Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Santa Ditches Telecom, Shacks Up with Ihug

Media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15th, 2005

Santa Ditches Telecom, Shacks Up with Ihug

Telecom's 12 year direct line to Santa has been severed this year with ihug, New Zealand's second largest provider of ADSL broadband, shacking up with the jolly bearded man.

Instead of children having to call or email Santa with their wish list this Christmas, ihug has joined together with Christchurch companies TeleMessenger and Springdoo, to convince Santa to do the calling. All parents need to do is enter their phone number and children's names at www.santacall.co.nz and Santa does the rest. He even sends an email after the phone call with a voice recording of the child's wish list.

Ihug's chief executive Mark Rushworth says it's a fun way to spread a little Christmas cheer and shows people some of the exciting things that are possible with faster internet.

"My kids have already had their call from Santa and they got a real kick out of hearing their voices when he sent them an email with a recording of what they wanted for Christmas."

TeleMessenger launched SantaCall last year to demonstrate new interactive voice and data technology using the phone and Internet. Michael Mayell, TeleMessenger's director, says they were stoked when ihug offered to sponsor the site.

"SantaCall is a great way for kids to experience the magic of Christmas. We had thousands of calls last year and we really wanted to be able to provide the service for free again this year. Teaming up with ihug has helped keep SantaCall free and put smiles on the faces of children and their parents this Christmas."

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.