Press Releases

July 17, 2008

Zumobi Now Offers Innovative Mobile Widgets Application to BlackBerry Users


Award Winning Mobile Widgets Now Give Brands Direct Connect to a Broader Mobile Audience


SEATTLE, WASH. – July 17, 2008 – Zumobi (www.zumobi.com), the innovative mobile widget company, today announced the launch of its application for BlackBerry devices. As the profile of Smartphone users expands to include more than just business users, Zumobi has developed its BlackBerry product to enhance the user experience by providing easy access to small “bites” of customized Web content via mobile device. The Zumobi platform, which is ad supported and gives a fully-branded experience to users, is an ideal medium for advertisers and content providers to directly reach consumers in an engaging and highly-targeted manner.

 

With an already robust library of widgets (Zumobi calls them “Tiles”) to entice users of Windows Mobile and BlackBerry with news, sports, weather, entertainment, games and more, Zumobi now offers even more new Tiles for users including NPR, AP Olympics report, Major League Baseball as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Users can also create their own Zumobi mobile widgets from just about any Web content with the new Tile Creation Wizard now available on Zumobi's website.

 

Popular industry weblog BlackBerry Cool will launch a branded Zumobi Tile to extend its brand to the mobile space. “BlackBerry Cool is the first choice for timely news, opinion and reviews of the BlackBerry space, delivered to an audience that expects updates when they are available,” said Douglas Soltys, editor-in-chief of Blackberry Cool. “Until now, there have been few options to do this successfully over mobile. With Zumobi available now on BlackBerry devices, we will be able to reach our audience directly with news that is important to them while they are on-the-go.”

 

The unique design of the Zumobi application provides the user direct access to what they want, when they want it, with cached content for quicker retrieval of fresh information. This puts content at their fingertips, and allows for a more engaging and immersive experience for brands. In the new age of mobile marketing, this direct contact with consumers is ideal for brands looking to deliver products and services that are tailored to a specific audience.

 

“By adding BlackBerry as our second major mobile platform, Zumobi significantly expands our reach for brand and content partners. We're thrilled to introduce Zumobi to Blackberry's data-savvy users, and look forward to providing them with a highly-engaging mobile experience,” said Ken Willner, vice president of Market Development.

 

This announcement follows closely on the heels of the release of an updated application for Windows Mobile announced in June. For a tour of the Zumobi mobile widget platform or to download the mobile widget platform for Windows Mobile and BlackBerry, please visit http://www.zumobi.com or get.zumobi.com on the mobile Web.

 

About Zumobi
Free to consumers and supported by an advertising business model, Zumobi revolutionizes the way people access, retrieve and share Web-based content on their mobile phones. Through an intuitive and lush user interface, Zumobi is an application that allows people to easily “bounce” in and out of snack-sized bits of information and entertainment they want while offering advertisers a better way to connect with consumers. Zumobi delivers entertainment and information content to phones in an innovative and fun way. For more information on Zumobi, please visit www.Zumobi.com.


June 5, 2008

Zumobi Continues Product Momentum With Latest Release of Award-Winning Platform


Expanded Features and Functionality Include Make-Your-Own Tile Wizard, On-Phone Tile Gallery, New Content and Advertising Opportunities


SEATTLE, WASH – June 5, 2008 – Zumobi, the innovative mobile widget platform, announced its latest release for Windows Mobile. The updated application delivers new features and functionality to improve user experience and give the growing number of Zumobi users greater content from which to choose.

 

One of the most compelling features of the new release is a Tile Wizard, which allows users to easily create their own Zumobi mobile widgets. Users can choose the look and feel of these widgets, stream data from their choice of RSS feeds, and turn personal blogs and favorite Web content into Zumobi Tiles they can enjoy as well as share with friends. Another new feature accompanying this release is the on-phone Tile Gallery, which enables users to select and upload Tiles directly from their mobile handset, allowing Zumobi users to explore and swap new content in and out while on-the-go. Zumobi also has produced a streamlined client for faster downloads of the application and a smaller on-phone footprint.

 

Zumobi's range of content and partner relationships continues to demonstrate the opportunities Zumobi holds for media, brands, advertisers and agencies. Tile Wizard content is part of the expanded content offerings on Zumobi, including the “Willy the Hillbilly” game Tile from Mountain Dew and developed by Tribal DDB.

 

“This is another great example of the strength in Tribal DDB's collaborations with Pepsi. Born from a common interest to innovate in the mobile space, John Vail and his digital group at Pepsi brought in Zumobi to leverage Tribal's creative and expertise,” said Christian Dietrich, Director, Pepsi business, Tribal DDB Worldwide. “Mountain Dew is a lifestyle brand and the success in tapping this unique technology is yet another achievement and one that's relevant and cool for Dew drinkers.”

 

Zumobi has also been a hit with the Windows Mobile Owners Circle, Microsof's gateway to content and applications for Windows Mobile users.

 

“Zumobi has consistently been one of the most popular downloads in the Windows Mobile Owners Circle” said Rick May, Audience marketing manager, Microsoft. “We look forward to sharing the new client and content with our members.”

 

Additionally, Zumobi is the first to offer mobile content from the First30Days, the New York City based media company focused on guiding people through all types of changes, founded by author, CEO and Chief Change Optimist Ariane de Bonvoisin.

 

“As The First30Days continues to grow its brand and reach users where change intersects their lives, whether online, in print, on television or on their mobile, we're delighted to have our content available on Zumobi,” said de Bonvoisin. “Zumobi provides us with an exciting opportunity to meet both our content and advertising needs, within a visually compelling and easy to use application.”

 

Later this month, Zumobi will introduce new Tiles for Twitter, Facebook and “This Week in Baseball,” and from publishers such as Smartphone & Pocket PC Magazine and LAPTOP Magazine. Individual baseball team Tiles for all the major teams will also launch this month for fans to enjoy.

 

A pioneer in the mobile widget industry, Zumobi provides one of the most compelling and engaging user experiences available on the mobile Web today. Zumobi users spend an average of 22 minutes per day, a high level of engagement on the mobile widget platform.

 

“Zumobi's early usage and engagement metrics are very compelling,” said Ken Willner, Vice President of Market Development, Zumobi. “We’ve developed a unique platform that enables our partners to create highly-engaging brand experiences in mobile.”

 

With the release, Zumobi will also unveil a series of 12 videos designed to show users everything they need to know to take advantage of the mobile widget platform, from how to navigate, make a Tile, share one and more. To view the Zumobi tour video and to find out 11 things you should know about the mobile widget platform, visit www.Zumobi.com/support.html.

 

Zumobi revolutionizes the way people access, retrieve and share Web-based content on their mobile phones. Through an intuitive and lush user interface, Zumobi allows people to easily “bounce” in and out of snack-sized bits of the information and entertainment they want while offering advertisers a better way to connect with consumers through their mobile phones. Zumobi offers content from a broad range of mobile widgets from leading content providers on a wide range of interests, from politics and restaurant reviews to entertainment and sports.

 

For more information, including Zumobi tour videos, or to download the latest version of the mobile widget platform optimized for Windows Mobile 6 or higher, visit www.Zumobi.com or get.zumobi.com on the mobile Web.

 

About Zumobi
Zumobi is a new and open mobile widget platform with an engaging Zooming User Interface. Free to consumers and supported by an advertising business model, Zumobi delivers entertainment and information content to phones in an innovative and fun way. By creating a compelling experience and opportunity for the entire mobile ecosystem – carriers, advertisers, distributors and consumers – Zumobi is providing a complete solution that is creative, flexible, powerful and easy to use. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.


Press Release Archives

Apr. 3, 2008 - CTIA Honors Zumobi with E-Tech Award at 2008 Wireless Conference

Feb. 18, 2008 - Zumobi appoints Ken Willner as VP of Market Development

Jan. 22, 2008 - Zumobi Announces New Partnership With Microsoft

Dec. 14, 2007 - Zumobi Ushers in a New Age of Mobile Content and Commerce

Dec. 07, 2007 -Zumobi Appoints Pat Binkley as Vice President of Engineering

Nov. 13, 2007 - ZenZui Becomes Zumobi

Oct. 16, 2007 - FierceMobileContent Names ZenZui to “Top Apps” List

Sept. 12, 2007 - ZenZui Appoints Michael Vernon As CFO

May 7, 2007 - ZenZui Appoints Mobile Veteran Brian McGarvey
      as Vice President

March 27, 2007 - Microsoft Backs New Mobile Technology
     Company: ZenZui

April 3, 2008

CTIA Honors Zumobi with E-Tech Award at 2008 Wireless Conference


Innovative Platform Recognized as the Best Emerging Consumer Mobile Widgets Company at Premier Global Technology Conference


Las Vegas – April 3, 2008 – Zumobi, the innovative and design-focused free mobile widget platform, was awarded top honor in the CTIA Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards within the Consumer Mobile Widgets category at CTIA Wireless 2008. This award is an exciting follow up to the company coming out of stealth mode at last year's CTIA.

 

“We are thrilled that Zumobi has seen such success at Spring CTIA 2008, and are equally proud to be recognized at the same event we launched at a year ago,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of Zumobi. “We've seen tremendous interest in Zumobi at the show from a broad range of business partners, and are honored to be acknowledged for our product. Zumobi is looking forward to continuing product innovation with the upcoming application release that will support a range of J2ME/Blackberry devices.”

 

Zumobi revolutionizes the way people access, retrieve and share Web-based content on their mobile phones. Through an intuitive and lush user interface, Zumobi allows people to easily “bounce” in and out of snack-sized bits of the entertainment they want and to stay on top of the information they need throughout the day, while offering advertisers a better way to connect with consumers through their mobile phones. Zumobi offers content from a broad range of mobile widgets from leading content providers on a wide range of interests, from politics and restaurant reviews to entertainment and sports, most recently launching a dedicated Sweet Sixteen zoom space.

 

Download Zumobi for yourself now at www.Zumobi.com from your computer, or go to get.zumobi.com from your mobile browser.


About Zumobi
Zumobi is a new and open mobile widget platform with an engaging Zooming User Interface. Free to consumers and supported by an advertising business model, Zumobi delivers entertainment and information content to phones in an innovative and fun way. By creating a compelling experience and opportunity for the entire mobile ecosystem – carriers, advertisers, distributors and consumers – Zumobi is providing a complete solution that is creative, flexible, powerful and easy to use. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.


February 18, 2008

ZUMOBI APPOINTS KEN WILLNER AS VP OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT


Industry Expert to Lead Brand Partnerships For Innovative Mobile Widget Platform


SEATTLE – Feb. 18, 2008 – Zumobi, the new mobile widget platform, announced today that mobile media veteran Ken Willner has joined the company as Vice President of Market Development. In this new position, Ken will lead business strategy and partnerships with brands and agencies to drive awareness and adoption of the company’s innovative platform and business proposition within the advertising industry.

 

“Zumobi is seeing great interest in an advertising world hungry for relevancy and reach to the mobile user. We have continued to build momentum with last month’s Microsoft partnership announcement. We are proud to have another well-respected leader joining our team,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of Zumobi. “From his success with the American Idol media campaign for AT&T Wireless to his contributions to start-up companies and established players, Ken’s work speaks for itself.”

 

Ken comes to Zumobi from AT&T Wireless, where he served as Vice President of Advertising and Media. It was there that he spearheaded the American Idol marketing campaign, widely recognized as the seminal event that popularized text messaging in the US. He also founded Fizzylab, an early entrant in the contextual search and advertising space, and as Vice President of Marketing, helped it grow from a garage start-up to a company with more than 50 media clients in just 15 months. Ken began his career in advertising, holding senior management positions at McCann-Erickson and Rubin Postaer and Associates, where he led advertising and branding campaigns for companies including The Walt Disney Company, Hitachi, Washington Mutual Bank, and Domino’s Pizza. Ken graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Marketing.

 

“Zumobi is an absolute game-changer as a mobile media platform. Its compelling, user-centric design enables brands to create unique and engaging mobile experiences for consumers,” said Willner. “I am thrilled to join the team and play a part in bringing this groundbreaking mobile platform to market.”


About Zumobi
Zumobi is a new and open mobile widget platform with an engaging Zooming User Interface. Free to consumers and supported by an advertising business model, Zumobi delivers entertainment and information content to phones in an innovative and fun way. By creating a compelling experience and opportunity for the entire mobile ecosystem – carriers, advertisers, distributors and consumers – Zumobi is providing a complete solution that is creative, flexible, powerful and easy to use. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.


January 22, 2008

ZUMOBI ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH MICROSOFT


Zumobi to Be Distributed with Windows Mobile, Microsoft’s Familiar, Widely Available Mobile Operating System


SEATTLE – January 22, 2008 – Zumobi today announced a partnership deal with Microsoft. Under terms of the business agreement, Microsoft will distribute the award-winning Zooming User Interface and mobile widget platform with Windows Mobile. This distribution agreement builds on the content partnerships Zumobi announced in December.

 

“Currently shipping on devices from more than 48 device makers with 125 mobile operators in 55 countries, Windows Mobile is one of the most accessible and familiar mobile computing platforms,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of Zumobi. “This strategic partnership benefits all of our constituencies – consumers, developers, content providers, carriers and advertisers – and enables us to continue building momentum quickly with our audience of techno-culturists and mobile business users.”

 

Today, more than 140 devices in the marketplace worldwide are based on Windows Mobile. Windows Mobile-based phones are designed for people to be productive on-the-go, all while having the ability to stay in touch with colleagues and friends. Windows Mobile-based phones also include mobile versions of Office Outlook, Office Word, Office Excel and Office PowerPoint and Internet Explorer, giving people access to critical business data such as documents, contacts, e-mail, calendar items and tasks. Zumobi is compatible with Windows Mobile versions 5.0 and newer.

 

“Zumobi originated in our IP Ventures program as the work of a world-class research team, and demonstrates how Microsoft works with innovative independent companies to provide people with some of the best sets of services and applications available,” said John O’Rourke, General Manager, Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. “Zumobi is a strong complement to Windows Mobile in that both it and Microsoft offer our customers innovative yet easy ways to access all their information while they’re on the go —making their phone the best companion for their entire life.”


Zumobi revolutionizes the way people access, retrieve and share Web-based content on their mobile phones. Through an intuitive, lush user interface, Zumobi allows people to easily “bounce” in and out of snack-sized bits of the entertainment they want and to stay on top of the information they need throughout the day, while offering advertisers a better way to connect with consumers through their mobile phones. Zumobi offers content from a broad range of mobile widgets or Tiles, including many from partners such as MTV Networks, AccuWeather.com®, Traffic.com, FlightStats.com and OTOlabs, who developed Tiles for Vail Resorts and Fox Television’s “Family Guy.”


About Zumobi
Zumobi is the open platform that is reinventing the mobile content experience. A highly-acclaimed innovator in the mobile industry, Zumobi provides developers with a device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones; enables a better way to connect consumers and the brands that define their lives; delivers a new set of benefits that carriers can offer to their customers; and gives consumers an experience that makes their mobile phones more useful and fun. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.


December 14, 2007

ZUMOBI USHERS IN A NEW AGE OF MOBILE CONTENT AND COMMERCE; BETA NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON WINDOWS MOBILE PHONES


Amazon.com, MTV Networks, The Associated Press, AccuWeather.com, Traffic.com, FlightStats.com and OTOlabs Among Partners Set to Launch Zumobi Tiles Today


SEATTLE – December 14, 2007 – Zumobi today launched the highly anticipated Beta version of its award-winning Zooming User Interface and mobile widget platform. Zumobi can now be downloaded free from the company’s Web site: www.Zumobi.com. Content will be available from more than 75 mobile widgets or Tiles, including many from Zumobi launch partners such as Amazon.com, MTV Networks, The Associated Press, AccuWeather.com, Traffic.com, FlightStats.com and OTOlabs, who developed Tiles for Vail Resorts and Fox Television’s “Family Guy”.

 

Where to Go For More on Zumobi

"The Zumobi team has been working for over a year to make this product a reality, and we’re very excited to launch the first version of our public Beta today," said Zumobi CEO Eric Hertz. "Our partners who have created Zumobi Tiles for the initial Beta have delivered an excellent portfolio of news, entertainment, travel content and more."

Zumobi revolutionizes the way people access, retrieve and share Web-based content on their mobile phones. Through an intuitive, lush user interface, Zumobi allows people to easily "bounce" in and out of snack-sized bits of the entertainment they want and to stay on top of the information they need throughout the day, while offering advertisers a better way to connect with consumers through their mobile phones.

  • "We’re constantly creating new touch points on-air, online and on handsets that deepen our audiences' engagement with their favorite programming," said Jeremiah Zinn, Senior Vice President of Digital Distribution for MTV Networks. "Zumobi’s new platform brings Web 2.0 functionality to wireless devices, and that allows us to create even more experiences for our audiences to stay connected to their favorite music, music news and gaming content."

  • "The exciting combination of Zumobi’s intuitive interface combined with Traffic.com’s nationwide real-time traffic content gives on-the-go consumers the relevant, valuable, engaging user experience they demand," said Barry J. Glick, Vice President, Consumer Markets for NAVTEQ, parent company of Beta partner Traffic.com. "When users download Zumobi to their phones, they’ll instantly benefit from the graphical, dynamic interaction with our mobile traffic solutions by making informed decisions about the best time to leave and the fastest way to get there."

  • "In these days of air travel challenges, reliable and timely travel data is vital to people on the move," said Meara McLaughlin, Vice President of Conducive Technology, makers of FlightStats.com "The Zumobi platform gives FlightStats.com an exciting new way to connect with travelers on the mobile handset. Whether you are flying yourself or connecting with someone who is, having the right information, delivered in a clear and user-friendly way can make all the difference. We are thrilled to be one of the first Zumobi Tiles in such good company with the other founding Tile partners. We hope that users will check our Tile out when they download Zumobi."

  • "Weather is the perfect match for mobile phone users – immediate, personal and location-specific," said Jim Candor, Senior Vice President of New Media for AccuWeather.com. "We’re always looking for new and better ways to bring people the weather information they crave. Working with innovative companies like Zumobi helps us deliver a user experience that is quicker and more satisfying than ever before."

  • "Mobile marketing has not taken off due to poor quality user experience; consumers are simply not excited to receive ads on the mobile phone," said Mitchel Ahern, Director of Product Management for OTOlabs, a permission-marketing platforms company. "We’re very excited to be developing Tile applications for our clients on the Zumobi platform. We believe that by providing branded utility and entertainment as a mobile widget, our clients such as Fox Home Entertainment and Vail Resorts will see higher adoption, deeper engagement and more interaction with their audience."

Accessing the Beta Version of Zumobi
To access the Beta version of Zumobi go to www.Zumobi.com and follow the instructions on the website. The first Beta version of Zumobi is available for phones running Windows Mobile 5 and 6, with Blackberry and selected J2ME compatibility coming early in the second quarter of 2008. A data plan is required, and unlimited data plans are strongly recommended.


Beta Version of Zumobi SDK
Zumobi also unveiled a Beta version of the Zumobi SDK for developers, delivering on the company’s promise of an open, device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones. Developers can download the SDK from http://dev.Zumobi.com. The Zumobi SDK will enable developers to create and showcase their own Tiles. Developers will also be able to share and upload their Tiles to the Zumobi Gallery beginning in the first quarter of 2008.


About Zumobi
Zumobi is the open platform that is reinventing the mobile content experience. A highly-acclaimed innovator in the mobile industry, Zumobi provides developers with a device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones; enables a better way to connect consumers and the brands that define their lives; delivers a new set of benefits that carriers can offer to their customers; and gives consumers an experience that makes their mobile phones more useful and fun. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.


December 7, 2007

ZUMOBI APPOINTS PAT BINKLEY AS VICE PRESIDENT OF ENGINEERING

Industry Pioneer Joins Innovative Seattle Mobile Start-Up

SEATTLE, Wash. – December 7, 2007 – Zumobi today announced Pat Binkley has joined the company as its Vice President of Engineering. He joins Zumobi as the company continues to prepare for its Beta launch on December 14. As VP of Engineering, Pat will be responsible for the transformational and technical leadership in executing Zumobi’s product development strategic plan, developing appropriate product strategies and driving their implementation.

“With Pat’s executive experience at both high-level, Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, his contribution to Zumobi will be instrumental in a successful Beta launch and long-term company growth,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of Zumobi. “Pat’s a tremendous addition to our organization, and he will continue to be an important part of leading the overall direction of our world-class product offering.”

With more than 15 years of leading edge software development experience, Pat has been a key player in pioneering the fields of mobile application development, online advertising and content management. In his previous role of VP of Engineering at Modiv Media, Pat led the efforts to build a first-to-market mobile payment and marketing platform. During the explosive growth of the internet in the late 1990s, Pat was Vice President of Engineering at Disney Internet, creating and delivering content management, advertising and ecommerce solutions to espn.com, abcnews.com and all Disney branded Web sites. Prior to Disney Internet, Pat implemented a network management system and international roaming agreement systems at AT&T Wireless. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Management Information Systems from the University of Idaho.

“Consumers and developers are ready for mobile applications – and the wireless industry is responding by opening up,” said Binkley. “This is a great time to be developing mobile applications, and Zumobi’s product is one of the most innovative and ambitious I’ve seen. I’m thrilled to be part of the team and to move the product forward.”

About Zumobi

Zumobi, formerly ZenZui, is the open platform that is reinventing the mobile experience. A highly-acclaimed innovator in the mobile industry, Zumobi provides developers with a device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones; enables a better way to connect consumers and the brands that define their lives; delivers a new set of benefits that carriers can offer to their customers; and gives consumers an experience that makes their mobile phones fun again. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.

November 13, 2007

ZENZUI BECOMES ZUMOBI; ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF BETA PROGRAM

BOSTON and SEATTLE – November 13, 2007 – ZenZui today shared details of its highly anticipated Beta roll-out plans with reporters and analysts attending the Mobile Internet World Conference in Boston. The company also announced its new name – Zumobi – that better reflects the company’s award-winning zooming user interface and mobile platform business. Zumobi will be available to the general public in Beta form beginning on December 14, 2007. Program details and product downloads will be made available on the company’s website: www.Zumobi.com.

“Since we unveiled the company at CTIA this spring, we’ve made tremendous progress in refining our product and service. Our new name is a reflection of our capabilities and is the result of what we’ve learned through over three years of research and development as well as our Alpha trials earlier this year. The Beta version of the product that we’re now launching will offer consumers an exciting new set of mobile features and functionality that helps them stay on top of the things that are important to them personally and have fun doing it,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of Zumobi. “Our team has been hard at work, and the Beta product offers great opportunity now for each of the participants in the Zumobi ecosystem, including consumers, developers, content partners, advertisers, mobile operators and distributors.”

Zumobi takes accessing, retrieving, and sharing Web-based content beyond traditional mobile browsers. Through an intuitive, lush, high-framerate user interface, Zumobi allows people to easily bounce in and out of snack-sized bits information they need throughout the day, and the targeted entertainment they enjoy, while offering advertisers a better way to connect with consumers through their mobile phones. For mobile Web developers, Zumobi delivers an open, device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones. Zumobi makes it simple and profitable to build and deliver mobile applications – through a single standard for development and deployment and an attractive revenue sharing model.

“Improving and simplifying the user experience is vital to the future of mobile applications,” said Jason Ankeny, editor of FierceMobileContent. “As one of the winners of FierceMobileContent’s Top App Award for 2007, Zumobi is a tremendous step in that direction.”

Highlights of Zumobi include:

    FAST & FRESH: Painful browser loading delays are nonexistent in the Zumobi experience, thanks to an advanced background data caching technology. Unlike browsers, background data caching permits the user to interact with information and entertainment even when their phone is beyond wireless service, like on a plane or in a subway.
    PERSONAL: Zumobi users can populate their personal zoom space with informative and custom-designed interactive Tiles of content that are directly relevant and interesting to their needs and lifestyles. Each of these Tile widgets are personalized to show your photos, blogs, and friends, not just generic web sites crunched onto a mobile screen.
    DESIGN: Zumobi’s novel Zooming User Interface (ZUI) is based on many years of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research, led by Dr. Ben Bederson, Zumobi co-founder and an expert in the field. Using an advanced adaptive user interface technologies, the Zumobi user experience adjusts to different devices and modalities: portrait, landscape, numeric keypad, touchscreen, mini-qwerty board, or traditional up/down/left/right navigational controls.
    DEVICE NEUTRALITY: The first Beta version of Zumobi will be available for phones with Windows Mobile 5 and 6, with Blackberry and selected J2ME compatibility coming early in the second quarter of 2008.
    REVENUE SHARE: Zumobi Tiles create a solution through which advertising and marketing communications are highly contextual and personalized. Zumobi’s centralized distribution service allows for better targeting of advertising to interested customers. A robust and comprehensive revenue sharing model (based on CPM and CPA advertising models) ensures realistic economic viability for Zumobi and its business partners.

    OPEN STANDARDS & COMMUNITY: A Beta version of the Zumobi SDK will be available to developers simultaneously with the launch of the Beta Program, delivering on the company’s promise of an open, device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones. Zumobi Tiles can be easily sent to other Zumobi members, allowing communities of friends to quickly create, embrace, share, and use Tiles targeted to their unique interests.

About Zumobi


Zumobi, formerly ZenZui, is the open platform that is reinventing the mobile content experience. A highly-acclaimed innovator in the mobile industry, Zumobi provides developers with a device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones; enables a better way to connect consumers and the brands that define their lives; delivers a new set of benefits that carriers can offer to their customers; and gives consumers an experience that makes their mobile phones more useful and fun. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.


Oct. 16, 2007

FIERCEMOBILECONTENT NAMES ZENZUI TO ANNUAL “TOP APPS” LIST

SEATTLE, Wash. – Oct. 16, 2007 - ZenZui announced today that it has received FierceMobileContent’s Top App Award for its innovative work on the ZenZui mobile platform. ZenZui’s open platform offers consumers a new way use their mobile devices to stay on top of the things that are important to them, and have fun doing it. The FierceMobileContent distinction honors ZenZui as one of the best wireless applications of 2007.

The FierceMobileContent Top App Awards spotlight ten of the most cutting-edge mobile apps in the industry and consider technological innovation, revenue potential and competitive edge as part of the criteria for selection.

FierceMobileContent is an internationally recognized email newsletter for the wireless industry, providing more than 20,000 executives with a daily briefing on the industry’s top applications, stories and analysis.

“Improving and simplifying the user experience is vital to the future of mobile applications. ZenZui is a tremendous step in the right direction,” said Jason Ankeny, Editor of FierceMobileContent.

The ZenZui platform takes mobile web-based content a step beyond traditional mobile browsers, giving consumers the tools to make their mobile experience a truly personal one. Through an easy to navigate, lush user interface, ZenZui lets people keep track of the entertainment they want and the information they need throughout the day. For mobile web developers, ZenZui delivers an open, device-neutral platform for building and deploying rich content for mobile phones. ZenZui makes it simple and profitable to build and deliver mobile applications – through a single standard for development and deployment and an attractive revenue sharing model.

“We are honored to be a recipient of the Top App Award. The mobile industry is constantly in flux and resources such as FierceMobileContent make it easier to stay on top of daily changes and the latest breaking news,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of ZenZui. “ZenZui offers consumers a new easy, enjoyable and compelling way to easily stay on top of the things that are important to them personally throughout their day.”

The complete list of winning companies is available via a special Web feature on the FierceMobileContent Web site at http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com.

About FierceMarkets FierceMarkets, a leader in B2B e-media, provides information and marketing services in the Telecommunications, Life Sciences, Healthcare, IT, and Finance industries through its portfolio of email newsletters, Web sites, Webinars, and live events. Every business day, FierceMarkets publications reach more than 500,000 executives in over 100 countries. Current publications include DailyTechRag (http://www.dailytechrag.com), FierceBiotech (http://www.fiercebiotech.com), FierceBioResearcher (http://www.fiercebioresearcher.com), FierceBroadbandWireless (http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com), FierceCIO (http://www.fiercecio.com), FierceDeveloper (http://www.fiercedeveloper.com), FierceFinance (http://www.fiercefinance.com), FierceHealthcare (http://www.fiercehealthcare.com), FierceHealthIT (http://www.fiercehealthit.com), FierceIPTV (http://www.fierceiptv.com), FierceMobileContent (http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com), FiercePharma (http://www.fiercepharma.com), FierceSarbox (http://www.fiercesarbox.com), FierceTelecom (http://www.fiercetelecom.com), FierceVoIP (http://www.fiercevoip.com), FierceBiotech (http://www.FierceBiotech.com), and IT-Wireless (http://www.it-wireless.com), and The Business VoIP Report (http://www.businessvoipreport.com).

About ZenZui

ZenZui has closed a Series-A financing round of $12 million from Oak Investment Partners and Hunt Ventures. Wireless entrepreneur Tom Huseby of SeaPoint Ventures acts as chairman of the board. Leading ZenZui as CEO is Eric Hertz, who brings 30 years of telecom experience to the venture. More information on ZenZui is available at www.ZenZui.com.

Sept. 12, 2007

ZENZUI APPOINTS MICHAEL VERNON AS CFO


Company Cites Innovation During 20 Years Experience in U.S. and International Business as Key to Appointment

SEATTLE, Wash. – Sept. 12, 2007 -Hot new start-up ZenZui today announced Michael Vernon has joined the company as its chief financial officer. As the company enters beta roll-out of its product this fall, he will bring with him more than 20 years experience in the area of financial operations to help fuel ZenZui’s success.

“Mike comes to ZenZui with deep knowledge of rapidly growing companies and his experience in digital advertising will help ZenZui as it continues to grow,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of ZenZui. “As the company scales up, he will be a key member of the leadership team.”

 

From 2000-2006, Mike was chief financial officer of aQuantive, Inc. and was responsible for all financial operations and reporting for this NASDAQ-traded Internet technology company. At aQuantive, Mike contributed to the company’s emergence as a profitable, fast-growing, high-margin business that commanded a strong following on Wall Street. He was also the CFO at Red Lion, a NYSE-listed company with annual revenues in excess of $500 million. Earlier in his career Mike held senior management and financial positions in the energy, transportation and aviation industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University.


“The mobile space continues to grow rapidly and I am excited to now be a part of it,” said Mike. “ZenZui elegantly addresses a major stumbling block to the proliferation of the mobile Web, and I am looking forward to contributing to its success.”


About ZenZui     

 ZenZui has closed a Series-A financing round of $12 million from Oak Investment Partners and Hunt Ventures. Wireless entrepreneur Tom Huseby of SeaPoint Ventures acts as chairman of the board. Leading ZenZui as CEO is Eric Hertz, who brings 30 years of experience to the venture. More information on ZenZui is available at www.ZenZui.com.

May 7, 2007

ZENZUI APPOINTS MOBILE VETERAN BRIAN MCGARVEY AS VICE PRESIDENT


Industry Leader to Spearhead Continued Focus on Business Growth by Building Strategic Partnerships

SEATTLE, Wash. - May 7, 2007 - ZenZui, the exciting new mobile venture recently unveiled at CTIA, announced today that Brian McGarvey has joined the company as vice president of business development. In his new role, McGarvey will direct ZenZui’s efforts designed to grow the business’ already impressive strategic client and distribution base. ZenZui emerged from stealth mode in March with alpha trial partners including Kayak.com, OTOlabs, Avenue A | Razorfish and Traffic.com, Inc.

       “With more than 20 years of experience, Brian comes to ZenZui with the knowledge and skills we need to further elevate industry interest and participation generated by our recent company efforts,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of ZenZui. “His role is crucial to creating and advancing the business relationships that will deliver long-term success for ZenZui and our portfolio of partners.”

       Most recently Brian was vice president, Americas for Vivendi Games Mobile where he built and launched their North and South American mobile business. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of sales at Airborne Entertainment, a mobile content provider for major entertainment properties. As director of marketing for Cingular/AT&T Wireless, Brian was responsible for customer acquisition and content partnerships for mMode, their ground breaking consumer data offering. Brian was also the CEO and co-founder of mylackey.com, where he built a loyal customer following around his innovative system for ordering and receiving services. Early in Brian’s career he also collaborated with industry pioneers to develop the first generation of products and services that now form the core of business online, including the world’s first home Internet access product and first commercial Web browser at SPRY/CompuServe.

       “All eyes are on the mobile market and I look forward to leveraging the high-level of current awareness to deliver the company continued success,” said McGarvey. “ZenZui has established an impressive leadership team and I am delighted to be able to join the company at this stage of its growth.”

 

About ZenZui     

 ZenZui has closed a Series-A financing round of $12 million from Oak Investment Partners and Hunt Ventures. Wireless entrepreneur Tom Huseby of SeaPoint Ventures acts as chairman of the board. Leading ZenZui as CEO is Eric Hertz, who brings 30 years of experience to the venture. More information on ZenZui is available at www.ZenZui.com.

March 27, 2007

Microsoft Backs New Mobile Technology Company: ZenZui Microsoft’s IP Ventures invests key technology from Microsoft Research to launch startup focused on mobile device content


REDMOND, Wash. — March 26, 2007 – Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of ZenZui, an independent company with the mission of transforming the way people engage, consume and interact with Web content through a revolutionary mobile user experience and information ecosystem. ZenZui’s Zooming User Interface, a patented Microsoft technology, was initially developed by the Microsoft Redmond Research lab. Microsoft IP Ventures helps startups and growing companies speed their time to market through access to Microsoft’s innovation. ZenZui worked with IP Ventures to acquire the technology and prodide assistance in securing venture capital funding to help launch their company.


“ZenZui is an exciting proposition for us and demonstrates how Microsoft is turning intellectual property into valuable business opportunities,” said Dan’l Lewin, corporate vice president of Strategic and Emerging Business Development at Microsoft. “Our IP Ventures program opens the door for entrepreneurs to have access to the work of world-class research teams. Ultimately, this access allows them to rapidly bring new products to market based on those technologies.”


ZenZui’s core technology brings advanced information visualization techniques out of the research lab and onto mobile phones and into the hands of mobile device operators, marketers and consumers. ZenZui’s high-frame rate zooming user interface employs up to 36 individual “Tiles” that are selected and customized by the user to reflect their interests and lifestyle with relevant content, interactive communications and fresh data. From the connected communities of social networks and the immediacy of pop culture to the have-to-know sports and weather info, this modular tile interface lets users sync, surf, and share digital content quickly, easily, and in a distinctly new way.

“This innovative technology developed with the help of Microsoft Research has provided a strong foundation from which ZenZui has developed a unique user experience,” said Eric Hertz, chief executive officer of ZenZui. “ZenZui’s compelling platform is already creating excitement among carriers, content providers, interactive agencies and major marketers.”

Companies onboard for the initial trial include Kayak.com, OTOlabs, Avenue A | Razorfish and Traffic.com Inc. Representatives’ comments include the following:

  • “OTOlabs develops and deploys products that put our clients’ brands, like Fox Family Guy, where today’s audience lives. ZenZui provides a powerful and unique platform to accomplish that in the mobile space,” said Chris Heitmann, executive vice president and general manager for OTOlabs.

  • Avenue A | Razorfish has brought three of its clients to the alpha phase. “ZenZui’s platform is perhaps the first mobile interface to truly leverage unique aspects of mobile devices,” said Bruce Woolsey, vice president of Advanced Media Solutions. “And it’s all wrapped up in a gorgeous interface that’s completely intuitive to use. This kind of solution has been sorely missing from the mobile marketing world. We look forward to continuing to experiment with the technology and developing smart, effective ways for our clients to leverage it.”

  • “We are excited about the combination of ZenZui technology and our nationwide real-time traffic services to provide another mobile delivery channel for our content,” said Christopher Rothey, chief operating officer of Traffic.com. “Commuters demand the immediacy of on-the-go traffic content personalized for the roads they drive every day. This hyper-localized content platform allows us to engage our users multiple times per day, and the rich visual capabilities offered by ZenZui enhance users’ dynamic interaction with the traffic news crucial to their daily lives.”

Innovative Program Connects VCs and Entrepreneurs with Microsoft Innovation

 

Microsoft launched the dynamic IP Ventures program in May 2005 to expedite the commercialization of new innovations the company’s significant R&D investment. The program is available globally and is frequently updated with new technology offerings. Companies taking advantage of the IP Ventures opportunities include Wallop Inc., Inrix Inc., SoftEdge Systems LLC, Vimio PLC, Skinkers, Enterprise Ireland, EON Reality Inc., Comtech Group Inc. and Hunan Talkweb Information System Co. Ltd. (Talkweb).


About ZenZui

ZenZui has closed a Series-A financing round of $12 million from Oak Investment Partners and Hunt Ventures. Wireless entrepreneur Tom Huseby of SeaPoint Ventures acts as chairman of the board. Leading ZenZui as CEO is Eric Hertz, who brings 22 years of international wireless experience to the venture.

 ZenZui is reshaping the way people interact with and use their mobile devices by marrying the power of the Internet with the personalization of the mobile phone. ZenZui tiles transform the handset and give users the power to acquire information, conduct transactions and share experiences quickly and easily. More information on ZenZui is available at www.ZenZui.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.


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