Thumbplay News

 
-- In Just Two Months, Thousands of Developers and Artists Join Service;
New Marketing Dashboard with Online Reporting System and “Top 10 Charts” API Launch --

NEW YORK – November 20, 2008 – Thumbplay OPEN, which launched in Beta in September 2008, already has thousands of developers and independent artists on board. Today, the company announced the launch of the Thumbplay OPEN online reporting system as well as a “Top 10 Charts” API.

Through the fully-automated Thumbplay OPEN service, anyone – from bloggers, bands and beat makers, to Web developers, marketers and business development executives – can sell digital content to the more than 230 million mobile customers in the U.S. Both independent artists and site publishers/Web developers generate income through OPEN, ranging from $5 - $8 per new Thumbplay subscriber. Artists also receive 50 cents each time their content is downloaded.

Thumbplay OPEN’s new marketing dashboard allows all members to track every click, subscription referral and content download from their Web sites, widgets and social profiles. OPEN developers can now employ Thumbplay’s dynamic landing pages (click HERE for sample landing page), and they can access detailed click-through tracking information, allowing them to test and measure the impact of online marketing campaigns.
In addition to the online reporting system, the service now also offers a “Top 10 Charts” API for developers. This provides an automated way to showcase the “Top 10” music, graphics, videos and games directly from any Web site, mobile site, widget or mobile application.

“It is very gratifying to see the enthusiastic support of our OPEN service by so many developers, business partners and independent artists,” said Are Traasdahl, CEO and Founder of Thumbplay. “I believe the enhancements we launched today make it an even greater service.

In particular, the daily reporting tools provide a great way for all OPEN members to assess their marketing efforts, vital in today’s competitive business climate. And, by being fully-automated, we are able to effortlessly continue to expand our offerings and meet the growing demand for the service.”

HOW THUMBPLAY OPEN WORKS:
ARTISTS – In just minutes, independent music and visual artists can begin selling their content. There is no charge to the artists for the service and artists retain all rights to their content. After uploading music and images, artists can see their unique artist page appear on the Thumbplay Web and mobile sites.

Artists are also given access to a number of promotional tools, such as customized widget creation. They can hand-select content, personal images and even preferred colors and buttons for their widgets, reaching millions of new fans through social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, blogs and Web sites. For offline promotion, artists have the ability to promote their content through the Thumbplay GET program. GET allows fans to text “GET,” plus the artist’ name (e.g., “GET TAY ZONDAY”), to 84862 (THUMB) and download the content directly to their phone. Click HERE to see the artist’s demo video. For more information, send a blank e-mail to: artists@thumbplay.com.

DEVELOPERS AND SITE PUBLISHERS -- Web site developers and publishers are able to add mobile downloads to any site, application or widget. They can access the Thumbplay API for rich Web and mobile integrations, while increasing their page views and return visits. Unique tracking parameters for URLs and API keys can be accessed in less than five minutes and generate additional revenue on a same-day basis. For more information, please send a blank e-mail to devs@thumbplay.com.

Featuring music, videos, games and more, Thumbplay’s extensive and ever-growing entertainment library currently consists of more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content. Their award-winning direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

The company has maintained and grown its leadership position in the industry by providing its consumers with the best possible customer experience, including live, “24/7/365” customer service and a commitment to delivering the largest catalog of entertainment possible. Thumbplay’s “locker” service also allows users to automatically back-up and store purchased items.

Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site (m.thumbplay.com) receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

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First-of-its-kind Live Mobile Chat and New Spanish Language Services Round Out Thumbplay's Extensive Customer Service Offerings

NEW YORK – November 18, 2008 – Thumbplay® (http://www.thumbplay.com/), the #1 mobile entertainment provider and destination in the U.S., today announced several key customer service enhancements and innovations to its award-winning service. Dedicated to providing optimal service to the 24-7 generation, the company has launched live mobile chat support, a first in the customer service sector. With four touch points – phone, e-mail, live chat and, now, mobile live chat – Thumbplay offers an unparalleled number of options among retailers for helping customers troubleshoot and manage their accounts.

Something to chat about:
For customers who prefer to “IM” their way to a solution, Thumbplay now offers a new mobile chat customer support service. This innovation allows customers to connect to customer service representatives through Thumbplay’s mobile phone Instant Message (IM) service. Subscribers simply need to visit m.thumbplay.com from their mobile devices and click the “live chat” URL under the “Help” area. This service is available on all of the more than 2,000 phones supported by Thumbplay.

In addition to the ability to IM with Thumbplay’s customer support team, the service also provides the following options:
--24/7/365 live voice support (1-877-848-6299). Thumbplay’s North American call center responds in 20 seconds or less more than 80% of the time;
--Expedient e-mail support, with response times averaging less than two hours
Live, IM support on the Thumbplay.com site;
--A do-it-yourself, 24/7/365, self-care section where subscribers receive step-by-step
instructions on how to manage their accounts on-line;
--A robust, 24/7/365, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that answers customers’ questions through a series of voice prompts; and,
--Support with downloading and/or technical issues on more than 2,000 different phones.
¡Nosotros Hablamos Espanol!:
Additionally, to better serve its ever-growing Hispanic customer base, Thumbplay has added new Spanish-language customer support in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) area of the site as well as in its 24/7/365 IVR system.

"Thumbplay is committed to delivering the highest-quality service and support for our customers," said Michael Biondo, Senior Director, Customer Operations. "Customers want fast, friendly and effective service and support. We are proud to offer these new, industry-leading services that will make the customer experience even more convenient."

Thumbplay’s extensive and ever-growing entertainment library and award winning, direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 mobile devices among every major carrier in the U.S. Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site — m.thumbplay.com — receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

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Mobile entertainment service Thumbplay is making its content library available to Cellular South-supported phones.

The carrier’s subscribers will have access to Thumbplay content on the Cellular South on-deck portal. Cellular South customers will now be able to browse, buy and download Thumbplay content.

“Basically our goal is to help consumers get the most out of their wireless devices,” said Wade Smith, senior manager of product development and management at Cellular South, Ridgeland, MS. “What better way to do that than engage them with one of the nation’s largest content providers?

“We will have a link on our main WAP page,” he said. “I think this is more about helping consumers use their more phones.

"Ultimately, we think this will lead to more data consumption.”

Both companies claim this is the first time a U.S. wireless carrier has engaged a direct-to-consumer content provider to populate its on-deck portal.

Thumbplay offers more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content including music, videos and games that will be available for purchase by Cellular South customers either a la carte or via subscription-based credits.

Featuring music, videos and games, Thumbplay’s direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

Thumbplay features licensed music, video and gaming content from some of the world’s largestentertainment companies, including EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Pictures Television.

Thumbplay’s mobile entertainment catalog is integrated into Clear Channel Radio, AOL and MSN Mobile sites, as well as iLike.com, one of the Web’s social music discovery services.
Cellular South is a privately-owned mobile communications company.

“This is an exciting partnership for us because we can offer Cellular South customers Thumbplay games, ringtones and images,” said Evan Schwartz, chief marketing officer and cofounder of Thumbplay, New York.

“This is a great way for subscribers to be able to discover new content,” he said. “Although there is no advertising for the partnership, Thumbplay does ads on our Web and WAP pages.
“Cellular South is promoting this in-store to get people excited about their new handsets and to drive more data consumption.”

Associate Editor Giselle Abramovich covers ad networks, advertising, content, email, media, messaging, legal/privacy, search, social networks, television and video. Reach her at giselle@mobilemarketer.com.

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Mobile entertainment service Thumbplay is making its content library available to Cellular South-supported phones.

The carrier’s subscribers will have access to Thumbplay content on the Cellular South on-deck portal. Cellular South customers will now be able to browse, buy and download Thumbplay content.

“Basically our goal is to help consumers get the most out of their wireless devices,” said Wade Smith, senior manager of product development and management at Cellular South, Ridgeland, MS. “What better way to do that than engage them with one of the nation’s largest content providers?

“We will have a link on our main WAP page,” he said. “I think this is more about helping consumers use their more phones.

"Ultimately, we think this will lead to more data consumption.”

Both companies claim this is the first time a U.S. wireless carrier has engaged a direct-to-consumer content provider to populate its on-deck portal.

Thumbplay offers more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content including music, videos and games that will be available for purchase by Cellular South customers either a la carte or via subscription-based credits.

Featuring music, videos and games, Thumbplay’s direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

Thumbplay features licensed music, video and gaming content from some of the world’s largestentertainment companies, including EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Pictures Television.

Thumbplay’s mobile entertainment catalog is integrated into Clear Channel Radio, AOL and MSN Mobile sites, as well as iLike.com, one of the Web’s social music discovery services.
Cellular South is a privately-owned mobile communications company.

“This is an exciting partnership for us because we can offer Cellular South customers Thumbplay games, ringtones and images,” said Evan Schwartz, chief marketing officer and cofounder of Thumbplay, New York.

“This is a great way for subscribers to be able to discover new content,” he said. “Although there is no advertising for the partnership, Thumbplay does ads on our Web and WAP pages.
“Cellular South is promoting this in-store to get people excited about their new handsets and to drive more data consumption.”

Associate Editor Giselle Abramovich covers ad networks, advertising, content, email, media, messaging, legal/privacy, search, social networks, television and video. Reach her at giselle@mobilemarketer.com.

 
Thumbplay Becomes First DTC Provider to Support Carrier Portal;
Brings Vast Entertainment Choices Directly to Cellular South Customers

New York — November 11, 2008 — Thumbplay® (www.thumbplay.com), the #1 mobile entertainment service in the U.S.*, today announced that its extensive library will now be featured on-deck with all Cellular South-supported mobile phones. Based in Ridgeland, Mississippi, Cellular South is the nation's largest privately owned wireless carrier. This is the first time a U.S. wireless carrier has engaged a direct-to-consumer content provider to populate its on-deck portal.

Cellular South customers will now be able to browse, buy and download Thumbplay content directly from their handsets or Thumbplay's Web site. Thumbplay offers more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content including music, videos and games that will be available for purchase by Cellular South customers either a la carte or via subscription-based credits.

"Increasingly, our customers are using their mobile phones as full-service, mobile entertainment devices," said Jim Richmond, Director of Corporate Communications at Cellular South. "Thumbplay allows us to offer our customers the broadest and deepest offering available coupled with fast, easy-to-use service and unmatched customer support."

Are Traasdahl, Thumbplay's CEO and founder, added: "Our ongoing investment in building the biggest and the best mobile catalog and in providing customers with a fun, hassle-free experience, continues to pay off. We are extremely proud to become the first direct-to-consumer mobile content provider in the U.S. to support a wireless carrier's portal."

Featuring music, videos, games and more, Thumbplay's award-winning direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

The company has maintained and grown its leadership position in the industry by providing consumers with the best possible customer experience, including live, "24/7/365" customer service and a commitment to delivering the largest catalog of entertainment possible. Thumbplay's "locker" service also allows users to automatically back-up and store purchased items.

Thumbplay features licensed music, video and gaming content from some of the world's largest entertainment companies, including EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Pictures Television, as well as several independent labels and artists and video game companies. Thumbplay's mobile entertainment catalog is integrated into Clear Channel Radio, AOL and MSN Mobile sites, as well as iLike.com, one of the Web's leading social music discovery services. Based on Thumbplay's reputation for exceptional customer care and technological innovation, MTV recently tapped the company to power personalization content for the music giant's mobile content site.

Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site (m.thumbplay.com) receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

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