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NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB and ZM deliver hands-free innovation

Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 9:38 am
Press Release: NZME.

NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB and ZM deliver audiences hands-free innovation with Amazon Echo and Alexa.

22 January 2018 - Amazon last week announced that Alexa, the brain that powers the Echo family of devices, will be available in New Zealand, along with three Alexa-enabled devices in early February.

Three NZME skills will be available at launch to take audiences into the new era of voice-control, hands-free accessibility. New Zealanders will be able to stay up to date with the latest news through The New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB flash briefings and be entertained with ZM’s custom Alexa skill with ease.

“Alexa can help you do thousands of things. Now that includes staying up to date on the latest news and sports happening here and around the world,” said Laura Maxwell, Chief Digital Officer at NZME.

“Once the skills have been enabled, it’s as simple as saying, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing”. This will provide Newstalk ZB’s hourly news and sports updates alongside the NZ Herald’s top stories of the moment from across New Zealand and the world.”

While audiences stay informed with NZME’s News Flash Briefing skills throughout the day, the ZM skill will entertain audiences with a simple “Alexa, open ZM”.

ZM is the home of New Zealand’s popular Breakfast and Drive music shows. With the Alexa Skills Kit, their programming is now available via voice.

“The new ZM skill for Alexa enables New Zealanders to listen to live radio, play podcasts from our shows like Fletch Vaughan and Megan and more,” says Maxwell.

Alexa delivers an all-new experience for customers in New Zealand, featuring a new voice for the Alexa Australia and New Zealand edition, local knowledge, and skills built by local developers.

Once the NZME skills are enabled, audiences no longer only have access to their favourite brands at the touch of a finger but also at the sound of their voice.

ENDS

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