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1-800-FREE411 Continues Explosive Growth; Leads Free Directory Assistance Market Jingle Networks’ Processes 130 Million Calls in 2006, Signs on 500+ Advertisers via Free Directory Assistance Service
January 31, 2007 – Menlo Park, Calif.Jingle Networks, Inc., operator of the 1-800-FREE411 directory assistance service, today issued its Q4 2006 results which showcase the company’s explosive growth driven by year-end peaks in both consumer and advertiser adoption. Processing nearly 16 million calls in December, 1-800-FREE411 experienced a record-breaking call-per-month tally and a 20 percent jump month-over-month from November call volumes. Overall, 1-800-FREE411 processing totals reached nearly 130 million in 2006, saving consumers more than $250 million in 411 calls since its launch in September 2005.
1-800-FREE411 currently processes approximately 600,000 calls per day, accounting for more than three percent of the more than $7 billion U.S. directory assistance market. Large carriers have already started to react to Jingle Networks’ success, including AT&T who recently announced trials of a free directory service modeled after 1-800-FREE411 in three U.S. cities.
“This dramatic growth is indicative of an almost universal belief that information services such as 411 should be provided for free to consumers rather than allowing phone companies to take advantage of customers with spiraling DA charges,” said George Garrick, president and CEO of Jingle Networks. “From January to December 2006, we experienced a 318 percent increase in monthly calls, showing that consumers preferred a free, easy-to-use 411 service that was available anytime, anywhere, from any phone. What’s remarkable is we’ve been able to grow this quickly with virtually no outbound marketing investment.”
Jingle created 1-800-FREE411 for consumers who were frustrated with the steadily increasing costs of 411, which typically average nearly $1.50 per call. Providing the same quality of service as paid DA, 1-800-FREE411 is free and engages callers with brief, targeted marketing offers while their requested listing is retrieved.
Advertisers have also shown equally strong interest and adoption from advertisers who recognize the potential 1-800-FREE411 presents in reaching millions of consumers with highly targeted and timely promotions. To date, more than 500 companies have utilized the 1-800-FREE411 network as a unique and powerful advertising medium for reaching consumers when they are in a ready-to-buy mode. Companies who have advertised on the service include McDonalds, Absolut, Academy Awards, Aegon Insurance, American Express, Autonation, 1-800-Mattress, 1-800 CONTACTS, CBS, Comcast, Discount Tire, ID Media, Ingenio, Intercontinental Hotels (Holiday Inn), OMD, Orbitz, Roto Rooter, GE, Paramount Pictures and Vermont Teddy Bear.
In October, Jingle Networks closed a Series C financing round of $30 million led by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Hearst Corporation, bringing total capitalization to over $60M. Jingle rounded out the year with the 2006 Award for Growth Strategy Leadership in the North American Directory Assistance Market from industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan.
“Jingle’s emergence as the leader in the free 411 industry is expanding the overall directory assistance market with innovative, advertising-focused business models that appeal to both consumers and advertisers,” added Garrick. “We’ll be adding several new capabilities and features throughout 2007 to make it even easier for consumers to quickly find what they are looking for, and provide exciting ways for marketers to reach customers and generate incremental revenues.”
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.
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Deann Mayeda
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