SessionM Unveils Solution to Ignite Engagement With Mobile Apps and Advertising

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Mar 6, 2012) - Today SessionM officially launches a new mobile platform that promises to take the app economy to the next level. SessionM has built a solution that fixes the problem of audience engagement and retention for developers, while delivering exciting new advertising experiences for brands. Early publishers include Viacom's AddictingGames, The Weather Channel, Demand Media, Fox Sports, and Glam Media, with brands like Honda, Tyson Foods, and Volvo signed on as advertisers.

Lars Albright, former co-founder of Quattro Wireless who went on to help launch Apple's iAd, is the CEO and co-founder of SessionM: "In an increasingly competitive and crowded mobile marketplace, the fight for audience acquisition, retention, and engagement is fierce. Consumers are demanding content and advertising experiences that are fun and engaging, and that also reward them for their time and attention. Our scalable platform helps apps in all categories captivate audiences, make more money, and deliver more valuable advertising experiences."

Game mechanics, with their proven power to engage consumers, are a key element to the SessionM approach. Within apps that have integrated the SessionM platform, consumers will be able to unlock achievements tied to activities and engagement milestones such as visiting regularly, exploring content, performing specific activities, and being social. Consumers can level up and gain status within the apps while collecting points for their achievements. These points can be redeemed in a mobile storefront for real-world rewards, including eGift cards and exclusive deals and discounts on mobile purchases. Points can also be used to engage with special sweepstakes or donate to charities. Consumers can enhance their experience by choosing to engage with immersive video and rich media ads that deliver value by amplifying points and rewards.

The end-to-end consumer experience is delivered via an HTML5 layer that is embedded within a growing network of applications that span all categories, including sports, news, beauty, health, games, and entertainment. SessionM will be announcing additional partnerships with other major media companies and app developers over the coming weeks and is on pace to rapidly reach over 50 million users. SessionM offers the platform for free to developers and shares ad revenue generated by its national ad sales team.

"SessionM has helped us add game mechanics that reward users as they engage more deeply with our apps, which enhances our overall mobile experience," said Michael Kirby, SVP/GM, LIVESTRONG.COM/Demand Media. "One of our first apps in the program has seen a significant usage increase and has helped us lay the foundation for an entirely new category of innovative, premium, and user-friendly advertising."

Mobile game developers can also leverage SessionM to amplify existing in-game achievements with rewards and generate more revenue with high-quality advertising. "We're looking forward to giving our players the opportunity to be rewarded with real-world value for their in-game achievements," said John VanSuchtelen, Vice President, AddictingGames, Nickelodeon Games Group. "We're also excited to introduce our partners to the SessionM ad format, which offers a compelling new way to engage with mobile consumers."

Brand advertisers combating consumer "banner blindness" have recognized SessionM's ability to create breakthrough moments with consumers and deliver ads that are guaranteed to be seen by the truly engaged mobile super-user. "Mobext is focused on driving innovation for our clients in mobile, and SessionM is on the cutting edge," said Phuc Truong, the U.S. Managing Director for mobile marketing agency Mobext. "Major brand campaigns have all delivered results that exceeded our expectations. SessionM is really creating a whole new context for delivering mobile ads to consumers, and we are planning to increase our investment over the coming year."

About SessionM
SessionM's platform ignites deeper engagement with mobile content and advertising. Working with some of the biggest mobile publishers/developers and advertisers in the world, our experienced team is committed to building one of the next mobile industry leaders. SessionM is funded by Highland Capital, who also backed the Quattro Wireless team, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. SessionM is a part of the iFund initiative. The company is headquartered in Boston with offices in mid-town New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.