SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Touchmedia today announced the results of its first 4 months advertising in support of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Over 30 million passengers have seen the interactive and video advertising on Touchmedia's screens and more than 3 million have learned more about the Expo activities through the interactive icon since it was launched in July, 2008.
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2008/11/200811192125.jpg )
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2008/11/200811192152.jpg )
"Research shows that over 90% of Shanghai's 3 million plus regular taxi riders are aware of the Expo advertising on our screens and most cite it as their main source of information for the upcoming Expo," explained Touchmedia CEO Micky Fung. "We provided advertising on our screens for the Beijing Olympics and were delighted to hear from the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee that it was both hugely effective and very much liked by the public. It is also the best way to reach and help foreign visitors to the city. We are keen to do even more for Shanghai."
A senior spokesperson from the Expo Organizing Committee Commented, "We have already explained to the public, using Touchmedia's screens, things like the Expo theme, the role of the Expo in our community, the main pavilions and some participating countries. Many of the Expo sponsors are also looking to use Touchmedia as a key part of their Expo marketing."
"The public can choose the material which they are most interested in, ask questions, answer quizzes and play games. The material has been hugely popular and people have shown great enthusiasm and a love of learning in this entertaining way. In fact, it has been the most popular site that Touchmedia has done. Last month's game about the participating countries attracted more than 1,000,000 users in Shanghai alone," elaborated CEO Mr Fung.
"There is much more to do over the next 18 months leading up to the Expo and during the 6 months of the Expo itself," the senior spokesperson added, "but perhaps the thing that excites us most is the interactive map of Shanghai that Touchmedia will develop for passengers' use on the screens in the taxis. It will have hundreds of locations all over Shanghai, in both Chinese and English, and will even allow foreign passengers to touch a location in English and the touchscreen will tell the driver where to go in Chinese."
The spokesperson concluded, "We have to consider the tens of millions of overseas visitors who will be coming to Shanghai for the Expo. Most will take taxis during their stay. And most cannot speak Chinese. A unique service like this will dramatically impact their enjoyment and their impression of Shanghai as a modern high-tech city. This really is world leading technology."
Several members of the public, when asked about the touchscreen advertising, were passionate in their response. "It's terrific. A great way to find out about the Expo when I am sitting in a taxi with nothing to do," said Zhang Fang Lin, a 24 year-old student. "I live in Shanghai and am looking forward to the Expo, but didn't know much about it till I read the in-taxi information," explained 36 year old businessman Chen Jian Hua. Ge Jia Ming, a hotel manager, said, "It's great, not just for local people but also for tourists."
When queried about the cost of developing all the material and the unique interactive technology for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Mr. Fung from Touchmedia waved the issue away. "It is challenging and a team of software engineers has been working on it for many months, but Shanghai is our home and we are immensely proud that it is hosting the Expo and the world. We are delighted to donate this service to the Shanghai government and the people of Shanghai. Touchmedia will also be using its screens to inform the public about the Expo in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and soon other cities as well. This event belongs to China as well as to Shanghai and there is much more we are looking forward to doing."
