Run The Red’s Innovative New All Blacks Text Game

GAME ON: RUN THE RED’S INNOVATIVE NEW ALL BLACKS TEXT GAME

Run The Red Ltd’s latest SMS game developed for Telecom to leverage its All Blacks sponsorship, ‘Game On’, is the mobile enablement company’s most innovative to date, Run The Red director Justin Boersma said today.

“Game On (www.gameon.co.nz) is going to set new standards for interactivity and will appeal to the hundreds of thousands of Telecom Mobile-equipped ‘armchair experts’ who are pretty free with advice on options for the All Blacks in tricky situations,” said Justin Boersma.

“Usually, that advice is screamed at a television set but ‘Game On’ challenges them to put that advice into action through their 025 or 027 mobile phones – and win points if it comes off.”

After just 6 days since the game was launched there are now 4000 registered players with 50,000 messages sent.

“We are continuing to add new features to the game, including an ‘invite a friend’ feature, which is working brilliantly. Shortly we will be introducing a ‘who am I?’ element, which will ask players to guess the name of a famous All Black to win more points.

“I challenge anyone to play this game and not be hooked,” said Justin Boersma.

“You can play it by yourself, sit around with friends and debate next moves, and boost points by ‘betting’ them on a trivia question.

“This is probably the most advanced use of SMS technology that has been used in New Zealand – and we haven’t finished by a long shot.”

Details about the game and how to enter can be found at www.gameon.co.nz alternatively Telecom mobile users can simply text the word GAME to 1234 and begin immediately.

Game On follows on from the extremely successful America’s Cup Text Challenge and Xtra Super 12 Text Match Fever that were also developed by Run The Red. Telecom Mobile’s Sponsorship Manager Scott Sargentina, is confident that this SMS-based game will quickly prove to be as much of a winner.

“We are continuing to look for new ways to develop SMS as a mobile direct marketing channel,” said Scott Sargentina.

“The challenge is always to come up with something that has relevancy to our target markets and keeps people interested and coming back for more. The All Blacks are one of our Crown Jewel sponsorships and we’re delighted to be able to introduce Game On as a world first.”

Game On gives Telecom mobile phone users the opportunity to ‘pull on the All Black jersey’, run with the big boys and make the tough calls. The decisions players make – whether to run, pass or kick the ball – determine whether their use of possession will result in a try.

There are literally hundreds of scenarios, including choosing a wrong option and losing possession.

Game On is not just about choosing what you’ll do with the ball. Players can stake all their points on the double or nothing result of the next All Black game, or take a punt on a Lucky Dip skill question. Other features will be added soon, including recruiting friends to play Game On and challenging them in a ‘Game On Challenge for Points - now that'll be bragging rights worth playing for! Game On, New Zealand!’’

Each text message you send playing Game On costs 30c. A small price to pay for rugby success and the rewards that could come from it!

The prize pool is extensive, including a Ford Escape and 50,000 Fly Buys points (equivalent to 23 return flights to Sydney from Akld, Wgtn or Chch). There are weekly draws of Phillips DVD players, Nokia mobile phones and All Black merchandise. Prize draws and progress can be checked out at http://www.gameon.co.nz

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Ben Northrop

RUN THE RED http://www.runthered.com

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