"Thursday November 30, 7:05 am Eastern Time
Press Release
ACTV And Qpass Sign Inter-Operability Agreement
Qpass Commerce Technology to be Integrated with ACTV's SpotOn(sm) Digital iTV Advertising Service
NEW YORK & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2000-- ACTV, Inc. (Nasdaq: IATV - news), a pioneer of interactive digital TV (iTV) and enhanced media programming and services, and Qpass, a global leader in digital commerce services, today announced an agreement to integrate Qpass' Connected Commerce Platform and eWallet transaction services with the SpotOn(sm) iTV advertising service from ACTV subsidiary Digital ADCO, Inc.
As part of the inter-operability agreement, the companies will integrate ACTV's proprietary software-based technologies that serve as the foundation of the SpotOn service with Qpass' digital commerce transactional infrastructure applications.
Incorporating the two technologies will enable network operators who deploy SpotOn to have access to a secure commerce infrastructure to support TV-commerce transactions between integrated online merchants and their customers for the sale of content, goods and services, as well as couponing and other permission-based marketing initiatives, via current generation digital set-top boxes and advanced set-tops.
``Addressable, interactive TV advertising represents a huge, untapped revenue opportunity for network operators, marketers, and merchants,'' said Chase Franklin, co-founder and CEO of Qpass. ``At Qpass, we're committed to enabling next-generation commerce on the interactive TV platform. ACTV's SpotOn service offers a powerful, end-to-end system for delivering compelling and valuable advertising content in a digital world. The synergy between the two is obvious. We're excited to be working with them to provide a commerce infrastructure for interactive television that will make it as easy as possible for digital subscribers to buy goods and services directly from the ads they see on their TV.''
``The integration with Qpass is another significant step in the development of SpotOn as the most robust iTV advertising service available,'' said Kevin Liga, iCEO of Digital ADCO, Inc. and ACTV's chief technology officer. ``Together, we are helping to move traditional TV advertising into the digital age, and are offering viewers an exciting, easy and secure way to shop and interact as they play an active role in this TV advertising revolution.''
The Qpass commerce services will eliminate the need for digital subscribers to enter personal or credit card information with each transaction, or with each individual merchant advertiser. Qpass securely stores and manages subscriber data and payment-related information, delivers the relevant information directly into the merchant's order processing system, and captures and stores a digital receipt for future review by the subscriber. Qpass also provides a unified customer service and account management experience that will be accessible to digital cable subscribers through their cable set-tops or via the Internet.
In contrast to other new technologies that allow viewers to zap out TV commercials, SpotOn, the advertising application of ACTV's One To One TV software, focuses on making TV advertising more meaningful and useful for viewers. SpotOn is designed to deliver targeted commercials based on viewers' interests, allowing them to see ads that are truly relevant while providing access to value-added information and special offers from the advertisers. Its goal is to dramatically improve the effectiveness of TV advertising and, for the first time, bring real accountability to an advertiser's media buy. SpotOn can be delivered via digital cable, digital satellite, or digital broadcast television.
About Qpass (www.qpass.com)
The global leader in digital commerce services, Qpass provides the commerce infrastructure for next-generation transactions across the Internet, broadband and mobile networks and devices.
Integrating its flagship Digital Commerce Service, a cross-site transactional solution for the sale of content and services via IP networks, with its industry-leading electronic wallet technology, the Qpass Connected Commerce Platform enables the sale of content, goods and services across a full range of networks and devices - including personal computers, wireless phones, PDAs and interactive television - by providing persistent, portable payment credentials, a consistent purchase experience and universal account management capabilities.
Founded in 1997, Qpass is based in Seattle, WA. The company is privately held.
About SpotOn(sm)
ACTV created its Digital ADCO, Inc. subsidiary with Motorola Broadband Communications Sector to redefine traditional TV advertising. Digital ADCO's SpotOn service is founded on an array of system technologies, including ACTV's patented One To One TV(sm) software and Motorola's digital interactive platform.
SpotOn allows viewers to choose and interact with television commercials; it empowers advertisers to deliver commercials to households most likely to respond to them; and it allows television network operators to generate new advertising and TV commerce revenues. SpotOn is compatible with all of the leading digital interactive platforms and set-top terminals, including those currently deployed. SpotOn services are provided to cable and satellite system providers, advertising interconnects, broadcast and cable television networks and programmers, and leading consumer product advertisers, advertising agencies, and media buyers. For more information, visit spoton.tv.
About ACTV, Inc.
ACTV, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: IATV - news) patented enhanced media technologies are incorporated into the company's Enhanced Media Services, Inc. subsidiary. The enhanced media technologies are marketed under the brand names HyperTV® (http://www.hypertv.com) and Bottle Rocket (http://www.bottlerocket.com), among other products and services. ACTV also created interactive, one-to-one digital television with its proprietary One To One TV(sm) software and programming capabilities. SpotOn(sm), the advertising application of One To One TV, is a service of ACTV subsidiary Digital ADCO, Inc (http://www.spoton.tv).
ACTV has developed an extensive patent portfolio that broadly covers the core methodologies for enhancing television, radio and other audio visual programming with an array of synchronous and non-synchronous Internet-based functions, and for the creation and delivery of interactive, one-to-one digital television.
Based in New York City, ACTV has key strategic relationships with many of the dominant players in the Internet, television and digital technology fields, including Liberty Digital, Inc. (Nasdaq: LDIG - news), Motorola (NYSE: MOT - news) Broadband Communications Sector, OpenTV (Nasdaq and AEX: OPTV), and Liberty Livewire Corporation (Nasdaq: LWIRA - news). For more information, visit actv.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulation, and other risks defined in this document and in statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the companies, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the companies disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
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Contact:
For ACTV, Inc:
Bratskeir & Company
Mike Rosen (ACTV Media Relations)
212/679-2233 ext. 213
mrosen@bratskeir.com
or
Brainerd Communicators
Kim Holt (Financial Media)
212/986-6667
holt@braincomm.com
or
ACTV, Inc.
Bill Roll, 212/217-1600
wroll@actv.com
or
Qpass
Jennifer Cranton, 206/695-8621
jcranton@qpass.com"
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