iSIGN Media and RTown Communications Partner to Reach Over 5 Million Hotel Guests Monthly Through In-Room TV and Mobile Devices

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new licensing agreement reached between iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: ISD) and RTown Communications is about to change the way that hotels and advertisers communicate with hotel guests.

Starting in early June 2011, iSIGN Media's IMS 3.1 interactive messaging software will be installed into RTown's digital signage network of 27,000 hotel rooms in 346 locations across Canada to interact directly with guests' mobile devices through Bluetooth™ technology, known as proximity marketing. Through iSIGN Media's technology that allows digital signs to 'talk and interact' with guests' mobile devices, advertisers on the RTown's Hotel TV network can deliver branded content, special offers and coupons, discounts, loyalty program messages and other rich-media offerings of guests' choosing directly onto their mobile devices. Roll-out will commence with integration of iSIGN's technology into RTown's existing digital signage network in hotels in Vancouver, Whistler, and Kowlona.

"With the largest digital signage and in-house TV network for hotels and resorts in Canada, we are very excited to enhance our offering by teaming with iSIGN Media. We're now able to give our advertisers the ability to communicate with millions of hotel guests every month via their mobile phones, while capturing and measuring meaningful customer data.  Our advertisers can now reach hotel guests wherever they are – in the room, lobby, restaurant, bar or even out on the slopes. It's the most powerful way for our advertisers to engage with hotel guests yet," said Don McQuaid, Founder of RTown Communications.

Smartphone Surge Highlights the Always Connected Hotel Guest

The surge in smartphone ownership in North America (69.5 million current smartphone owners according to latest data from comScore) highlights the increasingly connected and "always on" hotel guest. The joint RTown and iSIGN offering enables advertisers to reach these connected hotel guests at maximum moments of influence:

• 98% of hotel guests turn on their television set within 5 minutes of entering their hotel rooms (Hilton Hotels Corp), and;
• 74% of visitors tune into Resort TV on average 2.3 times per day (CustomFit Communications).

Hotel Market Embraces New Advertising Technology

Don McQuaid of RTown says that the hotel and resort market is ready to communicate with guests using the most effective and immediate channels available. "Over the past 12 months, we have seen the demand for in-room television and signage networks grow significantly. Our agreement with iSIGN enables hotels to send guests targeted, destination-relevant offerings and event announcements directly to their mobile devices from our TV network in each room, hotel commerce areas, or even outdoors."  

Anticipated Advertising Revenues, Increased Engagement

"Advertising budgets are increasingly turning to mobile and digital-out-of-home channels as they are proving to be so effective. iSIGN's patent-pending Bluetooth™ proximity marketing solution gives advertisers the ability to capture and measure data in real-time to improve campaign effectiveness and achieve higher ROI, and avoids costs and privacy concerns traditionally associated with SMS marketing. The advertisers on the RTown network can connect with guests quickly, cheaply and effectively," said Alex Romanov, CEO of iSIGN Media.

With a potential reach of more than 5 million guests per month, RTown expects to increase revenue by at least 50% during the 3-year agreement with iSIGN.

To learn more about the new interactive advertising solution from iSIGN Media and RTown Communications, please contact iSIGN's Director of Media Relations, Vanessa Horwell at [email protected] or 305.749.5342 ext. 232, or visit www.isignmedia.com.

About iSIGN Media

iSIGN is a leading developer of location-based interactive proximity advertising solutions that deliver rich media, permission based messages, free of charge to cell phones using Bluetooth® connectivity. The Company's patent-pending advertising platform combines the precision of direct marketing and the tracking potential of the Web to deliver more cost effective and ROI-driven advertising than is possible via print, radio and television. iSIGN is publicly traded in Toronto (TSX.V) under the symbol "ISD". Additional information about iSIGN Media can be found at www.isignmedia.com.

Media Contact:
Vanessa Horwell, ThinkInk
+1.305.749.5342 x232
[email protected]

SOURCE iSIGN Media