News
06/07/2007 - Skype Selects Jingle Networks
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jingle Networks, Inc., operator of the 1-800-FREE411 directory assistance service and Skype, the leading Internet communications company, today announced a strategic partnership to make the 1-800-FREE411 service easily accessible to Skype users in the United States. Jingle Networks’ 1-800-FREE411 service will now give U.S. Skype users (using Skype 3.5 for Windows) a free directory assistance service without the $2 to $3 fees typically charged by telephone carriers for regular 411 calls.
With over 200 million calls to 1-800-FREE411, Skype users can join the millions of other U.S.-based consumers who are already taking advantage of 1-800-FREE411’s free directory assistance service. Skype users will get the same caller experience that all 1-800-FREE411 callers receive, while also receiving a Skype alert containing the requested phone number, which allows them to click the phone number link and connect directly to the listing via a SkypeOut™ call. Skype users can facilitate easy connection to 1-800-FREE411 by adding “Free411USA” to their Skype contact list.
“Skype is delighted to work with Jingle Networks, as we are both dedicated to providing a great caller experience and saving our users lots of money,” said Scott Miller, director of business development at Skype. “Our users are accustomed to making free phone calls over Skype, and now with the 1-800-FREE411 service, we are able to give them an easy way to get free directory assistance too.”
In addition, Skype will be leveraging 1-800-FREE411 as a new media channel marketing Skype via audio promotions. Skype will be joining tens of thousands of businesses that have chosen 1-800-FREE411 as a powerful medium for reaching consumers in an engaging and clutter-free environment. 1-800-FREE411’s proven advertising supported business model also empowers consumers to not only get the information that they’ve requested, but also choose to respond and connect with another relevant, and perhaps more beneficial, product, service or offer.
“Our relationship with Skype shows how quickly 1-800-FREE411 has become a mainstream directory assistance service and viable marketing medium,” said George Garrick, CEO of Jingle Networks. “Together we bring two revolutionary new communications channels that have become important services for millions of consumers. Our directory assistance network is a proven new media opportunity, as validated by our advertiser success, delivering high quality customers to our diverse advertiser base.”
The 1-800-FREE411/Skype Service is available to all Skype users based in the U.S. using the new Skype 3.5 for Windows software, which is available for download at http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/skype35beta.html and www.free411.com.
About Jingle Networks
Jingle Networks, operator of the nation’s leading ad-supported directory assistance service 1-800-FREE411, has significantly changed the directory assistance market by giving consumers an anytime, anywhere source of free information on the phone. 1-800-FREE411 is for anyone who owns a phone and needs information but is dissatisfied with the high cost of directory assistance. Jingle Networks has changed the industry by creating an exciting new media channel through 1-800-FREE411. With nearly 130 million annual calls, 1-800-FREE411 offers advertisers highly targeted and timely promotional opportunities to reach a large but targeted customer base who are ready-to-buy, garnering a response rate twice that of other direct response media. For more information, visit: www.free411.com.
About Skype
Skype sets conversations free by providing new and easy ways to stay in touch over the internet. Millions of people every day make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls and send instant messages using our software. Some pay a little per minute for long-distance and international calls to phones and mobiles and for SMS, voicemail and call forwarding, or they buy subscriptions that give unlimited calls nationwide.
We certify and sell hundreds of hardware products from more than 50 partners and work with third-party developers to create software to extend Skype's functionality. Skype has been downloaded more than half a billion times and over 196 million people from almost every corner of the globe have registered. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY), and you can learn more and get Skype at www.skype.com.
Make your world a smaller place: talk, share and do more with Skype.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.
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