Media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15th, 2005
Santa Ditches Telecom, Shacks Up with Ihug
Telecom's 12 year direct line to Santa has been severed this year with ihug, New Zealand's second largest provider of
ADSL broadband, shacking up with the jolly bearded man.
Instead of children having to call or email Santa with their wish list this Christmas, ihug has joined together with
Christchurch companies TeleMessenger and Springdoo, to convince Santa to do the calling. All parents need to do is enter
their phone number and children's names at www.santacall.co.nz and Santa does the rest. He even sends an email after the
phone call with a voice recording of the child's wish list.
Ihug's chief executive Mark Rushworth says it's a fun way to spread a little Christmas cheer and shows people some of
the exciting things that are possible with faster internet.
"My kids have already had their call from Santa and they got a real kick out of hearing their voices when he sent them
an email with a recording of what they wanted for Christmas."
TeleMessenger launched SantaCall last year to demonstrate new interactive voice and data technology using the phone and
Internet. Michael Mayell, TeleMessenger's director, says they were stoked when ihug offered to sponsor the site.
"SantaCall is a great way for kids to experience the magic of Christmas. We had thousands of calls last year and we
really wanted to be able to provide the service for free again this year. Teaming up with ihug has helped keep SantaCall
free and put smiles on the faces of children and their parents this Christmas."
ENDS