Wi-Fi Industry Leader Augments Advertising Initiatives with Proprietary Technology, Additional Sponsorship Expertise and Sales Team
LOS ANGELES – Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the Wi-Fi industry’s leading provider of software and services worldwide, today announced that it has acquired Cloud Nine Media, which provides Wi-Fi sponsorship and location-based advertising at more than 6,000 airports, hotels, bars and restaurants, and recreational areas in the U.S. and Canada.
The acquisition includes key technology platforms for delivering 100% share-of-voice sponsored access that can be used across Boingo’s global portfolio of managed Wi-Fi hotspots, including airports, shopping malls, restaurants, stadiums, transportation hubs and metropolitan hotzones that reach more than 1.5 billion people each year. San Francisco-based Cloud Nine Media also brings a team of skilled technologists and ad sales executives to the table, as well as relationships with key venues and advertisers.
“As we’ve expanded our Wi-Fi services into new venue categories, the demand for sponsored access and location based advertising services has grown in parallel,” said David Hagan, president and chief executive officer of Boingo Wireless. “Cloud Nine Media brings a formidable portfolio of tools and talent that will help us take our execution to the next level.”
“Our goal has always been to push beyond traditional advertising to allow advertisers and consumers to connect in more meaningful ways,” said Cloud Nine Media CEO Sebastian Tonkin. “Boingo’s growing footprint of flagship locations provides the added breadth and depth we need to move that vision forward at a global scale. We’re thrilled to be joining the leading company in the Wi-Fi space.”
With the explosion of Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, tablets and gaming devices, the demand for public Wi-Fi has expanded beyond the traditional travel ribbon of airports and hotels. That expansion into heavily consumer-focused arenas has opened up new markets for Wi-Fi operators like Boingo, as well as advertisers wanting to reach key demographics in new places.
The Wi-Fi sponsorship model allows advertisers to sponsor free access in exchange for guaranteed engagement with special offers, video placements, rich media and more. Campaigns can be targeted by venue type, audience segment or location, creating unique experiences that are relevant and memorable for consumers. Revenue that’s generated can be put towards expanding and improving Wi-Fi coverage, creating a win-win for everyone.
“Wi-Fi already reaches the critical mass of consumers needed to make it an attractive marketing channel for the world’s leading brands,” notes Tonkin. “Now it’s time to show advertisers everywhere how to tap into that potential in surprising and meaningful ways.”
About Boingo Wireless
Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the world’s leading Wi-Fi software and services provider, makes it easy, convenient and cost-effective for people to enjoy Wi-Fi access on their laptop or mobile device at more than 500,000 hotspots worldwide. With a single account, Boingo users can access the mobile internet via Boingo Network locations that include the top airports around the world, major hotel chains, cafés and coffee shops, restaurants, convention centers and metropolitan hot zones. Boingo through its Concourse Communications Group subsidiary operates wireless networks at large-scale venues worldwide such as airports, major sporting arenas, malls, and convention centers, as well as quick serve restaurants. For more information about Boingo, please visit http://www.boingo.com.
About Cloud Nine Media
Cloud Nine Media lets advertisers trade free Wi-Fi access for 30 seconds of positive, brand-safe engagement with millions of tech-savvy Wi-Fi users in thousands of airport, hospitality and retail locations worldwide. Cloud Nine currently delivers more than 6 million sponsored Wi-Fi sessions every month through agreements with several premium Wi-Fi network operators. Based in San Francisco with offices in New York, you can learn more about Cloud Nine by visiting http://www.cloudnine.com/.
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