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."

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.

qtags Elevator Pitch featured on Business Makers Radio Show

qtags was recently featured at the 5th annual Rice Alliance Information Technology and Web 2.0 Venture Forum. During this event Rice invited 30 to 40 emerging IT companies give an “elevator pitch” to local venture capitalists who are considering investing. So what is an elevator pitch anyway?

An elevator pitch is a brief overview of a business, product, service or project. It’s called an elevator pitch because it can be delivered in the span of an elevator ride. It sounds simple but a good elevator pitch is short, impactful and leaves the listener with a solid idea of what your idea is about.

During the event the ten ten most promising Information Technology and Web 2.0 companies was announced. These companies were chosen based on the commercial potential of the companies proprietary technology. 

qtags was chosen as one of the top ten most promising. Listen to the qtags elevator pitch.

As one of the largest information technology venture forums in North America the Forum allowed these to showcase their new ventures in front of an audience of 400-500 investors and venture capitalists.

The event was discussed recently on The Business Makers radio show.

qtags text for print publications announced

At this week's SNA Classified Advertising Manager's Conference in Tampa, FL, qtags is launching a new text-messaging service, specifically designed for print publications. 

This service allows publications to offer cost-effective text-messaging to both space and classified advertisers.  Rates are based on circulation and publication frequency. 

qtags shows how to use .mobi

Domain Name Wire attended the 5th Annual Rice Alliance IT and Web 2.0 forum and writes -

qtags is a service that lets you text a phrase to a text number and get information back. For example, you might see a sign at a store that’s hiring and text ‘jobs’ to a 5 digit number. You’d then get a message back with more information as well as a bookmark in your qtags account so you can follow up about the job.

qtags’ elevator pitch at the conference was excellent and included a good use of the .mobi domain. The presenter asked the audience to text ‘rice’ to 78247. Within seconds, the audience received a text message back with a link to the company’s details. The link was to m.qtags.mobi/rice.  This is a .mobi site that includes the company’s pitch to investors:

I thought this was clever and a good use of .mobi.

qtags' clients are integrating .mobi's into text-messaging programs more frequently.  As an increasing number of mobile phones are web-capable, it is a way to connect to more information, easily and quickly. Other examples of 'good uses' of .mobi include a program by Archstone Clinton in Manhattan (text 'rent' to 78247) and Accenture in campus-recruiting programs in Canada and US (text 'contribute' to 78247).

qtags named one of 10 ‘promising start-ups’

Houston-based mobility marketing firm qtags was named one of the “Top 10 Promising Start-ups” at the 5th annual Information Technology and Web 2.0 Venture Forum sponsored by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship.

The Rice Alliance event is one of the largest information technology venture forums in North America.  More than 100 companies applied to take part, and 44 were selected to present in front of the audience of approximately 500 investors and venture capitalists, industry representatives and business leaders.

From this presenting group, 10 were selected most promising.

Founded in 2005, qtags provides mobile marketing programs that help clients:

•    Make advertisements easier to remember
•    Build targeted permission-based groups
•    Deliver rewards such as promotions and coupons
•    Allow consumers to order and view rich media content on the mobile phone and on digital displays
•    Connect to qtags-hosted dot-mobi sites
•    Create interactivity with audiences via voting, trivia and feedback text programs. 

“We’re honored to be selected by the Rice Alliance panel as a ‘Top 10 Promising Start-Up’ because there were a number of very strong companies involved in the forum,” said Allison Gower,
president of qtags.  “Our selection really reflects the commitment of our clients – the early adopters of mobile marketing who believe in the power of text messaging to build customer communities.

“Since our founding, we’ve expanded our offerings significantly to give clients a wide range of effective tools for communicating with today’s on-the-go, technology-enabled consumer.  We’re thrilled that our efforts have been recognized by the Rice Alliance.”
qtags – with an extensive technology and services platform and a client list that includes some of the world’s best-known brands – is the market leader in the fast-growing mobility marketing industry.   It’s been a fast climb, Gower said, one centered on building awareness as much as building a company.

“When we started qtags, most people we talked to didn’t even know what a text message was,” Gower remembered.  “Today, however, marketers understand that the cell phone is more than just a tool to many consumers.  It’s always there, always available, and it represents an important link to the people and communities that are meaningful.  That has incredible power for marketers that are invited in via text messaging.”