19 August 2004
RUN THE RED CHASES OPPORTUNITIES IN BRAZIL
Run The Red's recent trip to Brazil resulted in a number of leads that the company is now following up, said Director
Justin Boersma.
The company was in Brazil marketing its RED-Play gaming platform, which has driven some of New Zealand's largest
SMS-based marketing campaigns.
"The RED-Play engine can be used to develop games for most sports that involve separate phases of play. Obviously,
soccer-mad Brazil, with nearly 50 million mobile subscribers, offers us huge opportunities," said Justin Boersma.
"The chance to speak to mobile operators and content providers about our products and services was an amazing
opportunity and we're very excited by the possibilities we saw in the Brazilian market," said Justin Boersma.
"We have a great product in RED-Play. Its advantage lies in the way it can be adapted to enable competitions and
marketing campaigns based on just about any sport, delivers competition statistics in real time and can be used by
anyone with a minimal amount of training."
"The New Zealand market has given us the chance to test and refine our products, but expansion into overseas markets is
critical to the long term success of our company. New Zealand is just too small in terms of market size."
RED-Play was used to run Telecom's Game On, an innovative 'scenario push' game, where subscribers were given a rugby
scenario that involved the 'player' texting a decision to run, kick or pass the ball to progress to the next 'phase' of
play.
Brazil is the largest country in South America (it's only slightly smaller than the entire mainland United States) with
a population of over 170 million and more than 45 million mobile subscribers.
Run The Red was in Brazil as part of a delegation led by Positively Wellington Business. The regional economic
development agency provides support for the Information Communication Technology industry, via the I.C.T. Wellington
business cluster. This trade mission aimed to assist companies to make inroads into the Brazilian market. New Zealand
Trade and Enterprise and Positively Wellington Business both made significant funding contributions, enabling smaller
companies to participate.
"Run The Red were prime candidates for the trade mission to Brazil. They are really innovative go-getters who think
outside the box," said Information Communication Technology sector manager Sharon MacNeill.
"We congratulate Run The Red on what they achieved in Brazil."
In 2003 Run The Red visited the UK to promote its mobile banking service using its RED-Connect product. That trip
resulted in a major UK bank trialling the SMS service and a New Zealand bank will shortly launch the service to its
customers.
Run The Red is New Zealand's leading 'mobile enabler' with offices in Auckland and Wellington. The company has built
and managed some of the most successful SMS campaigns in New Zealand.
Run The Red's clients operate in a wide range of sectors including: banking and finance, mobile operators, media & marketing companies, government and the public service.
What sets Run The Red apart from other wireless developers is our ability to create and manage unique mobile
applications and strategic campaigns, combined with strong, profitable, supplier relationships with leading
telecommunications carriers.
We specialise in the development of mobile Internet applications, wireless marketing services and the hosting and
management of mobile applications and campaigns.
ENDS