Virgin Mobile USA to Provide Location-Based Entertainment Service
Written by Virgin Mobile USA
Wednesday, 03 September 2008
buzzd Will Power Virgin Mobile's USA Deck as 'buzzd on Virgin Mobile'
NEW YORK-- Today, Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE:VM), and buzzd announced a partnership that will bring the buzzd service to all Virgin Mobile USA handsets via the no-annual contract carrier's WAP deck giving Virgin Mobile subscribers an interactive, real-time local mobile service.
The companies are also partnering to provide Virgin Mobile USA customers with a mobile-enabled location-sensitive city guide and social network. "buzzd on Virgin Mobile" is a unique new service that allows local entertainment information to be broadcast and shared among Virgin Mobile USA customers based on their location.
Accessible on all Virgin Mobile USA devices via the carrier's WAP deck "buzzd on Virgin Mobile" delivers editorially driven event and venue information, along with up-to-the-minute reviews and ratings from friends and other members of the community. The mobile entertainment service currently lists events and venues across all major cities in the United States, Europe and India and is powered by New York-based buzzd.
The service is more than just local entertainment listings and reviews, however: it also allows its subscribers to instantly find, connect with and reach out to friends with easy-to-use SMS and messaging features. Users can also browse and search continuously updated event feeds, which include pricing, location and event details, as well as firsthand ratings and reviews posted from the event by other members directly via the mobile platform. Events and venues are aggregated first through multiple content partnerships such as Flavorpill, TimeOut, Zagat and many more. User-generated feedback for 'real-time' activity about venues and events is also layered at the top of event listings throughout the platform.
"Our community has a healthy appetite for entertainment, fun and what's happening around them," stated Ron Faris, Director of Brand Development and Partnerships for Virgin Mobile USA. "buzzd on Virgin Mobile is a free and open service that gives our members timely content from the likes of Time Out Magazine while, as usual for Virgin Mobile, respects their privacy with opt-in location."
"We trust that buzzd on Virgin Mobile will turn the cell phone into a remote control that accesses the best a city has to offer," said Nihal Mehta, CEO of buzzd. "We're pleased that Virgin Mobile customers now have easy access to finding out the most timely information on their local bars, clubs, restaurants, events and more."
One of the key features of buzzd is the ability to find real-time activity across any event in the United States, including the rating of specific events and what the "scene" is actually like at the particular location. buzzd now appears on Virgin Mobile USA's deck for customers to find out "what's going on around me right now?" Users can register for the service immediately by clicking the "buzzd" link from Virgin XL, or by texting 'join' to 96321. Standard text and data rates apply.
About Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.
Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE:VM), through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers millions of customers control, flexibility and choice through monthly Plans Without Annual Contracts, with national coverage powered by the Sprint PCS network. Virgin Mobile USA's full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the Wild Card, Slash and Flare, are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at www.virginmobileusa.com, with Top-Up cards available at more than 140,000 locations. Virgin Mobile USA, known for its award-winning customer service, was recently rated the best prepaid wireless service for the second year in a row in the Annual PC Magazine Readers' Choice Survey, with 90% of its own customers reporting satisfaction with its service. The no-contract wireless carrier also allows customers to earn free minutes in exchange for viewing advertising content online through the innovative Sugar Mama program.
About buzzd
buzzd (http://buzzd.com) is a location-sensitive city guide and social network on the mobile device. "Your city, in real time," buzzd allows consumers to get up-to-the minute information on know what's happening at any venue right now, rate events and connect with friends and other people in the area.
buzzd partners with carriers and content providers such as Citysearch, Flavorpill, Time Out, Zagat and many more. The company is based in New York City and backed by Monitor Ventures and Greycroft Partners. The company was founded by Nihal Mehta and Deepen Shah from ipsh!, the first mobile marketing agencies in the U.S. which was acquired by Omnicom Group 2005.
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