Hipcricket Partners With Mobile Barcode Leader Scanbuy to Boost Interactivity of Campaigns

Brands and Media Companies Can Further Engage Customers and Prospects through Scannable Barcodes Which Make Nearly Any Media Type More Accessible

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mobile marketing leaders Hipcricket and Scanbuy have partnered to enable brands and media companies to further engage consumers with mobile barcodes. Through this partnership, Hipcricket clients have enhanced capabilities to provide information, pictures of a product, or other rich media delivered when a barcode is scanned.

“Hipcricket works with a stellar list of brand name customers, and we’re pleased to be able to offer them our barcode scanning technology through this partnership”

Over 90% of phones today come with a camera, making virtually any mobile device a personal barcode scanner. Also, according to a recent survey from Scanbuy, mobile barcode scanning has increased 700% since the start of 2010. Hipcricket already provides mobile marketing and advertising across mobile channels including SMS, mobile Web sites, advertising networks and branded apps. Adding Scanbuy’s mobile barcodes or QR codes will give Hipcricket clients yet another means to reach on-the-go consumers and capitalize on this fast-growing medium.

Scanbuy’s ScanLife platform integrates seamlessly into Hipcricket’s HIP 6.0 platform, to ensure that mobile marketing campaigns are consistent from end-to-end and reporting capabilities encapsulate interactions from every mobile channel. The ScanLife app is being preloaded and promoted by carriers worldwide and is being used by tens of millions of users.

“Scanbuy’s technology is a great addition to Hipcricket’s already broad portfolio of mobile marketing and advertising solutions,” said Eric Harber, president and COO at Hipcricket. “Barcode scanning is a growing element of mobile marketing, and we’re pleased to be partnering with Scanbuy to enhance our barcode capabilities and to offer our customers a robust solution which integrates seamlessly into Hipcricket’s platform to optimize customer interactions.”

“Hipcricket works with a stellar list of brand name customers, and we’re pleased to be able to offer them our barcode scanning technology through this partnership,” said Mike Wehrs, CEO of Scanbuy. “The ability to connect a customer directly to more information by scanning a simple barcode with their phone represents a myriad of possibilities to connect with customers through their mobile device.”

Coinciding with this announcement, Hipcricket reports that it has surpassed an industry-leading 75,000 campaigns for brands, agencies and media properties. Hipcricket has provided services to Arby’s, Macy’s, Nestle, KFC, HBO, Staples, Hershey’s, Alaska Airlines and Clear Channel, among others to engage customers, drive loyalty and increase sales using every mobile channel including SMS, mobile Web sites, advertising networks and branded apps. Hipcricket also operates the first comprehensive permission-based mobile ad network, which gives brands and agencies access to over 100 million unique users across its national footprint.

About Scanbuy

Scanbuy is the leading global provider of mobile barcode solutions that use the camera phone as the link between the physical world and the digital world. The ScanLife solution consists of a multi-barcode reader application and interoperable Code Management Platform. The technology has been successfully deployed and supported by leading mobile providers and handset manufacturers in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Italy and Denmark. Media companies and marketers use the solution to create and manage measurable 2D barcode campaigns, extending brand engagement onto mobile devices.

Scanbuy has the largest and oldest patent portfolio of any company in the industry, with over 30 patents granted covering the entire solution. The company's investors include Motorola Ventures, Hudson Ventures, Masthead Venture Partners, and Longworth Venture Partners.

For more information on Scanbuy, please visit www.scanbuy.com or www.scanlife.com.

About Hipcricket Inc.

Hipcricket Inc. is the one-stop mobile marketing and advertising company that empowers brands, agencies and media properties to engage customers, drive loyalty and increase sales. Hipcricket’s customers connect with consumers across every mobile channel, including SMS, mobile Web sites, advertising networks and branded apps. Hipcricket’s proven technology and experienced account management teams have provided measurable successes through an industry-leading 75,000 campaigns for clients such as Macy’s, Nestle, KFC, HBO and Clear Channel. The company has also created the first comprehensive permission-based mobile ad network that taps into the buying power of the mass market with industry-leading capabilities to target customers via location and highly-specific demographic information.

Hipcricket is a privately held corporation based near Seattle, Washington, with operations in New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. For more mobile marketing and mobile advertising information please visit www.hipcricket.com.