NEWS
Mobile web specialist Starcut software ads flagship NBC brand to roster of NBC Universal mobile web sites
New York, NY, April 8, 2008– Starcut, a leading global provider of mobile software tools and technology, today announced a deal with NBC Universal to provide tools and software for building and managing ad-supported mobile internet sites (WAP) for NBC series that include “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Biggest Loser,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Heroes” and “The Office.” These sites join existing NBC Universal WAP sites developed by Starcut, including USA Network’s “Monk,” “Psych” and “Nashville Star,” SCI FI Channel’s “Pain Killer Jane,” and iVillage’s “Astrology.com.” Starcut is at the forefront of new product initiatives, including NBC’s “Heroes” WAP site containing full-length on demand episodes of the hit series on Sprint. Additionally, Starcut will provide services to develop an “Access Hollywood” WAP site. The announcement was made today by Ludovic Collin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Starcut USA.
NBC Universal uses Starcut’s MediaOne Platform, a mobile publishing tool, to design and publish sites “in house.” In addition to the core platform, NBC Universal uses MediaOne Video capabilities to automatically transcode and stream mobile video to phones as well as Starcut Mobile Self Publisher (MSP) to efficiently build professional Advertising Microsites. This latest deal, and perhaps Starcut’s most significant to date, comes on the heels of deals inked with other media companies and brands like The New York Times, Maxim and Zagat Survey. Starcut has also been working with CNBC in Asia since June 2007.
“We are very proud to be working with NBC Universal and are delighted that they have chosen to Starcut to deliver high end mobile services for their unique, highly successful properties,” said Juha Tiihonen, CEO of Starcut Ltd. “NBC Universal is committed to mobile and understands its value and we find working with such a partner extremely exciting and rewarding.”
“NBC Universal is committed to building ad-supported mobile web sites,” said Salil Dalvi, Senior Vice President, Mobile Platform Development, NBC Universal Digital Distribution. “Starcut’s software and services are top-notch and easy to use, helping our channels build a first-rate mobile offering. The Starcut team is an invaluable partner in helping us go to market with some of the top carriers and device companies in the country.”
Starcut allows any media company or brand to quickly build a powerful mobile presence available to anyone with a Web-enabled mobile device. Starcut’s mobile platform also enables advertising models, creating new streams of revenue for companies seeking to extract maximum value from their brand. For NBC Universal, Starcut’s MediaOne Platform will enable the creation of dynamic mobile sites complete with streaming video, graphics and simplicity for the user, allowing fans of NBC Universal shows to keep up-to-date and entertained no matter where they may be.
“NBC is one of the most recognized and cherished brands in the world and we are ecstatic to work with NBCU on this development,” said Ludovic Collin. “This is a milestone for Starcut, and supports our global strategy to provide media and entertainment companies with compelling mobile services that not only offer the best mobile experience for the consumer, but also monetizes the value of these properties.”
NBC Universal WAP sites developed with Starcut technology include:
NBC:
- “30 Rock:” Visit m.nbc.com/30rock or text "30WAP" to 62288
- “Bionic Woman:” Visit m.nbc.com/bionicwoman or text "BIONICWAP" to 62288
- “Chuck:” Visit m.nbc.com/chuck or text "CHUCKWAP" to 62288
- “ER:” Visit m.nbc.com/ER or text "ERWAP" to 62288
- “Friday Night Lights:” Visit m.nbc.com/FNL or text "FNLWAP" to 62288
- “Heroes:” Visit m.nbc.com/heroes or text "HEROES" to 62288
- “Las Vegas:” Visit m.nbc.com/lasvegas or text "LASVEGASWAP" to 62288
- “Late Night with Conan O’Brien:” Visit m.nbc.com/conan or text “CONANWAP” to 62288
- “Life:” Visit m.nbc.com/life or text "LIFEWAP" to 62288
- “My Name is Earl:” Visit m.nbc.com/earl or text "EARLWAP" to 62288
- “The Office:” Visit m.nbc.com/office or text "OFFICE" to 62288
- “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno:” Visit m.nbc.com/leno or text “LENOWAP” to 62288
USA Network:
- USA Network home page: Visit mobile.usanetwork.com or text MOBILE to 872898
- “Monk:” Visit monkish.mobi and get Monk on the go with blogs, recaps, and wap-exclusive polls
- “Psych:” Visit psych.mobi and check out Gus’s blog, participate in polls, and relive Shawn and Gus’s adventures in episode recaps
- “Dr. Steve O:” Visit drsteveo.mobi to play Steve-o trivia, and get free wallpaper
- “Law and Order: Criminal Intent:” Visit ciusa.mobi to join the Major Case Squad and keep up with the latest cases, and test your LO:CI knowledge
- “Burn Notice:” Visit mobile.usanetwork.com/burnnotice
- “Nashville Star:” Visit nashvillestar.mobi
- “Starter Wife:” Visit starterwife.mobi
- “The 4400:” Visit the4400.mobi
- “The Deadzone:” Visit deadzone.mobi
SCI FI Channel:
- SCI FI Channel home page: Visit mobile.scifi.com
- “Tin Man:” Go to O.Z. at mobile.scifi.com/tinman and read the “Tin Man” mobile comic, play the trivia game, download free wallpapers
- “Eureka:” Welcome to Eureka at mobile.scifi.com/eureka
- “Battlestar Galactica:” Visit mobile.scifi.com/bsg, where Humans and Cylons alike can check out recaps, pics, and video clips
- “Ghost Hunters:” Keep up with the TAPS team on your mobile phone at mobile.scifi.com/gh • “Flash Gordon:” Visit mobile.scifi.com/flash
- “Painkiller Jane:” Visit mobile.scifi.com/pkj
- “Who Wants To Be A Superhero?” Visit mobile.scifi.com/sh
Astrology.com:
- Find out what your horoscope has in store for you today at m.astrology.com
For more on NBC Universal mobile, visit http://www.nbc.com/Mobile/. Art for NBC Universal programs can be found at NBC Universal Media Village, www.nbcumv.com.
About Starcut
Starcut is a leading mobile software company serving media, content owners and brands. Starcut develops and markets high quality software to create top of the line, ad supported mobile services. Starcut focuses on delivering the best user experience on each a single mobile device. Starcut has offices in New York, Helsinki and Singapore. www.starcut.com
Media Enquiries:
GK Communications for Starcut
Greg Kalish
+1 646.290.8840
gkalish@gkcomms.com