SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - December 15, 2010) - Zumobi, the premium mobile app network, and Msnbc Digital Network, today announced an extension of their partnership with the launch of a new native version of the msnbc.com Android app and an update to the iPhone and iPod touch applications. The apps feature a completely new design, which allows users to access the valued msnbc.com content in a more efficient way. Additional features include added video content in each news category and extended sharing and notification capabilities. The free msnbc.com app launches with rich media campaigns from Ford and Lincoln.
"Since launching the initial msnbc.com app for the iPhone in June of 2009, we have been overwhelmed by how positive the feedback has been from our users," said Andrew Locke, Sr. Director of Product Strategy at msnbc.com. "As the Android user base continues to grow, we see it as absolutely imperative to expand our brand presence on the Android platform. This as an untapped audience for us, and we're thrilled to launch this next generation version of the app on the Zumobi Network."
The updated UI of the msnbc.com app includes two msnbc.com peacock logos that organize the content within the app to enhance the overall user experience. The first peacock-like display presents each news category, including U.S. News, World News, Politics, Business, Entertainment, Sports, Top Stories, Travel, and more. The second one includes each msnbc.com show as different feathered options such as the TODAY Show, the Rachel Maddow Show, and Meet the Press with David Gregory. Users have access to video content from each show and can follow Twitter streams for show personalities and producers. The new content, which includes added videos in each category, is a core part of this upgrade. Users also now have the ability to sign up to receive alerts on breaking news items via push notifications and have extended sharing capabilities. These include the ability to share stories via email, Twitter or Facebook, or save favorite stories for later using Instapaper, a 'save for later' feature and an 'email to me' option.
"Many of the media apps on our platform are leaders in their given categories, but we've been particularly successful with our news apps," said Ken Willner, CEO of Zumobi. "The update to this msnbc.com app strengthens both our network and the msnbc.com brand presence on the Android platform. It also offers mobile advertisers primary access to a wider, cross-platform audience with an award-winning news brand."
In addition to offering content from the #1 most trusted news site in America, the msnbc.com app also offers compelling advertising opportunities. Msnbc.com's audience, combined with Zumobi's BrandBlast "app-within-an-app" rich media advertising technology, creates the ideal environment for premium advertisers to engage with consumers.
The new version of the msnbc.com app is available for free in the Android Marketplace and in Apple's App Store as a part of The Zumobi Network, a premium publisher of smartphone apps. The Zumobi Network offers a variety of entertaining, informative and useful mobile media applications to enjoy on next-generation smartphones.
About the Msnbc Digital Network
The Msnbc Digital Network is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver the most compelling, diverse and visually engaging stories on the consumer's platform of choice. The world-class brands featured in the digital network include msnbc.com, TODAYshow.com, Nightly.msnbc.com, TV.MSNBC.com, NBCSports.com, Newsvine, and EveryBlock. The Msnbc Digital Network provides something for every news consumer with its comprehensive array of offerings that deliver the best in breaking news, original journalism, lifestyle features, commentary and local updates down to the block level.
About The Zumobi Network
Zumobi is a leading mobile media company which partners with media properties to publish applications for next-generation smartphones. Zumobi's portfolio of mobile applications comprises The Zumobi Network. This premium mobile app network offers brands rich media advertising campaigns and sponsorships with primary access in top media apps like msnbc.com, MOTOR TREND News, the TODAY Show, the Rachel Maddow Show and more. For more information, please visit www.Zumobi.com.
Contact Information:
Contact Information
Melissa Klein or Rachel Levine
LaunchSquad
415.625.8555
Zumobi(at)launchsquad(dot)com