Directory:1-800-FREE411
| 1-800-FREE411 | |
| Slogan | Say hello to free directory assistance. |
|---|---|
| Type | [[Company_Type:=Private|Private]] |
| Founded | [[Year_Started:=2005|2005]] |
| Headquarters | Template:Country data US [[City:=Bedford|Bedford]], [[State_Name:=Massachusetts|Massachusetts]], [[Country_Name:=United States|USA]] |
| Key people | [[Key_Person1:=Scott Kliger|Scott Kliger]], CEO John Roswech, President Brian Roberts, CFO |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Products | 1-800-FREE411 |
| Contact | {{{contact}}} |
| Reference | {{{reference}}} |
1-800-FREE411 is an American service offering free directory assistance.
Callers dial 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) from any phone in the United States to use the toll-free service, which allows them to obtain residential, business, or government phone numbers. Sponsors cover part of the service cost by playing advertising messages during the call. Callers always hear an ad at the beginning of the call, and then another after they have made their request. Each ad is typically about ten seconds long.
Callers can also have driving directions sent to their cell phones via text message. These directions are available between any addresses or intersections in the United States, but will work only with cell phones.[1]
1-800-FREE-411 runs on voice automation technology provided by Nuance Communications. [2]
Jingle Networks aims at attracting customers away from an existing fee-based market. The Wall Street Journal described it as "inspired by the business model of Google".[3]
Corporate overview
The parent corporation, Jingle Networks, was formed in 2005, and by the spring of 2008 had, according to TechCrunch, "captured a six percent market share of directory assistance calls." [4] According to Investors Business Daily, Jingle Networks receives about 20 million calls per month. [5]
On October 23 2006, Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from Goldman Sachs and Hearst Corporation. Also on that date, Jingle Network's CEO volunteered on TechCrunch that his company was losing on average 5 cents for every call they processed.[6] On[June 25, 2008, TechCrunch announced that Jingle had reached per-call profitability. [7]
References
- ^ http://localmobilesearch.net/node/467
- ^ SpeechTechMag.com: Nuance and Jingle Networks Enter Strategic Partnership
- ^ Template:Cite news Article reprinted on kelseygroup.com.
- ^ On the Road to An IPO, Jingle Networks Prepares to Launch A Voice Ad Network
- ^ http://www.investors.com/ibdarchives/ArtShow.asp?atn=285184279999594&sy=&kw=google,_s%7C_microsoft_s%7C_look_s%7C_to_s%7C_connect&ps=76&ac=
- ^ TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Interview With Jingle CEO and Venture Capitalist
- ^ Jingle Networks Proves Their Free Business Model Works
Further reading
- "Free 411" at Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages.
- Rebecca Buckman, "Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor" at Wall Street Journal, 20 Apr 2006.
- Micharl Arrington, "1-800-Free-411 has 6% market share of U.S. 411 market" at TechCrunch.com, 15 March 2007.
- Paul Davidson, "Free 411 service goes after rivals for license fees" at USA Today," 14 June 2007.
- Michael Arrington, "Jingle Networks has now raised over $60 million" at TechCrunch.com, 23 October 2007.
