MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 15 January 2003
Kiwi IT Company Announced as Finalists in 'Oscars of the Mobile Industry'
Local wireless application developer, The Hyperfactory, will compete against major multi-nationals for top honours at
the eighth annual GSM Association Awards in Cannes, France next month.
The GSM Association Awards is the leading international wireless industry honour for achievement in technology and
creativity.
The Hyperfactory are finalists in the 'Best Wireless or Application Service - Consumer Market' for "ClubZM", an
application it recently developed for The Radio Network's ZM radio station.
They are up against some tough competition including: Optimus Telecommunications, Portugal for Mobile Health Optimus,
Wireless Information Network, UK for WIN and the AA: Roadside Assistance Alerts Vodafone Group, Germany for Vodafone
Live!
Geoffrey Handley, Managing Director, The Hyperfactory attended the awards last year as a finalist in the same category
for its "UVTXT" application developed for Vodafone.
"Last year a major Finnish company beat us to the top spot but we're feeling quietly confident of taking out the title
this time.
"Win or lose it feels great to be a finalist for the second year in a row at such a prestigious awards ceremony. It
means we're being consistent in our assault on the wireless world and achieving outstanding results for our clients.
"It's a huge buzz to have our achievements on this side of the world acknowledged on a global stage.
"ClubZM is a project we're really proud of and it's a concept we'll be working with The Radio Network to export
internationally," says Mr Handley.
Christian Boston, Operations Manager for ZM at The Radio Network says the decision to partner with The Hyperfactory came
at a time when the station was seeking new ways to build loyalty and respond to listeners via text.
"Club ZM is a great example of how well the mediums of radio and SMS can dovetail to create greater listener
participation.
"ZM now has New Zealand's largest SMS database, with more than 60,000 members signed up for the Club ZM experience which
entitles them to send text messages to DJs, enter competitions, request song information, take part in polls - all in
real time.
"One of the most common things people call in for is to get the name of a song. Now you just text the word "Song" to
9696 and we text you back with the name and artist of the song playing on air.
"All responses to 9696 (ZMZM) are personalised and automation allows us interaction with all Club ZM members.
"ZM listeners have been texting us in the thousands on a daily basis for ages, so now we can reply, collect information
and are really communicating with them," Mr Boston says.
The winner of the 2003 GSM Association Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 18 at the 3GSM World Congress at
the Espace Tente Palm Beach Casino, Cannes, France.
-ends-
About GSM Association
GSM Association (Global Systems Mobile) is the world's leading wireless industry representative body, consisting of more
than 600 second and third generation wireless network operators, manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. Its
members provide digital wireless services to more than 777 million customers (end November 2002) in over 191 countries
today - approximately 71% of the total digital wireless market today.
http://www.gsmworld.com
About The Hyperfactory
Established in late 2000, The Hyperfactory's goal has been to actively explore and lead the field in the wireless
marketing space in Australasia. The Hyperfactory, based in Auckland, is a leading wireless application developer with a
specific focus on SMS applications and solutions. By working with best of breed partners The Hyperfactory produces
commercially viable ideas and invests in developing unique and groundbreaking services for the global market.
The Hyperfactory is a multi-award winning firm.
http://www.thehyperfactory.com
About The Radio Network
The Radio Network operates eight branded radio programme format products across New Zealand. Each week 1,366,500 New
Zealanders aged 10+ tune into one of the Radio Network's stable of brands. These radio brands are broadcast on
eighty-three radio stations between Whangarei and Invercargill. ZM is a key Radio Network brand heard in 13 markets. ZM
is a contemporary hit music station aimed at the under 40 audience. ZM has a national 10+ listenership of 422,000.
http://www.zmonline.co.nz