FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Audra Fleming/Susan Reid
Elite Racing, Inc.
(858) 450-6510
Liya Sharif/Heidi Poelman
Townsend Inc. for WiggleWireless
(858) 457-4888
Coca-Cola Zero™ Rock 'n' Roll Marathon® and WiggleWireless
Connect Marathoners to Family and Friends
WiggleWireless broadcast channels deliver instantaneous opt-in text message
updates to mobile phone users for total event participation
San Diego – June 1, 2005 – On June 5, theCoca-Cola Zero™ Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon® and WiggleWireless will join forces to connect thousands to the
excitement of one of San Diego’s most anticipated racing events.
WiggleWireless is enabling spectators to track the progress of participants
along the race course and receive race coverage updates through text
messaging.
Mobile phone users who choose to sign up for the WiggleWireless broadcast
service can select to receive pre-race information, race-day coverage and
can track participants and athletes for ultimate race involvement.
Near 200 million Americans carry a cell phone as a constant companion, and
text messaging is the latest communication trend. According to a January
2005 Frost & Sullivan report, the number of people who use their mobile
phones for text messaging will nearly triple by 2007 compared to 2003,
increasing from 26.4 million subscribers to 75.5 million. Dedicated to
connecting participants and spectators seamlessly at the race, Coca-Cola
Zero Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon has selected to offer this innovative
technology at the event.
"Never before has this marathon been able to involve so many fans and
supporters," said Tia Farnetti, event manager for the Coca-Cola Zero Rock
‘n’ Roll Marathon. "We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with
WiggleWireless on creating the most exciting and connected marathon
possible."
"WiggleWireless utilizes the most convenient and ubiquitous device known to
man. We give event spectators freedom to know that they can be anywhere and
still receive all the information they want, without having to look for it
and without being tied down," said Jeff Pokonosky, president of
WiggleWireless and former QUALCOMM veteran. "If they so choose, they will
receive up-to-the- minute updates about their loved ones and friends and
will stay connected to all the excitement of one of the world’s most
innovativeraces."
The marathon utilizes the computerized ChampionChip timing system, which
records each runner's actual running time to the second. As the runners
cross over timing mats located at the starting line, 10K mark,
half-marathon point, 20-mile mark and finish line, a magnetic field around
the timing mat recognizes the chip number. That information is then
transmitted to WiggleWireless and the data is sorted and sent to the
individuals tracking that specific runner. All this happens in near
real-time, allowing everyone receiving updates the ultimate level of
participation.
Mobile phone users sign up for WiggleWireless at www.wigglewireless.com and
select broadcast channels of interest to receive: pre-event information,
race day coverage and individual athlete tracking. Text messages will
include weather forecasts, course conditions, logistical information,
athlete progress and more. During the Coca-Cola Zero Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon, WiggleWireless will send the requested updates directly to the
designated mobile phone users.
The service is free and each message is tagged with a relevant sponsor's
name and is paid for by that sponsor. People interested in signing up to
receive WiggleWireless race messages should visit www.wigglewireless.com.
About the Coca-Cola Zero Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon:
Voted Best Race and Best Post-Race Party by Competitor Magazine, the
Coca-Cola Zero Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego is a unique event that
combines running with entertainment. Televised locally and nationally, over
40 bands play live music on 26 stages and 2000 cheerleaders compete for the
Spirit on the Course" award. In addition, the event features a post-race
concert at Coors Amphitheatre highlighting a major rock 'n' roll headliner.
In the last seven years, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon has hosted Live, Chris
Isaak, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Hootie & the Blowfish, Chicago, Pat Benatar,
and Huey Lewis and the News. The marathon weekend also includes a two day
Health & Fitness Expo.
About WiggleWireless:
WiggleWireless has developed a mobile marketing platform that broadcasts
relevant, self-selected information directly to mobile phone users how they
want it, when they want it, wherever they are. Utilizing the most
convenient and ubiquitous device known to man, WiggleWireless gives users
the freedom to step away from the traditional information sources that tie
them down. Users select the message categories they want to receive and
WiggleWirless then broadcasts the information instantaneously as soon as
it’s available directly to their mobile phone. Based in San Diego,
WiggleWireless was founded in 2003 by Jeff Pokonosky. More information is
available at www.wigglewireless.com.
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