Portugal’s Largest Cinema Chain Adopts NeoMedia’s Mobile Ticketing for Theatres (NeoMedia Technologies) | MMA Global

Portugal’s Largest Cinema Chain Adopts NeoMedia’s Mobile Ticketing for Theatres (NeoMedia Technologies)

July 25, 2006



Portugal’s Largest Cinema Chain Adopts NeoMedia’s Mobile Ticketing for Theatres

Lusomundo Uses Mobile Tickets from Gavitec and TopSolutions to Speed Entrance

FORT MYERS, FLA., USA, and AACHEN, GERMANY, July 24, 2006 – Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a leading provider of mobile technologies and marketing solutions and a NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB: NEOM) company, has collaborated with Portuguese partner and solution provider TopSolutions to equip Lusomundo, Portugal’s leading cinema chain, with admission terminals for mobile tickets.

Lusomundo is the first cinema operator in Portugal to successfully offer “no line” mobile ticketing with NeoMedia’s global ticketing solution.  In addition to purchasing tickets at the box office, movie-goers can obtain tickets through a cash-free Web-based transaction, or from special call centers, and receive an electronic ticket as an SMS on their mobile phones.  Tickets, displayed graphically on the phone, are is read by Gavitec scanners at the entrance to the cinema, letting patrons in without having to wait at the box office.

The new service is directed at customers of Lusomundo and TMN, Portugal’s largest mobile telecommunications provider.  Tickets are received in an SMS, and give ticket holders exact information on theatre location, name and starting time of the film, and the numbers of the reserved seats.  A two-dimensional barcode (data matrix) on the mobile phone provides information for the admission terminal and ensures that the ticket can only be redeemed by its holder.  To gain access, ticket holders simply place the display of their cell phone against the reading lens of the EXIO scanner from Gavitec.  Without any special effort, the system compares the electronic ticket with the Lusomundo database, where it is verified by GPRS in seconds.

Say Good-bye to Old-Fashioned Box Office Lines


“Buying tickets in the old-fashioned way at the cinema box office, and the lines associated with doing so, will soon become completely unnecessary,” said Martin Copus, head of NeoMedia Mobile and COO of the parent company.  “Today, Portugal is in the forefront, as working with Gavitec and TopSolutions has made it incredibly convenient for more than nine million visitors to Lusomundo cinemas annually.”

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Mr. Copus noted that, “Even The New York Times (see “Online Movie Tickets a Still-Evolving Force,” July 10, 2006) has written about the power of the Internet for ticketing, stating that ‘the Web has helped make concert ticket lines all but obsolete’.” he said.  “With NeoMedia’s new global movie ticketing solutions, we believe the same will be true for cinema lines in the very near future.

“Our ticket system gives the customers of Lusomundo a new level of convenience,” said Adriano Fonesca, a member of the executive board of Top Solutions.Those who check the Internet for cinema information can now also reserve their tickets right then and have nothing else to worry about for their evening at the cinema. We are convinced that the system will soon be one of the habitual aspects of a visit to the cinema.”

Dr. Christian Steinborn, COO of Gavitec, explained further:  “Lusomundo is benefiting from the possibilities of mobile ticketing. A reduction in costs, user-friendly operation and administrative security combine to make mobile tickets a strong alternative to traditional admission tickets.”

Lusomundo is advertising its new offering through a comprehensive campaign in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV.  Cinema-goers are also being informed about the new ticket system on site through posters and additional cinema personnel.

Gavitec AG - mobile digit is one of the leading providers of mobile solutions worldwide.
Its code reading technology is an integral part of a large number of mobile ticket and voucher systems and has been used successfully by Vodafone, Nokia, Unisys, Turkcell, McDonald’s and SkiData, among others.

About Gavitec AG - mobile digit
Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies, Inc., company (OTC BB: NEOM), is a leader in technology provision for code-reading systems and software for mobile applications. Founded in 1997, Gavitec offers its clients standardized or individual solutions in the areas of mobile marketing, mobile ticketing, mobile couponing and mobile payment systems. Gavitec has received the Ericsson Mobile Application Award (the "Oscar" of the mobile industry) and two technology awards from the U.K.’s Royal Television Society, in combination with Hewlett-Packard and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Serving a pan-European and, increasingly, a worldwide customer base, Gavitec has a wide range of well known customers and partners including Vodafone, Nokia, Unisys, Turkcell, McDonald’s and SkiData. For more information about Gavitec, please visit www.gavitec.com.

About NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.
NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (www.neom.com), is a diversified global company offering leading edge, technologically advanced products and solutions for companies and consumers, built upon its solid family of patented products and processes, and management experience and expertise. Its mobile services group of companies offers end-to-end mobile enterprise and mobile marketing solutions, through its flagship direct-to-mobile-web Qode® technology, and ground-breaking products and services from 4 (shortly to be 5) of the USA’s and Europe’s leading mobile marketing providers. All NeoMedia Mobile companies benefit from NeoMedia’s 27 wireless patents, and the new group is comprised of 160 of the most experienced mobile marketing talent in the world.  By linking consumers and companies to the interactive electronic world, NeoMedia delivers one-to-one, permission-based, personalized and profiled dialogue -- anytime and anywhere.

About TopSolutions
TopSolutions, a company specializing in information technology and telecommunications, provides consulting services, project planning and management and customized solutions to it clients.  Its team of experienced, expert technicians use innovation as a differentiating factor and as a strategy for sustained growth. The innovative solutions that TopSolutions brings to its clients, together with partners, keeps its clients "one step ahead" of their competition. For more information about TopSolutions, please visit www.topsolutions.pt

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:
Martin Copus                
NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.
                  
+(239)-246-9889 or +44 7766 801818                
[email protected]                               

David A. Kaminer         
The Kaminer Group      
+(914) 684-1934            
[email protected]

Zucker.Kommunikation
+49 30 247 587-0         
[email protected]