Maine-based Zylo Media raises $400,000, expands marketing game to Cambridge
Interesting start-up from Portland, Maine that's trying to create connections between consumers and marketers by creating casual games where players can win free stuff. They've raised $400K from Maine Angels and other investors, and are planning to launch in Cambridge in March.
From: Kate SnyderSubject: Zylo Media - Press ReleaseDate: January 30, 2012 7:20:47 AM ESTTo:
Dear Scott,
...Zylo Media is a Portland, Maine-based company, and we have developed BoodleUP, an innovative mobile / digital advertising format that creates unusually high levels of engagement between featured brands and consumers by combining promotional marketing with casual gaming.
We ran a beta test of BoodleUP here in Portland – and based on our experience and the data collected - we believe BoodleUP will change how businesses reach customers. We believe that promotional advertising through casual games will allow advertisers to engage customers in a way that is different and much more satisfying than discounting, and certainly more enjoyable than pop ups or banners.
With BoodleUP, people enjoy free, simple, quick games of chance online or on their smart phone. Each game is comprised of images of branded products and services offered by advertisers. When a player “wins” a game, they are offered the product or service presented. Players win frequently (e.g. on average they will win about once every minute). However, as a condition of accepting a prize, players must agree to a “lockout” period during which they will be unable to accept another prize for a defined period of time (e.g. 1 day, 7 days, 14 days or even 30 days) after which they will be invited back into the game. And so, players face a decision every time they win: “Is this prize worth being locked out of the game for a defined period of time, or should I keep trying to win a prize that is more desirable to me?” If a player decides they prefer to try for a different prize, they simply decline the offer and keep playing.
By winning frequently, and having the opportunity to learn more about any of the featured promotional prize offers – including clicking through to the advertisers website – our players are continually and intentionally engaged in a positive, winning relationship with the products and services presented by our advertisers. Access to consumers is gained through an entertaining, engaging platform where product advertisements and promotions are the content of the games.
With this round of funding, we plan to launch BoodleUP in Cambridge in March. I’ll plan to get back in touch with you after the launch in hopes that we can connect.
Please see the attached press release announcing funding for Zylo Media, LLC.
Sincerely,
Kate Snyder
Zylo Media
Director, Sales & Marketing
