NetZero Announces Wireless Advertising Initiative Utilizing QUALCOMM BREW Platform Technology
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2001--
"HardCell" Technology Designed to Serve Highly Targeted
Advertisements Via Wireless Applications
NetZero Inc. (Nasdaq:NZRO), a leading provider of free and pay Internet access services with more than 8.4 million registered users, today announced that it has begun development of HardCell(TM), a wireless advertising initiative based on QUALCOMM's Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless(TM) (BREW(TM)) platform.
BREW is an applications platform for wireless devices using a variety of air interfaces including, among others, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), the leading standard for third generation, high-speed wireless voice and data communications. HardCell is intended to enable marketers to send highly targeted advertisements via mobile applications.
Designed to operate independently from NetZero's Internet access service, the HardCell advertising solution will be available to all types of mobile application providers, enabling them to maximize potential advertising revenues.
Consumers will gain value by receiving more relevant advertising which can be acted on instantly in various ways, such as visiting the advertiser's Web site via the mobile device, calling the company directly, or opting to receive more information delivered via e-mail or SMS text messaging.
"Since NetZero was founded, it has developed innovative technologies that have helped marketers and advertisers more effectively reach online consumers," said Mark R. Goldston, NetZero chairman and chief executive officer.
"The development of HardCell marks the first time the company will have the opportunity to extend its targeting technology to mobile devices, which we believe is a key growth market. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to join with a technology leader such as QUALCOMM in developing this initiative for the BREW platform," said Goldston.
Once launched, HardCell will give application and service providers the ability to reach customers while they are searching for entertainment and sports events, checking news headlines and weather forecasts, checking stocks or playing games. Advertisers will be able to include color images, text and animation formats based on the graphics capability of each wireless device creating a richer advertising experience.
Keeping in line with the mobility aspect of wireless, advertisers will also be able to serve regional specific targeted ads even as the user travels out of his or her local area. For example, if a Los Angeles customer is traveling in Las Vegas, the ads they receive may be localized to the Las Vegas area while they are there.
The BREW platform allows developers to create applications that operate on BREW-enabled handsets with QUALCOMM CDMA integrated circuits, the current standard in the wireless market. The BREW initiative will allow rapid development of a wide variety of small, transportable handset applications that users can download over carrier networks onto any BREW-enabled mobile device.
It is estimated that by 2003, more people will access the Internet using wireless devices than by PC (source: ITU & DataQuest) presenting a huge opportunity and need for NetZero's HardCell targeted advertising technology.
NetZero does not have a firm launch date for the HardCell technology at this time.
About QUALCOMM
QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's business areas include CDMA integrated circuits and system software; technology licensing; the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) applications development platform; Eudora(R) e-mail software; digital cinema systems; and satellite-based systems including portions of the Globalstar(TM) system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS(R) and OmniExpress(TM). QUALCOMM owns patents that are essential to all of the CDMA wireless telecommunications standards that have been adopted or proposed for adoption by standards-setting bodies worldwide. QUALCOMM has licensed its essential CDMA patent portfolio to more than 100 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide. With headquarters in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2000 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.
About NetZero
NetZero Inc. is a leading provider of free and pay Internet access services, offering a broad range of interactive marketing, research and measurement solutions. NetZero offers consumers high-quality Internet access, a choice of popular e-mail programs and convenient navigation tools that provide "speed dial" to key sites on the Internet. Through proprietary technologies, NetZero offers advertisers unique targeting capabilities through numerous online advertising and sponsorship channels. The company's CyberTarget division offers marketers and advertisers mass-scale, online market research and measurement services. NetZero is a Cisco Powered Network, offering its access services to approximately 8.4 million registered users in more than 5,000 cities across the United States and in Canada. For more information, visit www.netzero.net. To obtain a CD, call 1-800-DEFENDER.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, NetZero's ability to develop and launch HardCell; that HardCell will not include anticipated features; and that HardCell will receive commercial acceptance. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov) including (without limitation) information under the captions "Management's Discussion and of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors." NetZero(R), Defenders of the Free World(R), the NetZero logo, zCast(R), CyberTarget(TM), NZTV(TM) and The ZeroPort(TM) are trademarks of NetZero Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
NetZero Inc.
Allison Chesher, 805/418-2123 (Press)
achesher@corp.netzero.net
Peter Delgrosso, 805/418-2388 (Press)
pdelgrosso@corp.netzero.net
Brent Zimmerman, 877/280-6380 (Investor Relations)
investor@corp.netzero.net
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
BW0107 MAR 29,2001
5:30 PACIFIC
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