Smart Dialing
Harcom Corp., San Clemente, CA, has a new 800-number voice-mail service called System Managed Automated Remote Telephone (S.M.A.R.T) Office that comes complete with an Internet marketing tool called Voice Blaster. The service enables users to record messages that can be accessed through a Web interface or delivered in e-mails (for free). It can also deliver messages to as many as 100 telephone numbers simultaneously. More info: 800-350-5008 or getsmartoffice.com.
Share the Moments
Kodak Themed Entertainment, Los Angeles, introduced iConnect, a free Web service that lets consumers send family and friends the souvenir photos they purchased at participating theme parks. (You know, that wacky shot of you taking the final plunge on the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Orlando?) Photo buyers get an ID number and passcode they enter online to access their photo. Kodak currently snaps shots at such venues as Disney and Universal theme parks, Sea World Australia, the Kennedy Space Center, and U.S. national parks. It also partners with Clear Channel Communications, New York City, to take them at concerts, and plans on extending the service to marketing events later this year. More info: 310-204-7110 or kodak.com/go/themed.
Persona Grata
American Express Incentive Services, Fenton, MO, unveiled its first employee motivational rewards program. The AmEx Persona Award System offers an incentive packet containing a gift card and a directory listing of thousands of participating merchants. The service also includes My Persona, a bimonthly magazine featuring special merchant offers; postcards with tips on ways to spend the rewards; and an Intranet site users can access to track their point totals. More info: 636-226-2078 or aeis.com.
High-Tech Crosswords
Wireless Jumble, a variation of the popular crossword puzzle, is now available to 1.5 million Nextel Online Internet Wireless Web subscribers. Developed by wireless media company Mobliss, Inc., Seattle, the game offers several marketing opportunities including interstitial ads, and prize sponsorships. More info: 610-642-8253 or mobliss.com.
Pay-Per-Preview
RFM Broadcasting, New Rochelle, NY, launched BestPreviews, a free CD-ROM service for delivering music videos, movie trailers, or software to the masses. The premiere edition featured product from Arista Records, Atlantic Records, Warner Bros., and Columbia Pictures. Users go online, then launch the disc to watch broadcast-quality video. Recipients who register will receive regular CD-ROMs. Heart & Soul, a magazine catering to African-American women, recently polybagged customized versions with 50,000 issues. More info: 914-633-0725 or rfmitv.com.
Ever Resourceful
Forced to solider on without data from Wal-Mart (July PROMO), Chicago-based Information Resources, Inc. created InfoScan Reviews Advantage, a syndicated retail-sales tracker that combines scanner data from other chains with Wal-Mart info culled from panels. IRI boosted its consumer panel to 65,000 households, including a representative sample of Wal-Mart shoppers with an emphasis on rural households. More info: 312-726-1221 or infores.com.
Playing Down
Universal Music Group, Santa Monica, CA, is taking it to the Web with The Viewing Lounge, an ad-supported broadband entertainment program delivering customizable music videos targeting fans aged 15 to 30. Advertisers have four options: main screen media and video interstitials, direct-response ads, Web site links, and genre-based sponsorships. Pepsi-Cola Co., Purchase, NY, has been using it to tout Pepsistuff.com. Universal is advertising the program with TV spots in the top 10 broadband markets and through the college campus-based Burly Bear Network. More info: 818-777-2833 or universalmusicgroup.com.
