Originally published January 24 2006
AskMeNow plays concierge to business travelers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The service requires users to register at its website and download free software. Users can then call toll-free, leave a question and get an answer via text messaging. There is a 49 cent charge for each question.
THE new technology start-up company AskMeNow hopes to play concierge to business travelers who have a cellphone or BlackBerry but no access to the Internet for hotel recommendations, weather forecasts or stock quotes.
For instance, a call to AskMeNow for a recommendation of a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn was answered with three text messages, each with the name, address and phone number of a restaurant.
At the end of one text message, a line read: "Still searching?
Part of the appeal for marketers is the opportunity to choose who receives their advertising messages.
AskMeNow gradually compiles a detailed profile of each user by recording each question asked, to determine preferences.
When advertisers sign up for the service, they can select recipients based on those preferences.
Companies can also choose who receives their ads based on keywords - for instance, the Internet ticket company StubHub, which advertises on AskMeNow, can deliver its ad to anyone who uses the word "ticket" in a question.
When asked, "Does Franklin Delano Roosevelt deserve credit for ending the Depression?"
received a response of, "Your request returned no exact results.
Since AskMeNow was created with travelers in mind, it has joined with Avis to offer three months of free service to Avis customers at the 100 busiest rental locations in the United States.
Michael Caron, the vice president of product and program development for Avis, said the company's partnership with AskMeNow was intended to expand its competitive services for customers.
This week, AskMeNow introduced free automated information like weather forecasts, stock prices and directions, available by calling a toll-free number, 1-888-EZ-ASK-ME.
Eventually, AskMeNow may expand its advertising to include a sponsor at the top and the bottom of each text message.
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