| 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.
Consumers dial 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) from any phone in the United States to use the toll-free service, which allows callers to obtain any residential, business, or government phone number for no charge. Customers who do not use a free service typically pay $1 to $2 to place each 411 call. Sponsors cover the service cost by playing short advertising messages, about 12 seconds long, during the call. A consumer using the service to find a number could hear targeted ads or general (branding) ads. Consumers may choose to have driving directions texted to them following a call.
1-800-FREE-411 runs on voice automation technology provided by Nuance Communications. [1]
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".[2]
According to the Jingle Networks Privacy Policy[3], 1-800-FREE-411 "will never share your personal information with telemarketers or spammers."
Corporate overview
The parent corporation, Jingle, 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] Since the company's launch, Jingle has amassed a base of 130,000 paying advertisers. [6]
On October 23 2006, Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from Goldman Sachs and Hearst Corporation. On June 25, 2008, TechCrunch announced that Jingle had reached per-call profitability. [7]
References
- ^ http://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/?ArticleID=37348
- ^ Template:Cite news Article reprinted on kelseygroup.com.
- ^ http://www.free411.com/about/privacy
- ^ http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/21/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=
- ^ http://www.free411.com/about/pressreleases/p20080626
- ^ http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/06/25/jingle-networks-proves-their-free-business-model-works/
Further reading
- "Free 411" at Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages.
- "Alex," "Free directory assistance at 1800free411" at WhatIs.Blogs.TechTarget.com, 16 Apr 2007.
- Scott Davison, "Jingle Networks provides 1-800-FREE411 service to Skype users in the US" at Share.Skype.com, 1 Aug 2007.
- 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.
- "Press release" at Free411.com, 25 April 2007.
- Paul Davidson, "Free 411 service goes after rivals for license fees" at USA Today," 14 June 2007.
- "Press release at Free411.com, 23 October 2007.
- Michael Arrington, "Jingle Networks has now raised over $60 million" at TechCrunch.com, 23 October 2007.