iSIGN Revolutionizes In-Room Delivery of Digital Coupons via Broadcast, Satellite, Cable and IP TV
5/30/2011 9:23:46 AM - Market Wire
Patent pending solution links TV audio with cell phones and enables TV advertisers to serve consumers with instant offers that can be redeemed online or at a physical retail outlet
TORONTO, ONTARIO, May 30, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. ("iSIGN" or "Company") (TSX VENTURE: ISD) today announced the availability of its CouponIO device, a tiny black box featuring its patent-pending IMS software technology and hardware co-developed with AOpen America ("AOpen"). Using a built-in microphone, the device listens to TV audio and when it hears that an ad is being played for which it has a corresponding coupon, it will (with opt-in) transmit the coupon to any discoverable phone within coverage that has Bluetooth on. The result is the world's first in-room digital coupon delivery service using TV content as a distribution trigger.
"We're excited to introduce this new digital retailing technology which is expected to change the face of TV advertising and couponing forever," said Mr. Alex Romanov, Chief Executive Officer at iSIGN. "We're essentially Groupon for TV. I can easily foresee the next Shopping Channel to be a coupon channel with network operators earning fees from not only advertising but also participation in the transaction value from resulting sales facilitated by these coupons. This is revolutionary to the television and advertising industries while providing ultimate convenience and gratification for consumers."
iSIGN has been meeting with TV networks, hardware manufactures, and advertisers to establish an ecosystem of partners to launch the new digital coupon service. The device can be provided free to consumers by network operators and advertisers.
According to Nielsen the average American spends as much time surfing the web as he or she does surfing channels on TV, at approximately 13 hours per week. Many viewers communicate via their mobile phones while watching TV. As TV viewership transforms into a more engaged, interactive, and on-demand experience the opportunity for services like CouponIO increases to leverage TV with other devices. With volume the Company aims to eventually release CouponIO as a chipset that can be embedded in virtually any digital consumer appliance, including next generation TVs.
Due to recessionary times the coupon marketplace is on a major growth path. According to NCH Marketing Services, the printed consumer packaged goods coupon distribution in the US alone represented nearly 332 billion coupons with 3.3 billion being redeemed last year. Over 87% of the coupons were distributed in free-standing insert coupon booklets with average face value of $1.46. While the printed business showed nearly 7% growth, Kantar Media Group reports that digital coupon space grew by 60% representing just 1% of total distribution in the US. Innovations in digital and mobile distribution have greatly popularized clipping coupons among younger audiences with more discretionary incomes. The key is that redemption rates with digital coupons are at least twenty times higher than free-standing inserts and their face values are substantially higher as well.
"We believe we have the ideal model to deliver consistent advertising ROI with the ability to monitor the number of phones in the room, the type of phone used, and time of day among other characteristics," added Mr. Romanov. "This data alone could fundamentally change the coupon marketplace within the next two or three years."
CouponIO uses a telephone line to ping iSIGN's extensive analytics backend. The system tracks digital coupon redemption with participating advertisers and using an administration panel, they are able to see results in real-time and tune their offers to increase retail traffic and sales. iSIGN provides the device and measurement service to network operators and advertisers for a licensing fee.
"Brands are constantly striving to make an impact early with communications that provide value and engagement beyond the traditional 30-second commercial," said Mr. Dale Tsai, President of AOpen America. "With TV increasingly becoming a multi-platform viewing experience this requires more careful orchestrated programming. With CouponIO advertisers now have an important tool to incorporate in their marketing plans to create new business and engage consumers."
iSIGN along with its partner AOpen, will be attending the InfoComm11 show June 15th to 17th in Orlando, Florida.
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