LodgeNet Announces Successful First Quarter Launch of Cloud-Connected Envision TV Solution

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: LNET), the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions to hospitality and healthcare businesses, today announced the successful launch of its new Envision™ high-definition, interactive platform during the first quarter.  

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"We analyzed the trends in media consumption in the guest room and it was clear to us that the future of interactive television will be apps-driven and cloud-connected. The flat-panel HDTV will remain the focal point of the room as it represents the optimal display device," said Scott C. Petersen, Chairman and CEO for LodgeNet.  "With turn-on rates at over 98% and average viewing time of over three hours per day, our new Envision offering delivers guests a great experience, presenting them with the content and information they need for a productive and relaxing trip – whether it is sourced from the Internet or accessed from our edge servers.  Envision is also designed to give hoteliers access to the power of our interactive television system to drive their bottom line and the overall guest experience."

During the first quarter, LodgeNet installed its first Envision system at the landmark 1,100-room Hyatt Regency O'Hare in suburban Chicago.  Envision is enhancing the guest room experience there and transforming how the hotel entertains, informs and communicates with their guests. All of the Hyatt Regency's information can now be interactively accessed by their guests via the Envision system, and the hotel will be implementing LodgeNet's interactive breakfast ordering app in the second quarter.  Envision will also help the hotel reduce its marketing costs as well as its environmental footprint.

"The hotel industry's response to our new Envision offering has been extremely positive," said David Goldstone, Vice President of Sales & Hotel Relations for LodgeNet.  "Every major brand is discussing with us their vision of how they can use the power of Envision to create a customized array of apps and services that uniquely addresses their individual brand promises.  Our customers believe Envision can contribute to an improved guest experience as well as improving the operating efficiencies of their properties."

A key attraction of Envision for both hoteliers and guests is the evolving suite of iTV applications, which deliver web-enabled content to the television, many provided by leading e-content companies.  "Companies are eagerly partnering with us to get their content and services in front of the very desirable consumers who pass through the rooms we serve," said Derek White, President of Interactive & Media Networks for LodgeNet.  Envision apps currently being offered include:

• eCompendium, a suite of informational apps conveying hotel specific information and promotions that traditionally have been communicated to guests through an in-room guide. By utilizing the LodgeNet PowerPortal™ (a rights-managed, Web-based authoring tool), authorized hotel staff can create, edit and distribute content for guests to access interactively on the TV. Because this content can be updated as often as necessary and in real time, hoteliers can offer their guests significantly more relevant and up-to-date information than with print materials, while eliminating associated reprint costs and housekeeping labor.
• eConcierge, which empowers guests to communicate directly to appropriate hotel staff for services such as housekeeping and maintenance, or to browse in-room dining options and order directly through the television.  eConcierge services are powered by the LodgeNet Integration Engine, which interfaces the hotel's third-party systems, applications and Envision.
• Flight Info, which lists the status of more than 25,000 domestic arrivals and departures every day. The information is updated every five minutes and can be searched by city, airline or flight number (delivered in association with Flyte Systems).
• City Info, which helps travelers get the most out of their time away by providing in-the-know editorial recommendations and candid user comments for more than 18 million local businesses across 75,000 locations (delivered in association with Citysearch).

White explained that LodgeNet has prioritized the launch of these apps based on research conducted in December indicating that by a significant margin, travelers prefer to access these types of information on an in-room television rather than a mobile device.

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare and other guest-based businesses. LodgeNet Interactive serves approximately 1.8 million hotel rooms worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The Company's services include: Interactive Television Solutions, Broadband Internet Solutions, Content Solutions, Professional Solutions and Advertising Media Solutions. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands: LodgeNet, LodgeNetRX, and The Hotel Networks. LodgeNet Interactive is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET. For more information, please visit www.lodgenet.com.

LodgeNet, the LodgeNet logo, Envision, and PowerPortal are trademarks or registered trademarks of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation.

SOURCE LodgeNet Interactive Corporation