HuntForIt, the online auction site that offers full mobile texting for bids across all networks has made its technology platform, Freedom, available for third party mobile marketing campaigns. The mobile campaigns allow full MMS messaging as well as real time location based marketing campaigns across the UK.

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HuntForIt, the online auction site that launched earlier this year, is making its 'Freedom PlatformT' available to its strategic partners and selected third party companies looking to run enhanced location based mobile marketing campaigns. The platform contains a fully integrated SMS and MMS application layer that guarantees an advanced level of mobile service operation in terms of effectiveness, scalability and speed.

Rikki Hunt, Chairman and CEO of HuntForIt said: "We have developed more than a consumer online auction site to compete with eBay. The technical capability of the Freedom platform allows third party brands to target consumers in an incredibly dynamic way - in both time and space. The degree of personalisation and targeting is incredibly sophisticated and is a fantastic opportunity for brands to drive further revenues and increased customer loyalty."

The investment made in the proprietary Java based platform offers a number of advanced mobile marketing applications, one of which is location. Campaigns can be set up by integrating the third parties own database(s) and including dynamic customer profile data with Huntforit's Mobile Campaign management suite of applications.

Customised and location-based integrated mobile marketing campigns

The mobile applications have been developed to enable Huntforit and its partners to design, run and manage large fully integrated mobile marketing campaigns with ease. Huntforit's set-up wizard allows each individual campaign's criteria to be pre-set, such as geographical catchment area together with any demographic profiling data that is to be part of the mobile campaign.

These catchment areas can be by UK county or even for example by 'shapes' such as ITV broadcast coverage areas or sales territory areas. Campaigns matching registered users with specific promotional areas can be generated within a matter of days. For example, a campaign could reach all females between the age of 25 - 34 who have responded to a Peugeot 407 ad that live within 15minutes drive time of a pre-determined group of dealerships.

Geographically distinct content

Huntforit's unique mobile application, "Smart-Image", allows brands to push specific MMS images to pre-identified MMS capable handsets that lie within designated sales regions. For example, a member of the public texting following an Audi print or poster campaign would receive a distinct message according to their geographic location. This level of sophistication enables brands to conduct national campaigns which can be localised and specific to regions. The content pushed to the consumer can be a link to a website, WAP site, bar code or even simply a telephone number and can be dependent upon the geographic location.

With the ongoing convergence of multimedia elements into mobile and other digital cross-platform services across Web, WAP, TV, Radio now commonplace, the Freedom PlatformT was built with an open gateway strategy incorporating universal messaging standards such as XML, HTTPS, SMPP that can be integrated to any external systems.

Java platform & J2EE architecture allows scalability for 3rd parties The HuntForIt Freedom platform is one of the most technically advanced mobile platforms available in the UK. The platform is based on the J2EE architecture and the mapping and location component is provided by a MapXtreme mapping logic layer and Oracle 9i spatial database. The openness of the Java platform has enabled the extension of the platform and additional mobile marketing capability for third party companies. The J2EE architecture is completely scaleable to allow for future increased demand.

HuntForIt was launched in March 2006 and is already proving to be one of the most popular online auction sites available. The site offers consumers the opportunity to bid for items via mobile SMS without the inconvenience of being 'tied to their PC'. The SMS bid service, unlike all other auction sites, is available to all handset users across all mobile networks. The site also offers far better commission structures for sellers and offers free listing for all items for sale.

Platform fit for web, mobile & iTV convergence

The Freedom platform's mobile marketing capability is the second announcement of the platform's true capability following the launch of the online auction site. Over the coming year the full potential of the Freedom platform will be unveiled - HuntForIt say - and will demonstrate its ability to exploit the opportunity presented by converging media of web, radio and digital TV.

Rikki Hunt continued: "We have made significant investments to build a technology platform which is capable of delivering an interactive and responsive relationship between a brand and its customer. This will be used under the HuntForIt brand but also as a white label solution for third parties."

About Hunt For It:
Hunt For It is the next generation of online auction sites and has improved the user experience for both buyer and seller. Hunt For IT offers improved business terms to all sellers including free listings and reduced commission charges whilst buyers enjoy the convenience of bidding remotely via SMS ensuring that no bids are missed. Hunt For IT was established in 2005 by father and son team Rikki and Martin Hunt. Rikki Hunt was previously CEO of Burmah Petroleum and Fuel Force Ltd, Britain's largest independent fuel retailer. For more information, please visit: www.huntforit.co.uk