NBC Universal assumes stake in 4INFO

NBC Universal announced its selection of messaging services provider 4INFO as the broadcaster's preferred partner for ad-supported mobile messaging--per terms of the agreement, NBCU will take a minority stake in 4INFO, investing an undisclosed amount via Peacock Equity, a joint venture owned by the media giant and parent General Electric's GE Commercial Finance. Moving forward, 4INFO will take the reins of NBC Universal's interactive SMS voting, mobile fan club and alert initiatives, spanning across virtually all of its entertainment, news, local, sports and cable properties.

While NBC said it will likely continue to offer premium SMS programs, for the most part it will seek to monetize mobile messaging campaigns via targeted advertisements, spotlighting updates connected to popular primetime series, voting polls for reality series, news updates and real-time sports alerts supplemented by 4INFO content including custom, user-defined alerts emphasizing health tips and fantasy sports statistics.

For more on the NBCU/4INFO agreement:
- read this ClickZ article

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