July 24, 2009
1-800-THE-INFO Makes Advertising Easier
By Raju Shanbhag, TMCnet Contributor
1-800-THE-INFO, a free business-directory assistance service from Verizon recently added a new service that offers a simple Web-based process to create, target and track interactive voice ads, irrespective of the budget they have.
Working just like directory assistance, 1-800-THE-INFO offers free business numbers and addresses and allows users to search by the type of business they're looking for as well as the neighborhood, landmark or intersection using voice search.
To make this possible, VoodooVox In-Call Media allows businesses to upload their own pre-recorded announcements or create new ones with the help of the platform's Audio Talent Network of voice-over actors.
Advertisers can now create an account and launch their first campaign in as little as 30 minutes, with the help of the VoodooVox (News - Alert) self-service interface.
“While people call 1-800-THE-INFO for a variety of free business-directory listings, you can pretty much count on Friday night being a big draw for pizza parlors and movie times," said Trudy Adams, Verizon (News - Alert) LiveSource director for 1-800-THE-INFO marketing.
"The VoodooVox In-Call Media platform makes it very simple and affordable for local pizza parlors, movie theaters and other businesses to get their advertising directly to customers in their area.”
Verizon recently announced it will provide the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with a comprehensive set of voice, data, collaboration and professional services. Under a new agreement through the Washington Interagency Telecommunications System contract, a $245 million deal, Verizon will provide HHS with voice and data services, dedicated voicemail systems, and audio, video and Web conferencing.
Raju Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Raju’s articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Jessica Kostek
