Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
FYI...It was made clear by Paul G. when we toured the paint facility by the airport that they would not grant an exclusive territory at this time. They will do franchising, just not exclusive. That's because they are targeting the "big boys" in the auto rejuvenation business. Not granting an exclusive territory keeps their options open for bigger, better sales opportunities.
SS9173
Hangdog, after you sort this out with input from this board, please consider sending a formal letter or email to Neom Management and the BOD with this proposal.
Thanks,
SS9173
Bigs, your post is outstanding...excellent probing of Management, and well articulated! You are another shining example of why I view several on this thread as a "Smart Mob of sorts." It was a pleasure meeting you at the SHM. Hope you will consider posting more often. You have a lot to offer this board. Job well done!
SS9173
Success622, excellent additions to my post.
One thing you caught that I somehow missed was 12snap's Dusseldorf office at Vodafone. Could be another dot in the making...
Thanks,
SS9173
P.S. Enjoyed meeting you, too. You're top-notch on this board and in person. Glad to have you as our moderator.
There was no public discussion regarding Intel at the SHM. If there were any side-bar discussions with Management regarding the Intel alliance, please post.
If the alliance is still active, I wonder how the news below will affect it:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Update: Intel sells comms unit to Marvell for $600 million
Intel continues effort to shore up its core business in the face of increasing competition from AMD
By Marc Ferranti, IDG News Service
June 27, 2006
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/06/27/79665_HNintelsellstomarvell_1.html
Intel will sell its communications and application processor business to Marvell Technology Group for $600 million, the companies announced Tuesday.
The move is part of an Intel effort to shore up its core business in the face of increasing competitive pressure from Advanced Micro Devices and a slowing global PC market. Intel Tuesday identified mobile computing, in addition to the traditional PC market, as an area that it will focus on.
In April, Intel announced that it expected a 3 percent drop in revenue for 2006, and said it would undertake a reorganization that could include layoffs within 90 days. A layoff announcement is widely expected around the time Intel makes its next earnings announcement, on July 19.
Intel expects profits to decline from $12.1 billion last year to $9.3 billion this year. Speaking to Wall Street analysts in New York in April, Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini said the company will cut spending this year by $1 billion, cut capital expenditures by $300 million and begin a 90-day structural reorganization of "nonperforming business units."
Getting rid of the communications business appears to fit nicely into that plan. "Communications is a long and mostly sad story at Intel," said Gordon Haff, an analyst with Illuminata. "It's a product line where they just pumped untold dollars into a black hole for years now."
He said that while Intel has had a few "moderately successful" products come out of the group, it never developed into a particularly profitable business.
"This sale is specifically of our handheld business, making cellular and application processors. We’re still very much focused on wireless communications technologies like Wi-Fi and WiMax," said Intel spokesman Robert Manetta.
Those technologies are currently slated for notebook PCs, but Intel could potentially find itself back in the handheld business, if they are adopted for future generations of handhelds or cell phones.
The business segment Intel sold to Marvell includes cellular communications processors, which handle voice data in electronics such as BlackBerry devices, and applications processors, which are the CPUs (central processing units) that give brains to smartphones like the Motorola Q and Palm Treo.
Manetta declined to say whether Intel had ever turned a profit by making these chips, stating simply that the company decided that the handheld area "was not a good fit for us."
Indeed, analysts say Intel entered that market segment too late to be profitable.
"It's an area that made sense at one point for Intel to make an investment there and to attempt to establish a presence in the wireless space, but frankly that market was pretty mature by the time Intel got involved in it. It's a market that tends to focus on high volume, very thin profit margins, with really bloodthirsty competition in it. So it's a tough place to make a dollar," said Charles King, an analyst with market research firm Pund-IT Inc.
On Marvell's part, the buy will give it a leg up in the market for handheld computing devices such as PDAs (personal digital assistants) and smartphones. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Marvel will also assume some of the unit's liabilities.
The Intel unit produces processors built on the company's XScale technology, and include the PXA9 processor used in Research in Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry. The unit employs about 1,400 people, most of whom are expect to work for Marvell after the purchase is complete, according to the companies.
The acquisition marks Marvell's entrance into the cell phone market, said Sehat Sutardja, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Marvell, speaking during a conference call to discuss the acquisition. "The cell phone business, even though it's a big business opportunity it's a very challenging market to enter," he said. Marvell acquired the technology from Intel rather then invest time and development effort to build it internally, he said.
With the acquisition, Marvell will focus solely on 3G (third-generation) mobile technologies and beyond, he said. The company is based in Santa Clara, California.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
Clawmann, I agree that Management's answer to move off the OTC to a major board was somewhat evasive - certainly, a "motherhood and apple pie" answer as I told one shareholder sitting next to me. They are in a quiet period because of the S-3 registration filing so they had to be careful what they disclosed - if it weren't for that I would have pushed them harder for future guidance and timing of their plans to get on the AMEX or NASDAQ. All they would say publicly is the stock price has to meet the minimum threshold requirements for listing.
The good news is that we are well on our way to generating significant revenues in the near future, and as we learn of the players involved in Qode launch and other new mobile marketing initiatives, hopefully the market will get excited enough to drive the pps above the required thresholds within a couple of years.
SS9173
Regarding my views for the short-term investor, it simply is a cautious and conservative view. I suppose it depends somewhat on what the market has already priced into the stock. The number of shares outstanding will potentially more than double between now and year end. We won't see Q3 financial results until mid-November. I believe qode launch will happen by year-end, but what if it is the latter part of Q4. What I am implying is that short-term the pps may not move a whole lot or it may even decline depending on the timing of when we get positive news. Again, long term I am betting the market will value Neom very favorably even with substantially increased share dilution.
SS9173
SHM notes and commentary:
1) It was great meeting JP, Success622, Hangdog, DrMyke, Madcat, Gleanings, Crusher, N E O M, NumberCruncher, Smoke20, Bigs, and other Ihub lurkers. This is truly an impressive group of individuals – a “Smart Mob” of sorts.
2) Management was impressive as well. They were open, sincere, enthusiastic, professional and well prepared – not just with their words, but body language as well. I believe that they have and will continue to demonstrate high business ethics in all their behaviors.
3) Scott Shaffer (the PP) was also present. It appeared to me and others that whatever misgivings Scott and Management might have had in the past has been “patched up”. Scott and Chas had a relatively lengthy one-on-one side-bar discussion. Chuck seemed to go out of his way during the introduction to indicate that Scott was a friend of Neomedia. It will be interesting to see if Scott now begins to write about Neom once again,
4) The offsite venue was first class - excellent facilities and comfortable. I would estimate that there were more than 50 shareholders in attendance – perhaps up more than three fold from the December meeting. Management’s hospitality was well appreciated by all as well.
5) Prior to the presentations, we toured displays of each of the business units with one or more of their executives. During this time period, we learned that Lauren Bigelow has left Mobot for another career opportunity. We also learned that Mobot will soon announce a new campaign with Starbucks. Gavitec explained how McDonald’s Portugal is an important pilot program, which could lead to more expansion into other McDonald’s restaurants in other parts of the world if the ROI proves attractive. He stated that early indications are positive.
6) Chuck Jensen started the presentation portion of the meeting introducing what he called “Special Guests”:
a. Chas Fritz, Dr. Kevin Hunter and Rob Durst – the inventors and authors of the physical world to the electronic world.
b. Stan Hill – Founder of CSI International; now Neomedia Micropaint.
c. Ronnie Haligman – outside legal counsel.
7) Next there was the formality of forward looking statements.
8) Chuck Jensen then went into his presentation – The Launch. The key takeaway here was that Paperclick (forevermore to be called “Qode”) will be hard launched this year – possibly starting during Q3, but for sure during Q4. He emphasized this will include a consumer launch. They are lining up the three circles (brands, carriers, and media companies) with the various platforms (Symbian, Java 2.0, Palm / Microsoft, Java 1.0, and BREW) – see Martin Copus presentation for the relevant slide on enabling technologies.
9) The introduction of Qode by Martin Copus became the PR for the day at approximately 11:00 AM EDT.
10) Another key explanation in Jensen’s presentation was the discussion on the Mobile Marketing Ecosystem and Direct vs. Indirect. Direct is when the barcode contains the URL in the code, whereas with Indirect the barcode contains a number or word that connects to a database, which connects to the URL. Neomedia’s capability replaces 2 steps of the Ecosystem. More specifically, Qode is indirect, which has many advantages – principally Neom becomes the application provider and Qode will replace the network aggregator. This is important as network aggregators such as M-Qube, who was acquired by Verisign, will some day become obsolete; thereby perhaps forcing Verisign to eventually license Qode sometime in the future (this last statement is entirely my speculation and was not discussed at the SHM).
11) Another key message by Jensen was that we are working to launch Qode in China, and China has over 19% of the worldwide cellular subscribers.
12) Chas Fritz then made his presentation – The Vision, which is to link the physical world to the electronic world – what some call “Internet Phase 2”.
13) I thought his analogy of “first things first” was well thought-out – the rights to build the house, right designers / carpenters, strong foundation, and having the ability to pay for it. Our “rights to build” includes 28 patents across 14 countries, earliest core art, blocking patents, built for defense, and with a strategy.
14) Fritz explained on a flipchart “How big is the opportunity” – obviously he didn’t want this in print in the presentation. He said there were 2 to 4 billion UPC codes worldwide. If we assume that Neomedia activates only 0.1% of these codes and charges $500 / year per unique UPC code, this will equal $1 billion potential revenue per year. One would think these are very conservative estimates, and this is only one part of the business.
15) Martin Copus followed Chas Fritz’s presentation discussing Neomedia Mobile. As stated earlier, he introduced Qode to us – essentially stating the Paperclick as a brand name was not standing out from the competition; that they wanted to create a new brand name that was shorter and catchy. He emphasized that Neom is targeting the young adults. He indicated that Mobot’s expansion from Elle Girl to Elle is very important and exciting. Another interesting tidbit was that Sponge has now 11,000 applications under their belt. He ended his presentation stating that their goal is to become the Global Leader in Mobile Marketing Solutions.
16) Paul G., formerly of DuPont, gave an overview of NMPR. The pilot facility near the Fort Myers Airport has grown their monthly sales from $15K to $45K over the last 4 months. He said that they are increasing their market share – now 30% for the airport region. Look for NMPR to change their name in the near future as they have expanded their product offerings well beyond just paint. There are clearly strong ties with DuPont, and they are well positioned for profitable growth. It was stated later in the Q&A session that Neom had no plans to spin off NMPR – at least for now – perhaps as their revenue model increases substantially they would consider this (again, this is my speculation – officially, there is no plan to spin off this business).
17) Next we heard about the Triton Global Business Services. Guy Fietz was proud to claim that they have tripled their sales over the last 3 years ($3M to over $10M), and they are averaging over $1 million sales per employee – the best in the industry. Lavalife and Vox-Tel are among their major customers. If you read between the lines, it is apparent that Triton’s 3rd party billing capability will have synergy with the other Neomedia business units over time.
18) Chuck Jensen then went into a Q&A session – first with some presentation slides, and then we were able to ask questions. The questions he formally showed came from the email that I sent to him (based on much of your input). A summary of their answers are shown below:
a. They are committed to increasing shareholder value.
b. They will pursue a major stock exchange as soon as they qualify for it.
c. They do not believe the increase in A/S will impact their plans to become listed on NASDAQ.
d. A reverse split is not being considered.
e. “Custody only” is not a viable option.
f. They are working to engage a financial analyst during Q3 with coverage beginning during Q4.
g. No plans to divest NMPR.
h. HipCricket negotiations and DD are continuing. No timeframe disclosed.
i. They have 183 employees before the HipCricket acquisition. Their cash burn rate is $1 million per month.
j. The Scanbuy lawsuit is proceeding through the courts. But it was also mentioned that Scanbuy’s new CEO has traveled to Neom Headquarters – possible settlement discussions were inferred.
k. Chas Fritz stated that he stopped his insider selling of stock in early June as it “was the right thing to do”.
l. Neom believes their share price is much undervalued. They compared themselves with M-Qube which sold to Verisign for $250M and they believe they are worth a lot more than M-Qube.
m. It appeared to me that they are seeking to invest in the business rather than seeking near-term positive cash flow. This implies to me that there will be a round two of acquisitions sometime during the 2nd half of this year. Look at the relevant slides in the PowerPoint presentation for possible future acquisition candidates.
n. Chuck Jensen emphasized that this vote to increase the A/S was “painful” and that he did not want to have to go back and ask for any further increases in A/S in the future. He inferred that they don’t need 5 billion now…that they need about 1.5 billion shares depending on pps. What we don’t know is how many additional shares they would need for our presumed assumption that more acquisition activity is planned or underway.
o. Hangdog challenged them to find a way to end the toxic Cornell financing. He presented a proposal that Management seemed to be willing to give further consideration. I will let him explain how this would work in his postings. I would recommend that he follow-up with a formal letter to Management and the BOD reiterating this proposal.
p. There was a question dealing with the structure of stock options. The answer was that the board reviews the structure with other industry practices and makes sure they are in line. Personally, I wasn’t satisfied with that answer.
q. We had planned to ask a question about increasing the number of members on the BOD. We ran out of time to do this publicly, and at the present time I am unsure if this was discussed during individual discussions.
19) David Dodge led the formal shareholder meeting. As expected all of the issues presented on the proxy passed. The A/S increase from 1 billion to 5 billion was clearly not a mandate as only 72% of the shares were voted in favor of it.
20) One executive, whose name I will keep confidential, indicated that Q2 and Q3 will continue to show very positive financial results on an overall basis.
21) Following the meeting, several of us drove to the Micropaint facility near the airport for a tour. The personnel and the facility were first-rate. They are working hard to achieve a major launch in North America with some big players in the auto rejuvenation business. And the more I understand about this business, the more I see synergy with Neom’s Mobile business unit. This is clearly a “diamond in the rough” that has huge upside potential with relatively little downside risk IMO. It has my full personal support as a shareholder.
22) Final thoughts: I believe we will see a lot of interesting and positive developments during the 2nd half of 2006. Launch of Qode is imminent - Neom has got or will soon have “all their ducks in a row” for a successful launch campaign. The overseas market is ready. This is clearly what we have been all waiting for. The level of outstanding shares is going to no doubt increase as Neomedia fulfills their goal of becoming the Global Leader in Mobile Marketing Solutions. Significant revenue growth is clearly possible over the next 12 months, and must happen in order to offset the increased dilution. I think if you have a relatively long time horizon for this investment, you will do just fine. However, if your investment time horizon is relatively short (say less than 6 months), the risk of pps decline or stagnation for the near-term is potentially an issue as we wait for increased revenues in the face of further dilution. Neom has a great vision, an excellent business plan; they just need to execute well what they have outlined. We should hold Management accountable to launch Qode by the end of this year such that it will substantially build revenues going forward. If they do that - and I personally believe they will - their credibility will remain high with this investor. Overall, I found this to be a very rewarding and worthwhile experience…I would recommend that anyone on this board that hasn’t attended a SHM to consider doing so in the future.
SS9173
Boarded flt ...report later.
I have a SHM report all ready to post. If my next flight is delayed, and I can find wireless access for my laptop I will soon post it.
Pre-SHM I-hub Member News...met up with Success622, Hangdog, Madcat, Gleanings, Crusher, James, and several other lurkers last evening at Shoeless Joes Restaurant / Lounge at the Holiday Inn in Fort Myers. JP stayed at Marco Island, and was unable to attend, but will be with us bright and early this morning. Dr. Mike had plane problems and hopefully made it in after midnight last night. Overall, the sentiment by the group was "positive", but the one dominant concern was that we still do not believe we have been given a good reason for the increase in A/S, and most believe an increase in A/S to 5 billion is out of line for the size of Neom's business.
There are several reasons we believe for the increase in A/S:
1) More acquisitions including Enpocket
2) Ensure Management maintains control
3) Prevent hostile takeovers
4) Management doesn't want to have to ask for an additional increase in A/S in the future.
Looking forward to meeting Management and hearing what they have to say today...Stay tuned. One or more of us will be reporting back to the board this afternoon and evening.
Best regards to all,
SS9173
Koko, nice find. EOM
JP, it goes without saying that I would never want you to step aside in asking questions at the SHM. Your track record with Management and this board is exemplary. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to meeting you and the other shareholders on Wednesday.
SS9173
Wolfin, This question has already been presented to Management.
See this post and the related links:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?Message_id=11750827&txt2find=questions
SS9173
Good catch Lemonhead1de. Question 7 (copied and pasted below) is very relevant:
7) What improvements are planned for the mobile version of ActiveShopper? I know most cell phones still don't have the ability to scan barcodes. Is it feasible at this time to integrate the PaperClick software? Is it possible to market this feature in Japan?
We are waiting for NeoMedia to release the PaperClick technology for all the handset phones in the US market and we will do the integration as soon as possible. Sorry, but marketing plans can't be discussed at this point as I feel that discussing them would have a negative impact on the future of this great product.
Thanks for posting.
SS9173
Bank, the list of questions have been prioritized - see this post:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?Message_id=11148876&txt2find=questions
Also, note that we have requested that Management address as many of our questions as possible in their presentations, which is earlier on the agenda.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?Message_id=11097342&txt2find=questions
SS9173
DD Friday, June 23, 2006 naplesnews.com
NeoMedia goes to U.K. for partner in marketing
By Riddhi Trivedi-St. Clair
Friday, June 23, 2006
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/jun/23/neomedia_goes_uk_partner_marketing/?business
Change takes time. Changing attitudes even more so.
Chuck Jensen, president and CEO of Southwest Florida-based NeoMedia, and his team have been working for several years to bring about a change in the way mobile marketing is conducted.
The company’s big push has been for its proprietary software Paperclick, which allows users to directly access a specific Web site on the mobile Internet just by punching in the digits of a barcode, typing in a key word or slogan, or scanning in a smart code.
Now, NeoMedia has found a partner that might make Jensen’s dream of Paperclick being a profit-generator for the company a reality.
NeoMedia has signed a co-marketing agreement with U.K.-based Valley Group, a family-owned company founded in 1892 for interactive point of sale.
“We want to take the lead in providing direct to mobile Internet connectivity in the retail market,” said Martin Copus, chief operating officer of Neomedia’s London division. “And if there’s one company you want to have a relationship with, it’s the lead innovator in the field, and that’s definitely the Valley Group.”
The concept of interactive point of sale is simple, explained Dorian Burrows, head of marketing for the Valley Group.
“I have this beautiful rose-covered cottage but the drains are all clogged. There’s this great product that cleans them right out and they advertise it on the (TV) all the time,” he said. “I can’t remember the number of times I have gone to the supermarket and then walked out without it because no one — and nothing — reminded me to pick one up.”
An average retail customer is the same, he said. Studies have shown 74 percent of purchase decisions are made when shoppers are in stores irrespective of what they have seen on TV or heard on the radio.
“So you have to inform and inspire the shopper to make the purchase when they are in the store,” Burrows said. “Make them pick up the product and put it in their basket and that’s the advantage of Paperclick.”
The use of the software allows brands to provide on-the-spot information, promotions and discounts to shoppers. Someone can scan in a code or a slogan from a product and go to the company’s Web site and find a coupon for the product or participate in a special promotion.
“Shoppers will do that if they think that was the only way to get a special promotion or money off,” he said. “And since it’s the brand doing the marketing or offering the discount rather than the store, it also creates brand loyalty among customers.”
The retail market is very competitive, he said, and the company’s more than 100 years of experience provides insight to generate sales for clients. What makes them different is they provide not just advertising but targeted marketing to enhance sales, brand value and build a relationship with shoppers.
It is more effective also because it is targeted at consumers who are obviously interested in the product and the promotion rather than mass-marketing or cold calling — cold SMS text-messaging in this case.
Paperclick is the right tool to allow them to build on their expertise, Burrows said. They have clients across the United Kingdom, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. For NeoMedia, that means a lucrative revenue stream.
The Valley Group introduced the product at InStore, a large retail marketing convention recently and got a lot of response, he said. Now the important thing is to get the first client to actually use the product.
“Even if you are trying to roll the wheel downhill, it takes a heck of a push to get it started,” Burrows said. “That’s what we are hoping for. Once we get one person to use it, it will be easy.”
The patent owned on Paperclick, Copus said, gives NeoMedia — and Valley Group — an edge over the competition.
“The promotion or information users receive is also targeted based on demographic information,” he explained. “If the user is a man for example and he clicks on a promotion for shavers, it will take him to a promotion for men’s shavers and if it is a woman, to a promotion for women’s shavers.”
Language preferences stored in a user’s cell phone also allow them to send information in English or Spanish or target the promotion to the specific time zone the user is in.
NeoMedia will be able to gain access to the wide client base that the Valley Group has, Copus said, plus earn revenue through the fees they charge for interactive connection of smart codes or barcodes or key words.
A company can sign a deal to have a word or a slogan register for a renewable one-year period and for each key word or that is connected to a unique URL and activated, NeoMedia gets a license fee.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
Dlethe01, I second YJ's praise of your DD and the important contribution of Gavitec to Neom's portfolio of Mobile Marketing Companies.
SS9173
Sean / Streetstylz, well said. Our expansion and diversification in the mobile marketing space will allow Neom to survive now and in the future. I bet in another 6 to 12 months this company will look quite a bit different again, and it will be bigger, too. All in good time as they work to become the Mobile Marketing market share leader.
SS9173
From the S-3: Proforma shares outstanding after all transactions
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSUMED NEOMEDIA STOCK PRICE (6)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.100 $0.200 $0.300 $0.400
------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares of common stock outstanding as of June 15, 2006 636,093,744 636,093,744 636,093,744 636,093,744
Plus pro forma common shares issued upon:
Conversion of outstanding options and warrants (1) 229,512,049 229,512,049 229,512,049 229,512,049
Completion of pending acquisition of Hip Cricket (2) 40,000,000 20,000,000 13,333,333 10,000,000
Completion of pending acquisition of Auto
Preservation (3) 10,000,000 5,000,000 3,333,333 2,500,000
Conversion of convertible preferred shares (4) 278,350,515 139,175,258 92,783,505 69,587,629
Draw-down of $100 million SEDA balance (5) 1,020,408,163 510,204,082 340,136,054 255,102,041
--------------- --------------- ---------------- ----------------
Pro forma shares outstanding after all
transactions 2,214,364,471 1,539,985,133 1,315,192,018 1,202,795,463
=============== =============== ================ ================
</TABLE>
From the S-3:
NEOMEDIA HAS GUARANTEED THE VALUE OF STOCK ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT
MERGERS THROUGH THE REGISTRATION OF THE SHARES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A MATERIAL
CASH LIABILITY
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreements with Mobot, Sponge,
Gavitec, and 12Snap, in the event that NeoMedia's stock price at the time the
consideration shares issued in connection with each acquisition are saleable is
less than the price at which they were valued for purposes of the respective
merger agreements (between $0.3839 and $0.3956 per share), NeoMedia is obligated
to compensate the sellers in cash for the difference between the price at the
time the shares become saleable and the price the shares were valued for
purposes of the merger agreement. Subsequent to the closing of the acquisitions,
NeoMedia's stock has traded as low as $0.202 per share. Assuming a stock price
at the time the shares become saleable of $0.227, which was the last sale price
on June 15, 2006, NeoMedia would have a cash liability of $18.5 million
resulting from these clauses.
OT DD SKT invests £540m in China (provides some insight into the chinese mobile market)
21 June 2006
http://www.telecoms.com/itmgcontent/tcoms/news/articles/20017358664.html?1=1&mp_articleid=200173...
South Korean operator SK Telecom today announced a plan for its entry into the lucrative Chinese market. The company has bought $1bn (£540m) worth of convertible bonds in second placed Chinese operator China Unicom, which can be turned into a 6.6 per cent stake in the company after a year.
But while SKT gets access to the world's biggest mobile market in terms of subscribers, Unicom also gets a partner with the know how to help it turn around its ailing CDMA business.
Unicom has been criticised for its failure to introduce low-priced CDMA handsets and cutting handset subsidies in a bid to bring its CDMA unit to profitability. The result has been that Unicom's monthly CDMA net additions for April fell 10.6 per cent month-on-month.
Unicom had 34.2 million CDMA subscribers at the end of May, compared to 99.6 million GSM subscribers. Conversely, leading Chinese operator China Mobile counted 268 million GSM subscribers at the end of the month.
Under the strategic alliance framework agreement, China Unicom and SKT have consented to cooperate on handset sourcing, value-added services and platform developing on the CDMA platform. SKT itself has some considerable expertise in the CDMA space.
Furthermore, Unicom and SKT already have a cooperative relationship dating back to the establishment of UNISK Information Technology Company in 2004, a joint venture engaging in CDMA value-added services in China such as ring tones and games.
SKT and China Unicom have also applied a principle of mutual exclusiveness to the agreement that SKT gets sole and exclusive partnership in China until the end of 2007.
Chang Xiaobing, chairman of China Unicom, said: "We believe that the strategic alliance will facilitate the Company's future development, enable the Company to provide better services to its CDMA subscribers and create greater shareholder value."
Along with the agreement, affiliated Korean handset manufacturers, content providers, and solution developers are expected to branch out into the Chinese market, SKT said.
Shin-bae Kim, chief executive of SK Telecom, said: "By embodying and speeding up the cooperation of Korean-Chinese telecommunications, this agreement will facilitate both countries to interact in various fields. It will also give us a firm foothold to expand our global business in near future."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
DD 'Nokia Content Discoverer' Opens Door to Expanded Mobile Content Offerings on Millions of Nokia Devices Worldwide
June 19, 2006
http://www.nokia.com/A4136001?newsid=1057682
On-Device Portal Announcement Supported by Agreements with Leading Content Aggregators and Multiple Service Delivery Platform Providers
Nokia Connection 2006, Singapore - Nokia today announced the global launch of its Nokia Content Discoverer on-device portal solution, embedded in millions of Nokia devices based on S60 and Series 40 currently available in markets worldwide, as the core technology platform for enhanced discovery and download of high-quality global and localized mobile content and applications.
Nokia Content Discoverer, representing the evolution of Nokia's end-to-end Preminet content discovery and delivery ecosystem for mobile service providers, affords mobile subscribers easy access to downloadable content through a collection of shopping mall "stores" run by their mobile network operator, leading content aggregators and branded content providers.
Powered by integration with leading service delivery solution providers Handango, Jamster, End2End, Plus Four Six and Qpass, Nokia Content Discoverer can exist simultaneously on the device with any other retail client, opening the door for consumers to a multitude of branded and aggregated content over mobile networks worldwide.
Nokia Content Discoverer lets operators customize the client, offer their own branded content and drive higher adoption rates, repeat transactions and additional revenues. Nokia Content Discoverer also allows operator flexibility in content hosting, providing options for hosting by the operator, the service delivery platform provider or in conjunction with Nokia Mobility Hosting.
Nokia today also announced agreements for the provision through Nokia Content Discoverer of localized content and applications by eight leading regional content aggregators in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, complementing existing global agreements with leading mobile content aggregators Handango, Jamster and Nokia Software Market. (See separate release.)
"Nokia is pleased to unveil Nokia Content Discoverer as its core platform technology for driving easy discovery, download and purchase of mobile content over virtually any mobile network and any delivery platform, using leading Nokia devices based on S60 and Series 40 Platforms" said Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia, Nokia's global developer support program. "Working with leading content providers, aggregators and delivery platform providers, the Nokia Content Discoverer on-device portal will enhance the end-user mobile shopping experience, drive repeat usage of content services and increase revenues to the benefit all players in the mobile value chain."
Compatible with leading Nokia handsets based on S60 and Series 40, Nokia Content Discoverer is embedded as an on-device portal in eight Nokia handset models comprising millions of devices currently in the marketplace through leading mobile operators and retail outlets worldwide. An additional six handset models carrying the embedded Nokia Content Discoverer client are slated to ship to global markets by end-2006.
Using Nokia Content Discoverer, mobile subscribers are able to easily discover, download and purchase localized content, applications and services, including Symbian C++ applications for S60, Java(TM) games and productivity applications, logos and background images, ring tones and True Tones, video clips and files, full-track music and Flash content. Mobile users will experience a greatly enhanced content shopping experience through Nokia Content Discoverer's advanced on-device caching of content catalog metadata and integrated preview/prelisten and installation capabilities, speeding time to discovery and download and facilitating easy purchase of mobile content.
"Nokia Content Discoverer will help to considerably expand Handango's addressable market, as millions more consumers will now be able to access Handango content through the on-device Nokia Content Discoverer client embedded in S60 and Series 40 devices," said Doug Ortega, COO, Handango. "Enabling consumer access to content directly from the device is key to success in the mobile content market."
"Integration of the Qpass Content Delivery Solution with Nokia Content Discoverer provides Qpass with an exciting opportunity to provide infrastructure for delivery of advanced content and data services to the ever-broader number of mobile content consumers present in today's marketplace," said Eric Harber, vice president of business development and marketing, Qpass, Amdocs Digital Commerce Division. "Working together with Nokia we will enable operators, content providers and aggregators to leverage Qpass tools and capabilities for the sourcing, merchandising, and delivery of premium content and services to mobile subscribers worldwide."
"We are very excited to be integrating our service offering with Nokia's on-device portal for improved access to advanced content and applications," said Ralf Wenzel, business development director, Jamster. "Jamster understands that client deployments are a key growth driver for digital goods and services. We are continuing to see increased demand from mobile operators for different client technologies and the Nokia Content Discoverer offers us greater business opportunities."
Nokia Content Discoverer is currently embedded in select Nokia devices based on S60 and Series 40 available in the global marketplace, including the Nseries multimedia devices (Nokia N70, N71, N72 and N80), Eseries devices for enterprise users (Nokia E60, E61 and E70), Nokia 3250 handsets currently available in mainland China and Nokia 6131 devices in China and other Asia-Pacific markets. The on-device portal also is slated to be shipped by end-2006 to markets worldwide embedded on six additional Nokia handset models, including the Nokia N73, N93, E50, 5500, 6070 and 6233.
More information about Nokia Content Discoverer is available online at: www.forum.nokia.com.
To download the Nokia Content Discoverer client to additional Nokia devices based on S60 Platform visit: www.nokia.com/catalogs.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
DD MySpace targets international expansion
Last Update: 4:10 PM ET Jun 19, 2006
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B9A6B9F54-88F7-4474-8398-E0A3F48A07FA%7D&...
MySpace, the social networking site, is to use the UK as a beachhead for a push into Europe that will see it link up with "old media" companies and mobile phone operators to attract more users.
Chris DeWolfe, co-founder and chief executive of MySpace, told the Financial Times on Monday that he had earmarked 11 countries for its international expansion, among them France and Germany, and was looking at China and India over the longer term.
MySpace, which was bought last year for $580m by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, has grown rapidly since its inception three years ago and is now the biggest networking site, with 86m users who use it to post photos, blogs, music and videos.
The company will on Tuesday announce that David Fischer has been appointed as managing director for the UK and Europe. Mr Fischer, 40, was founder and chief executive of Xlantic Group, a music marketing company, and has worked at Pressplay and AOL Europe.
Mr Fischer, who will be responsible for negotiating with television and music content owners to develop local versions of MySpace, said the first foreign-language sites would be ready later this summer.
He is also looking for alliances with mobile operators to deliver content over mobile phones, an area where Mr DeWolfe predicted "significant" revenues. "I think most [mobile operators] think the killer application could be MySpace."
MySpace in February announced a partnership with Helio, a virtual mobile network operator, to distribute content in the US. A European version will be launched "before the end of the year", said Mr DeWolfe. But "the United States is so far behind in mobile technology that it may be not as important as it is here [Europe] or in Asia", he added.
MySpace is still looking for a search engine partner to add search-based advertising revenues to its business model, but Mr DeWolfe said a deal should be worked out "in the next couple of months".
Peter Chernin, News Corp's chief operating officer, said last week that MySpace would "auction off" its search business to Google, Yahoo or MSN. Mr DeWolfe pointed out that the most common site for MySpace users to move to on leaving his site was Google, but would not say whether it had identified a preferred partner.
The bulk of MySpace's revenue comes from advertising, although Mr DeWolfe said he also wanted to increase revenue from transactions, such as paid downloads of the TV series 24 which the site began selling last month.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
Success622, Please refer to this link for the list of questions submitted for the SHM: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=11097342 .
SS9173
Midlife Fling, very interesting. I did a Google search and this link might be the article you read: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/3977673.html . It has the same sentence you quoted.
I have copied and pasted the entire article below:
June 16, 2006, 11:24PM
Gates confident success won't falter
Founder insists Microsoft to avoid others' mistakes
By JOHN MARKOFF
New York Times
REDMOND, WASH. - Microsoft stands astride the computing world much as another corporate giant, IBM, once did. Now its task is to avoid repeating IBM's mistakes.
As the PC era wanes and the Internet era gathers force, Microsoft's revenues have never been higher and its quarterly profits remain in the billions. But it has yet to find profitability in an array of businesses that it has entered beyond those it has dominated, operating systems and office applications.
Finding the company's way in the new era will largely fall to the successors of Bill Gates, who announced Thursday that he would leave his day-to-day role at Microsoft in two years. But in an interview Friday, Gates said he was confident the company was positioning itself for success in its fourth decade and beyond.
"I don't think there's any period that's not a transitional period in computing," he said.
Referring to the relentless increase in computing power, he added, "When you have Moore's Law creating these exponentially new capabilities, we're always in a time of utter change, maybe even accelerating change."
And he insisted Microsoft was focused on adapting to change — and learning from companies that failed to do so.
"We're all students of why didn't Wang make the change," he said. "Why didn't Digital Equipment, which was my favorite company, make the change?"
A more fitting lesson may come from IBM, which dominated the mainframe computing era just as Microsoft has ruled the PC age. IBM remained highly profitable in the 1980s even after the advent of the PC produced a growing array of challengers. But by the early 1990s, the eclipse of the mainframe and IBM's inability to find its way in the PC era forced the company to go through a sweeping makeover. And it has never regained previous influence.
Now it is the age of high-speed Internet connections and an array of new digital devices that threaten the formula that established Microsoft's primacy. But Gates argued that the rapidly increasing availability of computing power, which foiled his competitors, will ultimately save Microsoft. As the cost of computing falls, giving rise to new uses and appliances, Microsoft will find new markets and grow where other companies have failed, he said.
In that sense, technical advances have a different impact on computing than on other businesses, increasing rather than decreasing demand.
"When they invented radial tires, they should have shot the guy," he said. "The whole industry went through a crisis, because it took nine years to squeeze out the extra factory capacity, because the tires lasted longer."
Microsoft's future, he said, lies in an array of new applications. He cited as an example an announcement planned next month on extending the Microsoft Office business into the telecommunications world by more tightly linking the power of PCs and telephones.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
Beam11, I agree with your analysis. Neomedia is in pursuit of becoming the Mobile Marketing market share leader. I fully expect that we will see a round 2 of acquisitions during the second half of this year. I believe they are hopeful the pps will increase as revenues increase, and they do not seem to be overly concerned at the moment with positive cash flow.
From my conversation with YJ, he will not be able to attend the SHM. I will be in attendance, but I sincerely doubt that we will be able to attain detailed answers to the type of financial questions you are suggesting be asked.
As you know, I have already submitted a comprehensive list of questions to Headquarters: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=11097342 . I requested that they answer these questions during their presentations. While I don't expect all to be answered, if we don't formally ask, we definitely can't expect a reply. Therefore, if you want me to add any to this list, let me know and I will do so and forward them on.
SS9173
Further checking out the competition: It doesn't appear that Scanbuy Shopper does any scanning at all. It appears that you have to manually enter in the barcode number.
http://www.scanbuyshopper.com/ShopperConsole/shopper_how.htm
I checked into downloading Scanbuy Shopper to my cellphone this morning, but found that Scanbuy has not partnered with my SP, Verizon Wireless, nor is my Samsung smartphone compatible.
SS9173
JP, I did a google search for "go window" and it came up with only Neomedia / Paperclick references.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&&q=%22go+window%22
SS9173
Hi JP, thanks for reminding us of Paperclick Version 4.0. For those that don't remember much of what JP stated is extracted from this 2005 press release: http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2005/20050308.jsp
Looking forward to a future announcement in which a major service provider or brand marketer licenses PC.
SS9173
Hi SOG, I have been very busy this week and haven't had time to keep up with the board much.
I am sure you and those involved at Neom Headquarters will learn from this experience. In hindsight, both sides could have conducted this interviewing process better.
Human emotions can be a rollercoaster at times. Even for me, and most that know me well have said that I have one of the most even keeled personalities they know.
As you know, I have tried my best to support your efforts through our private correspondence, and I remain still "in your corner".
Best of luck in your new endeavors. I look forward to your continued outstanding DD here on this board in the future.
Best regards to you and your family,
SS9173
YJ, Good post. Hopefully Camreader or their partner, 3GVision, will be more widely adopted by cell phone manufacturers across the globe to enable successful cameraphone reading of the billions of 1D barcodes already in existence.
http://www.3gvision.com/prod-bar.htm
I think this could be key enabler technology to enable quicker mass adoption of PC.
SS9173
DrMyke, With all due respect I don't see this PR generating revenue until some brand marketer licenses iPOS. SS9173
QCurt, Although I am optimistic that this indeed may be a launch for PC, those words have been used before in prior press releases (so call me somewhat skeptical). Some prior examples include:
http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2004/20040223.jsp
NeoMedia's PaperClick for Camera Phones Launched in Europe with Preview at 3GSM and Debut at CeBIT, World's Biggest High-Tech Event
Fort Myers, FL and Cannes, France, February 23, 2004 -- NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB: NEOM), today began its launch of PaperClick for Camera Cell Phones™ technology at two major European trade events, the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, to be followed by CeBIT in Hannover, Germany.
PaperClick, available first for the Nokia® 3650 and 3660 camera phones, is being previewed starting today through Thursday at the 3GSM World, a premier event for the wireless industry, where NeoMedia participates with Digital Rum (Hall 3, Stand H32).
In January, NeoMedia signed a Letter of Intent to enter a collaborative agreement to launch PaperClick? with Digital Rum Ltd., a U.K.-based provider of mobile commerce solutions. who will work with Big Gig Strategies of London, which is spearheading the launch of Paperclick and PaperClick for Nokia® Camera Cell Phones™ in Europe.
Following 3GSM, PaperClick will be officially launched at CeBIT at Enterprise Florida, Inc., in the USA Office Automation, Imaging & Document Management Pavilion (Hall 1, Stand 3D-16). Held March 18-24, CeBIT is the world's largest and most comprehensive, with more than 560,000 attendees and 6,000 exhibitors in 27 halls, including some 10 members of the world IT and business press.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2004/20040322.jsp
NeoMedia's PaperClick for Camera Phones Makes U.S. Trade Debut at CTIA Wireless 2004
Atlanta, GA, March 22, 2004 -- NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB: NEOM), continued its roll-out of PaperClick for Camera Cell Phones™ today, as the innovative patented technology linking camera phones and targeted online information technology made its U.S. trade show debut at CTIA Wireless 2004.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally, I will get more excited when a Proctor & Gamble, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Ebay, or other big name brand marketer licenses the use of Paperclick.
This isn't to discount the importance of today's PR and the up-coming In-Store Show exhibition with The Valley Group. Just waiting to see something more significant to be announced that will begin generating some much needed Paperclick revenues.
SS9173
The Valley Group has an impressive list of clients.
click the clients page on their website: http://www.thevalleygroup.com/
Includes:
* Microsoft
* Sony
* Rolls Royce
* Panasonic
* Nissan
* T Mobile
* Nestle
SS9173
DD The In-Store Show
http://www.instoreshow.co.uk/
http://www.instoreshow.co.uk/visiting.html
The In-Store Show incorporating IDW is the event for everyone involved in the in-store industry and it provides the perfect opportunity to be inspired, learn what’s new, meet with colleagues and peers, exchange ideas, learn from each other and do business.
This year we are moving to Earls Court 2 and the Show will once again give you the opportunity to meet over 200 exhibitors representing all elements of in-store marketing and design.
Over the 3 days of In-Store you will have the opportunity to find out what's new in the market, speak with familiar and new exhibitors, view the 2006 entries to the POP Awards displayed in the Awards Showcase feature area, attend the exceptional case study led conference programme and meet and exchange information and opinions with other visitors.
Plus, NEW for this year!
Attend Digital Workshops presented by the leading digital providers, demonstrating how creative content be delivered through digital platforms to reach, entertain and influence the consumer.
The Design Gallery (sponsored by Design Week) will showcase leading retail design work, promoting the best work and the most innovative organisations.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Show on the 13th – 15th June 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.instoreshow.co.uk/visiting.html
show features
Exhibitors
In-Store will showcase the top suppliers, illustrating the latest developments and industry trends across many sectors including P-O-P, in-store technologies, visual merchandising, shop equipment, display systems, lighting and graphics, design and shopfitting - to name but a few.
Case Study led Conference Programme
An invaluable opportunity to learn from the best in the industry!
Brand, retail and design experts hold case study led sessions that will challenge thinking and ensure you come away with practical tips!
Hour long sessions cost £35 in advance, £45 on the day.
The P-O-P Awards 2006
See examples of POP excellence! The nominees for the 2006 POP awards will be showcased at the Show and the nominees will be announced at the Show at 6.00pm on Weds 14th June.
Digital Workshops
How can creative content be delivered through digital platforms to reach, entertain and influence the consumer? A series of digital workshops, presented by the leading digital providers, will demonstrate the possibilities created by this evolving medium for brand and retail marketers.
Sessions are free to attend but must be booked in advance.
Design Gallery sponsored by Design Week
Sponsored by Design Week, the Gallery will form a Showcase of leading retail design work. Showing results from the Design Week Awards alongside a presence from leading retail design companies the area will promote the best work and the most innovative organisations.
NAS to launch PAS
NAS will launch its Publicly Available Specification at the Show – a document that created a set of management standards for shopfitting in conjunction with the British Standards Institute. For the first time clients can check that their chosen shopfitter is performing to a set of known standards and it also allows the NAS shopfitter to demonstrate compliance with the standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digital Workshops
With ever increasing pressures on getting your message, product or brand across to the consumer, digital is becoming increasingly important as a more versatile and innovative medium.
The Digital Workshops are a programme of events, repeated throughout the Show that will offer you insight into how your message can be delivered digitally.
Sessions are all free to attend and there’s no need to book, just turn up!
Tuesday 13th June
D1 12:00 - 12:45
The Challenges of implanting Digital Signage networks across Europe – from one who knows!
Digital Signage networks – what is going on in the rest of Europe
What can we learn from them?
Crystal ball gazing – what does the future hold?
Speaker: Mike Fabian, VP International, Carlipa Group
D2 14:45 - 15:30
Mobile Interaction @ Retail
Aim-click-receive
Simple code direct to your phone
Speaker: David Foster-Lyons, Neomedia
D3 15:45 - 16:30
Session to be confirmed
Wednesday 14th June
D1 12:00 - 12:45
The Challenges of implanting Digital Signage networks across Europe – from one who knows!
Digital Signage networks – what is going on in the rest of Europe
What can we learn from them?
Crystal ball gazing – what does the future hold?
Speaker: Mike Fabian, VP International, Carlipa Group
D2 13:45 - 14:30
Real Results from In-Store Digital Signage
Showcasing European Case Studies (incl. C&A)
The Importance of Content
Matching Technology to consumer shopping behaviour
Speaker: Sean Reel, CEO, MediaZest
D3 15:45 - 16:30
Session to be confirmed
D4 15:45 - 16:30
Mobile Interaction @ Retail
Aim-click-receive
Simple code direct to your phone
Speaker: David Foster-Lyons, Neomedia
Thursday 15th June
D1 13:30 - 14:15
The Challenges of implanting Digital Signage networks across Europe – from one who knows!
Digital Signage networks – what is going on in the rest of Europe
What can we learn from them?
Crystal ball gazing – what does the future hold?
Speaker: Mike Fabian, VP International, Carlipa Group
D2 14:30 - 15:15
Mobile Interaction @ Retail
Aim-click-receive
Simple code direct to your phone
Speaker: David Foster-Lyons, Neomedia
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
Clawmann, I searched the board for "Maxicode" and found only one relevant post:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?Message_id=9859780&txt2find=maxicode
Neomedia's role with Maxicode relates back to its former Consulting and Integration Services Business Unit, which has now been closed. See this post:
http://biz.yahoo.com/e/060515/neom.ob10-q.html
Consulting & Integration Services Business Unit
As part of the acceleration of global expansion in PaperClick and Paint, as well as the creation of the NeoMedia Telecom Services (NTS) business unit through the BSD acquisition, NeoMedia also decided in February 2006 to wind down its legacy NeoMedia Consulting & Integration Services (NCIS) business unit. The NCIS unit consisted of client-server equipment and related software resales. The resale market has been commoditized over the past several years, and NeoMedia believes its resources are better spent on the development and commercialization of its NMM, NMPR and NTS business units. Certain of the proprietary products associated with the NCIS business, such as PDF-417 and Maxicode print encoder software and WISP migration tools, will be retained by NeoMedia and consolidated with the NMM unit. NeoMedia does not intend to pursue additional resales of hardware and software or integration services not directly related to its other business units.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I then did a google search, and found that Maxicode was created by the United Parcel Service (UPS).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MaxiCode
MaxiCode is a public domain, machine readable symbol system originally created and used by United Parcel Service. Suitable for tracking and managing the shipment of packages, it resembles a barcode, but uses dots arranged in a hexagonal grid instead of bars.
A MaxiCode symbol (internally called "Bird's Eye" or "Target") appears as a 1 inch square, with a bullseye in the middle, surrounded by a pattern of hexagonal dots. It can store about 93 characters of information, and up to 8 MaxiCode symbols can be chained together to convey more data. The centered symmetrical bullseye is useful in automatic symbol location regardless of orientation, and it allows MaxiCode symbols to be scanned even on a package traveling rapidly.
Maxicode symbology was created by UPS in 1992.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
DD AskMeNow Projects Revenue Generation and Profitability; Expectation of 1 Million Subscribers by Year End
DATE: 5/10/06
IRVINE, Calif.-- May 10, 2006--AskMeNow, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ocean West Holding Corporation (OTCBB: OWHC) has updated its shareholders in an investor conference call held Monday May 8, 2006, and projects revenue generation as a result of its previously announced distribution agreements, driven principally by the Rogers Wireless license agreement, of between $650,000 per month to as high as $1,250,000 per month by year end 2006. AskMeNow expects to reach approximately one million subscribers by year-end as direct result of its nationwide marketing program in the US and a co-opted nationwide marketing program in Canada with Rogers Wireless, which currently serves over 6mm mobile subscribers in Canada as the leading cellular carrier.
With an anticipated subscriber adoption of just 25% of such projected one million subscribers, asking questions at a rate of 6-8 per month, AskMeNow believes they have set their expectations conservatively considering they anticipate sales from games, ringtones, and concierge services to be substantially accretive to the $0.75 Canadian fee charged for every question asked by customers in Canada.
"Considering we are preparing to launch in India in the coming months, as well as officially launching our proposed new improved product with the Intelligate software in the United States by 4th quarter 2006, we are hoping we can reach near term profitability by year end or first quarter of 2007, said Darryl Cohen, CEO. "As we begin to generate customer activity, I believe we will be in a position to provide other carriers around the world with an overwhelming validation of our technology and financial model. This will help to propel deals that should increase our revenue substantially," Cohen said.
The Company's revenue projections and profitability discussed today are based on assumptions and estimates completely dependent on future events and transactions covering an extended period of time which may be significantly affected by changes in circumstances over which the Company may not have control. We believe we have a reasonable basis for our assumptions and projections and are making a good faith attempt to provide you with this forecast. However, projections are inherently subject to varying degrees of uncertainty, and the ability to meet projections depends, among other things, on the timing and probability of a complex series of future events both internal and external to an enterprise. In addition, the Company recently launched its service and has a very limited operating history. The company has no prior experience in making projections, therefore, it must be understood that any and all projections made today may or may not be realized.
For anyone interested in listening to the full conference call, please go to www.askmenow.com and visit the investor page.
About AskMeNow
AskMeNow, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocean West Holding Corporation, is the easiest, most convenient way to access information on the Internet or from local content from your cell phone or mobile PDA device. The first mobile lifestyle network, AskMeNow utilizes its proprietary technology to offer a natural language based interaction and dynamic content provision platform designed for simple and quick information retrieval. The Company generates revenues through per usage fees and one to one contextual mobile advertising sponsorships. AskMeNow launched officially in November 2005. The Company is based in Irvine California. Please click on www.askmenow.com for more information or write to avaccaro@askmenow.com for press contacts.
Investor Contact: MediaContact:
AskMeNow InvestorRelations
AGORA Investor Relations http://www.agoracom.com/IR/AskMeNow Email: owhc@agoracom.com
Phone: 212.741.5106 x214
AskMeNowMediaRelations
Andrea Vaccaro
Email: avaccaro@askmenow.com
Phone: 772-492-0104 AskMeNowMediaRelationsAndrea
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
DD Askmenow website
http://www.askmenow.com/
http://www.askmenow.com/About.aspx
AskMeNow (OTCBB:OWHC) is a mobile lifestyle company dedicated to optimizing the use of mobile cellular devices to improve individual productivity and efficiency, from anywhere, anytime.
Through its groundbreaking services, AskMeNow, is committed to keeping its users connected while on the go. Users can get quick and easy access to 411 listings, Weather, Movie Times, Sports Scores, Directions, Horoscopes, Travel Information, Stock Quotes and more—all from their cell phone within moments.
The AskMeNow service is also revolutionizing the way people search for and receive information. With its AskMeAnything feature, users can ask virtually any question and receive an answer—not links—in return. Want to know which man holds the world record for the fastest 100 meter dash? How about who won the Oscar™ for Best Actress last year? Instead of the traditional list of links to go through, AskMeNow users receive a specific answer to their question.
The service offers users a choice of ways to ask a question; through the AskMeNow App (that's short for Application!), or calling-in to our toll free number 1-888-EZ-ASKME (392-7563). The accurate, detailed response is text messaged back to the user's cell phone within moments.
Voice questions phoned to the AskMeNow call center enter an Interactive Voice Recognition system allowing users to ask quick questions—such as stock quotes and sports scores—that are automatically answered. Or simply use the AskMeAnything feature and have an AnswerAgent research the question and return a prompt response.
The AskMeNow App will soon be available for many cell phones and wireless handhelds . In the App, each topic such as 411 info and horoscopes has its own template. Simply click the category, enter your information such as name and zip code or astrological sign, click send, and you'll receive an answer back within seconds! You can also choose to use the AskMeAnything feature and get the answer to your question back within moments! AskMeNow is hard at work developing new versions of its free, easily downloadable App for all phones, with many to be launched in the coming weeks.
AskMeNow will also offer users a variety of premium services to better enhance their AskMeNow experience. In the near future we will offer real-time stock quotes, concierge services, and easy access to games, ring tones, and wallpapers, making AskMeNow one of the quickest ways to get what you want, wherever you are.
As the mobile lifestyle network, AskMeNow plans to keep you connected to the world around you. From up to the minute blogs, contemporary entertainment and news information, access to local businesses, and finding out what's hot in your area or wherever your headed—AskMeNow will be your source for everything you need anytime, anywhere!
http://www.askmenow.com/services.aspx
AskMeNow—What You Get!
As your mobile lifestyle network, AskMeNow offers many great services to help you stay connected anywhere, anytime.
AskMeNow's Automated Service allows you to ask quick questions by calling in to 1-888-EZ-ASKME (392-7563), from your cell phone or using the easily downloadable application. Within seconds you can get 411 listings, driving directions, check traffic, find out your horoscope, see what time a movie is playing, get your local weather forecast, check out the latest news and sports scores, find a hotel and much more all for FREE.*
The AskMeAnything feature literally lets you ask almost anything and get the answer! Ever wonder "Why is the sky blue?" or "Which city will host the next Olympic games?" Well, if the information you desire is out there, our AnswerAgents will find it and text message the accurate, detailed answer back to your cell phone within moments.
Each AskMeAnything question costs $0.49 and is charged directly to your cell phone bill. There are no minimums and you can ask as many questions as you'd like.
AskMeNow will be offering users easy access to fun and useful mobile accessories and applications. From ring-tones and wallpaper to games and services, AskMeNow is one of the quickest ways to get what you want for your phone wherever you are.
As the mobile lifestyle network, AskMeNow will continue to help keep you connected to the world around you. From up to the minute blogs, contemporary entertainment and news information, access to local businesses, and finding out what's hot in your area or wherever your headed—AskMeNow will be your source for everything you need anytime, anywhere!
AskMeNow has many more services currently in development. Check back often to see what's new at AskMeNow!
http://www.askmenow.com/Faq.aspx
How much does it cost?
All automated answers asked through the call-in IVR or on the AskMeNow App are free. All AskMeAnything questions will be answered for a fee of $.49, which will be automatically charged to your cell phone bill. Standard minute and text messaging rates do apply.
Where do you get your answers?
We contract with a wide array of content sources from all across the Internet who help us to quickly find the answers and information our users desire.
Where are you located?
Contact Us
Can AskMeNow answer any question?
AskMeNow's AskMeAnything service can answer almost any question for which the answer can be found on the Internet. However, our family friendly policy prevents us from answering questions that do not meet our editorial standards. We also can't answer multiple questions simultaneously (only one at a time) or in depth research questions.
How can I ask a question?
Currently we are able to receive questions from a mobile phone call, or via the downloadable AskMeNow Application (available for BlackBerry ™ handhelds), Registered users can call 1-888-EZ-ASKME (392-7563) from their mobile phones to ask questions.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
Depending upon your wireless service, and the type of question/answer, your answer should arrive within moments, but could take up to a few minutes.
Where can I use AskMeNow?
You can use AskMeNow anywhere in the world where you receive service on your cell phone or wireless handheld, provided you're using an account that was set up with a North American wireless carrier.
Why am I not receiving an answer to my question?
To ensure the delivery of a response, users must be registered with an accurate and up-to-date cell phone number, carrier and/or email information and the caller ID blocking function must be disabled . Your phone must also be able to receive text messages and/or have an Internet abled phone, and must be in an area where you are receiving a data signal.
How do I install/download the application?
Instructions to Install The AskMeNow App
Interested in shortcuts and tricks for your AskMeNow App and service, try some of these helpful tips to make it even quicker and simpler to ask questions:
Spelling Counts!—By having the correct spellings of names, locations and items, we can answer quicker and more accurately.
When asking for directions, please provide a clear starting point and end point—The more information you provide, the quicker and better it will be answered.
Ask a complete question—"How did New York do last weekend?" isn't enough, we don't know if you mean sports, politics, weather. "Hot spot in Toronto" could mean you're interested in nightlife, weather, a certain store, etc. Ask a full, specific sentence and we will be better able to get you the answer you want.
Speak clearly and minimize background noise - When calling in a question be sure to do it from a quiet place and ask as clear as you can so that we can figure out what you're asking.
Not all questions can be answered by the AskMeAnything service (e.g.—"What is the meaning of life?" or "What color shirt should I wear?") - If your interested in advice try the automated answers from the soon to be released FortuneCookie category on the AskMeNow App, otherwise stick to fact or information based questions so we can try to provide you with a quality answer.
Still can't find what you're looking for? Please contact Customer Service
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173