linkID and Zappware develop red button application that brings true interactivity to TVs worldwid

Sept. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- The digital sphere has opened incredible opportunities for broadcasters to reach audiences in new ways. With Zappware and linkID, they can now do so in a way that their audience is already comfortable with: using their mobile devices such as phones or tablets.

The runaway success of smartphones and tablets mean that campaigns can be turned into sales promotions or subscriber drives, with secure transactions just a few clicks away. Advertisers can make direct contact. Broadcasters can engage audiences more deeply, or offer programmes or exclusive material for sale during a programme.
Identify the viewer, not the device

In an example on show at IBC Amsterdam, an on-screen announcement for H&M sends viewers to their mobile devices, where an app or “red button” gives them access to targeted material in one click. Once identified, they are then securely forwarded to whatever the advertiser or broadcaster has announced.

Software developer Zappware and digital identity specialist linkID allow this by dramatically simplifying and securing the chain. Reaching viewers through their mobile devices means that many of the hurdles traditionally involved in interactive TV simply vanish.

“By combining interactive television applications with strong, user-centred identity management, the Zappware LinkID red button solution offers broadcasters and operators new possibilities to develop user-centred TV services,” says Zappware CEO Patrick VOS. “This could be personalised content or service delivery. Additionally, it offers viewers, operators, content- and service providers, new and innovative ways of delivering cross-media advertising and marketing campaigns.”

One of the beauties of the system is the fact it uses the viewer’s own mobile device. “This makes adoption far easier,” says linkID CEO Mario Houthooft. “Strong identity management then identifies a TV viewer on a personal level, instead of the television-device level usually offered by idtv-operators, creating new possibilities for personalised offerings and also for integrating the television-experience into social media platforms.”
Industry endorsed ecosystem—With leading standards-based protocols, it ensures the interoperability to securely share identities across operators, content- and service-providers, and business partners with respect of the privacy of the viewer, and without the increased costs of managing, maintaining, and administering additional identities and credentials.

Zappware and linkID can be met at IBC Amsterdam, Sept 9-15, 2010.

Note to editors:
About Zappware NV
Zappware NV, headquartered in Belgium, designs, develops, and integrates compelling and revenue-generating interactive television (iTV) services for operators and broadcasters, content distributors, brand marketers, and anyone looking to create a more intimate relationship with the viewer. Zappware uniquely combines the highest levels of creativity with the latest technology and techniques into simple, intuitive solutions that reliably integrate with any content delivery mechanism.
Zappware delivers a range of off-the-shelf and custom-designed solutions for Electronic Program Guides (EPGs), Video-on-Demand (VoD) portals, Personal Video Recording (PVR) applications, and red-button applications. Its solutions, currently deployed in more than 1.5 million set-top boxes around the world, include end-to-end support from production through playout and are easily deployed in any cable, satellite, terrestrial TV, IPTV, or broadband environment.
http://www.zappware.com

About LIN.K nv
LIN.K nv, founded in 1992, headquartered in Ghent, Belgium is a leading provider of technologies and services for online user registration, identification, strong authentication, digital signature/validation of data/transactions using smart cards, mobile phones, tokens and biometrics. The LIN.K team has over 20 years of international experience in the authentication industry, especially in the banking and corporate sector as well as with eID and mobile applications.

LinkID, designed and developed by LIN.K nv,,is a secure On Line Authentication and Signature service that puts users in full control of their identity and privacy whilst offering application owners, brands and membership bodies the ability to build deeper, more relevant and ultimately more profitable relationships.
http://www.linkid.be

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

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Copywriting and PR for European business from Brussels, Belgium. Specialised in entertainment and media sectors.