London, 19 February 2009

 

Antenna Audio Partners with BT MyPlace to Provide Discovery Audio Content for World’s First Location-based, Personalised Service 

London residents and visitors can now access location based information about nearby landmarks from Discovery Audio, via the BT MyPlace service. Antenna Audio’s Discovery Audio group has teamed up with io global Limited, a provider of converged digital media solutions, the driving force behind the World’s first location-centric, personalised service, launched this February in London. BT MyPlace (www.btmyplace.com) combines location, personalisation data and convergence to dynamically deliver relevant information and advertising to consumers on the move. The service is free via any outdoor BT Openzone Westminster hotspot and can be accessed from any Wi-Fi device in BT’s Westminster Wireless City.

BT MyPlace delivers targeted, sponsored services and advertising including restaurant, bars and shopping recommendations, plus audio downloads including books, walking tours and point of interest commentaries. Using io global technologies, BT MyPlace presents people with information, based on their preferences and location, within central London and the West End.

Sarah Dines, Managing Director, Antenna Audio, said "Antenna Audio is delighted to be working on this project with BT and iO Global. This partnership is another example of how Antenna continues to provide digital content through innovative distribution channels. Our aim is to deliver the most engaging content to people at the time, place and format of their choice and the BT MyPlace platform will enable cultural enthusiasts not only to connect with Discovery Audio's content, but also our clients' content, through evolving technologies."

Billed as a “pocket concierge”, BT MyPlace is launched in conjunction with BT and Westminster City Council, and sponsored by Cisco and Intel.  Content partners include Discovery Audio, audible.co.uk, KODAK Gallery, London Pass, LOVEtheatre.com, Time Out and Top Table. Bespoke content is also being produced by ITN On, including Movie Buff, the weekly review for film goers, and London Talking, featuring video conversations with different Londoners about their favourite places.

BT MyPlace will be available to over 256,000 people who live in the area and 800,000 daily commuters that pass through the city.

In addition, over six million business people and 23 million tourists visit the area each year, demonstrating the huge audience that will benefit from the location-centric services.

Peter Gandy, Vice President Digital Services, io global, said: “Our expertise is delivering highly relevant content and advertising to people on the go. BT MyPlace is a great example of how our technology can help people quickly find what they want using the device of their choice. With our technology and expertise, together with BT, the City of Westminster and our partners, we are able to provide people and advertisers with a unique, intelligent service that will have huge appeal.”

The BT MyPlace portal will contain six key service areas; ‘Find my nearest’, Live & Work, Explore, Enjoy, Entertain and Get Around.  Each delivers relevant localised information depending on a specific person’s needs.  A Special Offers service is also available through BT MyPlace alerting people to current promotions and offers in and around London. The services are available to people via a combination of advertiser-sponsored content and paid-for downloads.

Chris Bruce, General Manager, BT Openzone added: “BT MyPlace doesn’t tie users to fixed locations. Information and services that are chosen by you and are close to you can now be picked up from any mobile device.”

Westminster City Council's head of research and development, Tim Stranack, said:" This is an innovative use of the wireless network. It benefits those who live and work in Westminster and is an excellent service for the millions of visitors and tourists who come to the city each year. We are extremely excited to be the first UK council to offer these location-based services for free.”

For further information on Antenna Audio visit www.antennaaudio.com

For further information on io global’s range of services, visit www.io-me.com. For further information about BT MyPlace visit www.btmyplace.com. Also visit www.btopenzone.com.

About Antenna Audio

Antenna Audio (www.antennaaudio.com) is the world leader in audio, multimedia, and mobile cultural interpretation. Each year, more than 20 million visitors purchase Antenna Audio tours in 12 languages across 20 countries at approximately 450 of the world's most famous, fascinating and frequented locations. Founded in 1984 and a subsidiary of Discovery Communications, Inc. since 2006, Antenna Audio is a global company with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Visit our iTunes store at www.itunes.com/discoveryaudio.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.  Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com.  For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

Contact
Matthew Vines
Antenna Audio Ltd
t:  +44 (0)20 7740 1155
e: 
w: http://www.antennaaudio.com

About io global limited:

io global limited is an award winning provider of digital media solutions for the mobile world. The io global platform manages and delivers digital media that is personalised, converged and targeted so to deliver digital services and content to people where and when they need it – creating interaction, exchange and engaging experiences.

io global has a fully integrated location based application at the centre of its service proposition. This, coupled with personalisation and targeting technology alongside content distribution agreements covering services, entertainment, news, information and e-tailing qualifies io global to partner with network operators, government organisations, retailers, commercial brands and media organisations to provide their consumers with the information they want and need in a compelling way.

io global enables a two-way dialogue between brands and the customer.  Introducing organisations to digital allowing them to move away from the traditional push approach.  io global extends its personalisation capabilities to advertising.  Wherever you are in the evolution of your digital strategy io global has the innovations that will change the way you engage with customers so your brand is part of their lives, driving loyalty, reducing churn and opening up new opportunities for revenue.

Industry entrepreneurs, New Venture Partners and BT formed io global after five years development in BT’s Research Laboratories.  io global has offices in Ipswich, London and New York.   www.io-me.com  

About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.  

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

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