Comunicano

MOBIVOX NAMES PETER DIEDRICH AS ITS NEW CEO

Joins Board of Directors in Company Providing International Calling from Any Phone

MONTRÉAL—June 16, 2008—MOBIVOX, which makes it possible to connect with family and friends around the world from any phone, today announced the appointment of Peter Diedrich as Chief Executive Officer.   

Diedrich, 44, was also appointed to the board of directors of MOBIVOX. He succeeds Stéphane Marceau, who left the company early this year.   

Diedrich has more than 20 years of operations experience in technology and telecommunications, management consulting and venture capital.   

He comes to MOBIVOX after serving since 2006 as president and CEO of TBayTel, the largest independently owned full-service telecommunications carrier in Canada, where he developed a new strategic growth blueprint and led turnarounds in financial and operational performance.   

Diedrich has also held key leadership positions at a number of high-profile firms, including Bell-Northern Research, Nortel Networks, McKinsey & Company, Bell Canada Enterprises, RBC Royal Bank Financial Group and Skypoint Capital.   

He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Carleton University and a master of science in management from the Alfred P. Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

He is a member of Professional Engineers of Ontario. 

MOBIVOX is a privately held company whose investors include: IDG Ventures Boston, IDG Venture Investment China, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Brightspark and Skypoint. 

MOBIVOX enables voice-activated calls from any phone to more than 40 countries. Registered MOBIVOX members can make free and inexpensive high-quality calls around the world by simply saying the name of the person they want to reach. 

MOBIVOX is simple to use—no need for a calling card, PIN number, computer or complex download. Just a call to a local number connects you instantly with friends, family and colleagues. For more information, please visit http://www.mobivox.com.

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Contacts:
Sue Huss, for Mobivox
+1 619 379-4396
bizpr@mobivox.com   

MOBIVOX LAUNCHES ITS SERVICE IN MANDARIN CHINESE

Mandarin Speakers at Home and Abroad Can Now Easily Reach Each Other For Free or at Low Cost Per Minute From Any Phone

MONTRÉAL–May 13, 2008—MOBIVOX, the international calling service that connects family, friends, business associates and Skype contacts around the world for free from any phone, announced today the launch of a Mandarin Chinese version of its acclaimed voice user interface and Web site. The newly localized service will bring Mandarin speakers a simple-to-use Web site for initial registration, and an easily understood interactive voice response (IVR) application that recognizes callers and asks for the desired number to reach, all in their native language.   

Mandarin-speaking users in over 40 countries need only call their local MOBIVOX access number to reach the IVR and enter the number they want to call.  They can also enter the name of a registered contact using the phone’s keypad, if they have previously entered the name on their Mobivox registration site. Chinese-written names can be entered through Pinyin.

Registered users in China, where there is currently no local access number, can also benefit from free or low-cost calling by using MOBIVOX’s SMS or Web Call Back features. Users will first receive a call from MOBIVOX, which will then connect their call to the contact or number of their choice.
 
Registration to MOBIVOX is free. Calls between registered MOBIVOX members are also free to more than 40 countries, and calls to non-members start at 1.9 cents per minute. 

“I’ve tried many phone services over the years—various calling plans, phone cards, and Internet calls,” said Lin Li, a state government employee from the Sacramento area who emigrated from China in 1993. “But I just tried MOBIVOX recently, and found it the best by far. I am impressed with its convenience, voice quality and extremely low cost. Now I can call my mom in China whenever and wherever I want, using my home phone or cell phone. Even better, if we’re both registered with MOBIVOX, the call is totally free. I am going to tell my friends to try it!”

MOBIVOX worked closely with Welocalize, a globalization firm based in Frederick, Md., for the English-to-Chinese translation and localization of the service.

According to Darren Yaphe, director of marketing at MOBIVOX, China is one of the four most popular destinations for MOBIVOX callers, along with Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. “China exchanges huge volumes of telecom traffic with widely dispersed émigré communities and individuals,” he said. “Considering the spread of these populations and the reach of our network, we knew we’d lower costs for the greatest number of people by making Mandarin Chinese the first language to be added to our English-language interface.” 

The Mandarin interface will also enable the use of many MOBIVOX voice-driven services, including free conference calling, said Yaphe. “Mandarin-speaking members in Vancouver, New York, London, Malaysia and Shanghai will find it incredibly easy and inexpensive to all meet together over MOBIVOX.”

A Mandarin version of this release can be obtained here: http://comunicano.typepad.com/bam/2008/05/mobivox-launche.html.

About MOBIVOX 

MOBIVOX is an international calling service that makes it possible to call friends, family, business associates and Skype contacts around the world for free from any phone. Calls between members are free to more than 40 destinations and all other calls to non-MOBIVOX members start at 1.9 cents per minute.

MOBIVOX is headquartered in Montréal with a satellite office in Boston. For more information, visit www.MOBIVOX.com.

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MOBIVOX 将推出中文服务 (Mandarin translation of release)

A Mandarin translation of the press release is available as a PDF file here:Download finalmobivox_chineseivr_mandarin_pdf.pdf.

还可根据请求提供本新闻稿的 Microsoft Word 格式. sue.huss@comunicano.com.

MOBIVOX VISITS ALEC SAUNDERS' SQUAWK BOX

Comunicano clients seem to be getting Alec Saunders' ear lately. Most recently, Darren Yaphe of MOBIVOX was a guest on Squawk Box: http://saunderslog.com/2008/04/04/squawk-box-april-4-guest-darren-yaphe-of-mobivox/. MOBIVOX is an international calling service that makes it possible to call friends and family around the world for free or very inexpensively, and from any phone.

MOBIVOX LAUNCHES ‘SAY IT AND SAVE IT’ FEATURE

Advanced Voice Recognition Lets Mobivox Users Add Contacts By Simply Speaking Their Names

MONTRÉAL–March 13, 2008—MOBIVOX, the international calling service that connects family and friends around the world for free from any phone, announced today the launch of a new feature that makes calling by voice even easier. Create a Contact enables MOBIVOX users to add contacts to their online contact book in their own voice, by simply speaking the information over any telephone.

Nitzan Shaer, COO of MOBIVOX, said, "MOBIVOX already simplifies international calling, by enabling users to dial by voice and place free calls to anywhere in the world. Today, we are excited to take this service a step further, making it even easier to add to the list of people you can call—simply by speaking their names.”
 
Previously, after MOBIVOX members registered for free at www.mobivox.com, they uploaded or typed in their contacts names and numbers. While they can continue to use that method, the new voice-driven process makes it easy to add new contacts, from any phone, anywhere.

MOBIVOX’s advanced speech-recognition technology hears the spoken name of a contact and instantly connects the caller to contacts anywhere in the world.

According to Shaer, “This new feature will dramatically improve the speech recognition accuracy, and is especially useful for those with multi-cultural backgrounds and non-English contact names. These are precisely the people who use MOBIVOX the most to keep in touch with their home country and loved ones far away.”

MOBIVOX has also built intelligence into its voice-recognition system that identifies a frequently dialed number that does not exist in the contact list. The automated attendant then prompts the caller to create a contact. This is especially helpful to users who travel extensively and don’t have their address books readily accessible.

Shaer will discuss these and other methods used by his company to optimize speech recognition accuracy at the Emerging Communications (eComm) Conference 2008 in Mountain View, Calif., on Wed., March 12.

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About Mobivox

MOBIVOX is an international calling service that makes it possible to call friends and family around the world for free from any phone. Calls between members are free to more than 40 destinations. For all other calls, MOBIVOX offers extremely low rates starting at 1.9 cents per minute.

CONTACT:
Sue Huss
Comunicano, Inc.
Sue.huss@comunicano.com
+1 619-379-4396

MOBIVOX Named a Finalist in the 2008 “Webware 100” Awards for Communication

Online Voting Poll for Winners is Open to the Public at
http://www.webware.com/100

MONTREAL, March 6, 2008 - MOBIVOX today announced that their calling service has been selected by the editors of Webware, a CNET site, as a finalist in this year’s “Webware 100” Awards for Communication. The Webware 100 Awards recognize the best Web 2.0 sites, services, and applications that are leading the next wave of innovation.  Finalists are selected by the editors of Webware, but the ultimate winners will be picked by the public.  Winners will be announced on Monday, April 21, 2008.

Webware (www.webware.com) provides the latest information on Web 2.0 sites, services, and applications. Its timely and relevant blog entries about hundreds of web-based services, such as wikis, blogs, and social networking sites, help users determine the best products for them to use in their daily lives.  Webware is led by veteran tech journalist and CNET Editor-at-Large Rafe Needleman, with additional entries from the CNET editors.  Webware editors received and reviewed thousands of entries.  Voting is open to the public beginning Monday, February 25, 2008 at noon PACIFIC and closes on Monday, March 31, 2008 and can be accessed at http://www.webware.com/100.

MOBIVOX makes it possible to call family and friends around the world for free, from ANY phone. MOBIVOX members simply dial a local access number and say the name of the person they’d like to call. No calling cards and long numbers to remember. No need for a computer, special software or complex downloads. Calls between MOBIVOX members are free to over 40 destinations. For all other calls, MOBIVOX offers affordable rates starting at 1.9 cents per minute.

“We set high standards when we launched MOBIVOX last year. We are proud to offer a free and low cost, high quality, international calling service that can be used from any phone, anywhere.” said Nitzan Shaer, COO MOBIVOX.  “We’re honored that Webware has recognized our efforts as we continue to build out our services and extend our user network.”

The ten categories include Audio (music, podcasts, and audiobooks); Browsing (browsers, start pages, RSS readers, widgets, and runtime engines); Commerce and Events (retail, auctions, travel, real estate, concerts, and conferences); Communications (e-mail, chat, and voice); Productivity (app suites, to-do lists, and groupware); Publishing and photography (blogging, content management, and photo sites); Search and Reference (search engines, encyclopedias, and mapping); Social (social networking, family sites, recommendations, online worlds, and contests); Utility and Security (infrastructure providers, storage, and online protection); and Video (video storage, playback, streaming, editing, and animation).

Winners will be invited to celebrate at Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco (http://www.web2expo.com/) held April 22-25 at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco.  Web 2.0 Expo is the official partner of the 2008 Webware 100 Awards. 

More than 480,000 votes were cast in the 2007 Webware 100 Awards.  Last year’s winners can be seen here:  Http://www.webware.com/html/ww/2007.html

Cast your vote for MOBIVOX today at http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100/2008/vote_comm.html?compid=103377

About MOBIVOX

MOBIVOX is an international calling service that makes it possible to call friends and family around the world for free from any phone. Calls between members are free to more than 40 destinations and members can save up to 98 percent on all other international calls to non-MOBIVOX members.  Mobivox is a privately held company whose investors include IDG Ventures Boston, IDG Venture Investment China, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Brightspark and Skypoint.

For more information, please visit http://www.mobivox.com.

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Media Contact:
MOBIVOX
Sue Huss
bizpr@mobivox.com
1 + (619) 379-4396

GiftVOX from MOBIVOX

Can Kids Keep in Contact if Gramps Gags on Gadgets? New Poll Finds Technology Gap Impacts Cross-Generational Communications

GiftVOX from MOBIVOX Bridges Gap by Providing Free International Calling to Entire Families…Whether They’re on a Razor or a Rotary

MONTREAL – Dec. 11, 2007 - Younger people hooked on instant communications like SMS and IM communicate differently with their grandparents due to the fear of new technology common among older people, according to a new poll released today by international call provider MOBIVOX*. 

While it may not entirely explain why kids don't reach out to Grandma as often as their parents would like, there are clear generational differences in how we communicate with family and friends.  Almost 60 percent of those under 35 say that they communicate differently with older, less tech savvy family members and friends.  This is probably not surprising since Grandpa is two times as likely to say that technology “gives him a headache” (less than 10 percent of those over 65 use SMS or IM regularly and over half still use letters).  And the impact of these barriers on relationships is felt across generations – one in three Americans, regardless of age, say that they don’t connect as often as they would like with those they love because they don’t use the same communications technology.

All hope for bridging the gap and sharing holiday cheer this season is not lost however. The poll also reveals that 60 percent of those under age 35 said that family and friends call them for help with their technology woes.  Now – thanks to MOBIVOX – they have a new way to overcome the generational digital divide and make connecting easier than ever.

MOBIVOX today launched GiftVOX, which lets every family’s go-to person set up free international calling for family members.  All the recipient has to do is call their local MOBIVOX access number and – during that first call – opt-in to activate their account.  No hassles.  GiftVOX eliminates the need to ever go online, program a contact list or learn to use a new gadget.

The benefits extend to the gift giver as well.  Since MOBIVOX members talk for free, GiftVOX means both the giver and recipient get free international calls.

“GiftVOX lets you give the gift of free calling to those you love most,” said Stéphane Marceau, MOBIVOX CEO.  “They don't need a computer, a credit card or even a calling card number. All they need is a mobile or landline phone and a loved one to talk to.” 

Because MOBIVOX allows members to connect from any phone, it is especially easy for older generations to use since eight in 10 of those over 65 rely on home landline phones to communicate (versus 50 percent using mobile phones and only one in three on email). 

“The beauty of GiftVOX is that it makes all the benefits of state-of-the-art global communications available to everyone,” continued Marceau.  “And the fact that it is free eliminates a major hurdle to staying close for both the Grandfather and his college student grandson.”

MOBIVOX is an international calling service that makes it possible to call friends and family around the world for free from ANY phone.  Calls are free to MOBIVOX members in more than 40 destinations and members save up to 98 percent on all other international calls. 

After registering for free at www.mobivox.com and uploading contacts, MOBIVOX members dial a local MOBIVOX access number to connect with friends and family a world away. 

Upon calling, members simply say the name of who they want to talk to – no need for a calling card and PIN numbers; computers, special software or complex downloads.  Additionally, the calls can be placed from any phone – mobile or landline. 

MOBIVOX is a privately held company whose investors include: IDG Ventures Boston, IDG Venture Investment China, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Brightspark and Skypoint.

For more information, please visit http://www.mobivox.com/.

See how free calls between MOBIVOX users work at www.mobivox.com/help/FAQ/.

* Telephone survey conducted by CARAVAN® Survey among a national probability sample of 1,017 adults comprising 509 men and 508 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States.  Interviewing was completed during the period November 23-26, 2007.  Full survey results available upon request.

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Contact:
Sue Huss
Sue.huss@comunicano.com
1-619-379-4396

FORMER ELECTRONIC ARTS COO AND UBISOFT EXECUTIVE JOINS MOBIVOX TEAM

Arrival of Maxime Julien as Senior Vice President, Research & Development
first step in expansion of MOBIVOX'S Montreal team

MONTREAL, QC, Dec. 4, 2007 - MOBIVOX, which makes it possible to connect with family and friends around the world for free from any phone, today announced that Maxime Julien has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Research & Development.

Maxime Julien has more than 15 years of management experience in the high tech and engineering sectors. Prior to joining MOBIVOX, Maxime was COO of Electronic Arts' Montreal studio and VP, Operations at Ubisoft Entertainment. Earlier in his career, Mr. Julien held several executive positions with industry leaders CAE, Motorola, Teleglobe and Ericsson. Maxime Julien holds an MBA (Finance) from HEC Montréal and a B.Eng. (Electrical) from Université Laval.

"I'm very excited to be joining the MOBIVOX team at this time of accelerated growth," said Maxime Julien, SVP R&D, MOBIVOX. "This is an unparalleled opportunity to build a world-class company - based in Montreal - that creates innovative communications services for consumers worldwide."

With several hundred thousand subscribers, MOBIVOX continues to expand its customer base in 44 countries. In addition to recently appointing the former head of Mobile from Skype as COO and opening an office in Boston, MOBIVOX is expected to hire about 25 programmers and developers in the coming months.

"Maxime's energy and track record of success in building and leading world-class R&D teams in Montreal makes him a perfect addition to our senior management team," added Stéphane Marceau, President and CEO, MOBIVOX.

About MOBIVOX

Headquartered in Montreal, MOBIVOX brings advanced communications services to consumers. With Mobivox, calls are free from anywhere in the world to 44 countries and members save up to 98% on all other international calls. After registering at www.mobivox.com, members simply call a local access number. When calling, members need only say the name of the person they wish to reach. No need for calling cards, personal identification numbers, computers, special software or complicated downloads. MOBIVOX works on any phone and membership is free. Privately held Mobivox recently closed an $11 million round of financing. Investors include IDG Ventures Boston, IDG Venture Investment China, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Brightspark Ventures and Skypoint Capital. For more information, please visit www.mobivox.com.

SightSpeed, Mobivox, TalkPlus Featured In Los Angeles Times

Veteran Los Angeles Time reporter, and now business desk editor, Jim Granelli has written an exhaustive and defining story about the state of telephone service options in the Sunday Los Angeles Times.

In the three page story, Granelli has referenced three Comunicano clients SightSpeed, MobilVox and TalkPlus, and quoted users of SightSpeed and Mobivox in story's copy. I was also quoted, as a result of my blogging efforts to cover the VoIP industry.

The story is a breakthrough story in many ways for consumer print on a daily basis because in a very well written manner Granelli has validated three points previously recognized by early adopter media and put it into the mainstream press:

1. Computers work well for calling. (Skype, Gizmo, SightSpeed)

2. Video calling is working now and is a real deal (SightSpeed, Skype)

3. Alternatives for long distance calling on mobile phones are now available. (Mobivox, TalkPlus, Jajah, iSkoot)

Welcome To Our Blog

Thanks for coming to the Comunicano blog.

After looking at the ways we communicate with the Bloggers, Analysts and Media we felt that it was time to change how to work with you.

If you're a blogger, an analyst or a member of the media and you cover either our clients or the space they are in, then you'll want to subscribe to our RSS feed.

As time goes on we'll make this more and more granular, but for now, this will be a far cry better than email.

Please let us know your thoughts.

Andy Abramson and the Comunicano Team