Press Releases
Metro One Selected by Jingle Networks as Preferred Provider of Directory Assistance Calls Metro One to Serve Nation’s Largest Provider of Free Directory Assistance Calls via 1-800-FREE411 Service
August 07, 2006 – Portland, Oregon Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. (Nasdaq: INFO), a developer and provider of Enhanced Directory Assistance® (“EDA”) and other enhanced telecom services, today announced that it has been selected as a preferred directory assistance provider for Jingle Networks’ 1-800-FREE411 service.
Jingle Networks selected Metro One based on the Company’s long history and expertise in providing high quality, accurate, and efficient directory assistance services. As the nation’s leading advertiser-supported directory assistance service, Jingle Networks’ 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.
It is anticipated that Jingle will deliver significant revenue to Metro One over the term of the agreement. In addition, the agreement includes financial commitments from Jingle based on call volume expansion and other financial incentives. Further, the agreement calls for Jingle to receive warrants to purchase Metro One common stock contingent on meeting specific revenue targets over the next 24 months.
“Given Jingle’s aptitude for integrating advertising and technology and translating that know-how into a rapidly growing business, we are delighted to enter into such a significant relationship with this company,” said Gary E. Henry, president and chief executive officer of Metro One. “Jingle is emerging as a leader of a very promising new industry that offers marketers a powerful media channel to reach consumers. Jingle needed a directory assistance provider who not only could scale with their exponential call growth, but also had the technology experience to do it right. Metro One is uniquely positioned to deliver under these aspects and much more. We believe this contract is the initial phase of a long-term relationship that will deliver many benefits to Metro One, not the least of which is aligning ourselves with strong growth.”
Jingle founder and chief technologist, Scott Kliger added, “The live operator directory assistance function is a vital aspect of our business and we are looking forward to working with a leader like Metro One to ensure the highest quality service is provided to our callers.”
About Metro One Telecommunications
Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. is a developer and provider of Enhanced Directory Assistance and other information
services. The Company operates call centers located in the United States. Metro One handled approximately 231 million
requests for information in 2005. In addition, the Company provides millions of data updates and validations each month
to a wide range of direct marketers and other enterprises. For more information, visit the Metro One Telecommunications
website at www.metro1.com.
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
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including recent filings of Forms 10-K and 10-Q and the Form 8-K related to this press release. The forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these risks and uncertainties.
