HipCricket expands to Latin America

 

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HipCricket, Inc. 
18 March 2009 
 
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HipCricket Inc. 
("HipCricket" or the "Company", AIM: HIP) 
 
 
HipCricket Expands To Latin America 
 
 
Backed by Prominent Investors, HipCricket de Mexico Brings 
Comprehensive Mobile Marketing Solutions to Mexico 
 
 
HipCricket, named the "early leader" in the United States in mobile marketing, 
is expanding internationally beginning with a strategic partnership in Mexico 
that has brought the first comprehensive mobile marketing solutions to that 
country's mobile operators, broadcast stations and brands. 
 
 
HipCricket is teaming with prominent Mexican investors Pablo Peralta and Enrique 
Lopez-Negrete, accomplished executives in the Mexican telecommunications and 
media sectors for more than 10 years. 
 
 
HipCricket de Mexico will produce measurable, ROI-driven programs for entities 
seeking to reach Mexican consumers.  There were nearly 78 million mobile 
subscribers in Mexico, according to statistics provided by the mobile operators. 
 
 
According to the latest Attitude and Usage study from the Mobile Marketing 
Association, many Mexicans regularly send text messages and are open and eager 
to receive offers and information from brands and other groups. In fact, 70% are 
either highly or moderately interested in mobile marketing. 
 
 
Additionally: 
  *  67% text on a daily or weekly basis 
  *  34% are highly interested in receiving alerts for special sales, etc. 
  *  30% are highly interested in receiving information about new products or 
  services 
  *  30% are highly interested in participating in text to win contests 
  *  29% are highly interested in receiving mobile coupons 
  *  30% are likely to opt-in 
 
 
 
"This is a perfect match in many ways," said HipCricket CEO Ivan Braiker. "Our 
partners are among the most respected and connected in Mexico and Latin America. 
Plus, according to the Mobile Marketing Association, Mexican consumers spend 
more than eight hours a week on their phones, nearly six hours watching 
television and approximately five hours listening to the radio. Mexican 
broadcasters will benefit from our unique offerings that will provide a 
connection with consumers on their most personal devices." 
 
 
"We intend to extend HipCricket's leadership by offering its unmatched proven 
platform, deep experience and customer service to Mexican mobile operators, 
brands and broadcasters," said Lopez Negrete who is serving as HipCricket de 
Mexico CEO. "The timing is right given the Mexican consumer's mobile phone 
interests and habits." 
 
 
Looking beyond Mexico, HipCricket intends to expand into other Latin American 
countries. Mobile penetration in Latin America is six times computer 
penetration, according to the Mobile Marketing Association. 
 
 
Statistics pertaining to Latin America are as impressive as those related to 
Mexico: 
  *  68% use mobile phones 
  *  2 in 3 say the mobile phone is highly important in daily life 
  *  62% text on daily or weekly basis 
  *  60 texts are sent/received per person in a typical week 
  *  47% frequently text while listening to radio 
 
 
 
HipCricket has a deep commitment to businesses marketing to Hispanic consumers. 
In April 2008, HipCricket launched a comprehensive Hispanic Mobile Marketing 
Network, the first of its kind in the United States. The network consists of a 
family of Hispanic media properties that brand managers and agencies can 
leverage with a single buy for targeted, interactive mobile campaigns to 
Hispanic consumers in leading U.S. markets that include Los Angeles, Miami, 
Chicago and New York, among others. HipCricket's U.S. Hispanic reach extends to 
14 of the top 15 Hispanic markets and to more than nine million listeners and 
viewers. 
 
 
In September 2008, global analyst firm Frost & Sullivan said HipCricket "has 
taken an early lead in the U.S. mobile marketing space." The firm named 
HipCricket the winner of the 2008 Market Penetration Leadership Award. 
 
 
Contact: 
 
 
+--------------------------+-----------------+---------------------------------+ 
| HipCricket, Inc.         | Jeff Hasen      | + 1 425 202-0835                | 
+--------------------------+-----------------+---------------------------------+ 
| Parkgreen Communications | Paul McManus    | [phone]             | 
| Ltd                      |                 | [phone]             | 
|                          |                 | [e-mail] | 
+--------------------------+-----------------+---------------------------------+ 
 
 
About HipCricket 
 
 
HipCricket, Inc. drives new revenue and customer loyalty for broadcast stations 
and consumer brands through strategic, creative and measurable mobile marketing 
interactivity. Recognized as a pioneer by CTIA, the preeminent wireless 
association, the mobile marketing software and solutions company has delivered 
more than 33,000 successful campaigns for customers including Clear Channel 
Radio, Premiere Radio Networks, Sandusky Broadcasting, NBC, Coca Cola, Staples, 
Hershey's and Jameson. With its unique technology and experienced, 
customer-focused team, HipCricket produces interactive campaigns through SMS, 
Mobile Web/WAP, and mobile advertising and now connects brands with audiences 
they desire to reach via broadcast stations that are part of the first 
comprehensive Hispanic Mobile Marketing Network. The company is based near 
Seattle with additional operations in New York and Mexico City. More information 
can be found at www.hipcricket.com. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
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