UNITED FUTURE Integrates Social Media and Television with ChatmeTV

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The explosion of social media combined with the mobile movement created an opportunity to connect these trends beyond status and location updates.  Interactive agency UNITED FUTURE, the digital arm of WONGDOODY, today announced a new service that combines the best of both worlds, creating "Social TV" with an online service called ChatmeTV.  ChatmeTV is a Socializing Network that enables users to gather in virtual groups to chat about television entertainment as they are watching a program in real time, whether it is scripted, reality, sports or news programming.

ChatmeTV was a finalist in the Best Mobile Social Network category and for the 2010 Industry Star Award at this week's Mobile Excellence Awards, produced by Little Monster Media, which profile the latest in mobile entertainment, including media, marketing and technology.

ChatmeTV is instantaneous, interactive conversation, not posting comments to a blog or bulletin board.  Viewers can visit www.chatmetv.com on their computer, iPhone or iPad, select the show they want to discuss, enter a screen name and join the conversation.  They may select from any currently broadcasting television programming, regardless of network or provider, or search for a favorite program.  

"More and more viewers are using second and third screens while in front of the TV.  ChatmeTV bridges the gap.  Now, those viewers can connect the two while engaging with their friends and other fans," said Scott Holmes, managing partner, UNITED FUTURE.

As television broadcasters vie for audiences, ChatmeTV helps maximize ratings and, ultimately, ad dollars.  ChatmeTV provides a solution for the industry to create a compelling way to engage viewers with TV programming, keeping audiences from migrating to Internet-only entertainment sources.

"This is a win for broadcasters to re-engage audiences that they have lost to the Web.  It also creates new revenue streams through contextual advertising, sponsorships and promotions," Holmes continued.

With the increasing audience fragmentation facing advertisers today, ChatmeTV makes it easy to target ad buys and assess their effectiveness through its keyword recognition engine.  As fans type away in chat rooms, a deep back-end of pre-programmed keywords is triggered, dynamically displaying links to advertiser content related to the actual fan conversation, on any topic, whether it be about sporting goods, home improvement or personal care items.  

No registration is required for consumers to participate.  Users can select from a list of featured current local programming associated with their zip code, or use the search function to find a specific show.  They select a show, and begin chatting.  If they choose, users can let other friends know they are using ChatmeTV through other social networking sites by using the "Share" function.

About UNITED FUTURE

UNITED FUTURE, a WONGDOODY company, is a full-service interactive agency leading the convergence of the Internet, technology and broadcast.  Its team of experts designs engaging user experiences that efficiently drive greater business value and consumer satisfaction.  With offices in Seattle and Los Angeles, UNITED FUTURE and WONGDOODY have 147 employees and $166 million in billings.

UNITED FUTURE clients include: ABC.com; Alaska Airlines; Airbiquity; Autodesk; Holland America Line; Microsoft; The Resort at Pelican Hill; Washington State Department of Health; and T-Mobile.  For more information, visit www.unitedfuture.com.

SOURCE UNITED FUTURE