ChaCha ‘’Mobile Answers’’ Provide Path to Transform 411
— ChaCha CEO Details Vision on How 411 Can Dramatically Increase Revenues —
ChaCha CEO, Scott A. Jones, unveiled his vision for the future of directory assistance during his keynote address at The PELORUS Group’s 15th Annual DA and Operator Services conference which brought together more than 200 key executives of the 411 and Directory Assistance operators in North America.
“We were delighted that The PELORUS Group, the go-to authority in 411/DA market research, provided the forum for us to outline our vision for revolutionizing the 411 marketplace,” said Jones. “We believe our award winning mobile answers service provides a new avenue of opportunities for 411/DA operators, who have been challenged in recent years with the evolution of web-based and mobile search engine capabilities.”
ChaCha helped open the conference with a game-changing presentation led by Jones, explaining that 411/DA operators are on a new frontier in mobile search. Jones said that by leveraging the powerful brand of 411 service with ChaCha’s robust mobile answers platform, 411/DA operators are in a position to transform 411 service into a powerful consumer resource for accessing a broad base of answers and information on almost any topic.
“Traditional 411 has been the only easy way for consumers to get information on mobile devices, but it is generally limited to finding a phone number or address,” explained Jones. “While desktop search engines have attempted to enter the mobile market, the cumbersome query restrictions using a tiny keypad have caused most people to find other ways to get information, such as calling a friend or waiting until they get to a computer. With ChaCha, mobile users now have thousands of informed friends available by phone to help answer questions 24/7. Proof of the value consumers receive from ChaCha’s mobile answers platform is in the numbers – since the launch of our mobile answers service in January, we are seeing usage rates that exceed 40 queries per month. Our most active users are tapping ChaCha multiple times per day resulting in over 150 questions per month. Compare that with traditional 411 usage rates of less than one query per month, on average.”
“Partnering with 411/DA operators is a natural fit,” concluded Jones. “The age of easy mobile information access has arrived with ChaCha’s mobile answers. Carriers are thrilled with the prospect of deploying a fully integrated mobile answers service that dramatically extends the value of 411. With one phone call to 411, mobile users will be able to quickly find answers to almost any question they ask. Integrating ChaCha with 411 is a win-win situation for all parties – directory assistance operators, ChaCha and the biggest winner – 411 customers.”
ChaCha’s free mobile answers service allows users to call or text questions on mobile phones and receive answers within minutes. Skilled human guides use ChaCha’s powerful patent-pending search tools to respond to any query. This human interface dramatically expands the types of questions users can ask well beyond simple phone numbers or addresses. The guides utilize powerful tools to quickly return a succinct, relevant answer in a text message with a Web reference link.
ChaCha has been experiencing excellent market validation with a string of awards honoring their innovation and revolutionary service:
In late April, ChaCha was named one of the “Fierce 15” companies of 2008 by FierceWireless, the online news authority for the wireless industry, reflecting ChaCha’s creativity and innovation in the wireless marketplace. ChaCha also won the prestigious AT&T Fast-Pitch Platinum Award in April for best consumer mobile application at the CTIA Wireless Association Convention in Las Vegas. In March, ChaCha took top prize in the “My Search is Better than Your Search” competition at the Search Engine Strategies conference in Manhattan, and was also ranked as the “No. 1 Alternative Search Engine” in February by Charles Knight of the blogging network, ReadWriteWeb.
About ChaCha
ChaCha, a free mobile answers service, allows users to call 1-800-2ChaCha™ or text questions to ChaCha (242242™) on mobile phones and receive answers within minutes. ChaCha expert guides — trained and skilled individuals — use ChaCha’s powerful internal patent-pending search tools to respond to any query. For more information about ChaCha’s newest features, go to http://www.chacha.com. Created by serial entrepreneur Scott A. Jones (http://www.scottajones.com) and Brad Bostic (http://blog.bradbostic.com), ChaCha is funded by Bezos Expeditions, the personal investment firm of Jeff Bezos; Morton Meyerson, former President and Vice Chairman of EDS as well as Chairman and CEO of Perot Systems; Rod Canion, founding CEO of Compaq Computer; and Jack Gill, well-known Silicon Valley venture capitalist.
About The PELORUS Group
The PELORUS Group has emerged as one of the fastest growing independent market research and consultancy companies in the financial services and telecommunications industries. The PELORUS Group produces authoritative analysis and research reports, provides custom business planning services, and offers timely industry conferences. Initially called TELEOS Resources, Inc., the company was founded in 1987 by Alan Fross. In January 1990, the firm changed its name to The PELORUS Group to more accurately portray its widening scope of expertise. The PELORUS Group staffs executive consultants and market analysts who regularly are called upon to conduct some of the industry’s most comprehensive, and frequently sensitive, custom consulting and market research assignments. For more information please visit: http://www.pelorus-group.com