JumpTap

John McCain Themed Mobile Content

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:20:41 -0500

Political prognosticators searching for a bellwether of the 2008 U.S. presidential election outcome needn't have looked much further than the mobile platform, where eventual winner Barack Obama beat opponent John McCain like a rented mule. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, mobile content tied directly to Democrat nominee Obama outsold Republican nominee McCain-themed content by a nine to one margin, according to mobile entertainment destination Thumbplay. Among the Obama content downloads available via Thumbplay, the best-selling realtone was "Tell Yo Mama, Vote Obama," the best-selling video was the "Candidates--Obama" clip and the best-selling wallpaper was "Obama, My Homeboy." The best-selling McCain realtone was the "McCain Love Ballad," the best-selling video was the "Palin Moose Call" clip and the best-selling wallpaper was "McCain Republican Elephant Blue."

Obama was the favorite of mobile subscribers throughout the election season. In early June, he won a SMS-based mobile survey conducted by Virgin Mobile USA, garnering the favor of 40 percent of the 20,000 subscribers queried--then-Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton earned 18 percent of votes and McCain trailed with just 5 percent. Days later, "Barack Obama" was reported as the most searched term on wireless according to mobile solutions and services provider Crisp Wireless' first Crisp Wireless Index, a quarterly barometer tracking consumer activity across select publisher sites. And just days prior to the election, a survey conducted by mobile advertising solutions provider JumpTap and polling firm Zogby International reported that U.S. voters who surf the mobile web overwhelmingly preferred Obama--among the 3,462 likely voters surveyed, 71 percent supported Obama, 25 percent favored McCain and the remaining 4 percent were either undecided or backed another candidate.

To be fair, it wasn't always smooth sailing for Obama. After securing the Democrat nomination, Obama promised supporters he would announce his running mate via text message before releasing the name to the mass media--the historic moment nevertheless fell flat when the national networks started naming Sen. Joseph Biden as the pick hours before the campaign's text alert went national. Although some Obama supporters received the Biden text right away, many didn't receive it until 3:00 a.m. the following morning. Consumer research firm Nielsen Mobile later reported that 2.9 million U.S. mobile subscribers received the text message from the Obama campaign, a total derived by monitoring shortcode marketing. Impressive numbers, but the next time Obama has something to share with America--say, the threat of imminent global annihilation or something--let's hope he turns to television, not text. (And not mobile TV, either. No one watches that.)

Poll: Mobile web users favor Obama over McCain

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:09:58 -0400

U.S. voters who surf the mobile web overwhelmingly favor Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama over Republican rival John McCain, according to a survey conducted by mobile advertising solutions provider JumpTap and polling firm Zogby International. The survey--conducted from Oct. 7 to 24 via an ad banner campaign running across the JumpTap premium mobile ad network--reports that among the 3,462 likely voters surveyed, 71 percent support Obama, 25 percent favor McCain and the remaining 4 percent are either undecided or prefer another candidate. Seventy percent of respondents believe Obama is better for the economy, 65 percent feel he is best suited to manage the war in Iraq and 70 percent say he is most likely to improve their quality of life.

A little more than half of the JumpTap/Zogby survey respondents fall between the ages of 30 and 49--24 percent are between the ages of 18 and 29, and 20 percent are between 50 and 64 years old. Seventy percent of respondents listed themselves as white, followed by African-Americans (14 percent), Hispanics (11 percent) and Asian/Pacific (4 percent)--62 percent of respondents are male. JumpTap and Zogby add that respondents hail from the nation's eastern, western and southern regions in roughly comparable numbers--the central/Great Lakes region contributed the smallest percentage at 16 percent.

For more on the JumpTap/Zogby poll:
- read this release

Related articles:
Obama dominates mobile web searches
Obama wins Virgin Mobile USA text poll

JumpTap, Zogby team to poll U.S. voters

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:07:03 -0400

Mobile search and advertising firm JumpTap announced an agreement with polling firm Zogby International to launch a mobile advertising campaign surveying U.S. voters nationwide about the presidential race and other hot-button issues in advance of the Nov. 4 election. The surveys will launch via mobile banner ads across multiple premium mobile websites, with both JumpTap and Zogby releasing the results on their respective websites. According to JumpTap, its services presently reach more than 170 million mobile subscribers.

For more on the JumpTap/Zogby campaign:
- read this release

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JumpTap, Pinch team for iPhone ad network
JumpTap scores $26 million in Series D

JumpTap scores $26 million in Series D

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:06:36 -0400

Mobile search and advertising provider JumpTap announced the close of a $26 million Series D funding round led by AllianceBernstein, with additional contributions from existing investors General Catalyst Partners, Summerhill Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, Valhalla Partners and WPP. According to JumpTap, the funding will enable further development of its mobile search and advertising solutions as well as continued expansion of its global ad sales and operations divisions. JumpTap presently boasts partnerships with 17 mobile operators as well as a number of content publishers, reaching over 150 million mobile subscribers worldwide.

For more on the JumpTap financing:
- read this release

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JumpTap, Pinch team for iPhone ad network
Alltel, JumpTap team on branded search app

JumpTap, Pinch team for iPhone ad network

Jason Ankeny — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:46:19 -0400

Apple's iPhone 3G is proving irresistible to the mobile advertising sector: Mobile search and advertising solutions provider JumpTap announced an agreement with iPhone applications analytics and advertising firm Pinch Media to create an iPhone advertising network. The companies say the partnership combines Pinch Media's App Store analytics and advertising tech with JumpTap's mobile ad network to enable developers to efficiently insert promos into their applications, promising brands a channel to reach the lucrative iPhone consumer via the device's in-application environment. According to Pinch Media, its analytics module offers metrics including volume of unique users, length of time an app is used and geographic location.

For more on the JumpTap/Pinch Media pairing:
- read this release

Related article:
Does mobile advertising work?

JumpTap tunes in mobile ad deals with NBC, Fox

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Mobile search and advertising solutions provider JumpTap announced partnerships with NBC Universal and Fox Mobile Entertainment to deliver and represent ad inventory for the broadcast networks' respective mobile web efforts. JumpTap will sell available NBC Universal WAP inventory for multiple sites including NBC Entertainment, NBC Sports, Universal Pictures, USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel and Bravo--per terms of the deal, NBC Universal can also provide JumpTap with display ad inventory from the media goliath's other WAP properties. As for Fox, JumpTap will assume advertising responsibilities for the fledgling Fox Mobile Entertainment Network (spanning content from channels including Fox, FX, National Geographic Channel and Fox Reality Channel), managing banner ads, SMS campaigns and text ads.

"Our job is to help monetize traffic and provide a relevant experience on a very personal device," said JumpTap CMO Paran Johar in an interview with FierceMobileContent. "That all comes down to packaging quality content for a targeted audience. The key is differentiating the audience that views content on their phones from the television viewers that sit on their couch on a Sunday afternoon."

Related articles:
Alltel, JumpTap team on branded search app
JumpTap adds LBS search partners

C&L: The Walt Disney Co. names Tim Connolly VP of mobile distribution

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 06:59:50 -0500

The Walt Disney Co. names Tim Connolly VP of mobile distribution.

FusionOne appoints Mike Mulica CEO.

JumpTap names Paran Johar CMO.

Alltel, JumpTap team on branded search app

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Alltel Wireless and mobile search/advertising solutions provider JumpTap announced the launch of what the companies are calling the first carrier-branded mobile search application preloaded on handsets with a dedicated search key. The search key, which will debut on the LG8600 handset, launches an Alltel-branded BREW client with a search box; according to the carrier, the dedicated key's visibility will both increase mobile search uptake and increase content purchasing by enabling subscribers to more efficiently find the content, services and information they seek.

"We have successfully used dedicated keys in the past to provide content we wanted to make readily available, including games and ringtones. It's been proven that the easier it is for subscribers to find applications, the more likely it is that they will be adopted," said Alltel senior VP of product management Wade McGill in a prepared statement. "We believe search is really at the heart of the mobile experience, and by putting JumpTap's search solution right on the handset, our subscribers will use it even more often to find what they are searching for."

For more on the Alltel/JumpTap search app:
- read this release

Related articles:
- Alltel launches JumpTap mobile search
- AskMeNow finds answer on Alltel
- JumpTap adds LBS search partners

DEALS: Verizon Wireless and Adobe ink Flash deal

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:01:31 -0400

Verizon Wireless and Adobe ink Flash deal

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
Verizon Wireless	Adobe Systems	announced mobile applications deal	Adobe Systems named Verizon Wireless its exclusive North American mobile carrier launch partner for delivering all new Adobe mobile applications. Adobe said VZW will be the first wireless operator in North America to bring Adobe FlashCast-based data services to mobile subscribers in the second half of 2007.
TruePosition	Useful Networks	acquired controlling interest	Wireless location solutions provder TruePosition announced it acquired a controlling interest in mobile location and presence content enabling company Useful Networks.
Rogers Wireless	Nuance Communications	announced mobile search agreement	Canadian operator Rogers Wireless announced it will offer speech and imaging solutions provider Nuance's Voice Control speech-enabled mobile search and messaging service.
iCrossing	JumpTap	announced strategic partnership	Global digital marketing agency iCrossing announced a partnership with mobile search and advertising partner JumpTap to enable new mobile advertising opportunities for iCrossing clients.

AskMeNow finds answer on Alltel

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:01:35 -0500

Alltel Wireless announced an agreement with mobile lifestyle network AskMeNow to introduce its query-based intelligent search service. AskMeNow enables users to submit 5W-type questions and receive answers via mobile device, and is available to all Alltel subscribers with or without smartphone devices for either $1.99 per month or 25 cents per query. "Alltel's decision to support AskMeNow validates how integral the service is for customers who want instant answers and personalized content--no matter where they are," said AskMeNow CEO Darryl Cohen in a prepared statement.

For more on the AskMeNow launch:
- read this release

Related articles:
- Alltel launches JumpTap mobile content search
- Alltel introduces new content management UI

WPP invests in JumpTap

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:01:38 -0500

Global advertising and communications services group WPP announced a strategic investment in mobile search and advertising services developer JumpTap. Financial terms were not disclosed, although Marketing Week reports WPP acquired a 2.5 percent stake in the Massachusetts-based startup. According to WPP, the investment will offer clients access to mobile search and advertising platforms; WPP and JumpTap will also partner on new mobile consumer targeting and profiling services, as well as develop case studies for brands planning mobile marketing initiatives.

For more on the WPP/JumpTap agreement:
- read this release

Related articles:
- Virgin Mobile USA, JumpTap partner for search
- Alltel launches JumpTap mobile search

Alltel introduces new content management UI

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:01:38 -0500

Alltel Wireless announced Celltop, an exclusive, patent-pending user interface technology that promises customers improved access and management over their mobile content experience. The free UI, built on Qualcomm's BREW uiOne platform, comprises 10 "cells," available via download or pre-installed on select Alltel handsets; each is a category-specific half screen composed of graphics and text offering shortcuts to applications including weather, news, ringtones and text messaging. Users may personalize the look and organization of data within each cell, and in coming months Alltel will roll out additional cells through its Axcess Shop mobile storefront.

"Wireless carriers have been trying to solve the content discovery and navigation problem for years, and we are proud to be the first wireless carrier to deliver a technology that provides a solution," said Alltel group president of operations Kevin Beebe in a prepared statement. "With its modular cells and easy navigation, Celltop will change how our customers discover content and connect to information."

For more on Celltop:
- read this release

Related articles:
- Alltel, Amdocs expand content relationship
- Alltel launches JumpTap mobile content search

Virgin Mobile USA, JumpTap partner for search

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Virgin Mobile USA announced a partnership with wireless search developer JumpTap to launch new search functionalities both within the MVNO's own content deck and off-portal across the mobile web. The new search engine, which goes live in February 2007, will direct subscribers to relevant content and also offer recommendations based on purchases by users with similar consumer profiles. Building on the "SugarMama" mobile advertising incentive program introduced by Virgin Mobile earlier this year, the JumpTap agreement also expands the carrier's marketing initiatives by organizing and delivering relevant search information to subscribers through sponsored and organic links.

"Navigating through pages of WAP content, or trying to hit websites that aren't mobile-enabled to find that one thing you're looking for, will soon be a thing of the past," Virgin Mobile VP of mobile data services Dominick Tolli said in a prepared statement. "By simply typing in the name of a favorite artist or topic into their wireless handsets, customers will immediately pull up results of all related content from both Virgin Mobile and sites across the Web."

For more on the Virgin Mobile/JumpTap deal:
- read this release

Related article:
- Virgin Mobile USA: Still room in the youth market

Ingenio, JumpTap partner on mobile search

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:01:36 -0500

Mobile pay-per-call advertising services provider Ingenio announced a partnership with white label mobile search and marketing solutions developer JumpTap. Per terms of the deal, Ingenio advertisements will appear in response to subscriber search queries on devices that leverage JumpTap's carrier-branded search services. Advertisers pay only when consumers initiate calls in response to the search results.

"For mobile data services to take off, the utility and value to the consumer has to be significant," Ingenio chief marketing officer Marc Barach said in a prepared statement. "Pay per call makes it simple for businesses like restaurants, taxi services and hotels to participate in mobile search in order to meet consumer demand, while creating tangible revenue opportunities for mobile operators."

For more on the deal:
- read this release

Related article:
- Microsoft joins mobile search ad club
- JumpTap adds LBS search partners
- Alltel launches JumpTap mobile content search

JumpTap adds LBS search partners

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:01:35 -0500

JumpTap has struck partnership deals with Autodesk, SuperPages.com and WhitePages.com, adding their content and capabilities to its mobile search service. With Autodesk, JumpTap can offer search results as locations on a map, where applicable. SuperPages adds the ability to search for specific business names (not just by category) and WhitePages.com adds the ability to search for individual people as listed in the local phone book.

For more information:
- read the Adotas article

JumpTap raises $22 million

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:01:35 -0400

Mobile content search firm JumpTap has raised an additional $22 million in an investment round led by Valhalla Partners. Last year, the company raised $21 million. JumpTap is on a roll these days, with Alltel recently implementing its solution. The ability to search all available content both on and off the carrier deck is considered a necessary element in driving mobile content sales in the near future.

For the full story:
- read the RCR Wireless News report

SPOTLIGHT: Mobile Search

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 20:01:34 -0400

Amid all the hype surrounding mobile advertising at CTIA last week, mobile search emerged as the real winner, with both Alltel and Verizon Wireless introducing content search applications. It's only a matter of time before the other carriers follow. TechDigest has a pretty good interview with Eric McCabe of mobile search enabler JumpTap, who incidentally names the top search terms entered via his software: 1. Eminem 2. 50 Cent 3. Sean Paul 4. Shakira. Guess what number five was? Article

SPOTLIGHT: Searching for mobile content

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:01:34 -0400

There's been a lot of talk about how mobile customers have a hard time finding games or ringtones on their mobile phones. Actually, as I've said before, it not that they can't find mobile content on phones (that's actually pretty easy), it's that they can't find the mobile content they WANT. If one looks past the already annoying mobile advertising hype permeating the CTIA conference, you'll see that there is a sub-theme emerging from the show about mobile search. Alltel/Jumptap and Verizon/Medio have already made announcements, and more are likely pending. Sprint's Paul Reddick perhaps said it best: "We don't hear that it's too expensive. We hear that consumers didn't like what they see." Search lets consumers see what they want to see, at least hopefully. Article

Alltel launches JumpTap mobile content search

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Alltel is getting increasingly aggressive in the mobile content game, today launching a mobile content search application from JumpTap. The JumpTap application allows users to find any piece of mobile content available via Alltel's service or from applicable off-deck providers, the idea being to make it easier to find the content you want without having to navigate multiple decks and sites. Additionally, the solution includes the ability to preview content before buying and provides recommendations based on purchase history and more.

There's also an advertising revenue stream for carriers. This is only the first carrier announcement since JumpTap launched its Mobile Search Index and Advertising Suite. Frankly, I'm surprised that it's taken carriers this long to implement such content search capabilities. At the MECCA conference yesterday, one of the prevailing themes I heard from both content providers and carriers is that both must find ways to make it easier for consumers to not just find content, but to find the content they want. This is a step in that direction. Meanwhile, analyst group BKI Media has pegged the mobile search market to hit $13 billion by 2011 and will be the biggest driver of mobile Internet by that time.

For more about the Alltel deal:
- check out the JumpTap site

Check our Web site for live coverage of CTIA IT, sponsored by mBlox.

Carriers snub search giants for mobile search

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 20:01:39 -0400

Large phone companies like Verizon and AT&T never cashed in on the proliferation of search and advertising on the Internet, because big online players like Google and Yahoo had the market cornered--that's why, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal, wireless carriers are opting to work with smaller mobile search companies over the Internet incumbents. The report has details: Verizon Wireless is close to finalizing a deal with Medio Systems, Cingular is reportedly working with JumpTap and Alltel (which recently became a wireless pureplay) has narrowed its mobile search partner down to Medio or JumpTap. The smaller players typically take a smaller cut in revenue sharing deals.

U.S. carriers say ultimately they decide which handsets they offer to their subscribers, so Google and Yahoo having integration deals with Nokia and Motorola is testament to nothing. Overseas, we see a different overall picture: Google has deals with Vodafone U.K. and Hutchison 3G U.K. The Internet giants are playing the same old fiddle: The small guys won't scale and won't be able to handle large user requests. I think the market growth is slow enough to allow the companies to figure it out, but Sprint is not so sure--it's still deciding on which route to go.

For more on mobile search strategies:
- read this WSJ article (sub. req.)

PLUS: The latest report from Informa predicts that personalized search will enable carriers and content providers to most effectively "monetize the long tail of hit-and-miss content." Article