Virtual Office Tools, Toll-Free Systems Links Viewers to The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Encinitas, CA April 9, 2007 — FreedomVOICE Systems, a leading provider of a wide array of integrated virtual office tools, announces its services are used by the popular Ellen DeGeneres Show to allow hundreds of thousands of viewers to leave messages for the show’s star, comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, recent host of the Oscar awards telecast.

“Our audience loves the opportunity to leave messages for Ellen,” said Ross Williams, Audience Department Manager for the NBC program. “They sometimes sing a song, sometimes say something funny. Because they arrive as audio files attached to an email, our staff can listen to them from our computers. We work the calls into the show to add a humorous segment.”

Originally, the producers signed up for the FreedomVOICE service when production started in 2003 so customers could call in for tickets. It was put to the test when the show scheduled a broadcast from Central Park in New York City. After the toll free number was announced on air, more than 8,000 fans called the system to request those tickets.

Then the show’s writers came up with the idea of audience members calling in and leaving messages for Ellen DeGeneres, an unusual concept for variety television programs.

“We broadcast a number here at NBC studios in Southern California and there were so many calls, it shut down the switchboard,” said Williams. “That’s when we put the FreedomVOICE system in line because, with its unlimited capacity, it was the only service that could handle our volume of calls.”


“We are happy the unique features of our products can benefit a lively program like The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” said FreedomVOICE Systems Founder and CEO Eric Thomas. “They have received nearly 150,000 voicemail messages from excited fans, which show staff review on our internet-based WebLINK Control Panel. That’s quite a testament to the system’s dependability.”

A new service recently implemented by FreedomVOICE Systems is being considered by the show that will dramatically improve the time it takes staff to review voicemail content. TalkText accurately and rapidly converts voicemail messages into text and sends them as an email or text message.

“Now, you can read your voicemail,” said Thomas. “Instead of patiently listening to each and every voicemail to determine content, with voice to text, The Ellen DeGeneres Show staff can use computers, handhelds like BlackBerries and Treos, and cell phones to quickly scan message content to determine which messages to use on the show. TalkText is the evolution of voicemail.”

“We are extremely happy with FreedomVOICE systems, its products and its customer service,” said Williams. The proof it works is that, frequently, Ellen will call someone back.”

About FreedomVOICE Systems:
Founded in 1996, FreedomVOICE Systems (FVS) develops and markets a comprehensive slate of integrated virtual office tools that allow businesses and professional offices to interact more effectively with their customers, clients, patients and associates. FVS’ feature-rich systems and flexible technology enable users to enhance their image, communicate seamlessly whether by voice, fax or email, track marketing effectiveness and promote their service by increasing their availability.

The company offers a wide array of products and services from 800-number toll free number services to more advanced unified communications systems. For more information, please call 800-477-1477 or visit our web sites.