1-800-FREE-411: Difference between revisions
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==Corporate overview== |
==Corporate overview== |
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The parent corporation, Jingle Networks, was formed in 2005, and |
The parent corporation, Jingle Networks, was formed in 2005, and received its initial funding from [[First Round Capital]]. By the spring of 2008 had, according to [[TechCrunch]], "captured a six percent market share of directory assistance calls." <ref>[http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/21/on-the-road-to-an-ipo-jingle-networks-prepares-to-launch-a-voice-ad-network/ On the Road to An IPO, Jingle Networks Prepares to Launch A Voice Ad Network<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to [[Investors Business Daily]], Jingle Networks receives about 20 million calls per month. <ref>http://www.investors.com/ibdarchives/ArtShow.asp?atn=285184279999594&sy=&kw=google,_s|_microsoft_s|_look_s|_to_s|_connect&ps=76&ac=</ref> |
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On [[October 23]] [[2006]], Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from [[Goldman Sachs]] and [[Hearst Corporation]]. Also on that date, Jingle Network's CEO volunteered on [[TechCrunch]] that his company was losing on average 5 cents for every call they processed.<ref>[http://www.talkcrunch.com/2006/10/23/interview-with-jingle-ceo-and-venture-capitalist/ TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Interview With Jingle CEO and Venture Capitalist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On [[June 25]], [[2008]], [[TechCrunch]] repeated Jingle's press releases that they had reached per-call profitability. <ref>[http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/06/25/jingle-networks-proves-their-free-business-model-works/ Jingle Networks Proves Their Free Business Model Works<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
On [[October 23]] [[2006]], Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from [[Goldman Sachs]] and [[Hearst Corporation]]. Also on that date, Jingle Network's CEO volunteered on [[TechCrunch]] that his company was losing on average 5 cents for every call they processed.<ref>[http://www.talkcrunch.com/2006/10/23/interview-with-jingle-ceo-and-venture-capitalist/ TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Interview With Jingle CEO and Venture Capitalist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On [[June 25]], [[2008]], [[TechCrunch]] repeated Jingle's press releases that they had reached per-call profitability. <ref>[http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/06/25/jingle-networks-proves-their-free-business-model-works/ Jingle Networks Proves Their Free Business Model Works<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Revision as of 10:00, 22 March 2009
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 2005 in Burlington, MA |
| Headquarters |  Bedford, MA, U.S. |
Key people | Scott Kliger, CEO John Roswech, President Brian Roberts, CFO |
| Products | 1-800-FREE411 directory service |
| Website | www.free411.com |
1-800-FREE411 is an American service offering free directory assistance.
Callers dial 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) from any phone in the United States to use the toll-free service. Sponsors cover part of the service cost by playing advertising messages during the call. Callers always hear an ad at the beginning of the call, and then another after they have made their request. Each ad is typically about ten seconds long. After the first ad, callers are taken to the main menu, where they can choose from business, government, or residential listings, or driving directions. Callers then identify their city and state, and can then search either by name or by type.
Callers can also choose to have driving directions sent to their cell phones via text message. These directions are available between any addresses or intersections in the United States, but will work only with cell phones.[1]
1-800-FREE-411 runs on voice automation technology provided by Nuance Communications. [2] 1-800-FREE-411 has also partnered with Skype, allowing callers to receive listings via Skype Alerts. [3]
Jingle Networks aims at attracting customers away from an existing fee-based market. The Wall Street Journal described it as "inspired by the business model of Google".[4]
Corporate overview
The parent corporation, Jingle Networks, was formed in 2005, and received its initial funding from First Round Capital. By the spring of 2008 had, according to TechCrunch, "captured a six percent market share of directory assistance calls." [5] According to Investors Business Daily, Jingle Networks receives about 20 million calls per month. [6]
On October 23 2006, Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from Goldman Sachs and Hearst Corporation. Also on that date, Jingle Network's CEO volunteered on TechCrunch that his company was losing on average 5 cents for every call they processed.[7] On June 25, 2008, TechCrunch repeated Jingle's press releases that they had reached per-call profitability. [8]
From 2005 through the end of 2008, Jingle Networks saved consumers an estimated total of $6 billion. [9]
See also
References
- ^ http://localmobilesearch.net/node/467
- ^ SpeechTechMag.com: Nuance and Jingle Networks Enter Strategic Partnership
- ^ http://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/News/News-Feature/Jingle-Networks-and-Skype-Partner-on-Free-DA-Service-36876.aspx
- ^ Rebecca Buckman (2006-04-20). "Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2006-11-03. Article reprinted on kelseygroup.com.
- ^ On the Road to An IPO, Jingle Networks Prepares to Launch A Voice Ad Network
- ^ http://www.investors.com/ibdarchives/ArtShow.asp?atn=285184279999594&sy=&kw=google,_s%7C_microsoft_s%7C_look_s%7C_to_s%7C_connect&ps=76&ac=
- ^ TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Interview With Jingle CEO and Venture Capitalist
- ^ Jingle Networks Proves Their Free Business Model Works
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Ue3Bry8f8
Further reading
- "Free 411" at Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages.
- Rebecca Buckman, "Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor" at Wall Street Journal, 20 Apr 2006.
- Micharl Arrington, "1-800-Free-411 has 6% market share of U.S. 411 market" at TechCrunch.com, 15 March 2007.
- Paul Davidson, "Free 411 service goes after rivals for license fees" at USA Today," 14 June 2007.
- Michael Arrington, "Jingle Networks has now raised over $60 million" at TechCrunch.com, 23 October 2007.