Virtual Hold Technology Acquires Zoove to Revolutionize How Customers Connect With Brands

AKRON, OH--(Marketwired - Feb 8, 2016) - Consumers are increasingly dependent on mobile phones when looking to make a purchase, request customer service or gather information, but the channel experience is undifferentiated and struggles to engage consumers in a meaningful way.

To revolutionize the traditional mobile experience, Virtual Hold Technology (VHT) has acquired Zoove, the exclusive provider of memorable, short mobile codes that drive awareness by customizing how people interact with a brand.

Zoove will be re-launched as StarStar Mobile, a subsidiary of VHT. Current VHT CEO Wes Hayden will also act as CEO of StarStar Mobile. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

StarStar Mobile combines a memorable, consumer-facing mobile phone number (such as **BRAND) with VHT Navigator customer-experience features to initiate a unique, mobile-engagement experience that begins when a call is placed to a ** number. Once the call is placed through the mobile phone, customers will not only hear from the brand directly via phone or IVR, but will also receive relevant and targeted text and web communications based on the ** number dialed. On the voice channel, customers will receive relevant and targeted communications based on the code entered.

"Brands are still learning how to optimize customer interactions across multiple channels," said Hayden. "StarStar Mobile helps organizations extend their visual identity to mobile devices, connects the data across interaction channels for a better customer experience, and offers the consumer value."

The memorable code also provides marketing teams a way to better track end-to-end interactions as customers transition from Web or mobile app channels to the voice channel. StarStar Mobile solutions are integrated with the customer journey, enabling personalized interactions dependent on the current need, whether it's for customer service, targeted promotions or transaction support, such as order management.

Use Case: Patrick and his friends are at the football game and see a promotion for **NFL. He dials the number and gets an immediate link for the free NFL GameCenter app with exclusive member content. Now the NFL has a direct connection for promotion of tickets, specials and merchandise. The exclusive content helps Patrick and his friends feel like team insiders and keeps them on top of all their favorite football news.

"Brands have so much more to gain from mobile than what's currently available. Now we can offer frictionless connections with consumers by removing the need to download an app, enter a URL or text a random number," said Hayden. "And we know marketers live on real-time metrics. That's why the platform can offer details on how a campaign or new strategy is performing."

StarStar Mobile is the exclusive registry in the U.S. for short ** codes.

VHT will offer the revolutionary platform to brands through direct sales.

About Virtual Hold Technology (VHT)
Virtual Hold Technology (VHT) offers a suite of complementary, patented solutions that help organizations enhance the customer journey in order to achieve greater loyalty, efficiency and revenue. Multichannel solutions provide the opportunity to enrich the brand and deepen the customer relationship with every interaction. Deployed seamlessly within any single or multivendor environment, our virtual queuing and customer engagement solutions are designed to empower customers, agents and brands. To learn more about how Virtual Hold Technology can help transform how you serve your customers, visit http://www.virtualhold.com or email [e-mail].

StarStar Mobile, VHT, VHT Navigator and Virtual Hold Technology are trademarks of Virtual Hold Technology.

Media Contacts
Jaime Bailey
Virtual Hold Technology
321-373-2998
[e-mail]

Len Pollard
PadillaCRT
612-455-1758
[e-mail]