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1-800-FREE411 Rings Up 200 Million Calls and Over 1000 Advertisers The Industry’s First Free 411 Service Hits Consumer and Advertiser Milestones

Jingle Networks, Inc., operator of the 1-800-FREE411 directory assistance service, today announced that it has hit a key milestone in processing 200 million calls, saving consumers $400 million in needless 411 fees since launching in September 2005. This significant milestone highlights the service’s rapid adoption by consumers, as well as advertisers including Absolut, Avis Budget Group, The Dallas Morning News, General Electric, The Los Angeles Times, Nautilus, Nivea and Western Dental.

The Next Big Media Channel
More than 1000 companies have utilized the 1-800-FREE411 network as a unique and powerful advertising medium for reaching consumers when they are in a ready-to-buy mode. Additional companies who have used 1-800-FREE411 for targeted and interactive advertising include 1-800-Flowers, 1-800-DENTIST, 1-800-Mattress, American Express, AutoNation, Beyond Interactive/Diageo, CBS, Comcast, IDMedia, Joe Nerd, McDonald’s, Mindshare, OMD, Paramount, Progressive Insurance, RCN, Saxton-Ferris, Service Magic and Service Master. In addition, partnerships with Citysearch, Ziff Leads, and Pay Per Call® provider Ingenio offer local advertisers increased exposure through the 1-800-FREE411 channel.

“The 1-800-FREE411 teams have been great partners these past couple years. It is no surprise that they have hit this historic milestone of 200 million calls so quickly since their service provides a great benefit to consumer — free directory assistance,” said Josh Martin, director of emerging media, ID Media NY. “And for marketers, 1-800-FREE411’s advertising model is both unique and smart, especially for direct response. Several of our clients have used this vehicle to reach and engage with consumers with great success. What I love most about the service is that in the end the consumer is in control. The consumers can get the information they requested or can elect to respond and connect with another relevant, perhaps more beneficial product, service or offer. 1-800-FREE411 really delivers.”

In March 2007, 1-800-FREE411 debuted the nationwide availability of Category Search or yellow pages on the phone, which adds an additional level of service to the consumer experience by providing a free voice-based way to search for phone numbers and addresses by business category and location. The service reinforces 1-800-FREE411’s ability to offer national and local advertisers a highly targeted marketing vehicle for reaching millions of consumers who are looking for their type of business.

Advertisers Benefit From Savvy Cities Hanging Up on Paid Directory Assistance
Several new ad-supported “Free 411” services are emerging, offering free directory assistance to consumers, with 1-800-FREE411 leading the way. Processing more than 700,000 calls a day, 1-800-FREE411 receives 20 million calls per month and has grown more than 400 percent from January 2006, highlighting consumers’ passion for saving money on directory assistance.

While consumers across the nation use 1-800-FREE411, five metropolitan areas have saved the most money by programming 1-800-FREE411 into their phones and hanging up on paid directory assistance. These cities and their associated savings since September 2005 are:

• New York: $25.8 million
• Los Angeles: $24.4 million
• Chicago: $16.7 million
• San Francisco Bay Area: $12.0 million
• Dallas/Fort Worth: $10.8 million

“The rapid rise in the number of calls to the service reflects the fact that people nationwide have embraced us and that they love to share this money saving tip with their friends and family, underscoring our viral growth,” said George Garrick, CEO of Jingle Networks. “The consumer excitement around the service creates an even more attractive opportunity for businesses looking for a unique marketing channel to reach a highly targeted and engaged audience.”

If you’re attending ad:tech San Francisco (April 24-26), please visit 1-800-FREE411 at Booth #5554.