Zagat Goes Mobile, Launches Ad-Supported Service

portable navigation devices
location based services

by Fern Siegel, Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 8:30 AM ET
ZAGAT ISN'T CONTENT TO REST on its guidebooks--which is why the company best known for its slim restaurant, nightlife and hotel books just launched Zagat.mobi, an ad-supported mobile Web site. It features key content for all major U.S. cities, London and other select global destinations.
ZAGAT.mobi is compatible with any Web-enabled mobile phone. Users can link key listing details, such as address, phone number, and hours; send messages via SMS; and utilize links for directions, movie times and airlines.
The company partnered with Third Screen Media, now a subsidiary of AOL, as well as Winstar Interactive Media, a division of Interep Interactive, to manage and sell advertising on the new mobile site.
"As the media landscape has evolved, we've taken a platform-agnostic approach to helping consumers make smart decisions by making our content available to them however and wherever they've needed it," says Nina Zagat.
Visa Signature, the launch sponsor for Zagat.mobi, has an exclusive two-month flight. "We are delivering mobile advertisers highly motivated and active consumers who use their phones constantly," says Zagat. "That's a great environment for any marketer."
Visa Signature has also sponsored Zagat.com menus and ads on the weekly ZagatBuzz online newsletter.
Zagat.com subscribers can view Zagat ratings and reviews of these businesses on ZAGAT.mobi at no additional charge.
Zagat.mobi joins a host of other cross-branding company efforts, including the Zagat.com Web site, Zagat To Go smartphone software, GPS navigation systems and touch screens in New York City cabs.