Proximity marketing company Qwikker has launched iPlaces, which it describes as: the first hotspot-based mobile marketing service tailored to reach the millions of iPhone and iTouch users.
iPlaces is a complete hardware and software solution and web-based service to set up, manage, and deliver branded content from wireless hotspots. Wherever an iPlaces-powered hotspot is deployed, companies can engage wirelessly with iPhone and iTouch users. iPlaces takes consumers directly to a free download, a branded content site, or a purchase page.
iPlaces enabled brands to build campaigns around free downloadable mobile content, including video, music, and mobile coupons. Companies can choose locations from an existing roster of iPlaces partner networks or light up a new iPlaces hotspot for a targeted campaign.
Location owners, such as current wi-fi hotspot operators, retailers, and out-of-home advertising networks, can add iPlaces to their existing locations. They can deliver their own content for marketing purposes or make their locations available to Qwikkers network of third party advertisers and add a new revenue stream to their locations.
Developers can use iPlaces to drive consumers through managed, custom landing pages into the App store from key locations or events. Developers can choose specific locations from the iPlaces partner network, set a budget, and hit a targeted audience.
Qwikker says the solution differs from its existing proximity marketing services in that it includes device-specific support for the iPhone and iTouch. The system recognizes the end user device type and serves up content specifically tailored for the form factor, available features, and ecosystem of the particular device. As an example, iPlaces can deep-link into the Apple App Store to direct users to a specific application. Qwikker also provides device-specific content templates for brands  to use in order to design content specifically targeted for the iPhone and iTouch devices. But while the solution is optimised for the iPhone and iTouch, Qwikker says it also works with any wi-fi or Bluetooth-enabled device, including laptops.
We have taken the location, location, location clich literally, says Qwikker CEO, Steve Friedlander. iPlaces can be set up anywhere people go, from a coffee shop, to a movie theatre, to the back of a taxiWe make it simple for consumer brands and location owners like outdoor advertising companies and retailers to become mobile marketers and leverage the popularity of the iPhone.
Brands can launch mobile marketing campaigns and serve up applications, video, music, web pages, mobile coupons and other content through iPlaces. Application developers can also use iPlaces to directly market and sell their applications, giving consumers a direct link to their content within the Apple App Store.