Posts Tagged ‘SuperGuarantee’

SuperMedia Uses QR Code Technology to Link Old and New Media

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

We frequently blog about the strong value that Yellow Pages’ integrated advertising options provide for businesses in their efforts to reach consumers.

Now, SuperMedia is taking “integrated” to another level by becoming the first U.S. Yellow Pages company to introduce Quick Response (QR) code technology nationally on the covers of its Yellow Pages directories—seamlessly linking its traditional print offerings with its newest mobile apps and tools. The QR codes will also appear inside directories and in direct mail advertising.

If you aren’t familiar with QR code technology, it has to do with a matrix barcode, readable through QR scanners and mobile phones, that’s encoded with data. The barcode can include text, URL, or other data that provides the device with information or action items, like directing users to a specific website or downloading a file.

SuperMedia will use QR code in a variety of ways:

  • QR codes located on the cover and in the SuperYellowPages as advertisements promoting SuperMedia will prompt users to download the free SuperpagesMobile app.
  • SuperMedia ads with the QR codes in the SuperYellowPages will prompt users to register for the SuperGuarantee program.
  • QR codes on the back of SuperpagesDirect card packs will direct users to an array of local online coupons on Superpages.com.

The integration of QR technology will give SuperMedia print users more opportunities to take advantage of the company’s growing array of online and mobile offerings. For some, it may be the first time they’ve heard of SuperMedia’s mobile app or its online coupons site—and there couldn’t be an easier way for them to get on board.

I look forward to hearing more about how the QR code helps drive awareness for SuperMedia’s digital and mobile products, as well as the benefits it provides not only for consumers, but for our clients advertising with these new tools.

August 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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Dow Jones: SuperMedia Benefitting from SuperGuarantee

Monday, June 14, 2010

For those who question the viability of print Yellow Pages in today’s digital age, be sure to check out today’s Dow Jones article on the success of SuperMedia’s SuperGuarantee program.

According to the story, SuperGuarantee—which promises consumers will be satisfied with services found in its listings—has helped fuel double-digital percentage growth in the number of people who use SuperMedia’s print directories in many cities across the U.S.

The program, introduced last year and expanded in March, ensures that customers of participating SuperGuarantee businesses can rely on SuperMedia to help resolve any service issues they experience—or SuperMedia will reimburse the customer up to $500 of the cost of labor for the service.

If SuperMedia’s newfound growth is any indication, print will remain an important component of local search as the industry continues to find new ways to bring value to the directory. It’s all part of the industry’s strategy of aligning print with increasingly popular digital and mobile platforms to create a truly integrated experience.

Be sure to read the Dow Jones piece.

June 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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Industry Excellence Awards at the 2010 YPA Conference

Monday, April 19, 2010

Awards are part of any good trade association conference, celebrating your best and brightest isn’t just fun, it’s necessary.  Singling out innovative members and honoring them in front of their peers is a great way to highlight outstanding efforts in new products, services and for community outreach.

The YPA has had an award program for over 30 years, and this year’s program was transformed along with the rest of the Conference.  Categories were trimmed and for the most part, only the top or Gold winners were acknowledged.

At a “red carpet” reception, winners from across the country and around the world were feted with applause and trophies.

SuperMedia took home the gold for both Marketing Innovation (SuperGuarantee) and Community Service for “Summer of Good Reads and Good Deeds”.  Ketchum Directory was honored in the Advertiser Success Story category and TMP won in the Process Innovation category for a unique measurement tool.  

Other companies honored include AT&T Advertising Solutions, Telmetrics and ConnectFKM. Several individuals were honored, as well, for their contributions to the Yellow Pages industry.

Details of the award winners can be found here.

Congratulations to all!

April 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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SuperPages.com Adds SuperGuarantee to Mobile Apps

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Just weeks after announcing a continuation and expansion of its successful SuperGuarantee program, SuperPages.com said yesterday that it is integrating the program into SuperPages Mobile applications.

In a release, the company said its mobile users can now sign up for SuperGuarantee, find qualified businesses, register service appointments, and file claims straight from their wireless device. Currently, SuperPages mobile apps are available on iPhone or iPod touch, BlackBerry, and Google Android platforms—with Palm Pre and Windows Mobile apps coming soon, according to the company’s Web site.

Yellow Pages mobile apps are increasingly in the news. Last week, UK’s Yell Group announced an Augmented Reality iPhone App that allows users to see business information for more than two million local shops, offices, restaurants and other useful services through the iPhone’s camera viewer.

According to Greg Sterling’s blog Screenwerk, SuperMedia CEO Scott Klein credited the SuperGuarantee program in January with helping drive “meaningful spikes in registrations and healthy improvement in possession and usage.” Klein told Sterling that in “90% of measured markets; possession and usage are up in double digits” as a result of the program.

I think we can expect the mobile version of SuperGuarantee to only expand the program’s popularity and benefit to SuperMedia’s local business customers.

March 23, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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SuperMedia Expands Successful SuperGuarantee Program

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Recently, we’ve talked about the tough times facing many of our small business advertisers and the important role that Yellow Pages will play in ensuring their recovery.

In a clear win for small businesses nationwide, YP provider SuperMedia announced yesterday that it is continuing and expanding its successful SuperGuarantee program, which provides consumers with added confidence when hiring contractors, plumbers, auto body repair shops and thousands of other service-based businesses.

The program, launched last year, ensures that customers of participating SuperGuarantee businesses can rely on SuperMedia to help resolve any service issues they experience—or SuperMedia will reimburse the customer up to $500 of the cost of labor for the service. The continuation of the program speaks to how well it has succeeded in generating new sales leads for SuperMedia’s clients.

SuperMedia is also expanding the program to include an auto-specific offering that provides a free powertrain limited warranty covering many automotive components up to $3,000 for consumers who find and purchase qualified vehicles through Superpages.com or EveryCarListed.com, the company’s vertical auto website. Additionally, the company is expanding the capabilities of its mobile applications so that users can sign up for SuperGuarantee, register for service appointments, and file claims—all from their mobile devices.

SuperMedia is also creating a new ShieldPower program that gives small business clients more ways to advertise themselves as part of SuperGuarantee, including the ability to use the SuperGuarantee logo on the front door of their businesses, on their Web sites, business cards, TV ads, and more.

For more on SuperMedia’s announcement, click here.

March 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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Idearc Starts 2010 Fresh with New ‘SuperMedia’ Brand

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A new year means a fresh start for all of us, but I am especially interested in what 2010 will mean for Idearc given its announcement yesterday that it is exiting bankruptcy, launching a new name and board of directors, and listing on the NASDAQ.

The company’s new brand – SuperMedia – ties together the brands that consumers will more commonly recognize like SuperYellowPages, Superpages.com, and SuperGuarantee.

A recent Reuters piece said that the company will take advantage of growing opportunities for small business on online and mobile platforms. As a sign of its dedication to these platforms, the company has named new members to its board from leading tech companies such as Tivo and Microsoft.

While SuperMedia still does about 85% of its business through its print directories, the company said it expects to develop a more hybrid ad model. Current projects include expanding its popular local search sites such as everycarlist.com into new segments, looking for new opportunities for its mobile applications, and planning new partnerships with Internet companies.

In a company announcement, Scott Klein, CEO of SuperMeida, said “Our new name symbolizes the rebirth of our company and along with it the ability to continue to deliver innovative ways that will change the way in which we help match buyers with sellers.”

What a great thought to start the year on.

January 5, 2010 | 3 Comments
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SuperPages.com Launches iPhone App

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Yesterday, SuperPages.com introduced its new SuperPages Mobile℠ iPhone application allowing access to more than 17 million U.S. businesses for people “on-the-go.”

Available as a free download from Apple’s App Store, it allows local searchers to:

  • Submit user reviews – with a “thumbs up” rating system
  • Locate WiFi Hotspots
  • See the five-day weather forecast
  • Get directions
  • Add photos
  • Take advantage of the new SuperGuarantee℠

Early reviews from industry observers and bloggers have been positive.

Greg Sterling said that “…Idearc has done some novel and clever things with its iPhone offering.”

Mike Boland, program director for The Kelsey Group reports that Idearc is consciously making steps to design “products that are fitting to the form factor and don’t just replicate the online yellow pages experience … This includes utilizing the evolving feature sets of devices like the iPhone.”

Applelinks notes that ”Most local search iPhone apps only allow users to read reviews but Superpages.com is one of the few to allow users to submit reviews.”

Boland says that “User generated content will be one of the next big feature integrations for local search app on the iPhone and other mobile devices.”

It sounds like this is just the kind of app that will help Yellow Pages maintain local search leadership in a mobile world, so it would be great to hear from some of you with iPhones – what do you think?

I’m hoping that SuperPages Mobile will be available on my Verizon Blackberry – soon.

Superpages.com iPhone App

April 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
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