iO Global to Launch Trial of Three-Screen Marketing Practices

NEW YORK –iO™ Global, a provider of integrated mobile content solutions and a spin-off of British Telecommunications ventures program, is launching a three-screen trial to measure the effectiveness of integrated mobile-TV-PC marketing practices. For the first time, publishers, advertisers and agencies and a mobile content solutions company are joining forces to establish a framework for demonstrating ROI on three-screen marketing initiatives.

iO Global is partnering with several major media companies and advertisers to deliver branded content to a sample of consumers. The trial will kick-off in January, 2008. Participating publishers and advertising agencies will have access to behavioral and purchasing data, as well as brand health measurements collected during the trial.

“We understand the value of delivering personalized, branded consumer experiences on the mobile device,” said Bob DeSena, iO Global North America Managing Director. “One of the key issues for advertisers interested in adding mobile to the marketing mix has been the lack of strong metrics to gauge campaign effectiveness. The problem is even more acute when it comes to strategies which are integrated across mobile- TV and PC. The iO Global trial is designed to provide advertisers, agencies and media companies with the critical information they need to fully leverage the power of mobile in conjunction with TV and PC advertising.”
The iO Global Three Screen Trial will include only opt-in participants to be divided into test and control zones. Advertising campaigns during the trial will be designed to include standard mobile marketing tactics such as banner ads, pre, post-roll and in-stream videos, as well as SMS and pure content sponsorship. The impact of different strategies will be measured by an independent research partner.
“Mobile marketing models prevalent today focus on retail transactions,” said Martin Knestrick, CEO of iO Global. “The opportunities to engage consumers with personalized, relevant messages delivered on mobile devices, at the right times, are significant. The iO Global Three Screen Trial will not only showcase the power of mobile marketing, it will provide publishers and advertisers with the intelligence necessary to gauge multi-platform campaign effectiveness and, ultimately, demonstrate ROI.”

iO Global’s technology for managing and delivering content to mobile phones has been successfully deployed by carriers in high-growth markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In North America, the company is introducing new services for media companies, advertisers and agencies that support next generation, advertising-supported mobile content. iO Global’s solution represents a significant step towards the true integration of consumer experiences across three screens – television, personal computer and mobile phone.

About iO Global
iO Global provides the software and services to enable network operators, media brands and advertisers to collaborate in a trading model to personalize and monetize their interactions with consumers. iO’s Mobile Experience Solutions™ turn the mobile device into the individual’s “remote control” for using digital content and services anytime, anyplace, anywhere. iO Global was created in May 2005 by BT and New Venture Partners after five years of development in BT’s Research Laboratories. For more information, visit www.io-me.com.

Media Contacts
In the Americas please contact Scott Yates at Largemouth Communications tel; +1 (919) 459-6452 / scott@largemouthpr.com
In Europe or Asia please contact Peppa Sheridan at Peptalk Communications tel: +44 (0) 1420 83206/ peppa@peptalkcommunications.co.uk