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MerchantCircle Partners with Jingle Networks to Provide Local Advertising Opportunities on 1-800-FREE411 Network CBS Among the Advertisers and Marketers Now Sending Promotional Offers via Text Messages to Consumers Dialing for Free Directory Assistance

July 10, 2006 – Los Altos, Calif. MerchantCircle, an online network providing advertising tools and expertise to enable local businesses to market themselves via the Local Internet, today announced it has partnered with Jingle Networks, operator of the 1-800-FREE411 directory assistance service, to help connect local businesses with consumers at the precise moment they are ready to buy.

1-800-FREE411 is the leading free alternative to the paid 411 service provided by traditional carriers. 1-800-FREE411 is supported by businesses that deliver targeted advertising messages to callers as the service retrieves a requested listing. The service reaches millions of consumers multiple times per month with a direct one-to-one audio message designed to help businesses increase sales, generate awareness and build their brands.

Through Jingle Networks, MerchantCircle will offer members of its Plus level service opportunities to advertise on the 1-800-FREE411 media channel. Merchants’ audio ads will be played on the 1-800-FREE411 service whenever a local customer requests services or listings for companies offering similar services.

“1-800-FREE411 is an ideal channel for merchants to generate qualified and highly targeted business leads, while enabling consumers to find merchants through a channel that they know and understand,” explained Ben T. Smith, chairman and co-founder, MerchantCircle. “Our member merchants will see great results with the 1-800-FREE411 network and this relationship is just one more way MerchantCircle is helping local businesses to effectively compete against chain stores and larger businesses and be more visible among local customers.”

“1-800-FREE411 is quickly becoming a highly effective marketing channel for local and national advertisers looking to generate qualified leads,” said John Roswech, SVP of Sales, Jingle Networks. “We process millions of calls from people looking for local goods and services, and by advertising on the network, local merchants are introducing their business to consumers at the moment they’re looking to make a buying decision. This will be incredibly effective advertising for MerchantCircle member merchants.”

MerchantCircle enables local businesspeople to leverage the Local Internet easily, effectively and affordably to promote their businesses, express themselves online and connect and communicate with their local community.

The site provides members with the tools and expertise needed to connect with other businesses within their community, buy online advertising, develop email newsletters, coupons and blogs, and more. MerchantCircle also helps members’ ads get listed in search results on search engines, such as Google and Yahoo!, improving chances that their online ads will be seen by the “right” customers – those that are qualified and local.

With MerchantCircle, local businesses have the tools to build marketing programs that enable them to effectively compete against larger businesses and chain stores.

About MerchantCircle
Founded in 2005, MerchantCircle, an online network of local businesses, provides advertising tools and expertise to enable local businesses to leverage the power of the Local Internet and relationships with other neighborhood businesses to attract new local customers. Found online at www.merchantcircle.com, the company makes local advertising accessible, affordable and effective for local businesses.