New Zealand directory publisher Yellow Pages Group is to launch a WAP2.0 mobile search service in conjunction with mobilePeople and Local Matters.
The mobile offering will be based on mobilePeoples liquid platform, and will enable New Zealanders using the Vodafone live! mobile service to benefit from a wealth of local information accessible on their mobile phones, through directory search. Yellow Pages Groups solution will be browser-based and will integrate seamlessly into Vodafone live! It will combine directory listings from Yellow, a local map application and give directions to a chosen destination.
The rapid adoption of mobile search has created a huge opportunity for directory publishers in New Zealand to monetize through mobile search-based advertising strategies, says mobilepeople CEO and Co-founder Jens Andersen.
For Yellow Pages Group, Marketing Director Blair Glubb says the mobile service will complement the companys existing range of find-it services for businesses which already cover the print, voice (directory assistance) and online channels.
Significantly, this development will provide businesses with a way to connect with Vodafone live! customers who want to find-it while theyre on the go, says Glubb. We chose to work with Local Matters and mobilePeople as the companies are clearly the best of breed suppliers, and our culture, experience and vision marry up well. This is a big step for us and will help us realise our goal of being New Zealands number one find-it resource.
The solution will be integrated with the Local Matters-powered local search engine, to deliver an integrated online and mobile solution for Yellow Pages Group. Local Matters Perry Evans says:
Were excited to see the extended usage into mobile services in cooperation with mobilePeople. Multi-modal implementations are becoming increasingly important, and we are pleased to see Yellow Pages Group take a leadership position in this arena.