London, 13th February 2009: Gigafone, the leading mobile services group, today announced that it is introducing a unique new mobile advertising service in partnership with E-Plus Group, Germany’s third largest mobile operator.

The service is branded “GIGAFONE” and based on the Gigafone Ringmate service, already successfully launched in Russia and Asia. The GIGAFONE service will be open to all subscribers on the E-Plus network and accessible via the company’s new mobile content platform www.beta2go.de 

More than 20 advertisers representing industries such as electronics, fashion, designer products, automotive, arts and media will be part of the GIGAFONE service for launch.
For E-Plus, GIGAFONE will provide the operator’s subscriber base with a way to receive advertisements relevant to their lifestyle choices on an opt-in basis. In return the users will be incentivised by pre-pay top ups or vouchers, depending on the number of advertisements they view. Users have full control over the type of advertising they receive, via a simple sign-up process on the handset.

One of the real benefits for advertisers is that they can define targeted campaigns with banners to be downloaded and shown dependent on the subscriber’s profile. Advertisements are non-intrusive, and are displayed in a dynamic, full screen fashion during an incoming call or SMS, with a direct response ability (click-to-call, click-to-website) shown with each advertisement. GIGAFONE is offered to subscribers for free, enabling brands and media owners to engage with subscribers eager to be rewarded and stay connected to the latest trends and fashions.

“Gigafone looks forward to a fruitful partnership with the KPN group starting now with E-Plus in Germany. Text messages and voice calls are two services that almost everyone uses and understands. We looked to leverage this with a unique full screen offering to engage opt-in subscribers with a rewarding service through our unobtrusive trigger,” said Gregory Khaldey, Chief Executive and President, Gigafone.

Gigafone is recognised by partners as adding value throughout the mobile marketing value chain, offering rewards to users, revenue generation to operators and a creative platform for advertisers and agencies, and will be launching its new Ochre digital advertising solution with nine partners at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Ends

About Gigafone
Gigafone, the mobile marketing services group, enables operators to monetise mobile marketing.

Gigafone’s new Ochre digital marketing solution is a vendor agnostic offer designed to provide brands, agencies and mobile operators with a holistic and simplified view of the advertising ecosystem. Ochre tackles the fragmentation preventing the development of effective, creative mobile and digital campaigns.

Gigafone employs more than 100 mobile technology and marketing experts around the world with offices in Russia, Asia-Pacific and Europe. It is a member of the Mobile Marketing Association and an Associate Member of GSMA.

For further information, please see: www.gigafone.com .

Press enquiries:
Rainier PR for Gigafone
Ruth Jones
Telephone: 020 7494 6570
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chevaan Seresinhe
Telephone: 020 7494 6570
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About the E-Plus Group  
The E-Plus Group is the challenger on the German mobile communications market. Simple services tailored to actual customer needs, severing the link between subsidised end devices and tariffs, and a major reduction in call and data charges can be traced back to the initiative of the third-largest mobile network operator in Germany.

As a result of innovative business models, modern structures and strong partnerships the E-Plus Group was able to significantly strengthen its market position and is growing faster and more profitably than the market. Since 2005 E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH und Co. KG has developed into a family of brands offering target group-specific services. 17.8 million customers are using the network of the E Plus Group to make calls and send text messages or data.
The Group generates annual revenues of €3.2 billion (2008) and employs 2,500 people (FTE) in Germany.

For further information, please see: www.beta2go.com