conVISUAL's New Mobile Messaging Service, "VisualTXT," is the Key to Success for MMS

OBERHAUSEN, Germany 4.11.2003 (ots/PROTEXT) - Numerousnetwork operators worldwide offer first generation visualmessaging, generating an enormous increase in SMS and MMSmessages. After 18 months of experience with this very successfulfirst generation service, conVISUAL has now developed andsignificantly improved the service creating the second generationvisual messaging service called "VisualTXT". This serviceautomatically converts regular SMS text into multimedia messageswith matching pictures, photos and sounds and bridges the gapbetween Smart Messaging-capable phones and MMS-capable phones.

Numerous network operators throughout Europe and Asia offerthe first generation visual messaging service, generating morethan 100,000 transactions per month for each of these customers.After 18 months of experience, conVISUAL has now developed andsignificantly improved the service creating the secondgeneration visual messaging service called "VisualTXT"."VisualTXT" automatically turns SMS text into colour pictures,funny cartoon animations or actual photographs plus a relevantsoundtrack for MMS phones. Users with Smart Messaging-capablephones will receive the graphics as a black and white stillpicture message.

conVISUAL implemented VisualTXT's new features based on itslong experience in visual messaging and on the results ofextensive end user market research that it undertook during thesummer of 2003.

One of VisualTXT's new features is the support of sound forMMS. VisualTXT's MMS pictures and animations are now accompaniedby a soundtrack specially suited to the message. Another newfeature is a much wider variety of contents enlarged by agreater variety of cartoon characters. A third new feature is theintroduction of realistic photographs from one of the world'slargest photo archive. With a wide range of motifs, e. g.landscapes, animals, funny, cool, or sexy photos, the user hasnot only the possibility of having a cake delivered by KandyKool but he can also send a photo realistic birthday cake.Through its enlarged content library, VisualTXT manages to reacha much larger target audience: All mobile users are addressed,since there are cartoons, graphics and photos for everybody!conVISUAL's end user market study showed that the VisualTXTservice is popular with both males and females from all agegroups. The study also showed that 91% of the interviewees intendto use VisualTXT on a regular basis.

SMS is the simplest and most often deployed user interfacefor mobile applications and is also the primary interface forVisualTXT. When the subscriber is using the SMS interface, thereis no particular order for the insertion of the message text,the recipient's mobile number and any other optional codes forthe selection of the type of content.

With its new features meeting the end user's needs, VisualTXTby conVISUAL is the operator's key to success for MMS. conVISUALhas launched visual messaging at many operators and has createda marketing formula that virtually guarantees its success forthe network operator. The formula utilises a combination of freesamples (direct marketing), contest, print advertising, plusonline and retail promotions. The sampling campaign involves themobile user receiving a free VisualTXT message on his devicecontaining a short message about how to use the service. Thisworks extremely well (i. e. response rates of greater than 10%)because the end users do not regard the free sample as bothersomespam but rather as a valuable free sample. conVISUAL's operatorcustomers have also requested conVISUAL to directly integratevarious direct marketing tools into the VisualTXT platform inorder to virtually guarantee a certain monthly level oftransactions.

The way that VisualTXT works is very simple: Just type a textmessage and add the recipient's phone number in any order, sendit to a short code and the recipient will receive an animationwith sound, together with the text message on his MMS mobile. Ifthe user, for example, inserts "I love you 01721234567" therecipient will receive a colour animation like a smiling Garfieldswimming in a sea of gleaming hearts with a relevant "love-oriented" soundtrack. End users with Smart Messaging-capabledevices will receive the graphics as a black and white stillpicture message.

conVISUAL - The Home of Visual and Multimedia MessagingServices

conVISUAL, with its headquarters in Oberhausen, Germany, isthe world's leading Wireless Application Service Provider forVisual and Multimedia Messaging Services. Utilising itsinnovative product portfolio, conVISUAL hosts mobile MultimediaMessaging Services for network operators, service providers,ISPs and portals as well as media companies and consumer goodscompanies. conVISUAL offers enabling products, such as SMSgateways, MMS gateways, premium billing and payment solutions aswell as numerous SMS and MMS applications, i. e. downloadservices, mobile channels, MMS greeting cards, MMS to Postcardand MMS TV Chat. All applications are based on the MultimediaMessage Broker (MMB), conVISUAL's sophisticated and well-established messaging platform enabling the creation,personalisation, conversion and distribution of mobile multimediamessages. conVISUAL is a member of the Apollis Group. Apollisfocuses on mobile applications in the areas of marketing,information and entertainment.

Pictures:

Pictures accompanying this press release are available fordownload in the picture gallery in the press area on theconVISUAL website.

ots Original Text Service: conVISUAL AG Internet:http://www.presseportal.de

conVISUAL AG Media Contact Essener Straße 2-24

Bettina Scherff 46047 Oberhausen, Germany Public RelationsManager E-Mail: info@convisual.com, E-mail: press@convisual.comhttp://www.convisual.com, Tel.: +49 (208) 85 96 - 434

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