Marketers understand that users want information where and when they need it.  Mass advertising has lost effectiveness because people tune-out when the message is not relevant to what they are doing at the moment. Integrated applications are a key to creating that envied relationship with consumers allowing them to engage with you whenever and wherever. 

WeatherBug®, a brand of AWS Convergence Technologies, is getting it right.  WeatherBug gets up-to-date weather information, weather forecasts and weather alerts whenever and wherever the consumer needs the information and also alerts the user to hazardous conditions.  WeatherBug is now available at their web site, through a desktop app, through a mobile app, through a browser app and even as a Facebook app.  Now that is integrated content delivery. 

Benefits of Marketing with Various App TypesWeb site – Useful when consumer is searching for weather information or knows where to find it.

1. Desktop App – Weather information is available on the desktop.  Great top-of-mind awareness while the consumer is on the PC and makes for easy consumer access.
2. Browser App – Particularly useful for adding browser utility, messaging–think alerts–as well as interfaces with the search experience.
3. Mobile App – Weather information is available when the consumer is away from their computer—on the run.  Mobile apps are great for use away from home/work.  Negatives are the limited user experience and current penetration.
4. Facebook/Social App – Allows consumer to personalize their fan page with the weather.  The goal for social apps is simplicity and entertainment to encourage sharing so the app goes viral. 

No wonder WeatherBug is used by 21.5 million consumers.  Using integrated application marketing to put weather updates where and when the consumer is looking for them is a strategy for success.  Making sure you match the type of app to the consumer usage pattern is just smart marketing.

Deborah Manthei, Director of Marketing Communications, W3i, evangelizing the use of consumer application marketing to engage brands’ essential users.

St. Cloud, Minnesota, April 9, 2009-W3i, LLC today announced a global partnership with Yahoo!, under which W3i will continue to offer the Yahoo! Toolbar, as well as sponsored search and contextual advertising services, to over 16.5 million visitors monthly.

As a leader in desktop and browser marketing solutions, W3i provides its users with useful, safe, free software and utilities to improve their Internet experience.  W3i’s goal is to connect users with downloads that add utility to their desktop and make their time on the Internet more productive.

“Our partnership with Yahoo! allows us to offer world-class search capabilities to our users. Yahoo! has made impressive strides with its search marketing system, and continues to innovate to drive the most compelling user and advertiser experience,” said Andy Johnson, CEO of W3i. “As a leader in delivering quality, downloadable content, W3i is excited to continue our partnership and looks forward to growing our relationship with Yahoo! even more over time.”

About W3i:
W3i delivers proven, integrated desktop and browser marketing solutions.  With solutions tested and optimized on over 200 million installs–currently 4.2 million installs monthly, W3i can increase revenue and traffic for downloadable software, applications and digital content or provide a receptive consumer base for customized, targeted distribution programs while the user is in the download mode.  W3i’s solutions utilize Install IQ, a proprietary Windows installation system and download manager developed by W3i.  Install IQ is the first installation system to be certified in the TRUSTe Trusted Download Program.  To learn more about W3i, visit www.w3i.com.  For premium quality, free consumer content, visit freeze.com (screensavers, wallpaper and clip art), wallpapers.com (animated, static and Wallery wallpapers), screensaver.com (3D and flash screensavers), and my.freeze.com (latest news, home page).

Contact:
Deborah Manthei
Director of Marketing Communications
320-257-7571
deborah.manthei@W3i.com

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