CrossLink Media Teams With Rackspace to Provide Customers with a Reliable and Scalable Managed Infrastructure
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - (April 8, 2009) - CrossLink Media today announced they have become a Select Partner in the Solution Partner Network with Rackspace® Hosting, (NYSE: RAX), the world’s leader and specialist in hosted IT services. This agreement is designed to add mutual value for their current clients and to increase targeted exposure and reputation for both companies.
CrossLink Media delivers interactive mobile solutions that create one-on-one relationships and engages mobile consumers. Its core product, MessageLink, provides an enterprise-level solution that is used by leading brands, government entities, advertising/marketing agencies and entertainment companies. CrossLink Media connects technologies in order to create a truly interactive consumer experience.
“Rackspace can provide our customers with a solid and reliable infrastructure on which to grow their business. This is increasingly important to us given our expanding roster of mobile marketing clients,” said Brad Beasley, President of CrossLink Media. “Rackspace is the perfect solution partner for us as we both share the same passion for excellence and customer support.”
“CrossLink Media is an innovative company in the mobile space and these types of relationships help us provide our customers with more value-added services,” said Scott White, director of channel sales, Rackspace Hosting.
About CrossLink Media: CrossLink Media, a leading interactive mobile software company, provides mobile solutions that create a truly interactive consumer experience. Its proprietary software platform, MessageLink, allows organizations, brands and media companies to effectively communicate with consumers in real-time and with measurable results. CrossLink Media also services brands with its proprietary Bluetooth ad-serving software, BlueLink, which enables brands to further develop their customer relationships within close proximity to the BlueLink device.
CrossLink Media creates, manages and delivers mobile campaigns via relationships with all major wireless carriers throughout the United States. CrossLink Media’s mobile network provides access to over 200 million wireless phone subscribers in the U.S. and can extend this network to reach over 2 billion consumers worldwide. Whether it’s broadcast, print, outdoor, or online, CrossLink Media cuts through the advertising clutter and creates a one-on-one relationship with the mobile consumer. For more information, visit www.CrossLinkMedia.com.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Phones now: info in, info out
Source: San Antonio Express-News
When Jo Michele Pierson leaves the house to run errands, the first thing on her list is to pull out her phone and send a message to a group of 157 friends — here and around the world — about what she's doing.
Most moments of her life are chronicled like this. She's been doing it so long, via a free service called Bright Kite, that it's second nature to the 34-year-old college student.
Whether she's stuck in a line at a store, having a coughing fit at home, buying a cane-sugar Dr Pepper at Buc-ees or earning her beads at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, they'll know minutes after she does it. And they'll react, offering up their thoughts and their location.
“It's nice to get a real-time point of view of what's going on,” says Pierson. “It's interesting to know who's doing what. You have a certain level of interaction with these people even if you're not with them. It becomes a multidimensional relationship.”
These dimensions include photos, video, text messages and GPS location. And every once in a while, Pierson makes phone calls.
Welcome to the new world of geo-location, where information is the way people communicate and the wireless phone has evolved into a beacon. Combining social media, GPS mapping, Internet search engines and the multimedia capabilities of modern wireless devices, phones are now an always-on, two-way street of data that people use to navigate the world and stay connected around the clock.
With a phone, you can find your way, find a restaurant, find your friends, find a movie and find (and avoid) a speed trap.
David Lee, a software developer whose company created the iPhone app Car Spotter, says the phone's GPS function creates a new layer of information that wasn't there before — constant knowledge of location.
Car Spotter lets users leave their car in a large parking area, make a note of it on the phone, wander afar and then have a digital bread-crumb trail to follow back to their vehicle.
“People want to know where they are and what's around them,” Lee said in an e-mail interview. “It gives them bearings.”
Geo-aware applications, Lee said, save people time and money and allow “convergence” with their surroundings.
That's possible, says Dan Costa, PC Magazine's executive editor, because of the evolution of wireless phones from voice devices to computers.
“They have the computing power of a PC from 10 years ago,” Costa says. “Your phone is more powerful than your first PC was. A cellular phone connection is a cellular data connection. You can do anything with your phone that you can do with your PC.”
And it does even more — a phone is portable and most new ones have GPS capabilities.
“The thing that a phone brings that a PC can't is portability,” he said. “And they're location-specific. They travel with you. There are a host of applications that aren't just about what you're doing, but where you are. They fix you at a time and place, as well as being able to reach you. It's not about sending you a discount movie theater ticket while you're at work or home, but sending you a discount coupon as you enter the mall.”
But it's not just wireless users seeking info. Marketers are realizing the value of the phone as a pipeline to your pocket or purse.
The first wave was text messaging contests, such as the voting for “American Idol” or television news polls. Then came interactive advertising, where viewers could opt in to get text messages of trivia and promos from television shows and bands.
Now merchants are designing ways to make it worth your while to give them access to your cell phone.
A local auto dealer sends out a list of car deals for drivers who text in a special number. And an apartment ownership group has rolled a system to notify tenants of special events and send them reminders when rent is due.
Santikos Theatres has taken the lead among local companies using the technology. The Santikos Mobile VIP club takes seconds to join and puts users on a list that receives weekly text messages about showtimes, coupons and special offers.
“It makes so much sense,” says Meghan Vincent, Santikos' director of communications. “Stand in a lobby in any theater. Whenever a movie lets out, every kid that comes out of that auditorium turns on their cell phone and starts texting.
“That's our demographic.”
Right now, the system is limited in what it can do. In the future, patrons will be able to buy tickets via text message.
Vincent imagines that text-messaging will come into play in the auditoriums, too. There might be Friday night interactive trivia contests. Audience members could vote, via text, on what trailers will be shown before a movie. Or maybe there will be contests to see which high school is most heavily represented in the crowd, like a digital “spirit stick.”
And it goes further. Brad Beasley, whose CrossLink Media developed and manages Santikos' system, sees the day when theaters have designated “Bluetooth Zones.” Those would be areas where customers would have to opt in and allow Bluetooth connectivity with the theater's computer system. Once the systems are in sync, customers could receive streaming media — such as movie trailers, entertainment news, locally produced content — on their phones.
“This opens up a whole new area for marketing, advertising and for customers,” Beasley said.
CrossLink has also developed systems for military exchanges, which send coupons and news of special sales to military families. He's drafting a system for his church, which will allow the pastor to offer interactive sermons.
And the CrossLink system has been rolled out for United Apartment Group, which owns 6,000 apartments in 36 complexes all over town. Besides the monthly-rent and special-event reminders, there are plans to send news that's specific to each tenant, says Katrina Campbell of Outside The Box, a promotion company that works with UAG. Right now, that's an on-demand texting service for apartment hunters, offering the company's hottest deals.
So far, only a few tenants have opted in for the system. United and Outside The Box are pushing it for all residents of their properties.
As the program ramps up, there are numerous options still to be realized — traffic updates specific to each complex that can be sent to tenants, an ability for tenants to make maintenance requests to a centralized dispatch, even emergency evacuation messages in case of fire or natural disasters.
All of these uses become possible, says Wendy Welsh, Outside The Box president, because of the changing role of the phone.
The first generation of wireless users viewed the devices as private phones because of the high costs, Welsh said. Now, as rates have dropped and more people have dropped land lines, the cell phone is their phone of choice. That makes text communication more effective.
The basic premise behind the text messaging systems, Campbell says, is simple.
“People will ignore an e-mail and they'll screen calls. But they always read a text message. And everyone always has their phone with them.”
Costa says more and more companies and phone users will join the interactive community.
“You're going to see more people using their phone as a total communication platform,” he says. “That's where a phone still excels and can't be beat. It's still text communication in real-time, e-mail communication and in many ways it's almost faster and easier to reach in your pocket and send an e-mail than finding a computer.”
When Jo Michele Pierson leaves the house to run errands, the first thing on her list is to pull out her phone and send a message to a group of 157 friends — here and around the world — about what she's doing.
Most moments of her life are chronicled like this. She's been doing it so long, via a free service called Bright Kite, that it's second nature to the 34-year-old college student.
Whether she's stuck in a line at a store, having a coughing fit at home, buying a cane-sugar Dr Pepper at Buc-ees or earning her beads at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, they'll know minutes after she does it. And they'll react, offering up their thoughts and their location.
“It's nice to get a real-time point of view of what's going on,” says Pierson. “It's interesting to know who's doing what. You have a certain level of interaction with these people even if you're not with them. It becomes a multidimensional relationship.”
These dimensions include photos, video, text messages and GPS location. And every once in a while, Pierson makes phone calls.
Welcome to the new world of geo-location, where information is the way people communicate and the wireless phone has evolved into a beacon. Combining social media, GPS mapping, Internet search engines and the multimedia capabilities of modern wireless devices, phones are now an always-on, two-way street of data that people use to navigate the world and stay connected around the clock.
With a phone, you can find your way, find a restaurant, find your friends, find a movie and find (and avoid) a speed trap.
David Lee, a software developer whose company created the iPhone app Car Spotter, says the phone's GPS function creates a new layer of information that wasn't there before — constant knowledge of location.
Car Spotter lets users leave their car in a large parking area, make a note of it on the phone, wander afar and then have a digital bread-crumb trail to follow back to their vehicle.
“People want to know where they are and what's around them,” Lee said in an e-mail interview. “It gives them bearings.”
Geo-aware applications, Lee said, save people time and money and allow “convergence” with their surroundings.
That's possible, says Dan Costa, PC Magazine's executive editor, because of the evolution of wireless phones from voice devices to computers.
“They have the computing power of a PC from 10 years ago,” Costa says. “Your phone is more powerful than your first PC was. A cellular phone connection is a cellular data connection. You can do anything with your phone that you can do with your PC.”
And it does even more — a phone is portable and most new ones have GPS capabilities.
“The thing that a phone brings that a PC can't is portability,” he said. “And they're location-specific. They travel with you. There are a host of applications that aren't just about what you're doing, but where you are. They fix you at a time and place, as well as being able to reach you. It's not about sending you a discount movie theater ticket while you're at work or home, but sending you a discount coupon as you enter the mall.”
But it's not just wireless users seeking info. Marketers are realizing the value of the phone as a pipeline to your pocket or purse.
The first wave was text messaging contests, such as the voting for “American Idol” or television news polls. Then came interactive advertising, where viewers could opt in to get text messages of trivia and promos from television shows and bands.
Now merchants are designing ways to make it worth your while to give them access to your cell phone.
A local auto dealer sends out a list of car deals for drivers who text in a special number. And an apartment ownership group has rolled a system to notify tenants of special events and send them reminders when rent is due.
Santikos Theatres has taken the lead among local companies using the technology. The Santikos Mobile VIP club takes seconds to join and puts users on a list that receives weekly text messages about showtimes, coupons and special offers.
“It makes so much sense,” says Meghan Vincent, Santikos' director of communications. “Stand in a lobby in any theater. Whenever a movie lets out, every kid that comes out of that auditorium turns on their cell phone and starts texting.
“That's our demographic.”
Right now, the system is limited in what it can do. In the future, patrons will be able to buy tickets via text message.
Vincent imagines that text-messaging will come into play in the auditoriums, too. There might be Friday night interactive trivia contests. Audience members could vote, via text, on what trailers will be shown before a movie. Or maybe there will be contests to see which high school is most heavily represented in the crowd, like a digital “spirit stick.”
And it goes further. Brad Beasley, whose CrossLink Media developed and manages Santikos' system, sees the day when theaters have designated “Bluetooth Zones.” Those would be areas where customers would have to opt in and allow Bluetooth connectivity with the theater's computer system. Once the systems are in sync, customers could receive streaming media — such as movie trailers, entertainment news, locally produced content — on their phones.
“This opens up a whole new area for marketing, advertising and for customers,” Beasley said.
CrossLink has also developed systems for military exchanges, which send coupons and news of special sales to military families. He's drafting a system for his church, which will allow the pastor to offer interactive sermons.
And the CrossLink system has been rolled out for United Apartment Group, which owns 6,000 apartments in 36 complexes all over town. Besides the monthly-rent and special-event reminders, there are plans to send news that's specific to each tenant, says Katrina Campbell of Outside The Box, a promotion company that works with UAG. Right now, that's an on-demand texting service for apartment hunters, offering the company's hottest deals.
So far, only a few tenants have opted in for the system. United and Outside The Box are pushing it for all residents of their properties.
As the program ramps up, there are numerous options still to be realized — traffic updates specific to each complex that can be sent to tenants, an ability for tenants to make maintenance requests to a centralized dispatch, even emergency evacuation messages in case of fire or natural disasters.
All of these uses become possible, says Wendy Welsh, Outside The Box president, because of the changing role of the phone.
The first generation of wireless users viewed the devices as private phones because of the high costs, Welsh said. Now, as rates have dropped and more people have dropped land lines, the cell phone is their phone of choice. That makes text communication more effective.
The basic premise behind the text messaging systems, Campbell says, is simple.
“People will ignore an e-mail and they'll screen calls. But they always read a text message. And everyone always has their phone with them.”
Costa says more and more companies and phone users will join the interactive community.
“You're going to see more people using their phone as a total communication platform,” he says. “That's where a phone still excels and can't be beat. It's still text communication in real-time, e-mail communication and in many ways it's almost faster and easier to reach in your pocket and send an e-mail than finding a computer.”
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Please Hold, My Cellphone Is Buying a Gift
Source: Wall Street Journal
By JOSEPH DE AVILA
Retailers eager to attract holiday shoppers are expanding their digital efforts to reach them this season.
Stores like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are using more text-message alerts to spread the news about sales. Online retailers like Buy.com Inc. are sending out daily messages on Twitter, a blogging site that uses short messages, to advertise the latest holiday specials. The Gap Inc., Target Corp., Sears Holdings Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. are pushing new mobile programs this year, too.
Retailers hope these efforts make it easier for customers to shop online, with their cellphones or even at brick-and-mortar stores. And while the prices touted digitally are basically the same as those offered in the store, retailers say customers can get news of sales earlier than with other methods, such as commercials or circulars.
This digital outreach comes as retailers worry about weak sales during what typically is their busiest time of year. Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 5, shoppers spent $14.92 billion online, essentially the same as last year, according to a report released Sunday by research firm comScore Inc. Still, on Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, holiday shoppers spent $846 million, a 15% increase from last year, comScore's report said.
Connecting with busy shoppers through their mobile phones "is even more important right now" for retailers, given the tough economic climate, says Brad Beasley, president of CrossLink Media, a mobile-marketing firm.
Most cellphones support the promotional text messages. But many advanced shopping and commerce features are built for specific smart phones, such as the Apple iPhone. Most programs, like text-message alerts, require consumers to sign up either through their phones or via the Web.
Wal-Mart is sending out more-frequent text-message alerts to its shoppers who signed up for the service, says Melissa O'Brien a spokeswoman for the company. Last year, Wal-Mart sent out three alerts to shoppers' cellphones the entire holiday season. This year, the company is sending out weekly alerts that customers can tailor by category. Last week, Wal-Mart sent customers text messages detailing holiday specials on toys and home electronics. Shoppers can click on links within the text messages that will take them to Wal-Mart's mobile Web site to find additional details and reviews of that item.
Buy.com is sending out daily deals on Twitter, a Web site on which users send and share short messages via the Web, text-messages and email, says Neel Grover, Buy.com's chief executive and president. The company is sending out about 25 messages a day about new specials it is offering, Mr. Grover says.
Last month, Sears launched a new mobile Web site called Sears2Go, where customers can make credit-card purchases directly from their phones. Tom Aiello, a Sears spokesman, says one way shoppers are using the site is to make purchases while in the store after finding out that an item is sold out.
Amazon.com, Target and the Gap each recently released free iPhone applications for holiday shoppers. Amazon's application, launched last week, is one of the most robust shopping applications for the iPhone. Users can browse for items and compare prices of new and used items sold by Amazon and its retail partners. Shoppers can make purchases directly from the application.
Amazon.com released a mobile Web site optimized for the iPhone soon after the phone was released. After noticing the traffic and sales that the site got from users, the company decided to develop a specific application with richer features, says Sam Hall, director of wireless products and services for Amazon. For example, the new application lets users snap a photo of item using the phone's camera, and Amazon employees try to find similar items for sale on the Web site.
Jeffrey Donenfeld, a 26-year-old manager for an interactive marketing firm in New York, recently downloaded the Amazon application. Mr. Donenfeld says he likes being able to use it while in stores to compare prices against items on Amazon. But he will use the application only to buy products he has already researched, he says.
The Gap's iPhone application lets users mix and match clothing items to create an outfit. The components are then compiled on a gift list. Shoppers then use the application to find the closest Gap store in their area.
Target's iPhone application focuses on giving shoppers gift recommendations based on the gender and age of the recipient. After inputting this info, shoppers give the phone a shake, and a recommended gift item appears on the phone. The application gives shoppers links to Target's Web site, where they can buy the item or look for the nearest store. For the first time this year, Target is sending out text-message alerts about their holiday sales to its registered customers, too.
By JOSEPH DE AVILA
Retailers eager to attract holiday shoppers are expanding their digital efforts to reach them this season.
Stores like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are using more text-message alerts to spread the news about sales. Online retailers like Buy.com Inc. are sending out daily messages on Twitter, a blogging site that uses short messages, to advertise the latest holiday specials. The Gap Inc., Target Corp., Sears Holdings Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. are pushing new mobile programs this year, too.
Retailers hope these efforts make it easier for customers to shop online, with their cellphones or even at brick-and-mortar stores. And while the prices touted digitally are basically the same as those offered in the store, retailers say customers can get news of sales earlier than with other methods, such as commercials or circulars.
This digital outreach comes as retailers worry about weak sales during what typically is their busiest time of year. Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 5, shoppers spent $14.92 billion online, essentially the same as last year, according to a report released Sunday by research firm comScore Inc. Still, on Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, holiday shoppers spent $846 million, a 15% increase from last year, comScore's report said.
Connecting with busy shoppers through their mobile phones "is even more important right now" for retailers, given the tough economic climate, says Brad Beasley, president of CrossLink Media, a mobile-marketing firm.
Most cellphones support the promotional text messages. But many advanced shopping and commerce features are built for specific smart phones, such as the Apple iPhone. Most programs, like text-message alerts, require consumers to sign up either through their phones or via the Web.
Wal-Mart is sending out more-frequent text-message alerts to its shoppers who signed up for the service, says Melissa O'Brien a spokeswoman for the company. Last year, Wal-Mart sent out three alerts to shoppers' cellphones the entire holiday season. This year, the company is sending out weekly alerts that customers can tailor by category. Last week, Wal-Mart sent customers text messages detailing holiday specials on toys and home electronics. Shoppers can click on links within the text messages that will take them to Wal-Mart's mobile Web site to find additional details and reviews of that item.
Buy.com is sending out daily deals on Twitter, a Web site on which users send and share short messages via the Web, text-messages and email, says Neel Grover, Buy.com's chief executive and president. The company is sending out about 25 messages a day about new specials it is offering, Mr. Grover says.
Last month, Sears launched a new mobile Web site called Sears2Go, where customers can make credit-card purchases directly from their phones. Tom Aiello, a Sears spokesman, says one way shoppers are using the site is to make purchases while in the store after finding out that an item is sold out.
Amazon.com, Target and the Gap each recently released free iPhone applications for holiday shoppers. Amazon's application, launched last week, is one of the most robust shopping applications for the iPhone. Users can browse for items and compare prices of new and used items sold by Amazon and its retail partners. Shoppers can make purchases directly from the application.
Amazon.com released a mobile Web site optimized for the iPhone soon after the phone was released. After noticing the traffic and sales that the site got from users, the company decided to develop a specific application with richer features, says Sam Hall, director of wireless products and services for Amazon. For example, the new application lets users snap a photo of item using the phone's camera, and Amazon employees try to find similar items for sale on the Web site.
Jeffrey Donenfeld, a 26-year-old manager for an interactive marketing firm in New York, recently downloaded the Amazon application. Mr. Donenfeld says he likes being able to use it while in stores to compare prices against items on Amazon. But he will use the application only to buy products he has already researched, he says.
The Gap's iPhone application lets users mix and match clothing items to create an outfit. The components are then compiled on a gift list. Shoppers then use the application to find the closest Gap store in their area.
Target's iPhone application focuses on giving shoppers gift recommendations based on the gender and age of the recipient. After inputting this info, shoppers give the phone a shake, and a recommended gift item appears on the phone. The application gives shoppers links to Target's Web site, where they can buy the item or look for the nearest store. For the first time this year, Target is sending out text-message alerts about their holiday sales to its registered customers, too.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Text messaging boom hatches new business
San Antonio Business Journal - by Mike W. Thomas
Self-professed serial entrepreneur Brad Beasley is always on the lookout for a new business opportunity.
He found that opportunity 2 1/2 years ago, watching mobile phone usage skyrocket across the country. The trend led Beasley to launch CrossLink Media to capitalize on the boom. CrossLink is a software and services company specializing in mobile marketing applications.
Beasley says he knew that mobile communications was going to be the “next big thing.”
“It already is big, of course,” he says. “But I think it is still just scratching the surface of where it is going to go.”
Presently, more than 50 billion text messages are sent every month just in the United States. About 18 percent of mobile phone users do not have a landline at their home, while more than half of those who do prefer their mobile phone as a primary communication device.
What CrossLink Media does is provide its clients with a simple way to reach out to this broad market in an effective and inoffensive way.
The company’s proprietary software allows consumers, media companies and advertisers to interact in real-time using a consumer’s wireless phone. The program is Web-based and is as simple to use as sending an e-mail, Beasley says. Companies can use the platform to engage customers and communicate one-on-one rather than via mass marketing with traditional media. But the most important aspect is that it is entirely optional, Beasley says.
That means people must opt-in to the program in order to receive any of the marketing materials being sent out.
“No one gets our messages unless they opt-in to the program and we also make it easy for them to opt-out,” Beasley says.
Beasley, whose background is in business development, says he came up with the idea for the program and then contracted with an overseas software development company to develop it. He also worked out agreements with major carriers such as AT&T and Verizon to offer the service.
“We provide all the connections to the carriers and deliver a turnkey solution to our customers complete with technical support,” he says.
Beasley says it is no surprise that mobile phones have become a prime target for marketers looking to connect with potential consumers.
“People don’t leave their homes anymore without their phones,” he says. “It has become like an electronic leash for most of us.”
Movie time
The opt-in feature was a key feature that attracted Santikos Theaters, one of CrossLink’s most recent clients. Meghan Vincent, director of communications for Santikos, says in just two months they already have 2,000 people who have opted to receive the company’s promotional messages and it is resulting in a high rate of redemption when they send out coupons or promotional offers.
“It is good to know that we are not spamming people,” Vincent says. “We are reaching people who want our messages and who are clearly in our demographic group.”
Santikos regularly sends out $1-off coupons for concessions at its local theaters and the response has been tremendous, Vincent says.
“Last week, we had our first promotional blast where (for one day only) we offered a free movie,” she says. “At the time we had about 1,500 people in the club and we had more than 80 redemptions. That is a huge rate of redemption compared to traditional mail-outs.”
To opt-in to the program, a consumer only has to text a particular word, like “Santikos,” and a code number. Then they can receive the promotional offers and be connected to a mobile Web site that allows them to check times and locations for movies showing at Santikos theaters.
“We think there is a big incentive to opt-in to the program, especially when you are standing in line at the concession stand and it allows you to immediately receive a $1-off coupon,” Vincent says.
Beasley notes that online coupons are environmentally friendly because they require no paperwork and can be redeemed just by showing your phone to the cashier who records the code number on the display.
Military applications
CrossLink scored its biggest contract to date this past April when it was awarded an exclusive mobile contract with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to provide text-based mobile coupons across military installations throughout the United States.
“In today’s world, virtually everyone uses their mobile phone for more than just talking,” says Chris Peterson, senior restaurant business manager for AAFES. “CrossLink Media’s mobile coupon program should provide a convenient way to distribute timely and relevant offers to our members and their families.”
The addition of AAFES to its client roster has significantly boosted CrossLink’s revenues, Beasley says, but he declined to give specific figures.
“During our first year, we were in research and development mode,” he says. “Last year our revenues grew by a significant percentage and this year things are going in the right direction.”
Beasley says he has several pending contracts with local restaurants and retailers. He also says the AAFES Human Resource side has expressed an interest in the service and is considering using it to send out job alerts and local-specific weather alerts.
“It is pretty exciting,” he says. “This technology is only limited by your imagination. I really think we are just on the surface of what is possible.”
Beasley came to San Antonio in 1989 to work for the Spurs basketball organization. He has already founded and sold two other companies — Alumni Group and Black Diamond Products.
But even though Beasley is always scouting for that next big business idea, don’t look for him to be selling his new company just yet.
“This is a fun business to be in and I have no desire to get out of it anytime soon,” he says. “I want to continue building the business for the foreseeable future.”
CrossLink Media
Founded: 2006
Owner and president: Brad Beasley
Tel. No.: 210-857-5802
Web site: www.crosslinkmedia.com
Self-professed serial entrepreneur Brad Beasley is always on the lookout for a new business opportunity.
He found that opportunity 2 1/2 years ago, watching mobile phone usage skyrocket across the country. The trend led Beasley to launch CrossLink Media to capitalize on the boom. CrossLink is a software and services company specializing in mobile marketing applications.
Beasley says he knew that mobile communications was going to be the “next big thing.”
“It already is big, of course,” he says. “But I think it is still just scratching the surface of where it is going to go.”
Presently, more than 50 billion text messages are sent every month just in the United States. About 18 percent of mobile phone users do not have a landline at their home, while more than half of those who do prefer their mobile phone as a primary communication device.
What CrossLink Media does is provide its clients with a simple way to reach out to this broad market in an effective and inoffensive way.
The company’s proprietary software allows consumers, media companies and advertisers to interact in real-time using a consumer’s wireless phone. The program is Web-based and is as simple to use as sending an e-mail, Beasley says. Companies can use the platform to engage customers and communicate one-on-one rather than via mass marketing with traditional media. But the most important aspect is that it is entirely optional, Beasley says.
That means people must opt-in to the program in order to receive any of the marketing materials being sent out.
“No one gets our messages unless they opt-in to the program and we also make it easy for them to opt-out,” Beasley says.
Beasley, whose background is in business development, says he came up with the idea for the program and then contracted with an overseas software development company to develop it. He also worked out agreements with major carriers such as AT&T and Verizon to offer the service.
“We provide all the connections to the carriers and deliver a turnkey solution to our customers complete with technical support,” he says.
Beasley says it is no surprise that mobile phones have become a prime target for marketers looking to connect with potential consumers.
“People don’t leave their homes anymore without their phones,” he says. “It has become like an electronic leash for most of us.”
Movie time
The opt-in feature was a key feature that attracted Santikos Theaters, one of CrossLink’s most recent clients. Meghan Vincent, director of communications for Santikos, says in just two months they already have 2,000 people who have opted to receive the company’s promotional messages and it is resulting in a high rate of redemption when they send out coupons or promotional offers.
“It is good to know that we are not spamming people,” Vincent says. “We are reaching people who want our messages and who are clearly in our demographic group.”
Santikos regularly sends out $1-off coupons for concessions at its local theaters and the response has been tremendous, Vincent says.
“Last week, we had our first promotional blast where (for one day only) we offered a free movie,” she says. “At the time we had about 1,500 people in the club and we had more than 80 redemptions. That is a huge rate of redemption compared to traditional mail-outs.”
To opt-in to the program, a consumer only has to text a particular word, like “Santikos,” and a code number. Then they can receive the promotional offers and be connected to a mobile Web site that allows them to check times and locations for movies showing at Santikos theaters.
“We think there is a big incentive to opt-in to the program, especially when you are standing in line at the concession stand and it allows you to immediately receive a $1-off coupon,” Vincent says.
Beasley notes that online coupons are environmentally friendly because they require no paperwork and can be redeemed just by showing your phone to the cashier who records the code number on the display.
Military applications
CrossLink scored its biggest contract to date this past April when it was awarded an exclusive mobile contract with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to provide text-based mobile coupons across military installations throughout the United States.
“In today’s world, virtually everyone uses their mobile phone for more than just talking,” says Chris Peterson, senior restaurant business manager for AAFES. “CrossLink Media’s mobile coupon program should provide a convenient way to distribute timely and relevant offers to our members and their families.”
The addition of AAFES to its client roster has significantly boosted CrossLink’s revenues, Beasley says, but he declined to give specific figures.
“During our first year, we were in research and development mode,” he says. “Last year our revenues grew by a significant percentage and this year things are going in the right direction.”
Beasley says he has several pending contracts with local restaurants and retailers. He also says the AAFES Human Resource side has expressed an interest in the service and is considering using it to send out job alerts and local-specific weather alerts.
“It is pretty exciting,” he says. “This technology is only limited by your imagination. I really think we are just on the surface of what is possible.”
Beasley came to San Antonio in 1989 to work for the Spurs basketball organization. He has already founded and sold two other companies — Alumni Group and Black Diamond Products.
But even though Beasley is always scouting for that next big business idea, don’t look for him to be selling his new company just yet.
“This is a fun business to be in and I have no desire to get out of it anytime soon,” he says. “I want to continue building the business for the foreseeable future.”
CrossLink Media
Founded: 2006
Owner and president: Brad Beasley
Tel. No.: 210-857-5802
Web site: www.crosslinkmedia.com
Friday, October 17, 2008
Santikos Theatres Selects CrossLink Media to Power its Mobile Marketing Programs
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, September 30, 2008 - Santikos Theatres, the only major independently owned and operated theatre chain in Texas, has selected CrossLink Media to power its mobile marketing programs that launched earlier this week.
CrossLink Media's proprietary software platform, MessageLink, will power the Santikos mobile program to allow consumers to text in for movie schedules and show times from their mobile phones and will also provide Mobile VIP Club members with special offers and discounts.
Consumers will text the word SANTIKOS to 95613 to receive an immediate offer to their wireless phone and a link to the Santikos mobile website for all theatre locations, movie listings and show times.
“The ability to check movie listings and show times from the wireless phone is a perfect fit for our customers. Our partnership with CrossLink Media provides Santikos customers with added convenience, mobile-only discounts and incentives and delivers all of this directly to their mobile phones. This is a win-win for everyone,” said Meghan Vincent, Director of Communications, Santikos Theatres.
“Santikos Theatres is already a household name in the San Antonio area and our mobile programs will help provide even greater value to their customers and enhance the overall user experience”, said Brad Beasley, President of CrossLink Media.
About Santikos Theatres
Louis Santikos, a Greek entrepreneur, was one of the pioneers in the San Antonio motion picture industry. Having immigrated to Texas Mr. Louis Santikos built the first opulent movie theatre in San Antonio, the Palace Theatre. This endeavor was only the beginning at the Santikos Company, which included film distribution and continued to introduce many more grand theatres throughout the decades that followed.
Louis’ son John always shared his father’s passion for motion pictures and after graduating from St. Mary’s University, he entered the movie business. His first involvement in the motion picture industry was with the Olmos theatre in San Antonio, a successful single screen movie house. John continued to bring new cinema experiences to San Antonio when he acquired thirteen Drive-In theatre locations, including the historic Mission Drive-In.
Over the next 2 decades, John Santikos added to his entrepreneurial resume with many more theatres across the city featuring the latest ideas in the industry including the first multi-screen indoor theatres, art theatres, THX and digital sound technology, 3D presentation etc.
In 1987, the operational division of the theatres was sold to Act III Theatres. However, in May 2001, John Santikos returned to his beloved business by obtaining the theatre chain he had sold. He quickly reinvigorated the company with his passion for films and business savvy.
At this time he brought many innovations to San Antonio; The in-theatre dining experience, the redesigning of the city’s only art house, The Bijou at Crossroads and completely remodeling the Galaxy, transforming it into the Rialto Cinema Bar and Grill. Today, the theatre circuit also includes the Northwest, the completely renovated Embassy and four brand new multiplexes: the Palladium IMAX, the Mayan, the Silverado in San Antonio and the Silverado IMAX in Houston. With the highly anticipated construction of the Granada and Legacy Theatres in San Antonio and with future entertainment venues to come, Santikos remains a prominent name as the only major independently owned and operated theatre circuit in Texas.
About CrossLink Media
CrossLink Media, a leading interactive mobile software company, provides mobile solutions that create a truly interactive consumer experience. Its proprietary software platform, MessageLink, allows organizations, brands and media companies to effectively communicate with consumers in real-time and with measurable results. CrossLink Media also services brands with its proprietary Bluetooth ad-serving software, BlueLink, which enables brands to further develop their customer relationships within close proximity to the BlueLink device.
CrossLink Media creates, manages and delivers mobile campaigns via relationships with all major wireless carriers throughout the United States. CrossLink Media’s mobile network provides access to over 200 million wireless phone subscribers in the U.S. and can extend this network to reach over 2 billion consumers worldwide. Whether it’s broadcast, print, outdoor, or online, CrossLink Media cuts through the advertising clutter and creates a one-on-one relationship with the mobile consumer. For more information, visit www.CrossLinkMedia.com.
CrossLink Media's proprietary software platform, MessageLink, will power the Santikos mobile program to allow consumers to text in for movie schedules and show times from their mobile phones and will also provide Mobile VIP Club members with special offers and discounts.
Consumers will text the word SANTIKOS to 95613 to receive an immediate offer to their wireless phone and a link to the Santikos mobile website for all theatre locations, movie listings and show times.
“The ability to check movie listings and show times from the wireless phone is a perfect fit for our customers. Our partnership with CrossLink Media provides Santikos customers with added convenience, mobile-only discounts and incentives and delivers all of this directly to their mobile phones. This is a win-win for everyone,” said Meghan Vincent, Director of Communications, Santikos Theatres.
“Santikos Theatres is already a household name in the San Antonio area and our mobile programs will help provide even greater value to their customers and enhance the overall user experience”, said Brad Beasley, President of CrossLink Media.
About Santikos Theatres
Louis Santikos, a Greek entrepreneur, was one of the pioneers in the San Antonio motion picture industry. Having immigrated to Texas Mr. Louis Santikos built the first opulent movie theatre in San Antonio, the Palace Theatre. This endeavor was only the beginning at the Santikos Company, which included film distribution and continued to introduce many more grand theatres throughout the decades that followed.
Louis’ son John always shared his father’s passion for motion pictures and after graduating from St. Mary’s University, he entered the movie business. His first involvement in the motion picture industry was with the Olmos theatre in San Antonio, a successful single screen movie house. John continued to bring new cinema experiences to San Antonio when he acquired thirteen Drive-In theatre locations, including the historic Mission Drive-In.
Over the next 2 decades, John Santikos added to his entrepreneurial resume with many more theatres across the city featuring the latest ideas in the industry including the first multi-screen indoor theatres, art theatres, THX and digital sound technology, 3D presentation etc.
In 1987, the operational division of the theatres was sold to Act III Theatres. However, in May 2001, John Santikos returned to his beloved business by obtaining the theatre chain he had sold. He quickly reinvigorated the company with his passion for films and business savvy.
At this time he brought many innovations to San Antonio; The in-theatre dining experience, the redesigning of the city’s only art house, The Bijou at Crossroads and completely remodeling the Galaxy, transforming it into the Rialto Cinema Bar and Grill. Today, the theatre circuit also includes the Northwest, the completely renovated Embassy and four brand new multiplexes: the Palladium IMAX, the Mayan, the Silverado in San Antonio and the Silverado IMAX in Houston. With the highly anticipated construction of the Granada and Legacy Theatres in San Antonio and with future entertainment venues to come, Santikos remains a prominent name as the only major independently owned and operated theatre circuit in Texas.
About CrossLink Media
CrossLink Media, a leading interactive mobile software company, provides mobile solutions that create a truly interactive consumer experience. Its proprietary software platform, MessageLink, allows organizations, brands and media companies to effectively communicate with consumers in real-time and with measurable results. CrossLink Media also services brands with its proprietary Bluetooth ad-serving software, BlueLink, which enables brands to further develop their customer relationships within close proximity to the BlueLink device.
CrossLink Media creates, manages and delivers mobile campaigns via relationships with all major wireless carriers throughout the United States. CrossLink Media’s mobile network provides access to over 200 million wireless phone subscribers in the U.S. and can extend this network to reach over 2 billion consumers worldwide. Whether it’s broadcast, print, outdoor, or online, CrossLink Media cuts through the advertising clutter and creates a one-on-one relationship with the mobile consumer. For more information, visit www.CrossLinkMedia.com.
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