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Well YJ those eyeglasses are giving you some great vision! Thanks for your many contributions to this board.
SS9173
Koko, Good analogies. EOM
Clawmann, well said. EOM
Hangdog (Alan), you are on a roll with some excellent DD posts. I appreciate your efforts and the outstanding information.
It's also nice to see BSDS finally completed.
Thanks again,
SS9173
Vines, nice article. Do you have a url link? EOM
Refresher on Neomedia Telecom Services
From February 16, 2006 PR: http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2006/20060216.jsp
NeoMedia Telecom Services is the newest business unit, and will incorporate BSD Software of Calgary (OTC BB: BSDS), now being acquired by NeoMedia, and its operating entity, Triton Global Business Services of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. For the 12 months ending July 31, 2005, total revenue for the Triton companies was $7.4 million.
"This coming acquisition," said Mr. Jensen, "will launch NeoMedia's entry into the telecom industry and is expected to immediately inject revenue into the company. NeoMedia is working to bring more innovative technologies to the forefront through its proprietary technology, valuable partnerships and opportunistic acquisitions, with further newsworthy announcements anticipated in the near future.
From an SEC filing: http://sec.edgar-online.com/2006/01/20/0001144204-06-002005/Section5.asp
NeoMedia Telecom Services, Inc. is a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NeoMedia Technologies. NeoMedia Telecom Services was incorporated during October 2004 solely for the purposes of effecting the merger with BSD. It has not carried on any activities other than in connection with the Merger Agreement. Following the merger, NeoMedia Telecom Services, Inc. will continue the business of BSD...Triton's vision is to continue expanding its live and automated operator service capability focusing on making emerging web-based information and transaction services easier to access and pay for.
SS9173
Great work Hangdog. Thanks for doing the research and putting it out there for the rest of us.
SS9173
DD Editorial commentary from fiercemoco.com email
VeriSign to scoop up m-Qube for $250M
Seems there was some truth to my gossip column two weeks ago: VeriSign has agreed to acquire m-Qube for a cool $250 million "net of cash," or after cash already on hand at m-Qube. m-Qube is a MoCo enabler that helps brands develop and sell mobile content and messaging services. m-Qube claims to reach more than 200 million wireless subscribers in North America and has already powered mobile storefronts and marketing campaigns for customers including Sony Pictures, CBS, Major League Baseball, Warner Music Group and Reuters.
Last week, analysts railed on VeriSign's mobile unit, with one even calling it a "disaster." Insiders recently told me m-Qube was low on cash and that an acquisition was likely. The addition of m-Qube to VeriSign's mobile unit should perk things up for the company. VeriSign recently acquired wireless applications service provider 3united and Kontiki, which specializes in managed peer delivery systems for video and digital content.
SS9173
YJ, I carefully read the PP blog regarding Nevenvision and NTT DoCoMo, then reviewed Nevenvision's website ( http://www.nevenvision.com/index.html )and also re-read some prior research that I posted here on Ihub (a collection of prior posts - re: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/replies.asp?msg=9759242 .
At this point in time, I can't find anything definitive that states Nevenvision's technology can effectively read barcodes using a cameraphone.
Is there something I am missing?
SS9173
Koko,
This is outside my personal expertise. Perhaps these articles might be of some help:
http://www.wib.org/wb_articles/value_jun03/sales_jun03.htm
http://www.investopedia.com/university/mergers/mergers2.asp
http://www.vcinstitute.org/bookstore/exitingmushkin.html
SS9173
OT DaveDawg, here you go re: "soup to nuts" expression:
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msoupnut.html
SS9173
OT Success, FYI Ihub must be having some server problems this morning. I have been experiencing a lot of timeouts trying to access the website this morning. Also noticing that some posts indicate there are replies that don't exist or list a greater number of replies than actually exist. For example, GreenWavx's post this morning shows 24 replies...LOL.
SS9173
DD Carnival of the Mobilists (as referenced by PP)
http://www.cenriqueortiz.com/weblog/Carnival+of+the+Mobilists/2006/03/17/Carnival-of-the-Mobilists-N...
Friday, 17 March 2006
Carnival of the Mobilists No. 19
Wow, this week we got lots of entries - that's great. By the end of the year we will need to hire someone to handle the volume!
Let's begin with Daniel Taylor (The Mobile Enterprise Weblog). In his entry, Blurring the lines between "work" and "play" - A Hobson's Choice for enterprise IT Daniel explains the challenges that IT in the enterprise faces, and that "it's time we started giving IT departments some respect and the authority to do more than simply clean up the messes we make" by bringing our personal handsets to work. I would add that the real problem is that IT doesn't have the tools to properly manage or certify handsets vs. the user being the one causing the mess.
Martin Sauter (Martin's Mobile Technology Page), in his entry titled Work Goes Mobile – An Interesting Book covers a recent book by Nokia about the challenges of making a workforce mobile. While Martin's entry is not a book review per-se, he brings up very interesting points covered in the book, such as the good and bad sides of mobility, that mobilizing as a business has three dimensions which need to be addressed, and that mobility is more than a technology.
Darla Mack (DarlaMack.com) writes about Are The Naked Booth Babes Really Necessary?. There she covers a very sensitive topic. I agree with Darla, this was totally out of place for a professional setting, and thus unprofessional and disrespectful towards the professional women, to say the least. As Darla puts it, "the events themselves are just targeted towards men and in order to appeal to the men they need to throw in some presumably needed eye candy".
Rudy De Waele (m-trends.org) writes as Open Letter To Vodafone. In his blog, Rudy writes his honest opinion about new services by Vodafone. The MMS advertisement that he received promoted a "monthly flat fee for 3 Euro/month to navigate Vodafone's live!", but ONLY within Vodafone life! portal and services. Rudy's valid point is that we mobile users need services that allow us to truly maximize the mobile environment, both inside and outside Vodafone's live!. I wonder if Vodafone charges the end-user for their MMS-based advertising message? That wouldn't be too nice.
Russell Buckley (MobHappy) writes Who Gave Google Permission to be the Judge and Jury of Mobile Content?. In his piece, he brings up a very interesting issue -- when translating websites for mobile view, is it OK for Google to totally change the look-and-feel differentiation? What about dropping content, such as advertisements?
Ian Wood (Digital Evangelist) writes Getting to disappointed faster, an interesting piece on how the "industry we have spent a long time working in is in need of so much development if we are to reach what was mapped out when we were happily bidding for 3G licenses".
The Pondering Primate, well, his real name is Scott P. Shaffer, writes GPS Global Pondering Suggestions, an mental exercise about what happens when the GPS function is included into a text message.
Ajit Jaokar (Open Gardens) writes Web 2.0 and the revival of browser only PCs, where he writes about "the browser is fast becoming the universal client" and the old idea of browser-only PCs... Interesting, back in 1998-1999 I almost joined Netpliance, a first mover in that space. They promised "... complete access to the World Wide Web ... no computer hassles, software to load or boot-up delays, the Internet can now become a very convenient part of your life for as little as $199 ...". But it was totally a walled garden, and I didn't like that business model, nor the demographics they were targeting. But today, with the advances in browser technology, and the user's acceptance of the technology, and an open garden, and it might be worth revisiting.
Debi Jones (MobileJones) writes about 2006 The Year of Mobile Social Media. Debi writes about the "many announcements, new initiatives and discussions about mobility kicking off in 2006 that it well could be called the year of the mobile. She covers handsets moves, application & services, and mobile operators. I guess I wasn't that off after all -- in the year 2000 I made a bet that 2005 was going to be the year for wireless. Pretty close. I also bet enterprise software would drive mobile adoption - there I was wrong, as consumers are the ones who have driven advancements and adoption of mobile/wireless.
Dennis (Wap Review) writes a detailed review of Go2, which he finds "to be a very powerful and useful tool, but with a user interface that is rather un-intuitive". Read Dennis piece to learn more about Go2.
Dolev Xen (Xellular Identity) writes about MobFashion, fashion and mobility -- today about women's mobile fashion... "How a woman dresses and what mobile she owns are more than a successful self representation." Interesting.... Guys, a must read if you want to understand the intrinsic and complex nature of women! and how fashion is changing rapidly to include all kind of mobiles and personal gadgets as well.
Dorrian Porter, founder of Mozes introduces his new company. Congratulations! Seems interesting...
Emily Turrettini (Textually) writes about how the Israeli election ringtones make a splash.
Troy Norcross (Mobile Marketing & SPAM) writes about how the TXT4 is a great system but not exactly what you think.
Tomi T Ahonen (Communities Dominate Brands) writes about how the youth are addicted to SMS on They ARE the Borg: Youth, Mobile and SMS text messaging.
Judy Breck (Golden Swamp) in her piece Podcast pioneers open the mobile learning frontier writes about how Podcasts are turning out to be the pioneering content for the arriving learning transition.
Finally, my own entry (C. Enrique Ortiz Mobility Weblog), where I write about the U.S. Handset Penetration at 67%.
Lot's of content this week -- I hope you have enjoyed this week's Carnival of the Mobilists!
_______________________________________________________________________________
SS9173
Neom is definitely making an effort to keep its shareholders as informed as possible through a variety of means. It's a huge improvement in communication from previous times including before the QP.
Thanks Neom Management...We appreciate it!!!
SS9173
With BSDS settling next week there will no longer be a reason for the MM's to suppress the pps to the .344 area that was referenced in the last S-4A. We should find out real soon how the market really values Neomedia. I think the pps will rise...it's just a question how much with all the added share dilution...and hinges on upcoming announcements.
JMHO.
SS9173
GreenWavx, your post is "must read" DD. Thanks for posting.
Summary:
- Management and their spouses from Headquarters as well as all of the recent acquisitions have just completed a 2006 Strategy Meeting.
- BSDS will become official next week.
- Martin Copus was quoted as saying "We have a soup-to-nuts mobile wireless marketing solution".
- The entire Management team is excited.
SS9173
Alan, those drugs must be wearing off LOL. No, quite frankly, I like and agree with the general theme of your opinions expressed in this post. I hope you are right about the timing. I just think launch of PC and WR might slip to the right from what I have heard or surmised through the grapevine. In any case, I believe you are on the right track with your thoughts...It's a post of the week IMO.
Great job!
Hope you are back on your feet real soon.
Best regards,
SS9173
Pimps, please have a Guinness or two on me and you'll feel better in the morning...alright, maybe not by morning...but I think you will start feeling a lot better after April Fools day. Hope to share a brew with you and others in Vegas some day.
Best regards,
SS9173
YJ, you obviously "get it"! EOM
Howard, I am sorry to tell you this but I believe you are in for a huge let down if you are expecting anywhere close to $65 million in revenue in this 10K report. It won't be even close to that kind of number. In fact, I expect it to be just a little better than the 3Q 10Q only because of NMPR.
PC and word registry are not rolled out yet so there will not be any significant revenue increase in these areas. IMO, we should expect some increase in NMPR revenues due to new license agreements and if we are lucky the same to slightly higher Paperclick revenues as the prior quarter.
The 2nd quarter 10Q will be more exciting because we will get to see the impact of the acquisitions that have taken place this quarter but again Paperclick and Word Registry don't appear to be rolling out this quarter as we have only a couple of weeks to go. So the revenue increase we will see in the 2nd quarter 10Q will be primarily from the acquisition companies, not organic growth from Neom.
All JMHO. Sorry for the let down...just being realistic on what we should expect.
SS9173
Aktienbraut, nice find. EOM
JP, I made myself a list of all the Cornell questions submitted to you up to this point. It's a good list IMO. My personal belief is that Hangdog nailed Cornell's intent in his post #63267.
So, in looking at this list of questions, and trying to figure out what's left to ask that isn't redundant, my question is: How quick can Neom position themselves to be re-listed on the NASDAQ?
If they are willing to answer that question, it could speak volumes for Neom's future pps potential as well as stopping all this undesirable share dilution.
Thanks,
SS9173
OT YJ: OK...Got it and will email you at lunch time...approx 2 hrs from now.
SS9173
OT YJ: Sorry...Please resend your PM. EOM
Success, makes perfect sense to me. In fact, it appears the MM's are trying hard to get that 5 day average to be very close to $.344 which was referenced in the most recent S-4A issued on January 20, 2006.
Excerpt from S-4A:
AS OF JANUARY 6, 2006, BASED ON 32,560,897 SHARES OF BSD COMMON STOCK
OUTSTANDING, A VOLUME-WEIGHTED 5-DAY AVERAGE CLOSING PRICE OF NEOMEDIA STOCK OF
$0.344, AND THE SHARE EXCHANGE RATE OUTLINED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT, BSD
SHAREHOLDERS WOULD RECEIVE 0.2035 SHARES OF NEOMEDIA STOCK FOR EACH SHARE OF BSD
COMMON STOCK THAT THEY CURRENTLY HOLD. THIS CALCULATION IS GIVEN FOR REFERENCE
ONLY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BSD SHAREHOLDERS WILL NOT KNOW THE ACTUAL
NUMBER OF SHARES THEY WILL RECEIVE UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE MERGER. BSD
SHAREHOLDERS WHO WISH TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF SHARES THEY WILL RECEIVE IN
THE MERGER CAN CALL TOLL-FREE (877) 813-2419.
SS9173
SOG, you're welcome...I also agree it is good to see more frequent communication from Neom.
SS9173
PR NeoMedia Initiates Comprehensive Training Program in Paintless Dent Repair
Fort Myers, Fla., March 16, 2006 – NeoMedia Micro Paint Repair, an innovative developer and international supplier of auto rejuvenation products and processes and a business unit of NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB: NEOM), today announced its new paintless dent repair training program.
NeoMedia Micro Paint Repair (NeoMedia) is developing a more comprehensive suite of products and processes designed to allow its business clients to offer complete interior and exterior automotive repair and rejuvenation services. This suite now includes paintless dent repair (PDR), a process that removes minor dents and dings in vehicles whose paint remains intact. PDR is a completely “green” process that is also a cost effective solution to cosmetic car repairs. For those instances where the paint is affected, NeoMedia offers its technologically advanced Micro Paint Repair process and products, which are also environmentally friendly and cost effective. Whatever the repair is, NeoMedia offers the right solution to its clients so that they can fix it effectively.
As a part of its full service offerings to its clients, NeoMedia offers training on its products and processes, including PDR. Certified and experienced trainers will take participants through an exhaustive, 6-week PDR training course at NeoMedia’s state-of-the-art training, repair and pilot facility in Fort Myers, Florida. Two sessions are currently scheduled:
• Session 1: April 17, 2006 – May 5, 2006 and June 5, 2006 – June 23, 2006
• Session 2: April 17, 2006 – May 26, 2006
Session 1 includes a 4-week break between training segments, while Session 2 offers the segments back-to-back. The first 3-week segment focuses on the theory and application of PDR, and one-to-one, hands-on training for minor repairs. The second 3-week segment offers one-to-one, hands-on training for more extensive PDR. Participants will gain experience repairing many types of dents and dings to all panels, on various car types, all under the careful guidance of NeoMedia’s exceptional trainers. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a complete tool set to enable them to set up their own business in this lucrative area of automotive repair.
“Paintless dent repair is a profitable area of the automotive repair industry, with an average gross income per repair of $100, an average repair time of 10-35 minutes and little overhead,” said Paul Grzebielucha, vice president and general manager of NeoMedia Micro Paint Repair. “Our training course is available to those already in the automotive repair industry who wish to add PDR to their list of services, as well as to those who wish to open up their own PDR business.”
Rates are competitive, trainers are seasoned pros, training is hands-on, accommodations and car rentals are available at special discounted rates and the Florida sun is free! To learn how you can add PDR to your services, or start your own PDR business, please contact Jennifer Murphy at 239-333-0030 or email her at jmurphy@neom.com. Space is limited—reserve your spot by March 27.
About NeoMedia Micro Paint Repair, Inc.
NeoMedia Micro Paint Repair, Inc. (www.micropaint.net) is an international developer, supplier and trainer to the automotive aftermarket, offering a comprehensive line of technologically advanced automotive rejuvenation and preservation products, processes and systems. We focus on quality, efficiency, innovativeness and environmentally sound products and technologies so that our clients can deliver expert solutions and a positive experience to the automobile owner.
About NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.
NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (www.neom.com) is a diversified global company offering leading edge, technologically advanced products and solutions to its clients developed out of market-identified needs. From mobile marketing to auto rejuvenation, NeoMedia delivers powerful end-to-end solutions for companies and consumers built upon its solid family of patented products and processes, and management experience and expertise.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.
SS9173
YJ, I look forward to your follow-up post on VERT planned for Monday.
Best regards,
SS9173
Jayoperator, it's not new and hopefully it is indicative of great things to come.
SS9173
JP and SRM, your comments to the Naple News article are "well said".
Best regards,
SS9173
Chartist1, I ditto Success' comments.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=10120221
Please continue to enlighten us with your charts. You are an asset to this board. Please don't let a few posters steer you away from here. You are appreciated and valued.
Best regards,
SS9173
Zacked, ...and maybe Sponge, 12Snap, Gavitec, HipCricket and Mobot. They agreed to be purchased with minimal cash up-front with a whole lot of shares in return. If they didn't believe that Neom's shareholder value was going to increase significantly in the relatively short-term, I doubt all of these companies would have agreed to the terms of these purchase agreements.
SS9173
DD Content costs confound customers
08 March 2006
http://www.telecoms.com/itmgcontent/tcoms/news/articles/20017340178.html
One of the questions raised by a large number of attendees at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, concerned the issue of when content will become the market-driving force behind the mobile industry, replacing the aesthetic appeal and desirability of the handset that persuades consumers to part with their money today.
Handsets are made more appealing by the fact that they are subsidised by the operator. Which begs the question: when will such a business model transfer to mobile content, if ever? The expense of mobile content is the primary deterrent for users, according to a recent poll by SurfKitchen. While research conducted by Buongiorno Vitaminic at the end of 2005 revealed that mobile users were allocating more budget for mobile content purchases.
Either way, the price of mobile content is too high.
Despite a fairly muted 3GSM for mobile advertising, it has the potential to become one of the hottest topics in mobile during 2006. Primarily because advertising revenues could help drive down the cost of content. The Mobile Entertainment Forum is certainly backing such a model. For instance, a free mobile TV service funded by advertising would not only extend the service beyond the early adopters and high spenders, it would give the opportunity to upsell premium content. And that is speaking in a language that the operators and content providers understand.
While timeframes for mobile advertising are yet to be disclosed, most of the industry openly claim to be "looking at it". And while they might, the fact remains that a lot more companies are attracted to the potential of advertising revenue, than the number of mobile users attracted to - and actively downloading - content. Mobile content remains a largely undetected world by the majority of mobile users.
Figures released by Qpass, highlight that only a startling 10% of its mobile-operator-customers, subscriber-base look at and/or use mobile content. That's some 17.5 million users, but when divided into socio-demographic groupings, is that a sufficient number to warrant big brand companies advertising on mobile?
There is undoubted potential for mobile content, but that will only be unleashed providing there is an engaging user experience founded upon search mechanisms discovering compelling content - worthy of searching for. Are we at that stage, or indeed, anywhere near that stage today? Mobile content revenue forecasts from Informa Telecoms & Media, suggest not.
The mobile content industry will be worth $21.3bn by the end of the year, and $42.3bn by 2010. Substantial sums indeed, but are these figures revealing the whole truth about the mobile content industry?
No.
A breakdown of that 2006 figure reveals that the total annual mobile content expenditure per user (mobile content revenues divided by the number of data users including messaging users) is $15.96. The average monthly spend is $1.33 and the average daily spend on mobile content is $0.04. By 2010, the average annual mobile content spend rises to $21 per user - which equates to a daily spend of $0.06. Put another way, assuming the average mobile game download costs about $5, that is only three downloads on average this year, and four in 2010.
Clearly a number of factors are holding the industry back. None more so than the lack of compelling content and the high prices associated with that very same less then compelling content. The former can only be addressed over time, but the latter can have an immediate effect. For example, Orange UK dropped the price of its Connect4 game from £4.50 to £1.50 when it believed the game was coming to the end of its shelf life. The 66% price cut resulted in sales rocketing 500%.
Yet some companies steadfastly maintain that consumers are prepared to pay a premium for mobile - and that extends to content. Musiwave, for instance, resolutely believes that operators do not have to revise their mobile music download pricing, despite the glaringly obvious fact that full-track downloads can cost up to $2.63, while music download via iTunes costs US$0.99.
Without compelling content, there is a strong argument to delay the inevitable introduction of flat data-rate pricing. Mobile content usage is a snacking phenomenon, where users dip-in, dip-out - so why trap the user on a monthly subscription? There is a growing need for flexible pricing schemes that reflect the mobile industry, hourly, daily and weekly prices. 3 is one operator that is allowing its users to rent content and this is proving to be very successful. As no doubt would content previews. But none more so, than just lowering the price.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SS9173
Aktienbraut, a campaign will be forthcoming all in good time IMO. This excerpt from the Naple News article gives a big clue that we will see it in some form or fashion later this year:
With all the pieces of the puzzle in place, for the coming year the push is going to be on launching PaperClick into the marketplace on both sides of the Atlantic, Copus said.
The company isn’t letting any details out yet, but the mood is one of barely suppressed excitement.
Also, don't forget that Neomedia has agreements with two of the top advertising agencies in the world: FCB and Arnold
http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2005/20050329.jsp
http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2005/20051012.jsp
SS9173
Wolfin, Good Job! EOM
My 235 guesstimate for headcount is apparently too high according to this morning's Naple News article. The correct number is 165 (probably excludes HipCricket). I will redo the guesstimates in the Acquisition Summary spreadsheet (see board header) shortly after the 10K comes out, which should be within a few days.
Acquisition Summary Link: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=9895525
Naple News Link and Excerpt: http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=10054041
With the recent acquisitions, the work force is back up to 165 people in more than a dozen cities including London, Milan, Dusseldorf, Vienna, Stockholm, China and Munich, in addition to several U.S. locations.
SS9173
MUST READ DD From naplesnews.com: NeoMedia buys companies in plan to grow
Five deals made by the company based in Fort Myers have positioned it to lead in mobile communications, say executives with the company
By Riddhi Trivedi-St. Clair
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/mar/08/neomedia_buys_companies_plan_grow/?business
Top executives of locally based NeoMedia Technologies Inc. have been doing a lot of traveling. They also have been doing a lot of shopping.
First to Boston, where they acquired Mobot, then to London to buy Sponge and then to Munich to close on 12snap.
The spree didn’t end there. After 12snap, they bought Gavitec and signed an agreement to acquire HipCricket.
With a total price tag of $51.1 million — in cash and shares — it was no everyday spree. But while most consumers may not have heard of most of these companies, the acquisitions have positioned Fort Myers-based NeoMedia to be an industry leader in the mobile communications industry.
The acquisitions were the results of months of work, a decision to pursue an aggressive growth strategy and the company’s return from a downturn created by the dotcom bust, CEO Charles Jensen said.
“This is an exploding industry. It is an industry that is beginning to grow and the time to consolidate is now,” Jensen said. “So we picked the best and the brightest, put their names on the board and went fishing.”
The buyouts were anything but sudden. It took 10 months of careful planning and strategizing, said Martin Copus, chief operating officer and chief executive for NeoMedia in London.
The idea was to position the company to launch its proprietary product, PaperClick, into the market.
“The technology behind PaperClick is as simple as using a remote control, except it’s the remote control to the real world,” Copus said. “PaperClick does the same thing as the Internet on your home computer or your laptop, but with the advantage of mobility.”
PaperClick has three primary applications. The first is to be able to access any Web site on the mobile Internet by keying in a “smart code” from any enabled machine or product. The second is a Go Window or GW — a search-engine type window. The consumer can put in a keyword that has been registered in a keyword registry and access any Web site, Copus explained.
The third is CW, or Code Window, through which the digits from a bar code take the user to a specific Web site.
“It has the power to ‘turn on’ every brand name or slogan, and even bar code, in the world,” Copus said. “The way the whole world of where mobile telephone is going is toward data. And data is media available through your mobile phone. PaperClick makes accessing this data — and utilizing it — that much easier.”
What makes this the right time is the numbers, said Alex Meisl, chief executive of Sponge, one of the companies acquired by NeoMedia. Sponge develops mobile services for brands, media groups and carriers for mass market campaigns.
It has developed a platform with a suite of tools that allows a wide range of mobile services, such as votes, sweepstakes, subscription services, games and auctions, for companies like Coca-Cola, Frito Lay, Audi, Hyundai and Vodafone.
The European market is about 18 months ahead of the U.S. market in the use of mobile technology, Meisl said, and a recent survey in the United Kingdom shows that about 25 percent of the population there never switch off their cell phones.
The uses of cell phones are getting more varied and prevalent. About 14 percent of the population in UK admitted to answering their phones while having sex. When it comes to breaking off a relationship, the survey said 34 percent of men under 21 and 23 percent of women under 21 chose to do it via text messaging.
“The volumes of text being sent on cell phones today are really quite incredible,” Meisl said.
About 53 percent of adults today use their cell phones for some kind of promotion, he said.
The stream of acquisitions has allowed NeoMedia to gain a much better geographic reach and access to a much wider portfolio of products and technology, Meisl said.
“This might sound arrogant, but what they have done is brought together the best players in the mobile marketing space,” he said. “And they have done it in a way that gives them a very wide audience with almost no overlap between the different markets.”
It was time for the company to make a comeback from the drastic cutbacks following the dotcom boom and bust, Jensen said.
In the mid-90s, NeoMedia went public in order to be able to grow. When the crash occurred, Jensen said, the company had been filing lots of patents, had just created PaperClick and wasn’t yet turning a profit.
“We were still investing heavily in the market and in the software,” he said.
They had to cut costs. The company went from a 150-strong staff of employees worldwide to 13 people. Revenues slumped from as high as $25 million at one point to $9.39 million in 2002 and continued sliding for the next two years. The company’s turnover in 2003 was $2.4 million and only $1.7 million in 2004.
Last year’s earnings haven’t yet been released, but the company is firmly on the return path now, Jensen said.
With the recent acquisitions, the work force is back up to 165 people in more than a dozen cities including London, Milan, Dusseldorf, Vienna, Stockholm, China and Munich, in addition to several U.S. locations.
The company also has new lines of credit through Cornell Capital and is using equity financing to pay for the acquisition.
“We are in great shape. We have a $100 million line of credit that we haven’t even tapped yet,” Jensen said.
The PaperClick platform isn’t the only one where the company is making progress. The company’s other arm is the micro paint business. The company has developed and is marketing specialty paint for interior and exterior refinishing in automobiles.
Late last week it announced a 10-year contract with Automart, a Beijing-based joint venture that specializes in automobile sales, financing, insurance and repair.
In the last three months NeoMedia’s orders in China have grown to more than $1 million. And with the automotive market in China expected to be the largest in the world within two decades, according to a 2005 Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth survey, the company is positioning itself to be a leader in the automotive “after-market” segment.
The exclusive 10-year agreement will give Automart sole distributorship of NeoMedia products in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. NeoMedia will also supply 70 percent of non-specialty paint sales at all Automart facilities.
With all the pieces of the puzzle in place, for the coming year the push is going to be on launching PaperClick into the marketplace on both sides of the Atlantic, Copus said.
The company isn’t letting any details out yet, but the mood is one of barely suppressed excitement.
“We are looking for partners that will help educate the market and adopt the technology themselves as part of their own marketing,” Copus said. “I have spent 15 years in the mobile marketing industry, and the launch of PaperClick is a challenge I haven’t encountered in my career.
“What I hope happens is adoption across a range of different groups and demographics.”
© 2006 Naples Daily News and NDN Productions. Published in Naples, Florida, USA by the E.W. Scripps Co.
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SS9173
I didn't watch The Apprentice last night, but this review by PP sure isn't very flattering for HipCricket. In fact, PP said he would fire them. For those that watched the show, do you agree with PP?
SS9173
DD Sprint And Fandango Offer Mobile Movie Ticketing Service
From TMCNet: Fandango to launch mobile movie ticketing service with Sprint
Fandango, the nation's largest online, phone and mobile movie ticketing service (representing nearly 70% of all U.S. theaters with remote ticketing), is enabling Sprint customers with access to Fandango's state-of-the art mobile platform -- including movie ticketing and information and movie-related text-messaging -- directly from select Sprint and Nextel phones.
The Fandango Mobile service enables users to purchase movie tickets through the Web browser on their wireless phone or PDA. Once tickets are purchased, virtual movie tickets are sent to the handsets, which can be read by a barcode reader at the theater.
Using SMS technology, the service can alert subscribers to advanced ticket sales. The Fandango service also will allow studios and marketers to send targeted mobile marketing campaigns to movie fans
Sprint is the first wireless communications provider to feature Fandango's best-of-breed mobile entertainment application and services, available at mobile.fandango.com
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SS9173
Alan1221, Thanks. Your information makes sense. Hope you will post more. You would be an asset to this board.
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