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NeoMedia Contracts with 12snap, Innovator in Cell Phone Marketing, for European Launch of PaperClick for Nokia Camera Cell Phones
1/14/2004 9:06:56 AM
LONDON and FT. MYERS, Fla. , Jan 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE via COMTEX) -- NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. ( NEOM ) and 12snap U.K. Ltd, which specializes in advertising and marketing in the cell phone industry, announced today that they have contracted for 12snap to engineer the European launch of PaperClick for Camera Cell Phones(TM) for Nokia(R) Camera Cell Phones.

NeoMedia and 12snap U.K. have been working together since September of 2002 under the terms of a Letter of Intent.

In late December, NeoMedia announced that the first working units of PaperClick for Camera Cell Phones for the Nokia 3650 and 3660 camera phones were available.

Using Cell Phones to Launch PaperClick for Cell Phones

"The launch of PaperClick will utilize the mobile/cell channel itself," said Martin Copus, managing director of 12snap. "The medium and its ability to innovate really is the message here," he said, citing his agency's 2003 campaign for Walkers(R) Snack Foods (Frito Lay(R)), the largest-ever text messaging promotion in the U.K., which incorporated direct to phone text crediting for the first time.

"12snap is a creative force which thrives on innovative concepts and technologies," he said. "We are thrilled to be moving forward under contract to launch PaperClick in Europe."

What Nokia Camera Cell Phones Do with PaperClick

"With the power of PaperClick for Cell Phones, information retrieval is truly wireless," said Chas Fritz, NeoMedia's chairman. "Now, just by taking a picture of a UPC or EAN bar code with a camera cell phone, you can display data on the screen anywhere, anytime."

Fritz said NeoMedia has activated a few UPC and EAN product codes for demo purposes, making it possible to take a picture of the code on a product, such as a can or bottle of soda, and then go right to the targeted Web site. As part of the working demo, users will also be able to do comparison shopping with PaperClick for Cell Phones . . . for example, taking a picture of the ISBN (for International Standard Book Numbers) code on virtually any book to link automatically via the Internet to a Web site displaying an image of the book and its price elsewhere

Patented PaperClick Technology

NeoMedia's patented PaperClick(TM) technology allows bar codes and other machine-readable identifiers to be directly linked to Web pages and other information sources, and runs on Windows(R)-based PCs and the Palm Pilot(R) PDA.

PaperClick for Camera Phones was developed and patented by NeoMedia as an extension of its PaperClick platform. It employs a standard browser, client software, and a network of online service and applications servers transparent to users, who simply take a picture with the phone for an automatic link to tailored on-line Web information. PaperClick For Cell Phones installs via the phone's infra red (IrDA) port, the BlueTooth(R) wireless network, or download.

David Foster-Lyons, managing director of BigGig Strategies, which directs NeoMedia's marketing activities in Europe, said he had tracked PaperClick for several years and "believed that the only thing PaperClick needed to be successful was the right device to unleash its power."

About NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.

NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. ( www.neom.com), is a developer and international marketer of software and patented technologies which link products, print, and physical objects directly to targeted online data, with expertise in homeland security and e-authentication applications. NeoMedia markets PaperClick(TM) and PaperClick For Cell/Mobile Phones(TM), which link physical information and objects to the Internet, and its Systems Integration Group specializes in providing expert based IT consulting, hardware, and software solutions.

About 12snap

12snap ( www.12snap.com) is an award-winning advertising agency focused on mobile channels. Providing campaign concept realization and delivery, 12snap has developed innovative and effective marketing and CRM programs for top global brands, including McDonald's(R), Procter & Gamble(R), Stella Artois(R), Cadbury's(R), L'Oreal(R) and MTV(R) 12snap is the first mobile marketing agency to win a prestigious Cannes Lion award through its work for Sony(R) PlayStation(R) 2.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

PaperClick and PaperClick For Cell/Mobile Phones are trademarks of NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. Other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE: NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.

NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:NEOM), a developer of software and patented technologies which link products, print, and physical objects directly to targeted online data, said today it has signed a Letter of Intent with Digital Rum Ltd., a U.K.-based provider of mobile commerce solutions, to enter a collaborative agreement to launch PaperClick(tm) in Europe.

In announcing its intent, Digital Rum will work with Big Gig Strategies of London, which is spearheading the launch of Paperclick and PaperClick for Nokia(r) Camera Cell Phones(tm) in Europe.

Digital Rum said merchants will be able to set up and administer mobile shops and design and deliver special promotions and coupons, all through PaperClick bar-type codes and a camera phone. Merchants, it said, will be able to link their print advertising to instant online purchases using proximity marketing, including accepting mobile commerce purchases and setting up delivery, with 'shops'accessible through mobile operators'portals, within or outside of their shopping service, or stand-alone mobile service with dedicated URL or SMS access.

The range of services offered by Digital Rum includes back-end tools which allow configuring and changing the user experience as often as necessary - even daily if needed - as well as manage content, track service usage and transactions, create special operations, answer customer demand, and provide multiple payment support.

'Today, smart and aggressive consumer product industry brand managers and other leading-edge marketers want a total solution which easily and accurately interacts with their customers,'said Charles T. Jensen, president, COO and acting CEO of NeoMedia. 'With PaperClick, and with the innovative concepts engineered and implemented by Digital Rum, we believe that marketing and merchandising in Europe can be dynamically changed, all through our joint technology and a Web-enabled camera cell phone.'

Well Entrenched European Partner

London-based Digital Rum Ltd. develops, operates and markets solutions which enable mobile operators and brands to realize the substantial opportunities the mobile market affords through mobile commerce and shopping. It has relationships with leading European mobile providers, including Vodafone(r) in the U.K., Germany, and Italy; Orange(r) in the U.K. and France; T-Mobile(r) in the U.K., Germany, and internationally; as well as with O2 UK(r), Bouygues(tm), and SFR(r) in France.

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