all about qtags

Houston's First Free All-Electric Short-Trip Public Transportation, REV Houston Gets Power Boost From qtags

When REV Houston launches its first fleet of all electric/zero emission vehicles in Houston, it will receive an extra boost of technology power from qtags, the text message service that will connect its passengers and drivers. Read Full-Release.  Story featured in 4/11/08 Houston Business Journal.

When REV Houston launches its first fleet of all electric/zero emission vehicles in Houston, it will receive an extra boost of technology power from qtags, the text message service that will connect its passengers and drivers.

The free short-trip public transportation service will officially begin operations during the grand opening ceremonies for Discovery Green on April 13, 2008 in downtown Houston.

REV Houston's fleet of Chrysler GEMCAR vehicles operate entirely on electricity produced from renewable sources. Its short-trip service allows passengers to request a ride via text messages powered by Houston based-qtags from participating locations. qtags will manage all of REV Houston's text messaging, instantly connecting passengers with drivers.

Participating locations such as The Coffee Groundz in Midtown will feature specially coded decals on windows and doors to inform their guests that a ride from REV is just a text message away REV Houston services are free, with various options to pay for gratuity.

qtags will manage the virtual call center that automates the process for requesting a REV vehicle. Customers will simply text qtags at 78247 (short for qtags) to request a ride, using the special short-code posted at each location. REV drivers will be instantly notified that someone needs a ride, and passengers will receive a text confirming their request.

"REV Houston's qtags-powered system gives us instant access to customers. The system is a simple, fast and efficient method of communication," said Justin Jones, co-founder and director of operations, REV Houston. "qtags has been around for many years and was one of the first to provide spam-free mobile marketing. They understand text messaging inside and out, and how it can help businesses and customers."

Fourth Annual Tour de Pink

Mike McGuff talks about the Fourth Annual Tour de Pink, a major event of Pink Ribbons Project.  qtags is a sponsor of Pink Ribbons and Allison Gower from qtags is an avid cyclist and will again be participating in the Ride.  If you are in Houston please join the ride 9/7 -- and if you are not close enough to join us -- be a Virtual Rider.

JOIN the Pink Ribbons news group - text PINK to 78247

Pink Ribbons Project presents its Fourth Annual Tour de Pink fundraising bike ride on Sunday, September 7! Presented by Compass Bank, Tour de Pink 2008 starts and ends on the campus of Prairie View A&M University, near Hempstead, TX.

Online registration for Tour de Pink is $25, with a minimum $75 fundraising pledge. To register, or for more information, go to www.tourdepink.org or call 713.524.PINK. All proceeds will benefit Pink Ribbons Project, which helps provide funds for breast-cancer awareness, education, screening and follow-up care for medically underserved women and all those touched by breast cancer in the Greater Houston area.
This family-friendly event has 12-, 23-, 47-, 63- and 100-mile routes for cyclists of all levels, plus the Pink Phantom "virtual rider" option for those who like to sleep in. On ride day, enjoy beautiful Texas scenery, the fun of "Pink Pit Stops" along the way and a festival at the finish line with food, prizes, and entertainment.

Pink Ribbon Project's Pink Power provides funding for mammograms, diagnostic work-ups, biopsies and other follow-up treatment for the medically under-served women in the greater Houston area.

Since 1998, the Pink Ribbons Project through it's Pink Power program has collaborated with The Rose, a non-profit organization for breast cancer screening and diagnosis, and has served over 1400 women. Since most public and private funding for breast cancer is limited to screening the woman over 50 years old, the signifigance of Pink Power is that it creates a pathway to reach and serve the younger woman. The woman in her thirties and forties often encounters barriers to standard breast cancer screening and usually requires full diagnostic work-ups.

Establishing and maintaining the Pink Power program provides critical funding for The Rose, Harris County Hospital District and other area breast screening clinics to handle the special needs of this age group. For many of these women especially, Pink Power provides the entrance into screening and ultimately into treatment.

qtags and REV featured in Startup Houston

Startup Houston's Josh Tabin posts about REV -
free, green, transportation today in Going Green with REV Houston.

Josh writes -

Perhaps you were driving around the downtown Houston area recently and came across a white and green electric vehicle transporting some environmentally conscious passengers to their next business meeting. If you see it again, waive hello to the guys from REV Houston, Houston’s newest FREE and GREEN transportation service.

REV (or Ride Electric Vehicles) currently operates one vehicle in the downtown-midtown area of Houston with plans to add a second vehicle in the next few weeks (the second vehicle will be a 6 seater versus the 4 seater they currently have). The vehicles are GEM Vehicles from Chrysler and are 100% electric powered:

“GEM battery-electric vehicles are classified as low-speed vehicles, or neighborhood electric vehicles, and are street legal in nearly all 50 states on public roads posted at 35 mph or less. With a top speed of 25 mph, GEM cars have a range of up to 30 miles on a charge and are great for traveling around neighborhoods, city centers or job sites. GEM vehicles are battery-electric, operate on a 72-volt battery system and plug into a standard 110-volt outlet. What makes GEM vehicles so unique is that they can be recharged anytime, anywhere a 110-volt outlet is available and recharge in approximately six to eight hours.”

To request a ride simply call 1.877.Go.REV.Go or visit one of the company’s “REV Stops” for a code you can text to Qtags (another great Houston startup we profiled last year). The stops are as follows:

• The Coffee Groundz (REV1)
• The Rice Lofts (REV2)
• El Patio (REV3)

The only cost for the ride is a gratuity. The company plans to subsidize their costs initially by selling advertising space on the vehicles.

“It was Opening Day 2007 for the Houston Astros,” states Erik Ibarra, co-founder of REV Houston. “I went for a ride on a pedi-cab and thought, ‘This guy would have it so much easier if he had a golf cart.’ I started looking into street legal electric vehicles for about a year and the concept blossomed from there.”

Ibarra also mentioned that the company plans to test additional markets within Houston for expansion, such as Rice Village, Washington Avenue and Westheimer in the future.

qtags powers instant poll at Celebrate Enterprise Ideation Event

The Houston Business Journal's Celebrate Enterprise Ideation event included an instant poll, powered by qtags, about issues facing the Houston business community.  Attendees at the 2nd annual Ideation event were able to cast their votes immediately using their cell phones and the qtags short-code 78247.

Jeremy Konko, VP qtags explains how to vote at the event.

The Ideation event honors Houston-based companies with unique business products & services, recognizing success in revenue and leadership.

qtags sponsors Pink Ribbons Project Tour de Pink for 2nd year

qtags is again sponsoring Pink Ribbons Project Tour de Pink fundraising cycling event. 

To learn more about the ride, text PINK to 78247.

For information, contact:   
Kate Bizzell
Ph:  713.524.PINK (7465)         
Cell: 713.582.0365
Fax: 713.524.7565
E-mail: Kate@pinkribbons.org

Tour de Pink 2008- September 7, 2008 Fourth Annual Bike Ride sponsored by Pink Ribbons Project

Pink Ribbons Project presents its Fourth Annual Tour de Pink fundraising bike ride on Sunday, September 7! Presented by Compass Bank, Tour de Pink 2008 starts  and ends on the campus of Prairie View A&M University, near Hempstead, TX. 

Online registration for Tour de Pink is $25, with a minimum $75 fundraising pledge. To
register, or for more information, go to www.tourdepink.org or call 713.524.PINK. All proceeds will
benefit Pink Ribbons Project, which helps provide funds for breast-cancer awareness, education,
screening and follow-up care for medically underserved women and all those touched by breast
cancer in the Greater Houston area. 

This family-friendly event has 12-, 23-, 47-, 63- and 100-mile routes for cyclists of all levels,
plus the Pink Phantom "virtual rider" option for those who like to sleep in. On ride day, enjoy
beautiful Texas scenery, the fun of "Pink Pit Stops" along the way and a festival at the finish line with
food, prizes, and entertainment.

Pink Ribbons Project is partnering with Compass Bank as World Champions for the second year
as the lead sponsor for Tour de Pink. Other sponsors are as follows: Tour Champions include
Continental Airlines, Randalls, and Veltec Sports, inc./Sidi Shoes. Stage Winners include 90.1 KPFT,
River Oaks US Men's Clay Court Championship, Texas Monthly, and Vega Energy. Tete de la Course
sponsors include Bike Barn, DASANI, Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS, and Power Plumbing.
Director Sportif sponsors include ABI Digital Solutions, Hines, Houston Chronicle, OSO Promotions,
Sodexho, and Ty Songs. Pro Level sponsors include Accenture, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Bridgeway
Management, Carrizo Oil and Gas, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Franklin, Cardwell & Jones LLP, King and
Spalding LLP, Kirksey, Lavaud Staffing Solutions, Martha Turner, Max Lang Belts & Buckles, The
Methodist Hospital, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center/ Children's Cancer
Hospital, OFI, qtags, Dr. Edgardo Rivera & Mr. Donald Rumer-Rivera, and Vinson & Elkins LLP.
Domestique sponsors include Bud Light/ Silver Eagle Distributing LP and Strasburger & Price LLP.
Bike Shop sponsors include Bicycle World and Fitness, REI, and West End Bicycles.

About Pink Ribbons Project: Pink Ribbons Project, in motion against breast cancer, is administered by
Pink Ribbons Project, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. Pink Ribbons Project is dedicated to
raising awareness and educating about breast cancer through its programming, and to providing
mammograms to underinsured women in the greater Houston area. 

Pink Ribbons Project Mission: Using the arts, Pink Ribbons Project saves lives and improves the quality of
life for those touched by breast cancer.

For publication-ready logos for Pink Ribbons Project, contact us at info@pinkribbons.org, or call
713.524.PINK (7465).

--

qtags sponsors Houston Celebrate Enterprise 2008

qtags - mobile made simple - is a proud sponsor of the 2008 Houston Celebrate Enterprise event.  This 2nd annual celebration takes place in Houston May 13-16 at various well-known Houston locations. The event includes the annual Battle of the Business bands programs - where you can vote for your favorite using qtags text.

This annual event is presented by The Houston Business Journal, Oracle, PKF, Sterling Bank, The Sullivan Group and many other Houston-based and national businesses. Learn more at www.celebrateenterprise.com

qtags text to again power Houston Business Journal Battle of the Bands

qtags text is once again powering the text-messaging voting for Houston Business Journal's annual Battle of the Bands.

Hear Houston CEOs who rock.  Some of the best bands in town are led by CEOs and executives of Houston companies. These CEO bands cover music from classic to contemporary Rock. There are six bands performing live Thursday May 15th at Warehouse Live, downtown (813 St. Emanual Street 77003).

The bands will be judged by a team of local executives and DJs from Clear Channel radio. Delicious food will be provided by local Houston Restaurants. Max's Wine Bar and The Tasting Room will provide wine.

Attendees will be able to text in their votes (powered by qtags) and assist the judges in choosing the Best Business Band in Houston. The winning band will receive The Celebrate! Enterprise Silver Guitar.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Houston ZOO.

qtags key presentor at McMillen Communications 2008 Summit

qtags will be a key presenter at the McMillen Communications 2008 Summit in March 08.  This circulation-maximation event will feature industry experts including Tony Silber, publisher of Folio and Circulation Management and Andre Bello, a world-renowed story teller & motivational speaker.

qtags powers Find a Band for Carnival 08

Through a partnership with iMedia Caribbean, qtags text has been powering a 'Find a Band' program for Carnival 08.  The first week of the event garnered over 30,000 text-to-find requests. 

Results of favorite band votes (also powered by qtags) are now being streamed live by Sweet100 -- listen now!

The text-messaging services are being integrated throughout CTNTWorld's broadcasts and new products are being developed for the broadcasts by the interactive team at iMedia.

Alert System for College using text-messaging

qtags text is supporting an Emergency Alert System for William Jewel College.

The campus-wide Emergency Alert System provides instant cell phone communication to all members of the college community who choose to be a part of the network. The system is reserved exclusively for two specific scenarios: school closings for day classes due to inclement weather and emergency situations that are in progress on the campus.

This is another example how organizations are integrating text-messaging into communication plans, leveraging its accessibility, real-time nature and cost-effectiveness.

The program went live Jan 1 2008 and will continue indefinitely.

The Businessmakers Entrepreneurial Radio Show - Entrepreneur stories and interviewsThe Businessmakers Entrepreneurial Radio Show - Entrepreneur stories and interviews

Listen to The Businessmakers Entrepreneurial Radio Show - Entrepreneur stories and interviews featuring Jeremy Konko, VP qtags.

Konko discusses “mobility marketing,” a new and innovative way for advertisers and businesses to access prospects—and the next logical step for those who use their cell phones for text messaging and text search. Konko may have hit upon the next generation of advertising formats by reaching consumers through their cell phones.