Jingle Networks, a provider of advertising and technology services for voice and mobile business search, has acquired BlackBerry application provider Beyond411 to expand the reach of 1-800-FREE411.

Beyond411 provides applications to hundreds of thousands of consumers performing mobile business search on BlackBerry smartphones. The acquisition of Beyond411 expands Jingle's volume of available business search impressions on voice and mobile platforms to more than 100 million per month.

?Jingle acquired Beyond411 to expand our footprint in the mobile space," said John Roswech, president of Jingle Networks, New York. ?With this deal, we now see more than 100 million mobile business search requests and ad impressions each month. 

?This is the type of scale that advertisers demand,? he said. ?We've run mobile campaigns for dozens of brands?most recently we ran a very successful campaign for the Toyota Scion.

?Jingle was able to target people searching for automotive and auto-related queries with messages encouraging them to find the nearest dealer for test drives.?

Jingle Networks operates the free, ad-supported directory assistance service 1-800-FREE411.

Jingle Networks also powers free directory assistance services for carriers such as Sprint?s Boost Mobile and WalMart?s StraightTalk.

Beyond BlackBerry
Beyond411 facilitates hundreds of thousands of search inquiries every month. It provides a platform for BlackBerry users to look up business listings, driving directions and Web pages.

The search functionality supports GPS, enabling search results based on the user?s exact location.

For businesses, Beyond411 provides a way to post an enhanced directory assistance listing on the Web that includes maps and descriptions more.

The application is compatible with most BlackBerry models, including the Torch, Bold, Tour, Storm, Curve and Pearl.

The existing Beyond411 application will continue to function and will become part of Jingle's suite of mobile Free 411 applications for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android phones.

Mr. Roswech said that his company does not disclose the financial details of transactions such as this acquisition.

Jingle Networks claims to provide free advertising-supported voice and mobile business search more than 100 million times each month.

Jingle Networks targets advertisers, ad agencies and business marketers looking to extend their reach with targeted one-to-one messages delivered to consumers who may be ready to make a transaction.

?Mobile business search is growing rapidly?it's actually the most valuable area in mobile search,? Mr.  Roswech said.

?While others are focused on display banners, we find that connecting advertisers with consumers that are searching for their types of products and services on their mobile phones is very successful,? he said.  

?While Web search is about browsing, mobile search is about transacting.?

Final Take
Dan Butcher, associate editor, Mobile Marketer