Campaigns Jingle Network’s Ad-Supported Directory Assistance Service Now Reaches More Than Three Million Consumers, Ten Million Times a Month
June 12, 2006 – Menlo Park, Calif. Jingle Networks, Inc., operator of the 1-800-FREE411 directory assistance service, today announced that conversion rates for direct response advertising campaigns running on its media channel regularly exceed that of other media, such as television, radio, billboard and Internet. Campaigns on 1-800-FREE411’s network have generated 4 to 6 percent average conversion rates.
The service 1-800-FREE411 offers an interactive, one-to-one communication with targeted prospects at crucial moments in the sales cycle, delivering lower-cost, no-risk customer acquisition compared to traditional media. The service has captured approximately two percent of the directory assistance market, which attracts 18 million users per day.
Since its introduction in September 2005, Jingle Networks’ free directory assistance service has processed nearly 35 million calls. More than ten million calls were made by more than three million consumers in May, an increase of 12 percent from the previous month.
Instead of paying between $1 and $2 for each call, consumers may hear a short marketing offer and are then given the opportunity to either respond or to continue with their lookup request. The service offers the same lookup services as paid directory assistance services.
“Advertisers have long sought the best means to promote their businesses to consumers at the exact moment the buyer was ready to make a decision,” says Kathleen Pierz, managing partner at research firm The Pierz Group. “Consumers have consistently proved that they are willing to accept small amounts of advertising in exchange for entertainment or information. The new ad-sponsored directory assistance model pioneered by Jingle Networks has created a channel that matches consumers and advertisers at the best possible moment.”
Campaigns during the month of May have delivered outstanding results for several categories of businesses and retailers, including:
- 13.4% conversion for an online ticket broker;
- 10.6% conversion for a billion dollar cable and telecommunications provider;
- 6.8% conversion for a national pizza delivery company;
- 6.2% conversion for an online travel company;
- 5% conversion for a local automotive service company;
- 4.6% conversion for a major hotel chain;
- 3.4% conversion for a law firm; and
- 21.9% conversion for a local locksmith.
“We chose to advertise with 1-800-FREE411 for its ability to quickly and effectively reach millions of consumers in a ready-to-buy state,” said Steve Jarmon, vice president of Brand Communications at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. “This is clearly an impressive new media channel for direct response marketers like us; we were very pleased with the results of the campaign we ran with 1-800-FREE411 during Mother’s Day.”
“Our response rate on 1-800-FREE411 is around 10 percent, nearly double what we receive through search engines,” said Craig Smith, senior vice president, ServiceMagic. “Advertising on 1-800-FREE411 has worked out extremely well for us, and has proven to be a powerful new media channel to get our message to our target customers.”
“Our DA network is quickly proving to be an exciting, new media opportunity for brand, direct response and local marketers,” said George Garrick, CEO of Jingle Networks. “Our service enables companies to reach a highly attentive and engaged consumer with targeted and measurable promotions and messages in an uncluttered environment. Our early success in reaching millions of consumers and delivering almost unheard of response rates to our advertisers shows how promising this opportunity is.”
About Jingle Networks & 1-800-FREE411Jingle Networks, operator of the nation’s leading ad-supported directory assistance service 1-800-FREE411, has significantly changed the directory assistance market by giving consumers an anytime, anywhere source of free information on the phone. 1-800-FREE411 is for anyone who owns a phone and needs information but is dissatisfied with the high cost of directory assistance. Jingle Networks has changed the industry by creating an exciting new media channel through 1-800-FREE411. With nearly 130 million annual calls, 1-800-FREE411 offers advertisers highly targeted and timely promotional opportunities to reach a large but targeted customer base who are ready-to-buy, garnering a response rate twice that of other direct response media. For more information, visit: www.free411.com.
For Media Inquiries
Deann Mayeda
415-591-8404
dmayeda@shiftcomm.com
