{"componentChunkName":"component---src-pages-press-releases-index-js","path":"/press-releases/","result":{"data":{"allDatoCmsTemplatePressRelease":{"nodes":[{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-U63S-GQFQUqeJhfQCqWCSw","slug":"clickatell-achieves-record-growth-of-its-chat-commerce-platform","title":"Clickatell Achieves Record Growth of its Chat Commerce Platform","internalName":"Clickatell Achieves Record Growth of its Chat Commerce Platform","publishDate":"2024-11-06","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced significant momentum in 2024, driven by surging demand for its AI-enabled Chat Commerce platform.","title":"Clickatell Achieves Record Growth of its Chat Commerce Platform","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1730880635-launch_q4_pressrelease_webbanner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1730880635-launch_q4_pressrelease_webbanner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1730880635-launch_q4_pressrelease_webbanner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1730880635-launch_q4_pressrelease_webbanner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1730880635-launch_q4_pressrelease_webbanner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLEBUQDhgQDw0ZDhEODQoYFx8dGBYVIiEdHysjGh0oHRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDscFiUvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAXAAEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAAMF/8QAIRAAAQMEAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACAwUGIjFCBBQWITL/xAAXAQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgUA/8QAGhEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDIQIRE//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A1zbXSChOIeNIDNQYO+aA7kmcc8poTszpDhI89e3I/SSGZtgeWhfdVEhZZsfviorLye7wyLI6UVJOjdT/2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1730880635-launch_q4_pressrelease_webbanner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-btgsmvkaSyWMD2x3sz55Ig","name":"Artificial Intelligence","slug":"artificial-intelligence"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960547","name":"News","slug":"news"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960545","name":"WhatsApp","slug":"whatsapp"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-KaWGwiwaTdq9m8uiWQ3hkw","name":"AI","slug":"ai"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[{"id":"QsTdC9xbRYuAG_44NJmX4Q","model":{"apiKey":"image"},"image":null},{"id":"ScDDCN4GS02FB7q-mNG26w","model":{"apiKey":"image"},"image":null}],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Commerce Platform Enhancements Include New Generative AI, Analytics and Broadcast Messaging Capabilities"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – November 6, 2024"},{"type":"span","value":" – "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3QjN0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced significant momentum in 2024, driven by surging demand for its Chat Commerce platform. Clickatell's AI-enabled "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Qk60","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Platform"}]},{"type":"span","value":" meets a growing need among businesses to provide seamless, real-time support and transaction capabilities to their customers through popular chat apps such as WhatsApp and Apple Business Messenger. By allowing consumers to complete tasks such as boarding a flight, paying a friend, filing a claim, and accessing customer support without having to update their provider’s app or switching between websites and call centers, Clickatell addresses the challenges of fragmented customer journeys and high service costs."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Performance Highlights:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"224% Growth Rate in Chat Commerce:"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell's AI-enabled Chat Commerce Platform saw an impressive 224% year-over-year growth rate, solidifying its position as a leader in the conversational commerce revolution."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"21% South African Market Penetration:"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell empowers a remarkable 21% of economically active South Africans to interact with businesses on its AI-enabled Chat Commerce platform. This makes Clickatell the #1 provider of Chat Commerce in the South African and Sub-Saharan African markets."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Leading Customer Base:"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell has "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Qmc0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"deployed solutions with leading brands"}]},{"type":"span","value":" across the Banking sector, such as ABSA Chat Wallet, the Airline sector, such as FlySafair boarding passes and pay for luggage in chat, the Retail sector, such as Pick n Pay, the Healthcare sector, such as Dis-Chem Loyalty and ordering medication, the Travel sector, such as Europcar car rental, the Telecoms sector, such as Telkom bill pay, the Automotive sector, such as Tiger Wheel & Tyre instant pricing, promotions and agent chats, the Financial Services sector, such as Woolworths Financial Services FICA and agent chat, and the Financial Services and Insurance sector, such as Discovery ‘Ask Discovery’, enabling them to deliver seamless Chat Commerce experiences at scale that meet customers where they are."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Top Meta Business Partner in South Africa:"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell’s impressive growth places Clickatell as a top Business Service Provider (BSP) for Meta in the region."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Unwavering Commitment to Security:"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell prioritizes the highest levels of "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Qmk0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"data protection and privacy"}]},{"type":"span","value":". Its platform adheres to the most rigorous security standards, including PCI-DSS, ISO27001, and SOC2 Type 2 compliance."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"B-BBEE Level 3 Compliance:"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell demonstrates its commitment to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) by achieving a Level Three score."}]}]}]},{"item":"QsTdC9xbRYuAG_44NJmX4Q","type":"block"},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We are thrilled with the exceptional growth of our AI-enabled Chat Commerce platform,\" said Pieter de Villiers, co-founder and CEO of Clickatell. \"This momentum signifies the increasing importance for brands to meet their customers where they are and to invest in the largest digital engagement platform that exists today, chat. With the upgrades to our platform and our strong commitment to compliance and security, we are well-positioned to further empower businesses and consumers across South Africa and beyond.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell continues to advance its Chat Commerce Platform with increased AI-powered capabilities to drive its global scale across a variety of use cases including "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Qkq0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Banking, Financial Services"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3QkB0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Insurance"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3QM60","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Airlines"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3QLs0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Retail"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3QM70","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Automotive"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3QLw0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Telecommunications"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3R6y0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Hospitality"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3R6r0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Education"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Rgs0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Healthcare"}]},{"type":"span","value":". These enhancements include the following:\n"}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell AI"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Rsm0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell AI"}]},{"type":"span","value":" offers generative AI capabilities that improve customer service and support. This includes Gen-AI-enabled smart responses and suggested responses to live agents and recognizing customer intent in natural language, leading to more efficient and effective customer interactions. By utilizing a private and secure large language model (LLM) trained on customer data, Clickatell ensures personalized and contextually relevant responses while maintaining data privacy and security. This feature will help businesses scale their customer service operations, increase conversions and revenue, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce costs."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Data and Analytics"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3Rsw0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Data and Analytics services"}]},{"type":"span","value":" offer dashboards and reporting tools, accessible from a user portal, that provide a comprehensive view of Chat Commerce campaigns and performance. In addition, to ensure complete control of data, the raw information can also be fed into the enterprise’s own data lakes, ensuring all analysis and history are maintained in their proprietary environments. This data is delivered at different levels of granularity, allowing businesses to make informed decisions and derive insights about customer behavior. The service includes a data dictionary, manifest files for data reconciliation, and self-healing capabilities to ensure data integrity and reliability."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Broadcast Messenger"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell also launched an updated version of its marketing messaging tool, Campaign Manager, called "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q02X3RRX0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Broadcast Messenger"}]},{"type":"span","value":", helping businesses connect with their audiences through chat. This enterprise-grade messaging web app is designed to streamline creating, managing, and sending WhatsApp and SMS messages at scale. With a user-friendly web interface, customers can personalize messages, add rich media such as videos, images, and locations, and schedule campaigns. Broadcast Messenger supports sending promotional messages, exclusive content, discount codes, event invitations, and newsletters, enhancing customer engagement and improving communication efficiency. This tool provides an easy way for businesses to start their Chat Commerce journey."}]},{"item":"ScDDCN4GS02FB7q-mNG26w","type":"block"},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's success aligns with South Africa's growing mobile-first landscape. According to Kepios, as of January 2024, nearly 99% of South African internet users connect via mobile devices, highlighting the vast potential of Chat Commerce solutions in the region."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is at the forefront of this exciting transition, driving innovation and seamless mobile communication experiences for businesses and consumers alike."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-L4SW92vTQB2iR2XGOCVytw","slug":"tiautoinvestments-revsup-customerservice-with-clickatell-chatcommerce-whatsapp","title":"TiAuto Investments Revs Up Customer Service with Clickatell Chat Commerce on WhatsApp ","internalName":"TiAuto Investments Revs Up Customer Service with Clickatell Chat Commerce on WhatsApp","publishDate":"2024-02-29","seo":{"description":"TiAuto Investments and Clickatell announce the launch of an official WhatsApp channel for Tiger Wheel & Tyre's stores in Gauteng","title":"TiAuto Investments Partners with Clickatell to 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Engagement","slug":"customer-engagement"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960526","name":"Customer Experience","slug":"customer-experience"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Tiger Wheel & Tyre, South Africa's leading tyre and wheel retailer, empowers Gauteng customers with instant pricing, promotions, and agent chat directly through WhatsApp"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Johannesburg, South Africa and Redwood City, Calif., Feb 29, 2024 – "},{"url":"https://tiautoinvestments.co.za/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"TiAuto Investments"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the home of the best-loved automotive brands and the driving force behind leading retail, wholesale, - and wheel repair brands in Southern Africa, and "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the Chat Commerce leader, today announces that they have launched an official WhatsApp channel for Tiger Wheel & Tyre’s stores in Gauteng. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" The launch of this WhatsApp channel improves customer service and accessibility. By simply sending ‘Hi’ to +27 82 866 5761, Tiger Wheel & Tyre customers in Gauteng can conveniently request a call back, chat with a live agent, obtain pricing, explore promotions, and find their nearest store, all in the familiar WhatsApp channel.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Farishta Singh, TiAuto Investments Group Marketing Executive: \"Clickatell's Chat Commerce solution makes it easier for our customers to find what they need, anytime, anywhere. Now finding vital information about pricing, promotions and product availability for wheels, tyres, batteries and accessories is just a message away. We are very excited about this launch announcement. This launch is just the beginning, and we plan to expand to other provinces soon.\" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Consumers crave convenient and personalised interactions with brands. Clickatell's Chat Commerce empowers Tiger Wheel & Tyre to deliver exceptional service through the power of WhatsApp,” said Werner Lindemann, SVP Global Sales at Clickatell. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As the demand for personalized and efficient communication continues to rise, TiAuto Investments is always dedicated to delivering exceptional service and support to its valued clients across Gauteng and beyond.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About TiAuto Investments"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"TiAuto Investments – The home of the best loved Automotive Brands and the driving force behind leading Retail, Wholesale, Part Worn Tyre and Wheel Repair brands in Southern Africa. We have complete mobility solutions from quality products, fitment expertise and value-added services to help empower your journey wherever it takes you. "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-CW6riQpbRQO44TWSV2qMdQ","slug":"campaign-manager-a-powerful-whatsapp-marketing-tool","title":"Clickatell Empowers Chat Commerce with Campaign Manager, a Powerful WhatsApp Marketing Tool","internalName":"Clickatell Empowers Chat Commerce with Campaign Manager, a Powerful WhatsApp Marketing Tool","publishDate":"2024-02-27","seo":{"description":"Clickatell's Campaign Manager empowers businesses to connect, interact, and transact with their customers and build lasting relationships through Chat Commerce on WhatsApp.","title":"Clickatell Empowers Chat Commerce with Campaign Manager, a Powerful WhatsApp Marketing Tool","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1741771526-campaign-manager_website-banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1741771526-campaign-manager_website-banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1741771526-campaign-manager_website-banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1741771526-campaign-manager_website-banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLEA0LDhgYCgUOFB0NFg0MFx8ZGBYTFhUaKysjGh0oHSEWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDscFiU7Ly8vLy81Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAXAAEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAAID/8QAIRAAAgECBgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAwUEBxEVMUETISL/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAv/EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMRBP/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Apl/bUqW0jWOksdJcGzEwbl4Tt3MfOzbc3vqDfPGXPlimEsRb6Qdhr3JMK7t5m+jzJDV7wRUrD//Z"},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1741771526-campaign-manager_website-banner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960545","name":"WhatsApp"},"secondaryCategories":[{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-Sr04dPjsQUm9TnwFBfZQ-Q","name":"Conversational Marketing","slug":"conversational-marketing"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-YVXHiGUvRzOd17kV1SJm9w","name":"Mobile Messaging","slug":"mobile-messaging"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce","slug":"chat-commerce"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960538","name":"Mobile Marketing","slug":"mobile-marketing"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960528","name":"Customer Engagement","slug":"customer-engagement"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Global brands unlock explosive growth through engaging WhatsApp marketing campaigns"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., February 27, 2024"},{"type":"span","value":" – "},{"url":"https://clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the Chat Commerce leader, today unveiled Campaign Manager, a groundbreaking solution designed to ignite WhatsApp marketing campaigns. In a mobile-first era, where consumers crave instant, personalized interactions, Campaign Manager empowers businesses to connect, interact, and transact with their customers and build lasting relationships through Chat Commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Unleashing the Power of Chat Commerce:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"·       "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Effortless Engagement:"},{"type":"span","value":" Craft, schedule, and launch captivating WhatsApp campaigns in minutes, streamlining marketing workflows and maximizing efficiency."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"·       "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Personalized Outreach:"},{"type":"span","value":" Deliver targeted messages with rich media (images, videos, locations) to individual customers, fostering deeper connections and brand loyalty."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"·       "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Explosive Reach:"},{"type":"span","value":" Leverage WhatsApp's massive user base to expand brand awareness, drive sales, and build trust at scale."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"·       "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Boost ROI:"},{"type":"span","value":" Track campaign performance, gather customer insights, and optimize strategies for continuous growth."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"·       "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Trackable Conversions:"},{"type":"span","value":" In-depth analytics track campaign performance, including delivery rates, open rates, click-throughs, and customer feedback, empowering you to optimize future campaigns for maximum impact and drive conversions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"·       "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Simplified Opt-in Management:"},{"type":"span","value":" Enable easy opt-in options for customers, ensuring compliance and building trust while nurturing your audience through Chat Commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell, states:"},{"type":"span","value":" \"Campaign Manager isn't just a tool; it's a catalyst for meaningful Chat Commerce experiences. We empower brands to have genuine conversations, driving engagement, trust, and ultimately, revenue.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Our data reveals staggering results, with global brands experiencing an impressive 80% improvement in marketing reach upon implementing Chat Commerce campaigns,” added Dorff. “Moreover, our clients have seen remarkable increases in engagement metrics, boasting read rates of 99%, click-through rates of 99%, and conversion rates of 86%. With Campaign Manager, we can empower your business to replicate these exceptional results, fostering long-term relationships with customers and driving sustained growth in the digital landscape.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/campaign-manager-whatsapp/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's Campaign Manager"}]},{"type":"span","value":" redefines how brands connect with customers, unlocking the full potential of Chat Commerce. Experience the future of marketing – "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/contact/contact-sales/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"contact Clickatell today"}]},{"type":"span","value":"!"}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-DbWesQlCQ2SL9bsEL2sKXQ","slug":"yabx-and-clickatell-collaborate-to-launch-whatsapp-lending-in-africa","title":"Yabx and Clickatell Collaborate to Launch WhatsApp Lending in Africa","internalName":"Yabx and Clickatell Collaborate to Launch WhatsApp Lending in Africa","publishDate":"2023-12-14","seo":null,"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1702557203-clickatell_yabx_pr_webbanner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1702557203-clickatell_yabx_pr_webbanner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1702557203-clickatell_yabx_pr_webbanner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1702557203-clickatell_yabx_pr_webbanner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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"},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1702557203-clickatell_yabx_pr_webbanner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960545","name":"WhatsApp"},"secondaryCategories":[{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce","slug":"chat-commerce"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960535","name":"Technology","slug":"technology"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960526","name":"Customer Experience","slug":"customer-experience"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-YVXHiGUvRzOd17kV1SJm9w","name":"Mobile Messaging","slug":"mobile-messaging"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-YsfSTCtMSVW7tTIQEaQKlg","name":"Financial Services","slug":"financial-services"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"LONDON, December 14, 2023 "},{"type":"span","value":"– "},{"url":"https://yabx.co/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Yabx"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a prominent player in the digital lending space, is making a significant stride forward by launching WhatsApp lending services in Africa, through a collaboration with "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell."}]},{"type":"span","value":" The move promises to democratize access to financial services and enable customers to get credit in real time. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In Africa, the growing demand for loans is extremely high, especially for small ticket sizes. Yabx’s move aims to provide a customer-centric interface on WhatsApp removing the barriers to securing a loan. Yabx leverages digital footprints to analyze the data of each customer, providing them with a credit score and a loan limit."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Yabx chose WhatsApp for its lending service amid a landscape where WhatsApp Banking has been steadily increasing in other markets and an increase in WhatsApp use in Africa overall. African WhatsApp usage penetration varies by country but averages at 70%. The widespread adoption of WhatsApp extends beyond individual users to include retailers, wholesalers, and consumers, positioning the platform as an integral part of everyday life."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Yabx has a strong track record of making financial services accessible through various channels, including web, app, and USSD, making it inclusive for mobile phone users. This helps banks to responsibly serve a huge customer base, at scale, due to its cloud-based infrastructure- meaning it has no upper cap on the number of people it can serve. The integration of WhatsApp lending is set to expand the avenues for individuals to access financial services, promoting frictionless yet responsible financial inclusion."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Yabx has significant experience in Africa and understands the pulse of the market. The performance of their portfolios stands as a testimony to their confidence. In 2020, they rolled out very successful Embedded Solution products in multiple African markets which witnessed widespread adoption. The product was essentially a real time line of credit, which used the customer’s wallet data to provide her/him with a credit score and limit. This initiative itself saw a 16x growth only within 12 months. This product itself stood to be a very interesting case study of Africa as it leveraged data science and tech to effectively assess risk, scale banks to newer customers and promote a cashless economy through mobile wallets.\n\nYabx chose to collaborate with Clickatell for its WhatsApp product because it has built one of the world’s most reliable and high-performing messaging platforms with the necessary features to run high-volume services and campaigns. While adhering to strict security and compliance requirements, it enables large consumer brands to deliver billions of messages to customers all over the planet."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Krishna Chaitanya, Chief Product Officer of Yabx commented, “We've been reimagining innovative methods to democratize credit in emerging markets thereby, transforming the way underserved individuals and businesses perceive finance today. Conversational Banking is our key to further solidify this narrative in Africa, making it more personal and interactive. Our technology is rooted in the belief that everyone seeks honest ways to improve their lives, and our mission is to make that aspiration a reality.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Werner Lindemann, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Clickatell said, \"This collaboration between Yabx and Clickatell marks a significant moment in enhancing accessibility to financial services across Africa. By using the power of WhatsApp for lending, we're not just breaking barriers but also fostering financial inclusion in a way that empowers individuals. This move aligns with our collective vision of having a sustainable impact and improving the landscape of financial services in Africa.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The expansion into WhatsApp lending underlines Yabx’s commitment to revolutionizing the credit infrastructure of the African ecosystem, thereby bringing a sustainable positive impact on the lives of people throughout Africa."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-AFeZH1nBRrWmWIyuzzElig","slug":"clickatell-boosts-chat-commerce-capabilities-with-latest-platform-enhancements","title":"Clickatell Boosts Chat Commerce Capabilities with Latest Platform Enhancements","internalName":"Clickatell Boosts Chat Commerce Capabilities with Latest Platform Enhancements","publishDate":"2023-11-14","seo":null,"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1699956932-banner_website_platform_update_1330x580.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1699956932-banner_website_platform_update_1330x580.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1699956932-banner_website_platform_update_1330x580.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1699956932-banner_website_platform_update_1330x580.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCgoLDhgQFQ0NDiUdFhEeIx8lJBYdIhUdKysjGh0oHSYWJTUlKC0vMjIyHSU4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHC8oIig7Ly8vLy8vLy8vLzsvOzsvLzsvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAXAAADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwQF/8QAIxAAAgECBAcAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIABAUGByExAxESQVFxgf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIB/8QAGhEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAEQMEMf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Auw8nDWwMVPaS0fU9QQPMRhN2Nhbmx2l9pANQfcefIxMTaiJyYGZFKFtKMdxrDH5p6WlPkMoY1BVT/9k="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1699956932-banner_website_platform_update_1330x580.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-btgsmvkaSyWMD2x3sz55Ig","name":"Artificial Intelligence","slug":"artificial-intelligence"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960551","name":"Product Insights","slug":"product-insights"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960549","name":"Conversational Commerce","slug":"conversational-commerce"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960545","name":"WhatsApp","slug":"whatsapp"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960535","name":"Technology","slug":"technology"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960528","name":"Customer Engagement","slug":"customer-engagement"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960526","name":"Customer Experience","slug":"customer-experience"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Innovative Features Transform Mobile Messaging into a Commerce Powerhouse"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., November 14, 2023 – "},{"type":"span","value":"​​​"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV0X0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":"​, ​​a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced groundbreaking updates to its Chat Commerce Platform across all three of its packages: Connect, Interact and Transact. This strengthens Clickatell's commitment to empowering brands to take advantage of the opportunities of chat commerce, the next wave of digital commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The updates represent a significant leap forward in redefining the customer experience within the chat commerce ecosystem,” said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. “Clickatell is proud to continue leading the charge in innovating how businesses interact with their customers.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Enhanced features unveiled on Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform include:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV4k0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Connect"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":": Amplify Marketing Campaigns on WhatsApp"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Connect package now includes "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV6n0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Campaign Manager for WhatsApp"}]},{"type":"span","value":", enabling marketers to fully realize the promotion, and customer engagement potential of the world’s most popular messaging platform, at scale."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV790","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Interact"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":": Conversational Marketing and Next Gen Customer Service"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Interact package introduces features that enhance conversational marketing and advanced customer service. Key updates include:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NXqL0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell AI"}]},{"type":"span","value":" that understands customer intent and provides real-time support, improving operational efficiency and increasing customer engagement."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV990","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customer journey mapping"}]},{"type":"span","value":" enables real time data insights and analytics to improve customer experience."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"New interactive messaging features and UI elements that enable richer, automated messaging experiences on WhatsApp."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Businesses adopting Clickatell's Interact package will experience a host of advantages aimed at improving their operations and customer relations. This includes improved customer experience and engagement through two-way messaging, fostering meaningful interactions between businesses and their clients. Additionally, it allows for streamlined business processes, optimizing efficiency and responsiveness. With fast, 24/7 support available on messaging channels, businesses can deliver superior customer service, ensuring prompt assistance whenever needed. On the consumer side, individuals can revel in personalized and interactive brand experiences delivered through trusted and familiar messaging channels, elevating the overall customer journey."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NVbv0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Transact"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":": Complete Digital Commerce Experiences in Mobile Messaging"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Transact package includes a comprehensive suite of features, allowing businesses to create complete digital commerce experiences within mobile messaging. Key updates include:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp commerce features that enable businesses to build end-to-end commerce experiences, from an ad on Facebook to a conversation in WhatsApp, deliver promotions, checkout and post-sale engagement."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Secure, hosted checkout and card tokenization, features that enhance conversions with one-tap or quick-reply to pay."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customer profile feature that recognizes return customers, enabling personalization and unique user journeys."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"PCI-compliant global payment gateway that ensures secure transactions."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Order fulfillment and delivery messaging that streamline operations and post-sales service integration with existing CRM and OMS."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Businesses leveraging Clickatell's Transact package can significantly increase revenue through innovative commerce experiences introduced in new channels, reaching customers in a more dynamic and engaging way. Moreover, these updates aim to improve customer satisfaction by providing intuitive and convenient commerce experiences, ensuring that businesses stay ahead in meeting the evolving expectations of their clients. On the consumer side, individuals stand to gain an improved shopping experience characterized by convenience and personalization."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"These updates underscore our commitment to enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of chat commerce, providing a win-win for both businesses and consumers alike,” said Dorff. “Clickatell's Chat Commerce Platform is at the forefront of transforming the way brands engage and transact with their customers.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"​​In a landscape where commerce converges with conversation, Clickatell's Chat Commerce Platform enables businesses to seamlessly connect, interact, and transact with customers on popular messaging channels like WhatsApp, Apple Messages, SMS, and USSD."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Please visit Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NVn70","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Platform"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV4k0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Connect"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NV790","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Interact"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q028NVbv0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Transact "}]},{"type":"span","value":" pages for more information."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-146747099","slug":"clickatell-launches-ai-powered-chat-commerce-experience","title":"Clickatell Launches AI Powered  Chat Commerce ","internalName":"Clickatell Launches AI Powered  Chat Commerce 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Self-Service","slug":"chat-self-service"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960549","name":"Conversational Commerce","slug":"conversational-commerce"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960545","name":"WhatsApp","slug":"whatsapp"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960544","name":"Contact Centers","slug":"contact-centers"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960604","name":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960559","name":"Retail","slug":"retail"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960535","name":"Technology","slug":"technology"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960534","name":"Customer Relationship","slug":"customer-relationship"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960533","name":"Mobile Payments","slug":"mobile-payments"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960528","name":"Customer Engagement","slug":"customer-engagement"},{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960526","name":"Customer Experience","slug":"customer-experience"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell AI to transform customer support and engagement in mobile messaging"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., November 8, 2023 – "},{"type":"span","value":"​​​"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q0288GLR0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Clickatell"},{"type":"span","value":"​"}]},{"type":"span","value":", ​​ a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced the launch of "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q0282grC0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Clickatell AI"}]},{"type":"span","value":", an innovative addition to its Chat Commerce Platform. This conversational AI solution uses artificial intelligence and messaging to create personalized conversations, improving customer engagement and building stronger relationships. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell AI utilizes natural language processing (NLP) to grasp the purpose of customer inquiries, along with generative AI to provide meaningful and valuable conversational interactions that enhance over time. Integrated within the Chat Commerce Platform, individuals can engage in live chats with Clickatell AI, while businesses can equip their agents with AI-generated responses through a user-friendly agent desk interface. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s conversational AI solution empowers businesses across diverse sectors, including Retail, Travel, Airlines, Hospitality, Telecommunications, Financial Services, Automotive, and Education to leverage AI to automate conversational brand experiences on mobile messaging channels. Clickatell AI delivers significant benefits: "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Brand Benefits:"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Scale Customer Experience – "},{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell AI learns in real-time, naturally improving the quality of the customer engagement while reducing the time and effort required for manual bot programming.  "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Reduce Business Costs"},{"type":"span","value":" – Clickatell AI eliminates expensive developer hours traditionally required for manual bot programming, translating directly into cost savings. "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Increase Conversions and Revenue – "},{"type":"span","value":"Serve more customers at scale with personalized, automated responses.  "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improve Insights and Analytics"},{"type":"span","value":" – Clickatell AI enables businesses to anticipate customer needs and predict issues, offer personalized support and improve CSAT / NPS scores. "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Consumer Benefits:"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Deliver Results"},{"type":"span","value":" – Consumers can receive accurate, rapid, personalized responses faster and with less human error. "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improve the Shopping Experience"},{"type":"span","value":" – By harnessing AI in ecommerce, businesses enhance the shopping experience for consumers, offering personalized product recommendations, and streamlined processes, ultimately leading to more convenience and satisfaction.  "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Customer Service Benefits:"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Customer Satisfaction"},{"type":"span","value":" – Provide Fast 24 x 7 Self-Service Customer Service. "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Conversation ROI – "},{"type":"span","value":"Empowers the customer service agents with suggested responses to customer queries, improving accuracy and speed to resolution. "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Agent Productivity"},{"type":"span","value":" – Boost Agent Productivity, Training and Onboarding. "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With time, and the revolutionary self-learning mechanism, Clickatell AI will have the ability to anticipate customer needs and predict issues, businesses will see significant uplifts in CSAT and NPS scores through personalized support based on actionable insights.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Our vision is to revolutionize service delivery and customer experience in the realm of mobile messaging,\" said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. \"Clickatell AI leverages a diverse array of AI technologies to understand customer intent and deliver automated yet conversational responses, all while considering context. Additionally, Clickatell AI equips support agents with real-time, context-aware suggested responses for more efficient customer interactions.\"   "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The value proposition of Clickatell AI extends beyond just streamlining operational efficiency and reducing resolution time. It also places a strong emphasis on enhancing customer satisfaction through personalized, natural, and flexible interactions, ensuring that customers receive the right information in a conversational manner, promptly and at scale. Businesses can now adeptly manage customer inquiries and frequently asked questions, intelligently and efficiently, while also having the ability to scale their customer service without compromising on quality or efficiency.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"​​Please visit Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q0289kQt0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"title","value":"https://www.clickatell.com/clickatell-platform/"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Platform"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q0282grC0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"title","value":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/artificial-intelligence/"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell AI"}]},{"type":"span","value":" pages for more information."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-148797247","slug":"clickatell-wins-business-efficiency-solutions-provider-of-the-year-award","title":"Clickatell Wins Business Efficiency Solutions Provider of the Year Award ","internalName":"Clickatell Wins Business Efficiency Solutions Provider of the Year Award ","publishDate":"2023-05-29","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is honored to receive the prestigious Business Efficiency Solutions Provider of the Year Award. 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Clickatell was declared a winner in its category through a voting process that included business leaders, readers, as well as independent quality experts. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In a letter announcing the achievement, Ken Nwogbo, Editor-In-Chief of Nigeria Communications Week said, “This is a testament to your talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry, and we are happy that Nigerians have recognized your hard work, sincerity and dedication towards the development of the ICT industry.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Speaking after the awards ceremony and annual ABoICT lecture delivered this year by Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, West Africa, Africa Data Centres FZE Nigeria, Clickatell’s Samson Isa, Regional Managing Director, West Africa, shared his thoughts on the past year and what the award means for the company and his team.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are delighted to once again be recognized by our peers at this prestigious event. Over the past year, we have seen a marked increase in awareness of chat commerce with some great success stories coming from early adopters. Over the last 12 months, Clickatell has expanded to provide new and full commerce experiences in mobile messaging channels and worked closely with local customers to begin their chat commerce journey. We have helped them to optimize their processes, improve efficiencies and ultimately reduce costs. It is a great honor to see our efforts formally recognized, not just by our satisfied customers, but by the industry in general,” Isa said. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to Isa, companies in the banking and aviation sectors have shown particularly strong interest in the opportunities offered by chat commerce. According to Isa, chat commerce is also set to revolutionize the retail sector in the coming months.    "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Despite the many macro-economic pressures of the last year, we are pleased to see our business expanding into more verticals as Nigerian business leaders become more familiar with chat commerce. We believe this will continue into 2024 and beyond. We are grateful to the organizers for creating platforms such as this, where the industry can salute one another’s efforts. We congratulate all the participants and winners and we are proud to be in such excellent company,” Isa added.   "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s chat commerce offering has already been deployed by many respected brands including EcoBank, Wema Bank and Stanbic Bank IBTC. In the past year, the company has also added among others CBN, eNaira, and QRIOS to its list of clients.  "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-148079465","slug":"clickatell-worlds-first-chat-commerce-platform-ccpaas","title":"Clickatell Announces World's First  Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS)","internalName":"Clickatell Announces World's First  Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS)","publishDate":"2023-04-18","seo":{"description":"Redefining online shopping with seamless conversational experiences. Explore the world's first-of-its-kind solution that combines messaging and commerce.","title":"Introducing the World's First Chat Commerce Platform","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1681808109-pr_launch_websitebanner_1330x580.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1681808109-pr_launch_websitebanner_1330x580.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1681808109-pr_launch_websitebanner_1330x580.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1681808109-pr_launch_websitebanner_1330x580.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1681808109-pr_launch_websitebanner_1330x580.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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"},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1681808109-pr_launch_websitebanner_1330x580.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Brands utilizing CCPaaS can provide rich commerce experiences for consumers in any mobile messaging channel"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"San Francisco, CA – April 18, 2023 – "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_%20INT_Clickatell%20Home_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced the launch of the world's first "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/clickatell-platform/?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=Website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Platform_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS)"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"that empowers brands to capitalize on the opportunity of chat commerce, the emerging next wave of digital commerce. This ground-breaking platform enables businesses to seamlessly connect, interact and transact with their customers on the messaging platforms they already use. Clickatell’s April 2023 release of the first Chat Commerce Platform as a Service delivers full, authenticated commerce experiences within the most widely adopted mobile messaging environments, such as WhatsApp, Apple Messages, SMS and USSD."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This next evolution of Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform allows businesses to create chat commerce experiences that drive sales and increase customer satisfaction. Businesses stay ahead of the conversational commerce trend by conducting commerce in the world’s largest messaging apps. Clickatell’s CCPaaS also allows businesses to save time and reduce costs by providing relevant, in-context brand experiences and secure payment capabilities to their customers through the convenience of messaging. New platform features include card tokenization and integration with "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/transact/?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Transact_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp Commerce"}]},{"type":"span","value":" functionalities that allow the display of product information and images in the brand’s WhatsApp channel."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"New Innovative Payments in Chat"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"CCPaaS is the first SaaS solution to provide secure payment processing by integrating with leading payment gateways, allowing businesses to efficiently process transactions within the chat interface. With card tokenization, consumers can securely pay via a link in any messaging channel, leading to a Clickatell-hosted checkout that tokenizes the user’s payment information and saves it for future use — making subsequent purchases streamlined for the consumer with ‘one tap pay.’ The platform is PCI-DSS, ISO27001 and SOC2 compliant, ensuring the highest security standards for data protection and privacy."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The launch of Clickatell's Chat Commerce Platform as a Service marks a significant milestone in our company's mission to revolutionize customer engagement and facilitate frictionless commerce within messaging apps,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder at Clickatell. “We run our lives within messaging apps; whether arranging a lunch with a friend or scheduling a school drop-off, messaging is convenient and simple."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"‘Our new platform enables our favorite brands to serve us in these same messaging platforms with a full commerce experience, such as checking into your next flight and paying for a seat upgrade. As the first of its kind, CCPaaS sets a new standard for the future of chat commerce and reinforces Clickatell’s pioneering position in the industry. We made history in 2000 when we became the first company to connect the world’s fastest growing commerce platform – the internet – with the world’s fastest growing communications platform – the mobile phone – via our SMS Gateway. I am proud to see our team continuing the innovation and executing on the vision.”  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Simple CCPaaS Packaging for Customers’ Needs"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s CCPaaS is offered through three distinct packages:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/connect?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Connect_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Connect"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" − The Communication Package"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Connect is the foundation package that enables businesses to send and receive enterprise-grade mobile messages over multiple messaging channels via a RESTful API or a web-based campaign management tool. This package delivers high-volume services and campaigns, adhering to strict security and compliance requirements, delivering billions of messages reliably to customers all over the world. Key features include high volume queuing and routing, message encryption, anonymous messaging and number management."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/interact/?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Interact_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Interact"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" − The Engagement Package"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Adding to Connect, the Interact package enables businesses to have meaningful conversations with their consumers delivering the kind of digital experiences that today’s mobile-first consumers have come to expect. Brands can now easily and quickly build messaging workflows to deploy chatbots and mini-apps from a low/no-code web interface. Interact allows an instantaneous response to the customer through a chatbot with powerful features including keyword management, assets library and integrations with leading CRM and OMS solutions. Interact also includes live agent enablement through an advanced web-based application that provides real time sentiment insights, agent assist, chat transfers and agent performance metrics, all designed to improve agent performance and drive better customer experience."}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/transact?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Transact_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" − The Commerce Package"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Transact enables businesses to sell products and services directly within messaging channels by sending the customer a payment prompt that initiates a secure and simple payment experience. Transact builds on the foundation of Connect and Interact, allowing businesses to create full commerce experiences within messaging. Businesses can accept payments on the Clickatell Platform with no development required, and with secure link and OMS integration, businesses can provide unparalleled check out experiences that are fully cloud native and turnkey. State-of-the-art payment capabilities include tokenization for frictionless user experience, PCI-DSS security and GDPR and local privacy compliance and legacy processes integration."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"As commerce continues to evolve yet again, we are helping brands to engage with their customers in this emerging chat commerce space,\" said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. \"Our vision has always been to create a chat commerce platform that is focused and built around the key performance metrics that matter most to our customers, performance and operational efficiencies, customer satisfaction and increased business improvements. Our Chat Commerce Platform as a Service not only achieves that vision, "},{"url":"","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"it"}]},{"type":"span","value":" also provides an unparalleled user experience for both brands and their consumers, while fostering digital transformation and in context communications with the click of a button. With our innovative low/no-code platform, businesses may rapidly implement and customize their chat commerce solutions, regardless of technical expertise.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To address this emerging chat commerce opportunity, Clickatell’s CCPaaS includes several powerful features designed to transform customer engagement into delightful commerce experiences and drive brand loyalty:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/chatflow?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Chat%20Flow_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customizable chatbots"}]},{"type":"span","value":": Capabilities to develop and deploy chatbots to automate conversations, handle customer inquiries and drive sales."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/chat-desk?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Chat%20Desk_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Live agent chat"}]},{"type":"span","value":": Smooth escalation from chatbots to live agents, enabling brands to offer personalized and efficient customer support when needed. Live agents can access conversation history and customer information for a seamless transition and enhanced customer experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Real-time analytics and reporting:"},{"type":"span","value":" Access to valuable insights into customer behavior, chatbot performance and transaction data, enabling data-driven decisions and optimization of chat commerce strategies."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/integrations?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Integration_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Easy integration with existing systems"}]},{"type":"span","value":": A point and click embedded solution for seamless integration with CRM, ERP and other business systems. The platform comes pre-integrated with popular solutions like Shopify, Zendesk and Salesforce, ensuring a faster time to market for businesses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/chat2pay?utm_campaign=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT&utm_source=website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2023Q2_Unified%20Launch_INT_Chat2Pay_press%20release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Embedded payments"}]},{"type":"span","value":": Embedding payments into chat allows brands to engage in transactional commerce as easy as a reply to pay. The feature comes with a secure link, hosted order pages, check out with Order Management integrations and a rich user experience in available channels."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Chat Commerce Platform as a Service and Clickatell visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-146937945","slug":"telkom-and-clickatell-launching-mobile-messaging-payments-in-sa","title":"Telkom Partners with Clickatell to Launch Mobile Messaging Payments in South Africa","internalName":"Telkom Partners with Clickatell to Launch Mobile Messaging Payments in South Africa","publishDate":"2023-03-09","seo":{"description":"Experience the future of mobile payments in South Africa as Telkom partners with Clickatell to introduce convenient mobile messaging payments. 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Telkom’s millions of customers can now make payments in WhatsApp, the country’s largest chat channel."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Responding to the growing demand for fast, digital, self-help services, Telkom now deploys to its customers the Chat 2 Pay pay-by-link capability in WhatsApp, providing them with the convenience of safe and effortless mobile payments. Telkom post-paid and prepaid customers can pay their phone and xDSL/fiber bills, and buy airtime, data and SMS bundles by simply sending “Hi” on WhatsApp to +27 81 160 1700. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Currently, Telkom’s chatbot offers customers mobile support by accessing their accounts and billing information, plus allows them to view sales deals, check for mobile or fiber upgrades, do cancellations, make directory inquiries and more. With the addition of Chat 2 Pay, customers benefit from a convenient and personalized service to pay bills and VAS top-ups via Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“User behavior has shifted, and organizations are relying more and more on digital channels for revenue generation. But, asking customers to make payments through a different channel creates a break in the customer journey and challenges companies to convert sales,” said Werner Lindemann, ​​Clickatell’s Senior Vice President Enterprise Sales, Growth Markets. “Payments in chat give telcos the tools they need to help their customers complete payments simply and safely in the channel they already know and trust, significantly boosting customer experience and revenue.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With Chat 2 Pay, the payment process is exceptionally simple. Telkom customers can transact by simply making a menu selection to trigger a payment request. A link is then sent to the customer in a WhatsApp message. When they click on the link, they access a fully hosted checkout page. The customer then can securely enter payment details and submit, receiving a confirmation of the payment and receipt in a chat message. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Telkom continues to look at ways to advance our customers’ digital experiences, and our digital channels are core for future delivery,” said Gugu Mthembu, CMO at Telkom. “Chat 2 Pay helps us optimize our payment channels and payment collection. What’s more, the ease of and availability of VAS services is expected to further boost revenue opportunities.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“With"},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/clickatell-achieves-significant-momentum-in-2021-with-chat-commerce/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/clickatell-achieves-significant-momentum-in-2021-with-chat-commerce/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"93% of conversations"}]},{"type":"span","value":" transpiring on Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform and ending in a transaction, Chat Commerce, including Chat 2 Pay, is especially relevant for telcos that are looking for new revenue channels and better efficiencies. Chat Commerce doesn’t just respond to your customers’ needs, it fulfills many of your shareholders' needs too,” said Lindemann."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-146190334","slug":"fly-safair-chat-2-pay-visa","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay with FlySafair for WhatsApp Mobile Payments","internalName":"Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay with FlySafair for WhatsApp Mobile Payments","publishDate":"2023-02-02","seo":{"description":"Discover the latest innovation in mobile payments as Clickatell introduces Chat 2 Pay in collaboration with FlySafair. Experience the convenience of making secure payments through WhatsApp, revolutionizing the way you transact while booking flights.","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay: WhatsApp Mobile Payments with FlySafair","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1675341512-flysafairchat2pay2.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1675331415-flysafairchat2pay2.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1675331415-flysafairchat2pay2.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1675331415-flysafairchat2pay2.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1675331415-flysafairchat2pay2.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCgoLDhgQDg0ZDh0VFhEYIx8lJC4rLi0tJSslLiUoHSElJTolKC0vMjIyHSU4PTcwPCsxMjUBCgsLDg0OHBAQHDsoIig7Ozs7Ozs7Ozs7Ozs7Ozs7NTsvOzsvLzsvOzs7Oy87OzUvLy81Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAXAAEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAQG/8QAIxAAAQMCBQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgABAwQGBREhMTISExczUf/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEAf/EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECABEDMUH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMlb+H0pzRi5tq6T7jtmlGzXk6tgzQjgU0jV8WRvy+pwuWWTx5zf1q/OzE7goAOQKko4szED2dRUoSLuFq+qifHZW5jGjP/Z"},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1675331415-flysafairchat2pay2.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"FlySafair customers can now make faster, secure and more convenient payments to the airline via their mobile phones"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., February 2, 2023 "},{"type":"span","value":" – "},{"url":"http://www.clickatell.com","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the Chat Commerce and mobile messaging leader, today announced that they have gone live with its Chat 2 Pay feature with "},{"url":"https://www.flysafair.co.za","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"FlySafair,"}]},{"type":"span","value":" South Africa’s leading low-cost airline. FlySafair is the first airline in the world to deploy Chat 2 Pay with a pay-by-link capability that allows its customers the convenience of effortless mobile payments via FlySafair’s WhatsApp channel. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are always looking for ways to improve our customer experience and are therefore very excited that our customers can now pay for their luggage with a payment link shared to their mobile phones via WhatsApp. There is no need any more for our customers to go stand in a queue at the airport to pay for luggage,” explained Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"FlySafair customers can access the WhatsApp service by sending “Hi” to the FlySafair business account on +27 87 357 0030.  Once in the WhatsApp channel customers can select “My Booking” and then “Buy a Bag” and follow the prompts on the secure payment link to make a purchase on WhatsApp. Customers can also scan a QR code at the check-in counters to receive the secure payment link.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"FlySafair, recognized by "},{"url":"https://www.flysafair.co.za/about-us/accolades","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"TripAdvisor"}]},{"type":"span","value":" as one of the world’s top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines worldwide, is bucking the trend of airlines using mobile apps to address consumers’ needs by using WhatsApp as a convenient, instantaneous and optimal customer service and transaction channel for its customers. By adding Chat 2 Pay, FlySafair helps its customers to save time and safely make payments further by clicking on the Chat 2 Pay link delivered in a message in WhatsApp without requiring them to expose their personal payment information to a call center agent or by reading the payment card details out over the phone."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Interacting and transacting with airlines using mobile messaging has already been welcomed by travelers. Clickatell’s latest "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/travelers-embrace-mobile-messaging-and-payments/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report: Travel Edition 2022"}]},{"type":"span","value":", found that 89% of consumers would like to use mobile messaging to interact with airlines and 77% said they are willing to use a mobile payment link with travel brands. Commerce within mobile messaging is becoming the preferred way for consumers to transact, accounting for "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/568684/e-commerce-website-visit-and-orders-by-device/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"71%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" of retail traffic and generating "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/568684/e-commerce-website-visit-and-orders-by-device/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"61%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" of online shopping orders. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are thrilled to work with FlySafair to transform its customers’ experience by making it possible to make payments using their mobile phones. No one has time to stand in queues anymore, and almost every adult on the planet has a mobile phone. There is a major opportunity for airlines across the globe to enhance their customers’ travel experience by making it possible to browse, book and pay for, as well as manage their travel bookings on their mobile phones,” said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"About a year ago FlySafair expanded its customer service by offering the popular WhatsApp channel through the Clickatell Platform. The FlySafair WhatsApp channel hosts key information about customer bookings, flight status, general flight information, an option to check-in and receive boarding passes on WhatsApp, the option to chat with a live agent and now the option to make payments for extra products and services. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Our goal is to offer all the functionality currently available on our website via the WhatsApp channel, making end-to-end booking and reservation management as easy as possible,” added Gordon. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Chat 2 Pay, please visit Clickatell’s product page "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0Xfd4h0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is the global Chat Commerce leader powering businesses to connect, interact and transact with consumers anytime, anywhere in chat. The low / no-code, feature-rich Chat Commerce Platform sits at the intersection of communications (CPaaS, CCaaS) and commerce (digital payments). Clickatell serves over 10,000 customers, including Fortune 50 brands. Clickatell is headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA, and has offices in Canada, South Africa and Nigeria. Learn more at "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":".    "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About FlySafair"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"FlySafair is a low-cost carrier operating in Southern Africa. Flights are available between OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London, Durban Bloemfontein from just R599. In March 2022, FlySafair launched flights between OR Tambo and Mauritius, its first regional destination. The airline was awarded Aviation Company of the Year at the 2019 South African Civil Aviation Authority awards along with Aircraft Operator of the Year, Aviation Customer Services, Aviation Security, and Aviation Maintenance Organisation. The airline also received top honours from the Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2021 for being the most on-time airline in the Middle East and Africa in 2021. FlySafair has also been named Best Airline Africa and Indian Ocean in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice™ awards for Airlines in 2018, 2019 and 2020. FlySafair began operations in October 2014 and is ranked South Africa’s most on-time airline, while proudly being the Trusted Domestic Carrier for the Springboks. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"1.\tClickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +1415-846-1543"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2.\tClickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"url":"mailto:nadia.louw@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"nadia.louw@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +2721-036-1958"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-144299995","slug":"next-big-channel-for-digital-commerce","title":"Clickatell Predicts Mobile Messaging to be the Next Big Channel for Digital Commerce in 2023","internalName":"Clickatell Predicts Mobile Messaging to be the Next Big Channel for Digital Commerce in 2023","publishDate":"2022-12-14","seo":{"description":"Clickatell predicts mobile messaging to become the leading channel for digital commerce in 2023. Explore the potential and opportunities of this emerging trend in the world of chat commerce.","title":"Clickatell Forecasts Mobile Messaging as the Future of Digital Commerce in 2023","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1671007023-predictionspiece_2023_pr_banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1671007023-predictionspiece_2023_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1671007023-predictionspiece_2023_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1671007023-predictionspiece_2023_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1671007023-predictionspiece_2023_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCgoLDhgVDhYNDh0dFRUQFx0gGCIVFhUmKysjGh0oHSEiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDscIigvOzs7Ozs7NS87Oy87Oy87Ly87Ly8vLzUvLzsvLy8vNS8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAWAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFAQb/xAAeEAABBAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIDBAUREiORFP/EABcBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEBQH/xAAbEQACAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwARAjFRIf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AIjnjEZDyArja1KzM48xtA5V7mwu4uIR+Bnl+s9jvVazRR3EXjMe3NDeq16906cFUNkpZDaO3lVYFnsEGMrc//9k="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1671007023-predictionspiece_2023_pr_banner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Strategic mobile messaging in CX will help brands accelerate business growth in 2023 and beyond"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, CA, Dec. 14, 2022 –"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a Chat Commerce and business messaging leader, conducted research on customer service trends and preferences for travel and retail and identified that brands that personalize both their digital and in-person commerce experiences can generate more meaningful and lasting customer relationships. In 2023 mobile messaging will emerge as the ideal channel to create these holistic commerce experiences for consumers as well as to accelerate business demand and grow revenue, according to Clickatell’s leaders. This and the five additional mobile messaging trends are likely to be the most relevant priorities in 2023 to help brands build and maintain consumer loyalty."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"1. Chat Commerce is the next wave of digital commerce"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"“"},{"type":"span","value":"The next wave of digital commerce will strongly emerge in 2023. Shopping digitally, whether on the web or on a mobile device, is now widely adopted by consumers. But strong demand by consumers for even more convenient shopping will make 2023 the tipping point for Chat Commerce, with more consumers engaging with their favorite brands within the messaging apps they use every day, such as SMS, Apple Messages and WhatsApp. In 2023, the commerce experience within messaging apps will evolve to be more functional, with experiences that rival that of other mobile apps,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder at Clickatell. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2. Convenience adds a critical layer of satisfaction for consumers"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Brands add a layer of convenience by offering a real-time mobile option for consumers to receive order updates, new offers, and the ability to simply shop and transact through the messaging channels they already use daily, rather than shopping at a separate digital destination such as a website or mobile app. According to Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Trends Report: Retail Edition, "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/infographic/retail/chat-commerce-trends-report-retail-infographic","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"51%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" of consumers want access to special offers via mobile messaging and "},{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1667986121-clickatell_chat-commerce-trends-report_retail-edition_infographic.pdf","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"46%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" of consumers want to receive personalized promotions for things like last-minute deals. Retailers need to be meeting consumer expectations and that points to messaging commerce,” said Jennifer Shambroom, CMO at Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"3. Providing customer service exclusively online is a smart move"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“With increasing costs and labor shortages, brands are looking for ways to simplify and consolidate, and leveraging mobile messaging with chatbots and the convenience of asynchronous communication with customers is a good decision. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to view messaging as a preferred communication channel."},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/executives-recognize-chat-strengths/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Our Chat Commerce Trends Report: CX Edition"}]},{"type":"span","value":" revealed 99% of customer service executives recognize the benefits of using chat with customers to bolster customer experience and drive revenue and growth for their businesses. Further, with rising expectations of customer service departments to generate sales revenue, mobile messaging provides a seamless and secure venue for transactions that allows representatives to support customers along their entire path to purchase, while also encouraging the opportunity for increased sales,” said De Villiers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"4. Consumers want to use mobile messaging to make payments"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Commerce within mobile messaging is becoming the preferred way for consumers to shop, accounting for "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/568684/e-commerce-website-visit-and-orders-by-device/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"71% "}]},{"type":"span","value":"of retail traffic and generating "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/568684/e-commerce-website-visit-and-orders-by-device/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"61%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" of online shopping orders. In 2023, brands will need to double down on mobile, and mobile messaging channels are the place to focus. Consumers want to use mobile messaging with a retail company if it is as convenient as chatting with a friend,” said De Villiers. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"5.  Mobile messaging apps are the new super app"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Consumers live on their mobile phones, especially in mobile messaging apps. As consumer behavior continues to trend toward engaging with brands within messaging apps, the need for a business to invest in a custom mobile app will become less viable. Mobile messaging apps will become the Super App in 2023 and beyond, going beyond linear message threads to deliver the full range of commerce experiences, allowing consumers to receive special offers, make immediate purchases, coordinate item drop-off and pick-up, and contact customer service, delivering satisfying, personalized experiences across the entire customer lifecycle,” said Shambroom."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-144190481","slug":"clickatell-launches-chat-commerce-solutions-for-travel-industry","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat Commerce Solutions for Travel Industry ","internalName":"Clickatell Launches Chat Commerce Solutions for Travel Industry ","publishDate":"2022-12-07","seo":{"description":"Clickatell's new Chat Commerce Solutions are revolutionizing the travel industry. 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Added benefits of the Platform include reduced costs for businesses to conduct chat conversations and engagement in real-time or any time communications. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline","strong"],"value":"Always On Digital Contact Center"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vdb4h0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Chat Desk"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":","},{"type":"span","value":" a digital contact center solution and part of Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform, gives travelers access to flight details, booking options, cancellations, upgrades and more at their fingertips via SMS, WhatsApp and Apple Messages.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Desk integrates tightly with Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9-T0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Chat Flow"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a drag-and-drop conversation workflow builder, enabling businesses to visually create, edit and manage communication and business process workflows across multiple channels with little to no code. Consumers can connect with travel brands through the Chat Flow automated chat, before being escalated to a live agent through Chat Desk if necessary.   "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Desk consists of three parts: Agent Desk, Supervisor Desk and Real-Time Dashboard: "}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Agent Desk"},{"type":"span","value":" enables customer service agents to manage multiple customer conversations across SMS, WhatsApp and Apple Messages in a unified inbox. Agents may transfer inquiries to different departments and other agents; easily retrieve chats, history and notes with search and filter functionality; provide 2-way multimedia support (PDF, Microsoft docs, images, videos, voice notes, location sharing); create pre-populated responses for agents to send to customers driving consistent customer experience and agent efficiency​; and gain insight to customer sentiment through their remarks in the chat. "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Supervisor Desk "},{"type":"span","value":"gives supervisors the ability to route tickets to the right department or specialist agent​s; manage agents’ workloads and performances​; effectively manage customer escalations and agent productivity​; and deliver the best customer experience with supervisor oversight. "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Real-Time Dashboard "},{"type":"span","value":"provides supervisors a view of agent performance, customer sentiment​ and CSAT and NPS scores through customer surveys; the ability to​ categorize and tag customer inquiries driving opportunities for automation; and the ability to send auto response messages outside of business hours and when agents are busy, as well as customer greetings and goodbyes. "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline","strong"],"value":"Innovative Payment Option"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9PL0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Chat 2 Pay"}]},{"type":"span","value":" new seamless integration into Chat Desk gives travel brands the ability to securely offer and accept payments in business messages. Travelers receive a payment link and effortlessly complete the payment through a checkout page on their mobile phones. The functionality is so easy brands simply switch it on and manage this new capability.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Traveling has become such a different experience in the post-pandemic world, and nothing is more frustrating than an inconvenient customer service experience,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder at Clickatell. “By reaching your customer where they already are in messaging channels, rather than making them download or maintain a mobile app, travelers can instantly connect with your company and get support through their chat app of choice. Especially in the travel industry, a personalized and frictionless customer service and engagement strategy is important - if not more important - than the sale itself.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Considering "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9Hb0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"87%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" of consumers prefer to use mobile messaging to communicate with travel companies especially on the day of their travel, according to our "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9H40","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report on Travel,"}]},{"type":"span","value":" travel brands providing personal and timely communications in SMS and popular chat apps will help their customers get the most out of their trips and drive satisfaction,” added de Villiers. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Learn more about Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9vz0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":", Chat Desk "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vdb4h0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":", Chat Flow "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9-T0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and Chat 2 Pay "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q01vd9PL0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-143390026","slug":"opportunity-for-retailers-to-drive-commerce-via-mobile","title":"Clickatell Research Finds Opportunity for Retailers to Drive Commerce Experience via Mobile Messaging","internalName":"Clickatell Research Finds Opportunity for Retailers to Drive Commerce Experience via Mobile Messaging","publishDate":"2022-11-09","seo":{"description":"Unlock the potential of mobile messaging in driving commerce experience for retailers, as revealed by Clickatell's latest research. Explore the opportunities and strategies for leveraging this powerful channel in enhancing customer engagement and driving sales.","title":"Retailers Can Enhance Commerce Experience with Mobile Messaging | Clickatell","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1668002835-cctr_retail_infographic_2022_pr_banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1668002835-cctr_retail_infographic_2022_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1668002835-cctr_retail_infographic_2022_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1668002835-cctr_retail_infographic_2022_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1668002835-cctr_retail_infographic_2022_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLChULDhgQFxUVDh0VDRURGh8ZHRYfFhUaHysjGh0oHSEiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDsoIig7Oy87Ozs7Ozs7Ozs1Ozs7OzsvLzsvLy8vLzsvOy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy87LzsvL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAZAAABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAAIDBAf/xAAhEAABAwMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAEDBREhBAYxMhUiI//EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFAv/EABoRAQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMEQTH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AAekQQzxPcmUHiYCqFmJuVVohk0ZWJ0/TSG9VH2fsqOMAhNi97vs0Oh7e+YuOcJIk2pnThfOElpyMGa49n//2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1668002835-cctr_retail_infographic_2022_pr_banner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960559","name":"Retail"},"secondaryCategories":[{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce","slug":"chat-commerce"}],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell’s latest Chat Commerce Trends Report found 86% of shoppers are interested in a personalized messaging experience"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif, November 9, 2022 –"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/?utm_campaign=2022Q4_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report_Retail&utm_source=Website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2022Q4_CCTR_Retail_Home%20Page_Press%20Release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the Chat Commerce and business messaging leader, today announced the results of its latest "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report: Retail Edition"},{"type":"span","value":", which reveals new findings about how today’s consumers prefer to communicate and make purchases with retail companies through mobile and chat messaging conversations. The report, which fielded responses from over 1,000 participants, found that 95% of customers now make retail purchases on their smartphones and 78% of consumers want to use mobile messaging with retail companies for convenience. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To better understand how consumers communicate with retail brands, Clickatell’s new research found considerable interest in personalized and convenient commerce experiences through mobile messaging conversations. As global retailers head into the holiday season and shift strategies to handle changing consumer shopping habits, brands are examining how rich, mobile-first commerce experiences can help attract customer loyalty. The "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report: Retail Edition "},{"type":"span","value":"found that 69% of participants want to receive order updates via mobile message, 52% would like to use mobile messaging to track loyalty benefits or inquire about loyalty programs and 47% would like to use mobile messaging to connect with a customer service agent. Younger generations have the highest interest in using mobile messaging with a retail brand, specifically 92% of Gen Z and 95% of Millennials."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The report also highlights a distinct opportunity to offer personalized deals and promotions through mobile channels, as consumers continue to grow cautious of high costs during this upcoming holiday season. In fact, 51% of consumers want access to special offers via mobile messaging and 81% of consumers are more likely to purchase an item that is promoted through an SMS link than through an email. Brands have the opportunity to allow consumers to browse, shop, access personalized deals and track orders all on their mobile devices through a value-rich, mobile-first commerce experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Additional key findings include:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Younger generations are mobile-first:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"77% of Millennials and Gen Z want to be able to track a delivery through personalized mobile     messaging"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" 86% of consumers are interested in a personalized experience with a retail company, especially millennials (92%) and Gen Z (90%)"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Consumers are eager to track packages and orders:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"48% of consumers want to receive shipping and order updates via mobile messaging, which is higher than the desire to receive personalized promotions (13%), information about a product (10%) or connect with a live agent (10%). "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Three-quarters (75%) of consumers want to track a delivery through a personalized mobile messaging link and 69% of consumers would like to receive order updates via mobile messaging channels."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"High demand for loyalty programs and deals via mobile:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"51% of consumers want access to special offers via personalized mobile messaging and 46% of consumers want to receive personalized promotions for things like last-minute deals or alerts when new offerings or products become available"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"52% of consumers would like the ability to track and redeem loyalty benefits or ask about loyalty programs through mobile channels"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Mobile payment options are on the rise:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Consumers are most likely to enter credit card details (61%) or use PayPal (57%) to make a retail purchase on their smartphone. Apple Pay is also increasingly popular (23% prefer this method)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The majority of consumers (95%) make retail purchases on their smartphone"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"27% would make a payment via a secure payments link"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The results indicate an opportunity for retail companies to engage with consumers this holiday season through their preferred messaging channels, considering a majority of consumers want to communicate with brands across the entire shopping lifecycle,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder of Clickatell. “For retail brands, the next wave of commerce is building relationships with consumers in the same way they communicate with friends or family every day: on their mobile phones. At Clickatell, we’re enabling retail brands to enhance and personalize customer engagement through mobile channels to create this rich commerce experience.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The full digital "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report – Retail Edition"},{"type":"span","value":" is available "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/infographic/retail/chat-commerce-trends-report-retail-infographic/?utm_campaign=2022Q4_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report_Retail&utm_source=Website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2022Q4_CCTR_Retail_Infographic_Press%20Release","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". If you are interested in learning more about how Clickatell is enabling some of the world’s largest retail brands to deliver personalized mobile messaging, please visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/solutions/retail/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.clickatell.com/solutions/retail/"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-142950484","slug":"chat-commerce-can-shift-financial-inclusion","title":"Banker and Regulator Agree Chat Commerce Can Radically Shift Financial Inclusion in Nigeria  ","internalName":"Banker and Regulator Agree Chat Commerce Can Radically Shift Financial Inclusion in Nigeria  ","publishDate":"2022-10-26","seo":{"description":"Explore how a prominent banker and regulator concur on the transformative potential of chat commerce in revolutionizing financial inclusion in Nigeria. Discover the insights and perspectives on how this innovative approach can bridge the gap and empower underserved communities.","title":"Banker and Regulator: Chat Commerce Can Transform Financial Inclusion in Nigeria | Clickatell","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1666777523-cit_lagos_pr_banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1666777523-cit_lagos_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1666777523-cit_lagos_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1666777523-cit_lagos_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1666777523-cit_lagos_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLEw0TDhQODQoQDhENDg0YFxgZGCITIhUaHysjGh0oHRUiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OERAQHDscIig7OzsvLy8vLy8vLy87Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBQACB//EAB8QAAICAgEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMEEzIREiEiMf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMF/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECA//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AzgYtRbyYxrwcfST3CI3dg30whbX1cjK9pg6UXOLTvPRpIFW7bT7GSCCf/9k="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1666777523-cit_lagos_pr_banner.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Consensus from both Ecobank and CBN guest panelists at Clickatell’s annual event underscores      Chat Commerce holds huge potential to drive both inclusivity and revenue opportunities"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lagos, Nigeria, 26 October 2022"},{"type":"span","value":", – "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the Chat Commerce and business messaging leader, discussed with attendees at Clickatell’s Connect Interact and Transact (CIT) annual event earlier this month how they could drive financial inclusion and reach their revenue goals by adopting Chat Commerce. The event took place at the Radisson Blu, Anchorage in Lagos with industry experts from Clickatell, Ecobank and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sharing insight and tips with an audience of business and technology leaders.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Werner Lindemann, Clickatell’s Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales, Growth Markets, kicked off by pointing out how global brands, like Amazon and Uber, have built their entire business model on convenience commerce – where businesses find ways to deliver services and products to their customers wherever they are and at a time that works for them."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lindemann went on to share that the best way to reach customers where they are is on their phone. However, he said apps have a very limited shelf life, saying the average customer regularly uses just five apps on their phone. He advised instead of focusing on building apps, brands should be looking to leverage the power of chat, especially since WhatsApp is the "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176101/leading-social-media-platforms-nigeria/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"most used "}]},{"type":"span","value":"social media platform in Nigeria. What’s more, when combined with USSD, companies will be able to reach almost every person in the country. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The power of Chat Commerce is especially relevant for the Nigerian banking industry and Lindemann shared that banks can now onboard new clients and conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) standards using chat, meaning banks can serve customers anywhere in the country, in real time."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lindemann shared other use cases where Clickatell had radically changed how Southern African businesses engaged with their customers, these included:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"How a national retailer was able to cut their broadsheet print production and distribution from 5 Dollars to just 3 cents"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"How that retailer now has a 40% to 70% engagement rate on their product specials using WhatsApp, compared to 3% on SMS"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"How a national retailer now uses WhatsApp to enable self-service for their loyalty programme and has eliminated more than 20 000 call centre calls per month to block or replace loyalty cards"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"How a national healthcare chain now allows customers to order and arrange collection of their chronic medication at their nearest outlet, no matter where they are in the country"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"How a Southern African low-cost airline allows travellers to check in and receive their boarding pass on the WhatsApp channel "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" An engaging panel discussion followed the keynote, introduced by Clickatell’s West Africa Managing Director, Samson Isa and facilitated by Uzo Nwani, Commercial Director of Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Opening the discussion, panelists highlighted how their organization had used technology to boost inclusivity. For CBN, this was achieved by its introduction of the eNaira digital currency. For Ecobank, its move to offer a WhatsApp channel allowed them to reach their customers more easily. And for Clickatell, it has been the company’s drive to help banks in Africa improve their reach by moving to the more ubiquitous chat channel. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“One out of three Nigerians are financially excluded. Therefore the work we have done with Clickatell on the eNaira USSD channel is so exciting. We are also looking to the eNaira to lower the costs of remittances as well as bring down the high costs of cash management. We believe the eNaira will drive inclusive growth and make the Central Bank, as an institution, much more effective in carrying out its mandate,” said Stephen Ambore, Assistant Director, CBN. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Osahon Akpata, Group Head of Consumer Payments at Ecobank shared the power of mobile with the audience. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Across 33 countries, Ecobank Group processed $5.1 billion through our mobile app in 2021 and we built an agency banking network of 110,000 agents, leveraging the ubiquity of mobile devices. While Chat Commerce is still in its infancy for us, we are scaling up the platform for better customer service. We have integrated artificial intelligence into our chatbot, Rafiki, to help solve customer queries quicker and seamlessly. We also have customers using the chat channel for transactions and we plan on expanding its use to product information as well. People are already on these chat platforms, and we aim to serve them with payments where they are,” he said."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Akpata went on to share that being able to generate QR codes on the WhatsApp channel, make transfers and buy airtime have all been met with great enthusiasm by Ecobank customers, adding that chat will be a key part of the bank's drive to reach its target of 100 million customers. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"CBN will also be looking to chat to connect with people in Nigeria further in the future."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “We are looking at chat to help us deliver financial literacy and boost inclusion. When it comes to innovation, chat, including USSD, can help us reach new customers and I am excited about the future opportunities, especially at the base of the pyramid,” said Ambore."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lindemann wrapped up the proceedings by saying: “We've just kicked off a project with a major bank with around 15 million active customers, and we will be building them a chat banking wallet in just six weeks. In my opinion, chat is allowing us to fast-forward innovation for enterprises. I believe every enterprise has a responsibility to deploy products that have a real impact on their customer and society, and to see this happen in six weeks is testament to the power of chat.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information on how Chat Commerce will help your business connect, interact and transact with your customers visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"clickatell.com."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-141745653","slug":"travelers-embrace-mobile-messaging-and-payments","title":"Clickatell Research Finds U.S. Travelers Embrace Mobile Messaging and Payments with Travel Brands","internalName":"Clickatell Research Finds U.S. Travelers Embrace Mobile Messaging and Payments with Travel Brands","publishDate":"2022-10-04","seo":{"description":"Travel brands are capturing the attention of U.S. travellers by embracing mobile messaging and payments. Explore the growing trend of mobile engagement in the travel industry and the benefits it brings in enhancing customer experiences, convenience, and satisfaction.","title":"U.S. Travelers Embrace Mobile Messaging and Payments with Travel Brands | Clickatell","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1664886595-traveltrendreport_q3_2022_pr_banner_1-6.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1664886595-traveltrendreport_q3_2022_pr_banner_1-6.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1664886595-traveltrendreport_q3_2022_pr_banner_1-6.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1664886595-traveltrendreport_q3_2022_pr_banner_1-6.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1664886595-traveltrendreport_q3_2022_pr_banner_1-6.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoRCAgLEgoRDgwNDg0ODhYNDhENFxQZGBYTFhUdHysjGh0oHRUiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDsoHRw7Ly81Oy81Ly8vLy8vOy8vLy8vLzUvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAECBv/EAB4QAAEEAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAQIEITITFDEF/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQP/xAAbEQABBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAEDEQQSIf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Aylb5IZ2NlUtEIbvqKU5c+zpW3OXf2dJyE1o3HfYepgkojPh1KQNJ+ZsoVRJqUJIBcl//2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1664886595-traveltrendreport_q3_2022_pr_banner_1-6.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960604","name":"Travel"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell’s latest Chat Commerce Trends Report found 95% of consumers desire a personalized experience in chat for booking updates, especially for flight delays, late check-ins and upgrades"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif, October 4, 2022 – "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/?utm_campaign=2022Q4_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report_Travel&utm_source=Website&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_content=2022Q4_CCTR%20Travel_Home%20Page_press%20release","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, today revealed the results of its latest "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report: Travel Edition"},{"type":"span","value":", which uncovers new insights about how today’s consumers want to communicate and make purchases with hotels, airlines and rental car companies in mobile messaging conversations. The survey, which fielded responses from over 1,000 participants, found 87% of consumers prefer to use mobile messaging to communicate with travel companies."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To deeply understand how consumers communicate with travel brands, Clickatell’s new research found widespread demand for personal and convenient customer experiences through messaging conversations, such as 92% of participants would like to use mobile messaging to interact with hotels, 89% would like to use mobile messaging to interact with airlines, and 85% would like to use mobile messaging to interact with rental car companies. Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X also all place mobile messaging as their top method of communication with travel brands, showcasing that younger generations are the most inclined to interact with brands via mobile."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The report also highlights that travel companies are missing out on a unique application of the mobile messaging experience: payments. In fact, 73% of consumers indicated that they have never made a purchase via an SMS payment link. However, with 77% of consumers saying they’re willing to use a mobile payment link with travel brands, there is a major opportunity for airlines, hotels and rental car companies to enhance the travel experience and allow consumers to browse, purchase and track their travel plans all on their mobile phones. 81% of consumers would likely make a purchase via a payment link with any type of travel company, with hotel reservations topping the list (58%). "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Additional key findings include:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Airlines:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"48% want mobile communications from travel companies at the time of booking, and 63% said within 24 hours."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Consumers would most like to receive a message on the day of their trip with important information, with 60% of consumers wanting to receive a notification of any last-minute changes to their flight itinerary."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"48% of consumers would like to book a flight reservation with an airline via mobile messaging."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Hotels:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Consumers would prefer to use mobile messaging with hotels (92%) vs. airlines (89%)."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For hotels, receiving a mobile message that your room is ready and requesting early or late check-in is the highest preference among consumers (58% want a notification that their room is ready and 41% want to be notified to upgrade their room)."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Hotel reservations and room upgrades are the highest preference for using a chat payment link - 58% would like to book a reservation, 47% want to upgrade their room."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Rental cars:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"54% of consumers would like to receive a message on the day of their trip with important car rental information, and 50% of consumers want to receive a notification of any last-minute changes."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Payments:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"71% of consumers indicated that they are more willing to make a purchase with a travel company through a payment link only after chatting with a live agent or automated bot."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"General travel:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"27% prefer mobile messaging to communicate with a travel company (the highest of any category), while only 8% prefer to communicate with a travel company on website chat."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"48% of consumers would expect mobile messages to begin at the time of booking, 63% would expect mobile messages to begin 24 hours before their trip."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"80% of consumers say it is more convenient to use a travel desk via mobile messaging compared to other channels."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"iPhone users are more compelled to use mobile messaging with travel companies compared to Android users. "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“By enabling communications and purchases for their customers in chat, Clickatell has opened the doors to convenience and personalization across travel brands,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and co-founder of Clickatell. “The data shows that there is an opportunity for travel brands to deliver services to their customers easily and conveniently via mobile messaging, which consumers desire and demand. Perhaps now more than ever, consumer loyalty is up for grabs and travel brands need to capitalize on every touchpoint.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To view the Chat Commerce Trends Report: Travel Edition 2022 infographic, "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/infographic/chat-commerce/chat-commerce-trends-report-travel-edition-2022/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and for the full report see "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/whitepapers/travel/chat-commerce-trends-report-travel-edition-2022/?utm_campaign=2022Q4_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report_Travel&utm_source=website&utm_medium=Infographic%20Landing%20Page&utm_content=2022Q4_CCTR%20Travel_White%20Paper_Infographic%20Landing%20Page","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". If you are interested in learning more about how Clickatell is enabling some of the world's largest travel brands to deliver personalized mobile messaging, please visit "},{"url":"https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3667030-1&h=662418210&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clickatell.com%2Fsolutions%2Ftravel%2F&a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clickatell.com%2Fsolutions%2Ftravel%2F","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"title","value":"https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3667030-1&h=662418210&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clickatell.com%2Fsolutions%2Ftravel%2F&a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clickatell.com%2Fsolutions%2Ftravel%2F"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"https://www.clickatell.com/solutions/travel/"}]},{"type":"span","value":". "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-141461725","slug":"cit-reveals-chat-commerce-convenience","title":"Clickatell’s CIT Joburg Event Reveals How Chat Commerce is Kicking Off a Convenience Revolution ","internalName":"Clickatell’s CIT Joburg Event Reveals How Chat Commerce is Kicking Off a Convenience Revolution ","publishDate":"2022-09-23","seo":{"description":"Explore the transformative power of Chat Commerce as revealed by Clickatell's CIT Joburg event. Discover how Chat Commerce is driving a convenience revolution, revolutionizing customer interactions and enhancing the overall experience.","title":"Chat Commerce is Kicking Off a Convenience Revolution","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663930803-cit_jhb_pr_banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663930803-cit_jhb_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663930803-cit_jhb_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663930803-cit_jhb_pr_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663930803-cit_jhb_pr_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCgoXDhgQFRkNDhMVDQ4VFxwjHRYfIhUdKzcjGikoKRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDscGig7Ozs7Ly87Ly81Oy87Oy87Ly8vLy81Ly8vLy8vLy8vNS8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vNf/AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAZAAABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFAAIEBgf/xAAgEAACAgIBBQEAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBCEREhMUIjIF/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/xAAaEQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBBEh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDO7KKbs8BmhVvy8VU6gw54lXtdhm/RhJbrCB7mVLWBhGsKHYj+742UQm4pGTeRvcUJyNTPsAn/2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663930803-cit_jhb_pr_banner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"WhatsApp, Dis-Chem, FlySafair highlight South Africa as setting the pace for Chat Commerce globally "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Johannesburg, South Africa, September 23, 2022"},{"type":"span","value":" – "},{"url":"http://www.clickatell.com","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, discussed with attendees at its Connect Interact and Transact (CIT) annual Joburg event on Tuesday the new era of Chat Commerce and how businesses  can lay the groundwork for a completely new way of serving customers. Big name local brands also gave real-world insight into how they are turning their chat channels into robust, personal customer experiences at scale and generating new revenue streams.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Titled “Turning Conversations into Commerce”, the event was attended by an impressive list of business and technology leaders from across the continent and was moderated by Werner Lindemann, ​​Clickatell’s Senior Vice President Enterprise Sales: Growth Markets."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Guest speaker, Bronwyn Williams, futurist, economist, and business trends analyst, shared a fascinating look into the future of technology and the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Williams pointed out that through the use of rapidly evolving AI and other technologies, chat is becoming increasingly intuitive. However, she noted that while the aim of the new technology was to make chatbots almost indistinguishable from humans, “any effective anticipatory communications with customers must happen in real-time and, most importantly, where they are and in a way that feels natural and not disruptive.” She summed up her presentation urging business leaders to carefully consider how they automate to optimise cost savings, while still maintaining a sustainable, human connection with their customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Building on these insights, Pieter de Villiers, Co-Founder and CEO at Clickatell, took a closer look at what happens when brands engage with their customers where they are, building on ‘the convenience revolution’, first put forward by Shep Hyken.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" De Villiers opened by challenging the audience to question the real value of time and how their customers weighed up the value of convenience. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“As anyone in retail will tell you, location, location, location is everything. And, with chat now having almost twice the number of active users than the internet, there can be no better place than the address book of your customers– the most valuable location of all,” de Villiers said."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers pointed out that the features from mega platforms, Meta and WhatsApp, would take Chat Commerce to a whole new level, saying that soon there would be nothing that could be done on the internet that couldn’t be done on chat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Convenience is not difficult to achieve. If you meet your customers where they are, not only can you build a closer, more authentic engagement with them, but you're giving them back the one thing that we all crave, time,” he shared."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A robust panel debate followed, allowing Clickatell clients and partners to share their experiences and learnings with the audience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Looking at the value of chat, Daniela Birnbaum, Channel Partner Manager at WhatsApp EMEA, sang the praises of local brands who she said are leading the charge when it comes to building a strong WhatsApp channel. She also noted that South Africa is ahead of many other EMEA regions when it comes to chat adoption. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gareth Bray, BD & Partnerships Lead EMEA – Business Messaging Group for Meta, went on to share that the rapid advancement in features had catapulted WhatsApp from a simple text channel to a customer engagement platform where brands can very effectively create personal relationships with their customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"It is this ability to personalise communication that has allowed local airline, FlySafair to take its digital offering to the next level."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“It doesn’t matter where I made my booking, when I type ‘Hi’ in the WhatsApp channel it will immediately be able to access my booking. We have been particularly excited about how fast we can roll out new features on the channel and being able to reduce the call centre engagement has massively benefited the customers and our business,” explained Eswee Vorster, Executive Manager and CIO at FlySafair."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Turning to how local retail brands had adopted chat, Lynne Blignaut, Head of Loyalty and Customer Rewards at Dis-Chem shared that enabling customers to order chronic prescription medication over WhatsApp has been a game changer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Typically we only see 50% of people actually adhere to their chronic medication for a maximum of six months of the year. Being able to reach more people and ensure they adhere to their chronic medication and stay healthy, by expanding the platforms that they can use to order their medication without standing in a queue is a big leap forward. Of course, adding a payment option to this will make a big impact on the overall customer journey, and we are really looking forward to seeing this happen,” she shared. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers summed up the conversation saying: “WhatsApp is pervasive and safe. We see adding embedded payments as the logical next step and we have no doubt that this will be the one transformative thing that will keep customers engaged and a bold step into the convenience revolution.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The night culminated with the presentation of three Chat Commerce awards. The first went to FlySafair, who are now running all their day of operation messages on WhatsApp. The second went to aYo Holdings, which uses WhatsApp to onboard its more than 12 million microinsurance clients. Finally, the Chat Commerce Innovator of the Year was awarded to Imperial Logistics, for its use of chat platforms in a B2B environment.    "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Wrapping up Lindemann said: “The chat industry is currently valued at around eighty billion dollars and it's no surprise that brands want to use this as a catalyst for their digital transformation. The continued advances made by WhatsApp provide the ideal platform for our clients to turn their imagination into reality and we expect many more ground-breaking use cases to emerge over the next 12 months.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-141176400","slug":"clickatell-helps-nigerians-access-enaira-services","title":"Clickatell Helps Nigerians Access eNaira Services, Boosting Financial Inclusion","internalName":"Clickatell Helps Nigerians Access eNaira Services, Boosting Financial Inclusion","publishDate":"2022-09-19","seo":{"description":"Clickatell has partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria to help Nigerians access eNaira services, boosting financial inclusion.","title":"eNaira Service Access for Nigerians | Clickatell","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663583585-cbn_marketingcollaboration_banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663583585-cbn_marketingcollaboration_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663583585-cbn_marketingcollaboration_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663583585-cbn_marketingcollaboration_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663583585-cbn_marketingcollaboration_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoTCAgLCgoOFRMVDQ0NDhgTFQ0MFx8dHSITFhUaHysjJh0oHRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OFRAQHDsoIh0vLy8vLy87Oy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBQADB//EAB8QAAICAgEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMEMiEFERIikf/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFAv/EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACARJRA//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AzrFx6rB7GEnpuL47j7FFLsE4Yyt7re+5lXqraFhYDMnDpTVpIuexyOWMkNVtNwp//9k="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":"eNaira Service Access for Nigerians","url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1663583585-cbn_marketingcollaboration_banner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Nigerians can now access cashless services over the USSD channel"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"Lagos, Nigeria, September 19, 2022 — "},{"url":"http://www.clickatell.com","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, has partnered with the "},{"url":"https://www.cbn.gov.ng/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Central Bank of Nigeria"}]},{"type":"span","value":" (CBN) to deliver fast, simple, and cost effective eNaira banking services to all Nigerians using the USSD channel, eliminating the need for data and available on all handsets."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell has collaborated with the CBN to launch a USSD channel for its "},{"url":"https://www.enaira.gov.ng/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"eNaira Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)"}]},{"type":"span","value":" as part of the country’s drive to make basic banking accessible to all Nigerians, ultimately driving financial inclusion."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" The eNaira was launched in October 2021 when the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, said Africa’s first central bank-backed digital currency would help boost remittances, foster cross-border trade, and help his government make welfare payments more easily. With financial inclusion at the heart of the eNaira goals, President Buhari also said that he believed the CBDC would increase GDP in the country by $29 billion over the next 10 years."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “Introducing the USSD short code allows non-banked Nigerians, many of whom do not have smartphones, to access cashless banking services and is a big win for the stated goals of delivering meaningful financial inclusion. Clickatell’s role in making this a reality has been one of the most important achievements of our engagements in Nigeria,” comments Uzo Nwani, Clickatell Commercial Director, West Africa."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" The new USSD channel allows Nigerians using the *997# short code to create their eNaira wallet. Once this is done, they can easily check balances and transfer funds, as well as safely buy airtime or data for themselves or friends and family. Safeguarding their wallets is also easy on the channel and users can check and update their information, change and reset their pin, or even block the wallet if necessary."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “The USSD channel is a vital part of our journey towards realizing our financial inclusion vision. We see the eNaira as a leap forward in the evolution of money. Thus, CBN is working with partners who are committed to taking advantage of this new technology for continuous innovation towards delivering exciting new features,” comments the CBN Deputy Governor Economic Policy, Dr. Kingsley Obiora."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Unstructured Supplementary Service Data or USSD, is a communications protocol that is supported by 99% of GSM handsets. It remains particularly relevant in developing communities where it is used to provide services at a much lower cost and can be used without requiring access to the user’s SIM card."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Despite the rapid growth of smartphones, the "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/467187/forecast-of-smartphone-users-in-nigeria/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"majority of Nigerians"}]},{"type":"span","value":" are currently using feature phones, making an excellent case for the USSD offering. The CBN is counting on the new channel making rapid inroads towards getting most of the 30% of unbanked Nigerians into the formal banking system.     "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As part of its efforts, the CBN is working hard to boost awareness and education around the new digital currency and has offered an incentive of 200eNGN airtime for the first 100,000 users to onboard using the eNaira USSD feature."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Looking ahead, Nwani says the Clickatell solution ideally positions the system for new and collaborative additions to help boost the eNaira services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “Our Chat Flow product provides a robust platform to support rapid innovation. Digital currencies provide measurable customer benefits including lower costs and a simple user experience and adding new innovative features over time will definitely attract more customers. There is no doubt that the CBN has set the benchmark when it comes to financial inclusion in Africa, and we look forward to being part of that journey,” Nwani says. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About eNaira"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"eNaira is a Central Bank of Nigeria-issued digital currency that provides a unique form of money denominated in Naira. eNaira serves as both a medium of exchange and a store of value, offering better payment prospects in retail transactions when compared to cash payments."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-121956245","slug":"clickatell-scoops-prestigious-nigerian-ict-award","title":"Clickatell Scoops Prestigious Nigerian ICT Award ","internalName":"Clickatell Scoops Prestigious Nigerian ICT Award ","publishDate":"2022-05-31","seo":{"description":"Clickatell recognized for its innovation and contribution to growth in the Nigerian ICT industry at glittering BoICT awards ceremony ","title":"Clickatell Scoops Prestigious Nigerian ICT Award ","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1654010434-microsoftteams-image-80.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1654010434-microsoftteams-image-80.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1654010434-microsoftteams-image-80.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1654010434-microsoftteams-image-80.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1654010434-microsoftteams-image-80.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCgoLDhgOFQ0NDiEVCxUNFxMZGCIVFhUaHysjGh0oHRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBANHDscFhw7NS8vLy87NS8vLy8vNS8vLy8vLy87Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwQFB//EABwQAAICAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMEISIREv/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFA//EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhAQIRA//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Az6lKyOjGDFxyCfoSsd2C6MQLbN9mV+mhJoxmZj1C0+NDIDsxc+kmCF03iqP/2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1654010434-microsoftteams-image-80.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960547","name":"News"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell recognized for its innovation and contribution to growth in the Nigerian ICT industry at glittering BoICT awards ceremony"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"NIGERIA, Lagos., May 30, 2022 – "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q015_r3-0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, was acknowledged by Nigeria Communications Week as their "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Communications Solutions Provider of the Year, "},{"type":"span","value":"as part of their 13th Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards, held on 28 May at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos Nigeria."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nigeria Communications Week"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a prominent local technology publication, held its annual awards, which recognizes top performers in Nigeria's ICT sector, in Lagos on the weekend. Clickatell was awarded the winner in the category Communications Solutions Provider of the Year for its Chat Commerce solution following a voting process that included business leaders, readers, as well as independent quality experts."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In a letter announcing the achievement, "},{"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-nwogbo-2b81105/?originalSubdomain=ng","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ken Nwogbo"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":", "},{"type":"span","value":"Editor In-Chief of Nigeria Communications Week said: “This is a testament to your talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry, and we are happy that Nigerians have recognized your hard work, sincerity and dedication towards the development of the ICT industry.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Speaking after the awards ceremony and annual BoICT lecture delivered by "},{"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6929197307926089728/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":","},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis","strong"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"of Digital Encode Limited"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":","},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsonisa/?originalSubdomain=ng","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Samson Isa"}]},{"type":"span","value":", Regional Managing Director: West Africa, gave context to the achievement and what it means for the company."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The annual BoICT event is widely regarded as the most prestigious in the ICT industry in Nigeria, and we are honored to be here tonight. Our team is also especially proud of being recognized for this award given the caliber of entrants this year. Having our Chat Commerce solution recognized for the difference it can make to businesses in Nigeria is particularly pleasing,” said Isa. “Clickatell has built its legacy based on its obsession with helping businesses deliver customer service that impacts their bottom line and improves the lives of their customers. We see Chat Commerce as playing a key part in driving financial inclusion for Nigerians and helping them access the services they are looking for quickly, simply and on the platforms they prefer to use.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Isa’s comments are supported by compelling "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176101/leading-social-media-platforms-nigeria/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"data."}]},{"type":"span","value":" In the third quarter of 2021, WhatsApp was the most popular social media platform in Nigeria with 92% of internet users making use of the chat platform. In addition, 71% of the country’s internet users make use of Meta’s chat app, Facebook Messenger. These numbers prove that chat is one of the most effective ways for businesses to reach a significant portion of the local population."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s Chat Commerce offering has already been deployed by many respected brands including Fidelity Bank, Union Bank, EcoBank and Stanbic Bank."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-121389726","slug":"dischem-chooses-clickatells-chat-commerce-platform-to-serve-millions","title":"Dis-Chem Chooses Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform to Serve Millions of Customers Over WhatsApp ","internalName":"Dis-Chem Chooses Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform to Serve Millions of Customers Over WhatsApp ","publishDate":"2022-04-28","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Dis-Chem Chooses Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform to Serve Millions of Customers Over WhatsApp ","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1651135881-dischempr_webbanner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1651135881-dischempr_webbanner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1651135881-dischempr_webbanner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1651135881-dischempr_webbanner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1651135881-dischempr_webbanner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLChYXDiQTDRUNDhEVDRENFx0dGCITFhUaHysjGh0oHSEiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDsoIig7Ozs7Ozs7OzUvOy87Ly81Ly8vLy8vOy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAZAAABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMFBgf/xAAgEAABBAAHAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIDBAUREiEiMTIT/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/xAAaEQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQIDASEx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDOLlSISZFyPDoIK9gO1BR997vr2UxG92ociqduAteost1yJt1oDN0iHASXejmkR1kFO9S4f//Z"},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1651135881-dischempr_webbanner.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dis-Chem rolls out new WhatsApp chat channel delivering self-help services and loyalty program management over chat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 28, 2022 "},{"type":"span","value":"— "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q018-Yrq0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, has been selected by leading South African retailer, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, to enable WhatsApp as its customer communication channel to engage with its customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dis-Chem customers can now quickly and easily access various services through WhatsApp by sending “Hi” to 0860 347 243. The easy to navigate menu then allows shoppers to choose which action they want to perform."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Utilizing a conversational approach through WhatsApp, Dis-Chem’s millions of customers can: register for a Benefit Card and existing members can update their personal details; check their loyalty points balance; report lost or stolen cards and receive a digital replacement immediately; and register for Dis-Chem’s Baby Program. Dis-Chem will also use the channel to alert customers when their repeat medication is due for collection or when delivery from their preferred store is ready through “Pack My Meds”, which is Dis-Chem’s online repeat medicine ordering platform. Lastly, the channel provides a general FAQ section that has information about clinic services, delivery services, and other store information.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Consumers have shown they prefer to use chat channels, and WhatsApp in particular, to engage with each other and with their favorite brands. It makes excellent sense for Dis-Chem to offer WhatsApp as a fast and cost-effective way for their customers to do business with the retailer,” said Werner Lindemann, ​​Clickatell’s Commercial Senior Vice President for Growth Markets. “What’s more, it provides them with a platform that is perfectly designed to administer support and time-efficient responses and new functionality anytime. We are looking forward to building the partnership with Dis-Chem over the coming months and years as we innovate and co-create new services using the chat app that will meet their customers’ growing digital expectations.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Retailers using Chat Commerce technology can enjoy significant gains including higher revenue growth, stronger customer retention, reduced service costs, and increased marketing effectiveness. An Aberdeen Research survey commissioned by Clickatell "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q018-Yp40","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"shows"}]},{"type":"span","value":" organizations can benefit from a 75% boost in annual revenue growth and a 48% increase in customer retention rates."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Clickatell’s close relationship with Meta as an enterprise Business Service Provider, as well as their extensive experience helping local and global retailers boost their CX through chat made the choice of partners an obvious one for us. Delivering the WhatsApp channel to our customers resolves an immediate customer experience need, adds to our ability to continue to deliver superior convenience, and gives us an excellent opportunity to expand our digital offering in the future. Our teams have worked closely to ensure our customers will find the user interface intuitive and the service immediately convenient and valuable,” comments Lynne Blignaut, Head of Loyalty & Customer Rewards at Dis-Chem."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Clickatell’s Chat Commerce technology, visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Dis-Chem Pharmacies"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"JSE-listed Dis-Chem, the pharmacists who care, is South Africa’s first choice in pharmacies since 1978. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With a footprint of over 250 stores, it is a leading specialist in beauty, fragrance and cosmetics; health food, nutrition, baby food, baby clothing and products; sport supplements, health and well-being; along with expert in-store advice from pharmacists, nurses and nutritionists."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"It increasingly prioritises its primary healthcare mandate by increasing the provision of healthcare access to broader segments of the population.  Its nationwide stores consist of linked dispensaries, family clinics, wound-care clinics and comprehensive self-medication centres. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-120410702","slug":"executives-recognize-chat-strengths","title":"99% of Customer Service Executives Recognize Using Chat with Customers Strengthens Customer Experience","internalName":"99% of Customer Service Executives Recognize Using Chat with Customers Strengthens Customer Experience","publishDate":"2022-03-30","seo":{"description":null,"title":"99% of Customer Service Executives Recognize Using Chat with Customers Strengthens Customer Experience","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1648646059-chatcommerce_trendreport_q1_2022_pr_banner_option2.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1648646059-chatcommerce_trendreport_q1_2022_pr_banner_option2.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1648646059-chatcommerce_trendreport_q1_2022_pr_banner_option2.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1648646059-chatcommerce_trendreport_q1_2022_pr_banner_option2.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1648646059-chatcommerce_trendreport_q1_2022_pr_banner_option2.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoUCAgLDg8XDhgVDQ4NGhEOFhEWFx8ZGBYVFhUaHysjGh0oHSEWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDUoIig7Lzs7Oy81Ly8vNS81OzUvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgECBf/EACAQAAEDAgcAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEABCECAwUREhMUMUH/xAAWAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBQb/xAAaEQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgAhAwQx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwBVqwgazmsVwxt0PDKcHUEpOf1HnGfUxUmT+hndhckN6RegoVLZO72hFA1Cn7P/2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1648646059-chatcommerce_trendreport_q1_2022_pr_banner_option2.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell’s new Chat Commerce Trends Report finds 88% of CX leaders agree that using chat channels for payments will help meet revenue goals"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, Calif., March 30, 2022 "},{"type":"span","value":"– "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/?utm_campaign=2022Q1_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report&utm_source=Press%20Release&utm_medium=Homepage&utm_term=ChatCommerceTrendsReportCXEdition&utm_content=20221Q1CCTR_Homepage_PressRelease","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, launches its latest "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/infographic/chat-commerce/chat-commerce-trends-report-cx-dition/?utm_campaign=2022Q1_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report&utm_source=Press%20Release&utm_medium=Infographic%20Resource%20page&utm_term=ChatCommerceTrendsReportCXEdition&utm_content=20221Q1CCTR_InfographicReport_Ungated_PressRelease","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report"}]},{"type":"span","value":", revealing 99% of customer service executives recognize benefits to using chat with customers to bolster customer experience and drive revenue and growth for their businesses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Customer service teams are increasingly responsible for revenue with 81% saying they are compensated based on performance and sales within their teams. These executives are facing challenges in achieving results with 95% saying there are technology or process challenges in their departments hindering success. Notably, 43% said their customers find their payment technology hard to use, and 41% said reporting and analysis is disjointed. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Revenue-generating responsibilities of customer service departments have significantly increased, while many of their technical capabilities have remained the same,” said Pieter de Villiers, Co-Founder and CEO at Clickatell. “With rising revenue expectations should also come the tools and investments that help customer service departments meet them. Chat Commerce, providing seamless and secure engagement and transactions allows representatives to support customers along their entire path to purchase, while also encouraging the opportunity for increased sales.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Customer service executives trust chat for sales and payments"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Overwhelmingly, (96%) of customer service teams in these revenue producing departments are responsible for taking payments from their customers, and yet, more than half still use antiquated processes, such as sending a bill or invoice (60%) or taking credit cards (53%). 97% of leaders agree customer service teams would benefit by using chat-to-pay technology and nearly half (48%) of organizations that don’t currently accept chat payments plan to do so in the future. Additionally, 88% of leaders agree that using chat channels for payments will help meet revenue goals; 97% said that chat payment investments pay for themselves."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp, Google Chat and Facebook Messenger are the chat apps most used by customer service teams:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp (47%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Google Chat (40%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Facebook Messenger (31%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Instagram Chat (30%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Apple Messages (23%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WeChat (23%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Telegram (21%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Discord (15%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Snapchat (15%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Line (6%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Viber (5%)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Signal (5%)"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"99% surveyed find a significant number of benefits when using chat with customers including the following:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Faster response times"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Simple and easy for customers"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Improved customer satisfaction"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Increased customer engagement"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Convenience for customers"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Reduced call center costs"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Stronger customer relationships"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Improved agent efficiency"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Continuation from existing or saved chat history"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lower risk of fraud "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The survey findings also noted that email (30%) and chat apps (27%) are the most preferred channels for customer service agents, while phone calls (19%) are least preferred.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Trends Report, which is based on a survey of 340+ senior customer service leaders in the U.S., can be viewed "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/infographic/chat-commerce/chat-commerce-trends-report-cx-dition/?utm_campaign=2022Q1_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report&utm_source=Press%20Release&utm_medium=Infographic%20Resource%20page&utm_term=ChatCommerceTrendsReportCXEdition&utm_content=20221Q1CCTR_InfographicReport_Ungated_PressRelease","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". To learn more about how to implement chat payments, see Clickatell’s Chat 2 Pay product "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/chat2pay/?utm_campaign=2022Q1_Chat%20Commerce%20Trends%20Report&utm_source=Press%20Release&utm_medium=Chat%202%20Pay%20Product%20Page&utm_term=ChatCommerceTrendsReportCXEdition&utm_content=20221Q1CCTR_Chat%202PayProductPage_PressRelease","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"page"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and read how it enables businesses to securely accept payments in chat messaging by sending consumers a payment link."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-117500889","slug":"clickatell-announces-chat-2-pay-integration-with-salesforce-commerce-cloud","title":"Clickatell Announces Chat 2 Pay Integration with Salesforce Commerce Cloud","internalName":"Clickatell Announces Chat 2 Pay Integration with Salesforce Commerce Cloud","publishDate":"2022-03-15","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Clickatell Announces Chat 2 Pay Integration with Salesforce Commerce Cloud","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1647346078-salesforce_banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1647346078-salesforce_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1647346078-salesforce_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1647346078-salesforce_banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1647346078-salesforce_banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLExITDhgQDRASDhgVDREUFxUuGCIfFhUaHysjGh0oHRYWJTUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDsoHSg7Ozs7Ly87Oy8vOzs7Ly8vNTsvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy81Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwQFB//EAB0QAAEEAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMEEiERExT/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBf/EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIRAAEDMf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Az2CGF1Dbk9lOuaBOQVJm4Ujw4pkEsnicMyq5aE4A1S5HdLGxngoUaFxMZ2hLWpKFac//2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1647346078-salesforce_banner.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell customers can now benefit by using Salesforce Order Management to send consumers a faster, more secure and convenient pay-by-link request via SMS and WhatsApp"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 15, 2022 "},{"type":"span","value":"– "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q015_r3-0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, today announced it has launched the integration of its industry-leading "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q015_r2B0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat 2 Pay "}]},{"type":"span","value":"payment solution with "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q015_r2H0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Salesforce Commerce Cloud"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the fastest path to unified commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s integration empowers Commerce Cloud customers to achieve enhanced payment options by allowing contact center agents to trigger payment requests via a payment link in chat messages. With Chat 2 Pay, customers pay for goods and services via Salesforce Order Management by simply clicking on a link delivered through SMS or WhatsApp without requiring them to expose their personal payment information to a human agent. Upon clicking the link, the customer is served a fully hosted checkout page where the customer can securely enter payment card details and submit the payment. The customer receives a confirmation of the order and a receipt via a chat message, while the contact center agent is kept abreast of the payment status to complete the sale."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Features and benefits of Chat 2 Pay include:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pre-built Chat 2 Pay cartridge for Salesforce Order Management"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Payment link sent via SMS or WhatsApp channels through integration of Clickatell’s Chat 2 Pay extension"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Fully hosted, responsive checkout page that collects data directly from customers and processes their payments"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Orchestration APIs that securely pass information such as MSISDN, transaction details, receipt, etc."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Integration to Cybersource’s payment processing platform (compatible with Secure Acceptance and Unified Commerce)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Support of both the 3D Secure 1.0 and 2.0 protocols"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Agent dashboard that displays status of the payment (e.g., link sent, payment success or error, etc.)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Analytics delivered via integration of Clickatell’s Chat 2 Pay extension"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Tier 2 operational tools: end-point monitoring and alerts dashboard"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"General cartridge management and configuration"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Comprehensive user guide and tutorial videos to enable easier setup"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Consumers are increasingly embracing chat channels for self-serve, transactional and brand engagement, and businesses can meet their customers’ purchasing and servicing expectations with Clickatell’s Chat 2 Pay payment solution,” said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Clickatell. “With the power of Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Clickatell’s Chat 2 Pay, businesses can now provide consumers payments in chat easily, quickly and securely via a payment link in the chat channels that they’ve come to love, trust and use every day.” "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Additional Resources"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"View Clickatell on the Commerce Cloud Marketplace: "},{"url":"https://www.salesforce.com/products/commerce-cloud/partner-marketplace/partners/chat-2-pay/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"https://www.salesforce.com/products/commerce-cloud/partner-marketplace/partners/chat-2-pay/"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Like Salesforce Commerce Cloud on Facebook: "},{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/CommerceCloud/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.facebook.com/CommerceCloud/"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Follow Salesforce Commerce Cloud on Twitter: "},{"url":"https://twitter.com/commercecloud","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://twitter.com/commercecloud"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Follow Clickatell on LinkedIn: "},{"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/clickatell/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/clickatell/"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Follow Clickatell on Twitter: "},{"url":"https://twitter.com/Clickatell","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://twitter.com/Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Salesforce, Commerce Cloud and others are trademarks of salesforce.com, Inc."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-110040267","slug":"clickatell-secures-usd91-million-in-series-c-funding","title":"Clickatell, a Global Leader in Chat Commerce, Secures $91 Million in Oversubscribed Series C Funding for US Expansion and Product Acceleration ","internalName":"Clickatell Secures $91 Million in  Oversubscribed Series C Funding for US Expansion and Product Acceleration ","publishDate":"2022-02-22","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, a Global Leader in Chat Commerce, Secures $91 Million in  Oversubscribed Series C Funding for US Expansion and Product Acceleration ","title":"Clickatell secures $91 million in series C funding led by 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100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwsICgoHBw0LCAgHBw0ICAgJDhEJDRENFxUZGBYTFhUaHysjGh0oHRUiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OEBAQHC8oFhwvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAXAAEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQcA/8QAFRABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH/xAAWAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBQP/xAAYEQADAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhIDAf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AzCFBWLGigl6NyINJrR//2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1645523981-microsoftteams-image-64.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell investors now include Arrowroot Capital, Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, Sequoia Capital, DAG Ventures, Endeavor Global and Harvest "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, Calif., February 22, 2022 –"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q014yjLs0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, today announces it has secured $91 million in their Series C round. This round was led by Arrowroot Capital, with participation from Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, Endeavor Global and Harvest. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, which has delivered double-digit profitable growth for several years, will use the Series C capital to scale and expand three key areas: (i) Accelerated development and innovation of its Chat Commerce offering, (ii) Expansion of its footprint in the U.S., and (iii) Scaling of sales and marketing efforts on the back of growing demand from leading brands. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s platform has been recognized as a global leader in powering mobile messaging / CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) and payments within chat. Clickatell processed more than 30 billion interactions, and 2 billion commerce transactions during the COVID-19 period alone as it enabled customer-centric brands to connect, interact and transact with their customers wherever they were sheltering in place during the pandemic.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell boasts an industry-first ability to combine communication and commerce in one comprehensive Chat Commerce proposition and introduced one of the world’s first chat banking solutions on WhatsApp, the world’s largest chat platform. Today, Clickatell is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the intersection between communications (CPaaS, CCaaS) and commerce (digital payments) – offering a complete end-to-end Chat Commerce Platform. Clickatell serves more than 10,000 customers, many of which are Fortune 500 companies and leading global brands such as Coca Cola, Deloitte, GT Bank, Booking.com, GoDaddy, IKEA, Novartis, Standard Bank, Tangerine, Telegram, US Foods, Visa, Zipcar, Capitec and others. Clickatell’s low / no-code, feature-rich Chat Commerce orchestration capability includes assisted (chat desk) and unassisted (bots) chat and secure payments capability in its recently launched Chat 2 Pay offering. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Chat Commerce is the future of digital commerce and engagement – it’s already happening at scale in markets such as China -- and soon every consumer in the US will engage family and friends via chat plus connect, interact and transact with the brands they love through their favorite chat platform; and we are excited to be a leader in this digital engagement revolution,” said Pieter de Villiers, Co-Founder and CEO at Clickatell. “We believe brands want to avoid placing their customers on hold and it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to download their apps; Clickatell’s Chat Commerce platform enables brands to serve their customers where they are, in the chat platform they already use.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With a massive $80+ billion Total Addressable Market (TAM), the Chat Commerce market is viewed as the third big wave of digital commerce, following the eCommerce and App Commerce markets. Chat is the largest digital platform in the world, with 7.7 billion users compared to 4.7 billion internet users, making it next to impossible for businesses to operate without communicating and transacting with consumers in chat channels. Chat Commerce enables businesses to easily facilitate significantly improved customer experiences through chat, with the added benefit of being far more efficient for customers and operational costs.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We have a shared vision with Clickatell that brands will need to invest in Chat Commerce to transform their customer experience,” said Matt J. Safaii, Founder and Managing Partner at Arrowroot Capital. “With 93% of conversations that transpire on its Chat Commerce Platform ending in a transaction, Clickatell is sure to continue to make waves in this growing sector. We’re delighted to support them on their way to becoming the category-defining, global leader in Chat Commerce.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Clickatell is an inspiring example of how a company from South Africa can pull the future forward. Clickatell was the pioneering company that successfully first sent messages from the internet to mobile phones, and today they power some of the biggest names in communications, like WhatsApp,” said Endeavor Catalyst Managing Director Allen Taylor. “With this new funding round, we are proud to partner with Pieter and the Clickatell team and work with them on what's next.” "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"*Gartner® has recognized Clickatell as a “Who’s Who in CPaaS Payments and How They Are Going About It” within their August 27, 2021 “Digital Payments as Part of Communications Platform as a Service Offering” report. Gartner stated, “Currently there are a limited number of CPaaS providers that provide the payment capability.” Additionally, the Gartner report predicts \"by 2025, around 50% of CPaaS vendors will enable the functionality as part of their communications modules and offerings."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Clickatell and the Series C round, visit "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q014yjLs0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":". Macquarie Capital acted as exclusive financial advisor and placement agent for Clickatell. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"*Gartner disclaimer "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Arrowroot Capital"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Arrowroot Capital is a global growth equity firm based in Los Angeles, CA focused on minority, majority, and buyout investments in B2B software companies. The firm serves as a catalyst for growth-related initiatives by partnering with management and leveraging its deep enterprise software expertise to deliver meaningful, tangible value. Arrowroot has the flexibility to pursue opportunities of varying sizes, as well as a broad range of transaction types. Arrowroot also assists in targeting and executing add-on acquisitions for its portfolio companies to help drive growth and increased market position. Learn more at"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q014yjPr0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":" www.arrowrootcapital.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":". "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-87039375","slug":"clickatell-achieves-significant-momentum-in-2021-with-chat-commerce","title":"Clickatell Achieves Significant Momentum in 2021 with Chat Commerce","internalName":"Clickatell Achieves Significant Momentum in 2021 with Chat Commerce","publishDate":"2021-12-15","seo":{"description":"Experience the remarkable momentum achieved by Clickatell in the realm of Chat Commerce. Discover how their innovative solutions are transforming customer engagement and driving business success.","title":"Clickatell Achieves Significant Momentum with Chat Commerce","twitterCard":"summary","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639575644-end-of-year-overview.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639575616-end-of-year-overview.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639575616-end-of-year-overview.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639575616-end-of-year-overview.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639575616-end-of-year-overview.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBhIICAgLEAoNFQwNDg4NDhEODREYFxUZGBYVIhUaHysjGh0oHRUiJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDscFhw7Oy8vLy87Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBQAEBv/EAB4QAAEEAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMEITITQlIF/8QAFwEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwQFAP/EABkRAAMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAjESEf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AwsNKKV2Sju+bWb2CX13u9FAsTScm5Tqq29AUki3YqQsOHBRLZpHkbFRUJ780yZ//2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":null,"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639575616-end-of-year-overview.png?auto=format"},"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960558","name":"Chat Commerce"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Commerce sector shows significant growth globally in 2021; Clickatell celebrates momentum as it captures this multi-billion dollar market opportunity heading into 2022"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA, Dec. 15, 2021 – "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010Qxht0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a leader in mobile communications and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010QxrD0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce"}]},{"type":"span","value":", announced today record-level growth in 2021 in Chat Commerce. Driving Clickatell’s continuous momentum is the growing market demand for its leading Chat Commerce Platform, top-tier management team, and global reach across various markets. Clickatell defines Chat Commerce as a new category at the convergence point of three large, fast-growing technology sectors – CPaaS, CCaaS, and Digital Commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The company shared these 2021 highlights:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Market Opportunity"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The pandemic has accelerated businesses’ digital transformation efforts, resulting in a multi-billion dollar Chat Commerce market opportunity. Chat platforms such as iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc., already have more than 7.7 billion active users, according to Statista 2021, out numbering the 4.7 billion internet users. Today, chat is becoming the largest digital engagement channel in the world and brands are taking notice."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell has achieved significant results including securing 10,000 customers across a variety of industries and dispersed geographies, including financial services, retail, travel, media and entertainment, hospitality, education, security, and many more. Clickatell has delivered over 9 billion brand-to-consumer engagements, processing over a million transactions daily. In fact, 93% of conversations transpiring on its Chat Commerce Platform end in a transaction. With the market demand for digital commerce solutions such as Chat Commerce, Clickatell expects its growth to accelerate in 2022."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Innovative Products and Solutions"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This year, Clickatell added exciting innovative products to its Chat Commerce Platform, including "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/chat2pay/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat 2 Pay"}]},{"type":"span","value":" that enables merchants to securely accept payments in chat messaging by sending consumers a payment link via SMS or WhatsApp. Additionally, the company announced a strategic partnership with "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/clickatell-visas-cybersource-deliver-chat-2-pay/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cybersource"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"that accelerates the move towards contactless digital engagements for E-Commerce by making it easier for businesses to deliver Chat Commerce and a contact-free checkout experience with the combined Chat 2 Pay solution."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell also launched its combined "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010Qxrh0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Desk"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010QxLr0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Flow"}]},{"type":"span","value":" solution to transform the customer experience in contact centers. The company merged Chat Desk, a live-agent messaging center solution, with Chat Flow, a workflow builder, to provide businesses with automated chat and intuitive functionality. Businesses connect with consumers through automated chat, known as unassisted chat, and then, if additional support is needed, seamlessly shift the customer support to their live agents through Clickatell’s Chat Desk. Live agent and customer conversations are crucial with the company experiencing a 108% month-over-month increase."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Changing the World with Its Customers"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell works with market-leading global businesses that are vertically diverse and are focused on transforming their approach to customer experience and the way consumers interact with their brand, ensuring competitiveness and long-term loyalty."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “Our mission to create a better world through technology is fueled by our customers who are innovators and shaping new customer experience through Chat Commerce,” said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO and Co-Founder. “We care about our customers being successful with their customers, and the work we are doing together to innovate conversations and transactions in mobile messaging is future-proof, giving all our customers a competitive edge through improved satisfaction and trust.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell’s Innovative Team"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Today, Clickatell has more than 300 employees globally and is uniquely positioned to deliver the best value to a broad range of customers. Diversity, inclusion and belonging are immensely valued at Clickatell, as the global team works together to understand, create and upend the way consumers and businesses interact and transact across industries – and across the globe – through its industry-leading Chat Commerce Platform. New hires this year include leadership in Sales, Marketing, Product, Software Development and Customer Success."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Starting in a tiny apartment in Cape Town, and the first in the world to create four lines of code that created a way to send SMS from the internet to mobile phones, de Villiers attributes the company’s ongoing success to having the right people with strong ethics, and who live Clickatell’s values: 1. Be a Champion - "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Do the right thing"},{"type":"span","value":"; 2. Be Courageous - "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Take smart risks"},{"type":"span","value":"; 3. Be Collaborative - "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"We succeed as a team"},{"type":"span","value":"; 4. Be Creative - "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"We find a way"},{"type":"span","value":"; 5 Be Curious - "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"We ask ‘why?"},{"type":"span","value":"’."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-84421499","slug":"clickatell-s-2022-prediction-brands-will-prioritize-chat-commerce-to-improve-the","title":"Clickatell’s 2022 Prediction: Brands Will Prioritize Chat Commerce to Improve the Consumer Experience, Becoming a Multi-Billion Dollar Market ","internalName":"Clickatell’s 2022 Prediction: Brands Will Prioritize Chat Commerce to Improve the Consumer Experience, Becoming a Multi-Billion Dollar Market ","publishDate":"2021-12-09","seo":{"description":"Clickatell a leader in mobile communications and Chat , collaborated with senior executives across the CPaaS, CCaaS, and Digital Commerce industries to predict the stand-out trends for 2022.","title":"Clickatell’s 2022 Prediction: Brands Will Prioritize Chat Commerce to Improve the Consumer Experience, Becoming a Multi-Billion Dollar Market ","twitterCard":"summary_large_image","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639041398-predictions-piece-22dec-21pr-web-banner2.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639041398-predictions-piece-22dec-21pr-web-banner2.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639041398-predictions-piece-22dec-21pr-web-banner2.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639041398-predictions-piece-22dec-21pr-web-banner2.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639041398-predictions-piece-22dec-21pr-web-banner2.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoPCAgLDQ4VDhgNDg0YDh0ODRENFxUZGBYfFhUaHysjGh0oHRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDsoHhw7Ly8vLy87OzsvLy8vLy8vLy8vLzsvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBQACBv/EAB8QAAEEAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMEBSIhMhESFP/EABcBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEBQL/xAAaEQABBQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRIVES/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDG1RE6I+Sr1KdeSY7BJ4nuEJ2KGPlk+g7lU4XRZrUgZ5OlAx/DgoluVkf7diiiXpjg/9k="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":"Clickatell’s 2022 Prediction: Brands Will Prioritize Chat Commerce to Improve the Consumer Experience, Becoming a Multi-Billion Dollar Market ","url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639041398-predictions-piece-22dec-21pr-web-banner2.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Convergence of fast-growing CPaaS, CCaaS, and Digital Commerce sectors"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"drives adoption of Chat Commerce"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, CA, Dec. 9, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" – "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010tDYq0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a leader in mobile communications and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010tF7n0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce"}]},{"type":"span","value":", collaborated with senior executives across the CPaaS, CCaaS, and Digital Commerce industries to predict the stand-out trends for 2022. The responses point to the consolidation of all three sectors into a single new sector called "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat Commerce"},{"type":"span","value":".  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation efforts, resulting in a multi-billion dollar Chat Commerce market opportunity. Consumers live in their chat apps and brands are now moving beyond desktop, mobile websites, branded apps, and email, and increasingly leveraging business messaging as the channel of choice to engage with customers for support, engagement, and now "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010tD_80","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"payments."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"“Chat Commerce is the third wave of digital commerce, following on from eCommerce and app commerce,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder at Clickatell. “More than 7.7 billion people use some form of chat several times a day, making chat the largest digital engagement channel in the world. With COVID-19 accelerating digital commerce adoption and businesses fast tracking their digital transformation to meet consumers where they are, we can expect an increased demand for and deployment of Chat Commerce services and experiences.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to CMO Council’s report "},{"url":"https://cmocouncil.org/thought-leadership/reports/instant-interaction-driving-business-traction?utm_campaign=2021%20Q4%20-%20PR%20Coverage%20-%20Global&utm_content=183818067&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-20999&hsa_acc=507691662&hsa_cam=620726533&hsa_grp=192188083&hsa_ad=164905393&hsa_net=linkedin&hsa_ver=3","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Resource Center Instant Interaction Driving Business Traction"}]},{"type":"span","value":", “Chat Commerce has become one of the fastest-growing global phenomena. No other channel of engagement has this kind of relevant and repeatable impact. The market opportunity for Chat Commerce is virtually unlimited, and brands have only begun to tap into its potential.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Based on market and proprietary research, and conversations with leaders in the industry, Clickatell predicts the following for 2022:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Brands will meet customers where they are, in chat apps"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Consumers will avoid call centers and new app downloads to get things done instantly by connecting with brands in their chat apps. Consumers will reach brands easily and conveniently from anywhere 24/7 and buy things simply with Chat Commerce. For example, a consumer traveling on a plane may connect with the airline from his address book to upgrade his seat through chat. The consumer may place an order and make a payment in real time, using a card on file or their airline rewards card in the chat app they are also using to communicate with friends and family while waiting to board."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell customer Eswee Vorster, Executive Manager and CIO at top South Africa airline FlySafair, said, “I think chat is a potential gamechanger for us going forward. It is a kickoff for us to know our customers better, and to attain valuable data and a single view of a customer, which is crucial. I am very excited about the future and to engage better with our customers.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat Commerce equates to no more downloads: Brands extend services through"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"chat platforms that customers already love"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Consumers across generations, not just Gen Z and millennials, will continue to communicate and manage their lives in chat. Brands will invest to serve their customers within the chat channel their customers already use."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Brett StClair, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist Officer at TeraFlow and member of "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010tF0m0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s Insight Circle"}]},{"type":"span","value":", noted, “Understanding a customer’s journey down to a microdata point is where meaningful improvements can be made. By analyzing the data that resides within each company’s ambit, companies can isolate the microdata needed to build exceptional customer journeys. If brands are able to create customer journeys that are so deeply personalized, why would they miss the opportunity to deliver them over their customers' preferred channel? Choosing chat is the logical first step in a successful customer experience strategy.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat Commerce means supersized personalization: Digital engagement"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"allows for exponential personalization"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Brands will add more personal, targeted, and relevant communications around their checkout experience. Chat Commerce enables buying, paying, and selling through more personal interactions between the consumer and merchant, including automated, intelligent chatbot-powered interactions. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Alec Wright, Chief Product Officer at OneValley and featured in "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010tF3V0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s Insight Circle"}]},{"type":"span","value":", elaborated, “What's been really exciting in Digital Commerce, both on the payment side and the banking data side, is all of the pipes that have been built over the last five to ten years. To that end, every brand is starting to operate like a bank and offer financial services. I believe over the next five years we're going to see the payments infrastructure and the banking infrastructure become as easy and user-friendly as food delivery is today.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" In its recent report \"Add Digital Payments as Part of Communications Platform as a Service Offering,\" Gartner® recognized Clickatell as a \"Who's Who in CPaaS Payments and How They Are Going About It\" and stated, \"Currently there are a limited number of CPaaS providers that provide the payment capability.\"1"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Learn more about Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010tDXk0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Gartner, Add Digital Payments as Part of Communications Platform as a Service Offering, Lisa Unden-Farboud, Daniel O'Connell, Brian Doherty, Dayna Ford, 27 August 2021"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Gartner, Market Guide for Communications Platform as a Service, Lisa Unden-Farboud, Brian Doherty, Daniel O'Connell, 27 September 2021"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Gartner Disclaimer"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-84400625","slug":"clickatell-s-annual-cit-event-addresses-how-chat-for-customer-experience-is-takin","title":"Clickatell’s Annual CIT Event Addresses How Chat for Customer Experience is Taking the World by Storm","internalName":"Clickatell’s Annual CIT Event Addresses How Chat for Customer Experience is Taking the World by Storm","publishDate":"2021-12-08","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Clickatell’s Annual CIT Event Addresses How Chat for Customer Experience is Taking the World by Storm","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639035325-clickatell-cit-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639035325-clickatell-cit-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639035325-clickatell-cit-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639035325-clickatell-cit-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639035325-clickatell-cit-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCg8NDhUODg0NDiAQFhEYFxMZGBYTIhUdHysjGh0oHRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHA4QHC8cFh0vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAZAAACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAEFBgD/xAAeEAACAgEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwACEgURMTJBFP/EABcBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIEBQH/xAAYEQADAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQJRA//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AxA01ArvkIz8KSjYGU9G3w7GPIZcq7GUqutFlKAOnrr7JgutbHmdNXStBcI//2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":"Clickatell’s Annual CIT Event","url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1639035325-clickatell-cit-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lagos, Nigeria, 09 December 2021"},{"type":"span","value":", Attendees at Clickatell’s Connect Interact and Transact (CIT) annual event last week experienced how creating a world where commerce and communications collide is where brands may do their best work for their customers. The event included insight from global market intelligence and advisory service, IDC, as well as a panel of industry thought leaders."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Titled “Turning Conversations into Commerce”, the event was hosted virtually for Clickatell’s growing list of Nigerian and other African clients and once again was moderated by Hannes van Rensburg, Clickatell’s Chief Commercial Officer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Before he introduced the keynote speaker, van Rensburg set the scene by reminding attendees that customer service began in branches more than 100 years ago before it evolved to include call centers, our laptops, and then mobile apps."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “Consumers are spending more and more time engaging with one another on chat platforms without the frustration of long wait times, long hold times, and long download times. This convenience is what the Chat Commerce revolution is all about,” van Rensburg explained."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Jon Tullett, Senior Research Manager, Cloud/IT Services, IDC South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, kicked off his keynote titled “More omni, less channel - The future of customer interaction is your business”, by echoing van Rensburg’s thoughts on how rapid digital maturation has forever changed how we engage with brands."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “The traditional notion of omnichannel is changing. A channel brings customers to you. More and more it's about doing business with your customers where they are in that moment. In the future, this will evolve into anticipating where they will be and engaging with them there,” he explained."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Tullett said the region had seen a tremendous amount of investment in digital fulfillment as companies rushed to get online during lockdowns. However, he warned that there was still some way to go in terms of the development of the behind-the-scenes customer service journey and integrated supply chain efforts required by a digitally mature market."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" “Customers are growing up faster. They expect a global e-commerce experience because that’s who they are doing business with. They expect a retail experience that looks and feels like Amazon or GoDaddy. They expect to be able to reach brands through whichever channel they choose with complete privacy and compliance,” he warns."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Tullett went on to look at how today’s customers demand simplicity, but that delivering on this demand can be a complex task for organizations. He also shared five stages of customer experience, helping attendees understand the IDC MaturityScape and what customers expected at each stage."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Ending his presentation, Tullett shared some of IDC’s Worldwide Future of Customer and Consumer Predictions for 2022, which included: "}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By 2023, 25% of global banks will use AI-based sentiment analysis to improve customer experience."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" In the same timeframe, 25% of companies will offer tracking transparency for customer complaints. This will be so successful that by 2025 this number will rise to 75% of global companies."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By 2026, AI interactions and analytics will deliver deeply personalized journey engagement, eliminating up to 40% of marketing and sales human touchpoints in B2B interactions. "}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pieter de Villiers, Co-Founder and CEO at Clickatell, opened the panel discussion, giving his views on how the chat revolution will evolve over the coming years: "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Every brand has had to find new ways of reaching their customers, especially in the last two years during the global Covid pandemic. Looking ahead, every digital interaction between a brand and its customer provides a learning opportunity to make the experience exponentially better. Along with the advancements in AI, we will see Chat Commerce evolve into personalized commerce, and we believe our chat offering will be the bridge to help companies reach that next level of engagement,” he explained."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Daniela Birnbaum, Channel Partner Manager at WhatsApp EMEA, shared how WhatsApp was ideally suited to support businesses in the customer journey."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“WhatsApp is a platform used by businesses to drive sales and for customer care. It is used through the entire customer journey including pre-sales and even in some loyalty programs,” she said, adding that its reliability and end-to-end encryption made it more secure than traditional channels when it came to financial transactions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Well-known West African business personality, Austin Okere, Founder of CWG PLC and Ausso Leadership Academy, also shared some insights."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Rapid technological adoption has meant we are now seeing things we thought impossible. I recently opened a bank account in Ghana by simply providing my Ghanaian ID card. All the other necessary information resides in a shared database, doing away with the piles of documents we would normally have to provide. Banks have stayed the same, but banking has changed, and the opportunity offered by WhatsApp in this regard is unimaginable,” he shared."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Adding his own prediction, de Villiers summed up the conversation saying: “We see a move away from chat self-serve to full Chat Commerce in 2022. The only question that remains is to see if brands can trust the channel and scale and are able to leverage what it can bring to their customers.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s West Africa Director, Samson Isa and host of the event closed proceedings saying he was looking forward to seeing brands connect, interact, and transact with their customers, through chat, with the same ease as they do with their friends and family."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To download a recording of the CIT 2021 virtual event, click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/Q010v0Hr0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". For more information on how Chat Commerce can help your business connect with your customers visit "},{"url":"http://www.clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-76955218","slug":"pick-n-pay-can-now-serve-millions-of-customers-on-whatsapp-with-clickatell-s-chat","title":"Pick n Pay Can Now Serve Millions of Customers on WhatsApp with Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Solution","internalName":"Pick n Pay Can Now Serve Millions of Customers on WhatsApp with Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Solution","publishDate":"2021-11-24","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Pick n Pay Can Now Serve Millions of Customers on WhatsApp with Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Solution","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1637771443-customer-pick-n-pay-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1637771443-customer-pick-n-pay-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1637771443-customer-pick-n-pay-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1637771443-customer-pick-n-pay-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1637771443-customer-pick-n-pay-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoIEQgLFg0LDhMQDQ0MDhUWFg0NFx4ZGBYVFhUaHysjGh0oHSEWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHDscFh41NTsvLy87Ly8vLy81Ly8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgEEBf/EAB8QAAEDBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMEFCIyEhMVBf/EABcBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEBQL/xAAbEQACAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgBRERJBA//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AUG9Jo9grURp7QDkEs9j7PYqGSyW4zKpujDsD5kVGqsp4H/OGQQsWSV/mDIoS+HubOtT/2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":"WhatApp and Clickatell turning customers into smart shoppers.","url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1637771443-customer-pick-n-pay-press-releaseweb-banner.png?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"New instant customer care and self-service options added to the Smart Shopper loyalty program to access Pick n Pay easily in Chat"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., November 24, 2021 "},{"type":"span","value":"— "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0WQYkX0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a leader in mobile communications and Chat Commerce, has been selected by leading African retailer Pick n Pay to manage their WhatsApp customer communication channel."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customers can easily access Pick n Pay services by sending “Hi” to +27 60 070 3037. The easy to navigate menu then allows shoppers to choose which action they want to perform."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Pick n Pay WhatsApp channel currently hosts catalogs, COVID-19 FAQs, store locator, Smart Shopper card services, and other customer services options."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This partnership between Pick n Pay and Clickatell enables customers to manage their Smart Shopper status and details via WhatsApp. This includes the ability for its nine million active Smart Shoppers to view their loyalty points balance, block their lost or stolen cards, as well as order card replacements. Also, customers can quickly and easily update their personal details and enter competitions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“According to Forrester, retail is leading the way in chat adoption, and we are excited to provide an engaging experience for Pick n Pay customers in chat. Consumers love chat and with the broad reach of WhatsApp it is the perfect channel for Pick n Pay to serve their customers,” says Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder at Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pick n Pay Smart Shopper has always been a firm favorite with South African shoppers and has "},{"url":"https://truth.co.za/articles/whitepapers/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"recently been named"}]},{"type":"span","value":" as the most used loyalty program in South Africa in the 2021 Truth & BrandMapp SA Loyalty Whitepaper."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are constantly looking to improve our customer service and to make it easier for our customers to engage with us. WhatsApp is a popular communication channel so it made sense to launch a chat option for our customers to engage with us whenever they choose. Customers are loving the WhatsApp messaging function and the opportunity to get store or Smart Shopper information within seconds,” says John Bradshaw, Head of Omnichannel at Pick n Pay."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Pick n Pay"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Pick n Pay Group is a retail business in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. We operate through multiple store formats under three brands – Pick n Pay, Boxer and TM Supermarkets. Pick n Pay also operates one of the largest online grocery platforms in sub-Saharan Africa. Our honorary life president and consumer champion Raymond Ackerman purchased the first four Pick n Pay stores in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1967. Today, the Pick n Pay Group operates close to 2 000 stores across multiple formats in eight countries across southern Africa, including a 49% investment in TM Supermarkets in Zimbabwe."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customers are at the heart of our business. Consumer sovereignty informs everything we do, from how we treat our customers, the product range we offer, to how we design our stores. Putting the customer first means we work hard to understand their diverse and changing needs and how we can serve them better."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-65966553","slug":"clickatell-announces-chat-commerce-platform-with-new-payment-capabilities","title":"Clickatell Announces Chat Commerce Platform with New Payment Capabilities","internalName":"Clickatell Announces Chat Commerce Platform with New Payment Capabilities","publishDate":"2021-10-13","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Clickatell Announces Chat Commerce Platform with New Payment Capabilities","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956205-chat-commerce-platform-launchbanner-1-1.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[{"id":"65966731","model":{"apiKey":"image"},"image":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1634500269-chat-commerce-launch-diagramclickatell-prclickatell-web-image.jpeg?auto=format&w=750","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1634500269-chat-commerce-launch-diagramclickatell-prclickatell-web-image.jpeg?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=750 188w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1634500269-chat-commerce-launch-diagramclickatell-prclickatell-web-image.jpeg?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=750 375w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1634500269-chat-commerce-launch-diagramclickatell-prclickatell-web-image.jpeg?auto=format&w=750 750w","sizes":"(min-width: 750px) 750px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBxMIDRAGBwgHBwgIDRgHCgcHBxEJDQcNFxUZGCIVIhUaHysjGh0oHRUWJDUlKC0vMjIyGSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBANHC8cFhwvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIABgAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAXAAEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEH/8QAFhABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAER/8QAFgEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEA/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIhAf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A61IrCKUDtSLGKoo8aGSt0GI+Uy0Bh5kP/9k="},"width":750,"height":750},"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1634500269-chat-commerce-launch-diagramclickatell-prclickatell-web-image.jpeg?auto=format"}}],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":5,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Brands can now deliver immediate value to consumers through chat"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Visit Clickatell at Money 20/20 Las Vegas, booth #1740 to demo new chat payment capabilities"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, CA, Oct. 13, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" – Today "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ZgY-80","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, announced it will unveil new payment capabilities via its Chat Commerce Platform at Money 20/20 Las Vegas, Oct. 24-27. Clickatell helps businesses easily deploy payments in chat channels with low to no execution risk associated with regulatory considerations, payment ecosystem of payer and payees, and consumer adoption on the most popular chat channels."}]},{"item":"65966731","type":"block"},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In its report “Add Digital Payments as Part of Communications Platform as a Service Offering,” Gartner® recognized Clickatell as a “Who’s Who in CPaaS Payments and How They Are Going About It” section and stated, “Currently there are a limited number of CPaaS providers that provide the payment capability.” Additionally, Gartner’s report predicts “by 2025, around 50% of CPaaS vendors will enable the functionality as part of their communications modules and offerings.”1 Starting in 2011, Clickatell already recognized the need for chat commerce and moved to the model that combines communication and commerce. Currently, Clickatell processes 1.5 million transactions daily."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“With billions of consumers actively chatting on chat apps, we believe Chat Commerce is the future of digital commerce enabling brands to connect, interact, and transact where their customers are,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and co-founder at Clickatell. “Paying a utility bill should not take 15 minutes of your life every month. Imagine a utility company sending a simple notification in chat to customers for the amount due giving them the option to tap and pay the bill right there from within the notification itself. And, if the customer has a query, we enable brands to leverage a bot or live agents then and there in the same channel. Consumers no longer have to scramble to find a number to call or fire off an email into the abyss.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s enterprise grade Chat Commerce Platform improves brands’ customer experience and drives revenue by personalizing communications, delivering higher customer satisfaction and retention, increasing sales, improving business efficiencies, and reducing operating costs. It provides low/no code tools for brands to connect, interact, and transact with their customers:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Connect "},{"type":"span","value":"enables messaging and notifications, such as a bank sending a customer a credit card transaction verification alert, which is much less intrusive or inefficient than a robocall or an email;"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Interact"},{"type":"span","value":" provides back-end system integration and orchestration complete with a chat bot and agent desk enabling a bank, for example, to communicate with customers interactively to check balances or pay bills versus calling an 1800 number on the back of a card; and"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Transact"},{"type":"span","value":" supports API payments and digital transactions capabilities through Clickatell’s new Chat 2 Pay. Chat 2 Pay enables businesses to securely accept payments in chat messaging by sending consumers a payment link via SMS or WhatsApp. In its design of Chat 2 Pay, Clickatell efficiently has orchestrated the complex relationship between messaging, payments, and the order management system (OMS) of their customers, and in the process mitigates the risk of businesses managing payment card details."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform visit "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ZgY-80","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and view the Chat 2 Pay product page "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ZgY-h0","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"1 Gartner, “Add Digital Payments as Part of Communications Platform as a Service Offering”, Lisa Unden-Farboud, Daniel O'Connell, Brian Doherty, Dayna Ford, 27 August 2021"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gartner Disclaimer:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GARTNER is a registered trademark and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61108458","slug":"clickatell-visas-cybersource-deliver-chat-2-pay","title":"Clickatell and Visa’s Cybersource Deliver “Chat 2 Pay” Contactless Checkout  In Store and In Chat to Businesses Worldwide","internalName":"Clickatell and Visa’s Cybersource Deliver “Chat 2 Pay” Contactless Checkout  In Store and In Chat to Businesses Worldwide","publishDate":"2021-09-14","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Clickatell and Visa’s Cybersource Deliver “Chat 2 Pay” Contactless Checkout  In Store and In Chat to Businesses Worldwid","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956305-clickatell-and-visa-cybersourceclickatell-pr-banner.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[],"fallback":{"src":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956305-clickatell-and-visa-cybersourceclickatell-pr-banner.jpg?auto=format&w=1330","srcSet":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956305-clickatell-and-visa-cybersourceclickatell-pr-banner.jpg?auto=format&dpr=0.26&w=1330 333w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956305-clickatell-and-visa-cybersourceclickatell-pr-banner.jpg?auto=format&dpr=0.5&w=1330 665w,\nhttps://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956305-clickatell-and-visa-cybersourceclickatell-pr-banner.jpg?auto=format&w=1330 1330w","sizes":"(min-width: 1330px) 1330px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAoHBwgHBgoICAgLCgoLDhgQFRUNDiUeIh0YHR0mHRYWFhUaHysjJh0oHRYiJDUlKC0vMjIyHSI4PTcwPCsxMi8BCgsLDg0OHBAQHC8oIig7Ozs7Oy8vNTUvOy81NS8vLy8vLzsvLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vLy8vL//AABEIAAsAGAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAYAAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBwABAv/EAB8QAAEEAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMFBBEGIRIiMf/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQCAf/EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAxIh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwA/ProuwSlnyKtgZnE+eu0x7Z7hv2KVPJJHmwILiQkR4iDcFbjyfHAqkDXyPEmg4qJFmYf/2Q=="},"width":1330,"height":580},"alt":"Clickatell and Visa’s Cybersource Deliver “Chat 2 Pay” Contactless Checkout  In Store and In Chat to Businesses Worldwide","url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956305-clickatell-and-visa-cybersourceclickatell-pr-banner.jpg?auto=format"},"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"New partnership accelerates the move towards contactless digital engagements for ecommerce"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 14, 2021 "},{"type":"span","value":"— "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0XfdkK0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, and Visa’s global payment and fraud management platform, "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0Xfd1W0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cybersource"}]},{"type":"span","value":", today announced a partnership to make it easier for businesses to deliver chat commerce and contact-free checkouts with Clickatell’s "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0Xfd370","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"newly announced"}]},{"type":"span","value":" Chat 2 Pay solution. "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0Xfd4h0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat 2 Pay"}]},{"type":"span","value":" is a simple and comprehensive way for businesses to offer payments and transactions to consumers in chat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This partnership will allow Cybersource to deploy Chat 2 Pay with a pay-by-link capability that allows businesses to provide consumers the convenience of effortless, contact-free payments via text messaging and chat channels on mobile phones, including widely used chat apps."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Partnering with Clickatell allows us to expand our ability to offer new contactless, interactive technology to our ecosystem,” said Carleigh Jaques, senior vice president and general manager, Cybersource. “Chat 2 Pay complements our own capabilities and makes it easier for our clients to serve their customers in the places where they are already messaging and chatting, quickly and securely.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“This partnership brings together Cybersource’s focus on convenient, secure payments with Clickatell’s mission to spread chat commerce to the masses, enabling consumers to interact and transact from their favorite chat apps,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and co-founder, Clickatell. “Billions of consumers are on chat, and commerce and payments will increasingly follow. Together, Clickatell and Cybersource will enable greater chat commerce and consumer convenience. We’re very excited to partner closely with Cybersource in this endeavor.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s new Chat 2 Pay solution creates greater freedom and convenience in the payment process. Now, consumers can ask a retailer to send a payment request, make the payment, and receive acknowledgement, all from chat channels on a mobile device. Chat 2 Pay additionally meets the needs of sellers and shoppers who expect the convenience of their already trusted and favorite chat apps to converse and transact with businesses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In today’s environment, consumers are increasingly looking for contactless digital engagement options and longer term, these solutions also meet the desire for greater consumer convenience and payment choices. The "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0XfghN0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"contactless payment market"}]},{"type":"span","value":" is expected to reach $52 billion by 2027, up from $12 billion in 2019, and in the United States there are more than 370 million tap-to-pay-enabled Visa cards"},{"url":"https://s1.q4cdn.com/050606653/files/doc_financials/2021/q3/CORRECTED-TRANSCRIPT_-Visa,-Inc.%28V-US%29,-Q3-2021-Earnings-Call,-27-July-2021-5_00-PM-ET.pdf","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"[1]"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cybersource and Clickatell are bringing Chat 2 Pay to merchants and partners in 190 countries. For more information about Chat 2 Pay, please visit Clickatell’s product page "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0Xfd4h0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"#_ftnref1","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"[1]"}]},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://s1.q4cdn.com/050606653/files/doc_financials/2021/q3/CORRECTED-TRANSCRIPT_-Visa,-Inc.%28V-US%29,-Q3-2021-Earnings-Call,-27-July-2021-5_00-PM-ET.pdf","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Visa Data 2021"}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61155622","slug":"chat-2-pay-enables-brands-extend-digital-commerce-secure-effortless-payments","title":"Clickatell’s “Chat 2 Pay” Enables Brands to Extend Digital Commerce Offering with Secure, Effortless Payments in Chat Channels","internalName":"Clickatell’s “Chat 2 Pay” Enables Brands to Extend Digital Commerce Offering with Secure, Effortless Payments in Chat Channels","publishDate":"2021-09-08","seo":{"description":null,"title":"Clickatell’s “Chat 2 Pay” Enables Brands to Extend Digital Commerce Offering with Secure, Effortless Payments in Chat Channels","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956460-microsoftteams-image-2.jpeg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell solves the last mile of digital transformation by embedding payments in the service stream, simplifying digital commerce for consumers"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., September 8, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" — "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0WQYkX0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, today launches "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0WQYk30","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat 2 Pay."}]},{"type":"span","value":" Chat 2 Pay takes Clickatell’s decades of developing chat commerce solutions for global customers and delivers a simple and comprehensive way for merchants to offer payments and transactions to consumers in chat. Chat 2 Pay is purpose-built for the North American market, expanding Clickatell’s global customer base."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s Chat 2 Pay enables merchants to securely accept payments in chat messaging by sending consumers a payment link via SMS or WhatsApp. In its design of Chat 2 Pay, Clickatell efficiently has orchestrated the complex relationship between messaging, payments, or the order management system (OMS) of their customers, and in the process mitigates the risk of merchants managing payment card details. The functionality is so easy merchants simply switch it on and manage. Clickatell’s own data shows using the chat channel for interactions and transactions reduces the overall cost of doing business while increasing customer engagement."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Brands can now improve their customer service with Chat 2 Pay by providing a more convenient and secure way to make payments in chat messaging,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder at Clickatell. “Chat 2 Pay addresses today’s boom worldwide in digital payments – a shift in consumer behavior and response to the impact of the pandemic. It also helps address consumers’ physical proximity concerns, while reducing fraud. Chat 2 Pay delivers a secure, frictionless, and contact free checkout—with no need to hand credit cards to merchants or read card details over the phone.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In its report “Drive Revenue and Customer Satisfaction by Building Trust,” Gartner® states “Not only is an organization’s trustworthiness measured by its people, it is also measured by its processes and the technologies it deploys. All agents can help or hinder the building of customer confidence and trust and negate millions of investments in people, process and technology.” Additionally, Gartner’s report “Predicts 2021: CRM Customer Service and Support,” projects that “by 2025, 80% of customer service organizations will have abandoned native mobile apps in favor of messaging for a better customer experience.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“As chat commerce accelerates, we are innovating to create payment systems like Chat 2 Pay where all brands no matter the size may accept payments in the chat channels consumers have come to love, trust, and use every day,” de Villiers said. “By taking the payment capabilities brands have on their websites, apps, and in their call centers, and making them available via chat, simpler payments will further drive adoption of this low-cost, efficient channel for interactions and transactions.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Clickatell Chat 2 Pay solution provides a pay-by-link capability, empowering brands to request and facilitate payments in three easy steps:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A merchant’s customer service or sales representative triggers a payment request from a standard CRM or order management system (OMS) and sends it to the customer as a link."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The customer receives a secure payment link via SMS or WhatsApp. When clicking on the link, it directs the customer to a hosted, responsive checkout page."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A customer then completes details and submits a payment receiving an order confirmation and receipt via chat."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is offering Chat 2 Pay to midsize and large businesses around the world. For more information, please view Clickatell’s product page "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0WQYk30","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and watch the Chat 2 Pay video "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0WQYyq0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"[1]Gartner, “Drive Revenue and Customer Satisfaction by Building Trust”, "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/44008","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Penny Gillespie"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/4599","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dale Kutnick"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/60834","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nadine LeBlanc"}]},{"type":"span","value":", June 17, 2020."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"[2]Gartner, “Predicts 2021: CRM Customer Service and Support” "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/48693","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Brian Manusama"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/60834","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nadine LeBlanc"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/93600","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Philip Jenkins"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/95738","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pri Rathnayake"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/16473","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jim Davies"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"https://www.gartner.com/analyst/56262","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jim Robinson"}]},{"type":"span","value":", December 1, 2020."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gartner Disclaimer:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GARTNER is a registered trademark and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160179","slug":"chat-desk-chat-flow-solution-transform-cx-in-contact-centers","title":"Clickatell Launches Combined Chat Desk and Chat Flow Solution to Transform CX in Contact Centers","internalName":"Clickatell Launches Combined Chat Desk and Chat Flow Solution to Transform CX in Contact Centers","publishDate":"2021-06-29","seo":{"description":"Joint solution makes it easy for brands to meet consumers on chat apps enhancing customer experience while reducing friction associated with contact center customer service","title":"Clickatell Launches Combined Chat Desk and Chat Flow Solution to Transform CX in Contact Centers","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956725-transform-cx-in-contact-centersprweb-banner.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Joint solution delivers lower cost per resolution and increased customer satisfaction"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 29, 2021 — "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0QG67t0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, today announced the launch of its Chat Desk and Chat Flow solutions delivering a superior customer experience through chat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell combines the power of Chat Desk, a live-agent digital contact center solution, with Chat Flow, a chat commerce workflow builder, providing automated chat with drag-and-drop, no-code, functionality. With this holistic solution, consumers will connect with brands through Chat Flow automated chat, also known as unassisted chat, and then if the consumer needs additional support, they seamlessly shift to a live agent or assisted chat, through Chat Desk."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By making customer service accessible with popular chat apps, brands eliminate long hold times for agents in contact centers, and meet consumers’ needs faster and more conveniently in chat apps that they already use daily. The adoption of chat is growing faster than any other digital channel with WhatsApp having over 2 billion global users and Facebook Messenger over 1.3 billion users."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Clickatell’s Chat Commerce takes the wait, the frustration, and inconvenience out of the customer service experience for our clients,” said Cerika Henning, Business Development Executive at "},{"url":"https://companypartners.co.za/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Company Partners"}]},{"type":"span","value":". “Our customers are reassured quickly and conveniently that their inquiries will be taken care of through chat. Adding the chat channel as a method to engage with our consultants has been extremely effective and a great way to build trust with our customers.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Chat Desk and Chat Flow working together or separately make it easy for brands to meet consumers where they are consistently – on chat apps – enhancing customer experience while reducing friction associated with contact center customer service,” said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. “A number one reason consumers leave brands and abandon payments is due to bad and frustrating customer experience. Adding chat apps as a channel in contact centers makes brands easily reachable and prevents frustration. Added to this, chat increases customer engagement, creating an opportunity to up and cross sell to customers, turning a cost center into a profit center.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In addition to the seamless integration between Chat Desk and Chat Flow, Clickatell has added several new features to Chat Desk including:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Pending Chats."},{"type":"span","value":" This feature enables agents to mark live chats as pending when waiting unusually long for the customer to reply, effectively putting that chat “on hold.” As the agent may be dealing with multiple chats simultaneously, this effectively declutters their chat queue, helping the agent to focus their attention on chats that are currently live."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Customer Surveys."},{"type":"span","value":" A survey can be presented to a customer when a chat ends. This can be used to gather valuable feedback about a brand’s products and/or services and about the customer’s interaction with the agent, helping contact centers’ managers better manage their support teams. Either an NPS (Net Promoter Score) or CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score) survey can be configured."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Auto Responders."},{"type":"span","value":" Custom messages can be displayed to end-users in certain scenarios, such as when all agents are busy or when a customer has reached a business outside of support hours."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Flow has also been redesigned for a cleaner, fresher, more user-friendly experience and has the following new features and enhancements:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A new ‘Settings and Shortcuts’ menu was added."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Workflow nodes can be sorted according to type, most used, or alphabetically."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Users of the Clickatell Portal can approve and deploy their flows themselves instead of relying on Clickatell's help."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Bi-directional location sharing is possible for Chat Desk customers via Chat Flow and One API."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“To join the mobile chat revolution, brands with existing contact center solutions don’t need to rip and replace, but instead can add or up-level their customer service by adding chat as an additional channel with Chat Desk and Chat Flow to boost productivity and customer experience,” added Dorff. “By doing so, brands put themselves in consumers’ contact lists right next to friends and family, and engage with consumers when they want to engage, which boosts the customer experience.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Since chat is asynchronous communication, consumers can reach out from anywhere, anytime, get the company’s response, and then chat back at their convenience. With the seamless flow from automated chat to a live agent, consumers no longer have to repeat themselves because the chat content and history is there for the consumer, agent, and supervisor to see."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat is an innovative technology making inroads in customer service and chat commerce. More than half of U.S. consumers have used chat to talk to businesses, with younger consumers even more likely to view chat as a preferred communication channel, indicates Clickatell’s"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0QG7yt0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":" Chat Commerce Trends Report"}]},{"type":"span","value":", based on a 1,000+ consumer survey."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To learn more about Chat Desk, please click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0QG6xK0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":" or watch it in action "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0QG7m_0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". To learn more about Chat Flow click"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0QG6rM0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":" here"}]},{"type":"span","value":" or watch it in action "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0R7mmv0","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"url":"mailto:nadia.louw@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"nadia.louw@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +27(21)9107700"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", 415-846-1543"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160385","slug":"us-millenials-business-on-chat","title":"U.S. Millennials Want to Do Business on Chat and Businesses Need to Catch Up","internalName":"U.S. Millennials Want to Do Business on Chat and Businesses Need to Catch Up","publishDate":"2021-06-09","seo":{"description":"Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Trends Report underscores that younger consumers are ready to move to chat not only for customer service but to also complete business transactions.","title":"U.S. Millennials Want to Do Business on Chat and Businesses Need to Catch Up","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635956868-transform-cx-in-contact-centersprweb-banner.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Trends Report reveals that more than 8 in 10 millennials want to make purchases on chat"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 9, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" -- "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0PVsms0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, released its second "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0PVrsV0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and, according to the findings, chat is the next big thing for U.S commerce with 82% of millennials wanting to make purchases via chat apps like the ones they use to talk to friends and family. Already, 88% of millennials use chat to communicate with businesses, underscoring chat as a channel of choice."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Chat Commerce Trends Report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. millennials conducted by Dimensional Research in partnership with Clickatell, underscores that younger consumers are ready to move to chat not only for customer service but to also complete business transactions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s latest report reveals that 93% of millennials have identified significant benefits to doing business on chat:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"48% save time and easily get a quick response"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"43% respond to a chat when it is convenient for them"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"41% keep all conversations in the same place"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"38% use an app that they are already using on a regular basis"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"36% want conversations in one place so any agent can pick up with all history immediately"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"34% don't need to install other apps"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"25% want businesses to easily verify their identity or personal information"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"24% want businesses to send offers specific to them or their account"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"19% don't want to speak to a live person"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Meeting Consumers Where They Are: On Chat"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A full 71% of millennials use chat apps daily, led by Facebook Messenger, Apple iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram Chat, the research shows. This is occurring at a time when more than 6.1 billion monthly active chat users outnumber the over 4.6 billion Internet users, according to Statista 2021."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Younger consumers have moved to chat and are ready to do business on chat,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder of Clickatell. “This research shows they value the convenience and speed of doing business via their favorite chat apps. Businesses will gain a competitive edge by meeting this increasingly influential group of consumers where they are, which is on chat.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"While millennials are ready, businesses have work to do, the research reveals. Only 10% of millennials say brands “always” offer the digital communication channel of their choice—including chat app, social media and phone."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Other results of the research show that:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"89% of millennials want to do business on chat"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"54% of millennials have received a message through a chat app about an order pickup, delivery or package arrival"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"38% have received a link via chat to make a payment"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"41% have used a link via chat to book or confirm an order, appointment or a reservation"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The survey results mirror sentiments by research firm Gartner stated in a recent report, ‘What is the Future of Advanced Messaging in CPaaS Solutions?’ “Advanced messaging APIs constituting of apps, such as WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, RCS, RBM,  ABC, Signal, Telegram, and Viber, are growing at a significantly faster pace (approximately 90% CAGR), and are projected to reach approximately $800 million by 2024. One key reason for this trend is that end users are increasingly turning to more advanced messaging channels for their daily conversations. Therefore, advanced messaging is a key way for enterprises to reach customers.”1"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The macro drivers turning chat commerce into the next big thing are aligning. Consumers are broadly using chat apps with friends and family, they want to do the same with businesses, and leading brands are experimenting,” de Villiers said. “We’ll see increasingly rapid uptake in the months and years ahead. In the not-so-distant future, chat apps and commerce will be indelibly linked.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat apps work across industries, the research shows. The top things consumers want to do most via chat app include making hotel or airline reservations, asking questions of banks and retailers, and ordering from restaurants."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To view more information about the Chat Commerce Trends Report, please click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0PVrsV0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"[1] Gartner, ‘What Is The Future of Advanced Messaging in CPaaS Solutions?’, Lisa Unden-Farboud, Daniel O’Connell, May 06, 2021"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We create a better world through technology, making commerce in chat accessible for everyone, everywhere. Consumers can now connect with brands to find goods and services, make purchases, track orders, and resolve issues with a simple text or chat. No need for cash, phone calls, in-person interactions, or apps. Founded in 2000 with now over 10,000 customers, Clickatell is powering the digital commerce transformation through Chat Commerce. Clickatell is headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA and has offices in Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria ("},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":")."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, nadia.louw@clickatell.com, +27 (21) 910 7700"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com, 415-846-1543"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160391","slug":"clickatell-launches-chat-commerce-workflow-builder-making-it-easy-for-brands-to-interact-with-consumers-on-chat-apps","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat Commerce Workflow Builder, Making It Easy for Brands to Interact with Consumers on Chat Apps","internalName":"Clickatell Launches Chat Commerce Workflow Builder, Making It Easy for Brands to Interact with Consumers on Chat Apps","publishDate":"2021-04-13","seo":{"description":"Find out about Chat Flow, Clickatell’s app-like functionality, which provides consumers with product information, issue resolution, and the ability to interact and make purchases within a chat.","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat Commerce Workflow Builder, Making It Easy for Brands to Interact with Consumers on Chat Apps","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635709273-clickatells-chat-flow-gets-business-chatting-with-consumerspr-web-banner-dragon.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"New product removes technical complexities, delivering immediate consumer satisfaction and returns"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 13, 2021 —"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://hubs.ly/H0KZMfR0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the leader in mobile communications and Chat Commerce, announced today the launch of "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0KZwPY0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Flow"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a new product that enables organizations to easily create, edit, test, and manage Chat Commerce communications across multiple channels. With Chat Flow, companies deploy turnkey user experiences with little or no-code requirements using popular chat apps. Chat Flow slashes the time to market and brings tangible returns almost immediately."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell's Chat Flow product has been a great tool to help us scale our mission to make education more accessible,” said Jaryd Raizon, Country Manager at "},{"url":"https://knowledgetrust.org/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Knowledge Trust"}]},{"type":"span","value":". “It has enabled us to build bots that allow our members to get interviewed autonomously on their own time and from the comfort and safety of their home. This is just the start, and we're excited to deploy more solutions through Chat Flow.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Flow’s app-like functionality on trusted chat channels, which provides consumers with in-depth product information, issue resolution, and the ability to interact and make purchases within a chat conversation, is timely and highly valued, according to recent research. Clickatell’s own recent "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0K_6wj0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"research"}]},{"type":"span","value":" shows 54% of consumers have used a chat app to talk to a business, with younger generations doing so at even higher rates. Forrester’s Moments Map, 2020, reports 23% of U.S.-based adults online already use chat to communicate with businesses at least monthly. While Chat Flow delivers all the efficiencies that come with communications in chat and automation, it also facilitates the seamless handover to human service agents, if customers want this."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Businesses can reduce customers’ frustrations that come with waiting in a queue or being placed on hold by engaging with them in their preferred chat apps,” said Clickatell Chief Product and Technology Officer Jeppe Dorff. “Chat Flow makes it easy for brands to deploy Chat Commerce and support their customers’ interactions as they search for and learn more about products and services, resolve queries and disputes, place orders, make purchases, and track or return their orders in chat. It’s easy for businesses to understand the many benefits of chat, but they are wary of complex and costly technical requirements. For the first time, Chat Flow makes it possible for organizations to visually design, build, and test conversational experiences using simple drag-and-drop functionality, all orchestrated against existing systems and investments. Chat Flow is a low-risk, high-reward solution that gives organizations access to all the benefits of Chat Commerce in an environment that has been designed to allow them to remain agile and responsive to external changes - something that this last year has shown to be vital,” he said."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Flow is a web-based workflow building and management tool that allows businesses to quickly and easily make their brand visible on the chat channels their customers are using. Chat Flow enables businesses to easily modify the customer experience as required. It significantly reduces the time to get new, innovative Chat Commerce experiences to market."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Chat Flow and how it can assist your business click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0KZwPY0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We create a better world through technology, making commerce in chat accessible for everyone, everywhere. Consumers can now connect with brands to find goods and services, make purchases, track orders, and resolve issues with a simple text or chat. No need for cash, phone calls, in-person interactions, or apps. Founded in 2000 with now over 10,000 customers, Clickatell is powering the digital commerce transformation. Clickatell is headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA and has offices in Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria (www.clickatell.com)."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"louw@clickatell.com"},{"type":"span","value":", +27(21)9107700"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", 415-846-1543"}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160403","slug":"u-s-consumers-want-to-bank-on-chat-clickatells-new-chat-commerce-trends-report-reveals","title":"U.S. Consumers Want to Bank on Chat, Clickatell’s New Chat Commerce Trends Report Reveals","internalName":"U.S. Consumers Want to Bank on Chat, Clickatell’s New Chat Commerce Trends Report Reveals","publishDate":"2021-03-30","seo":{"description":"Read our Chat Commerce Trends Report and learn how U.S. banking consumers would rather use a chat app for banking.","title":"U.S. Consumers Want to Bank on Chat, Clickatell’s New Chat Commerce Trends Report Reveals","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957048-us-consumers-want-to-bank-in-chattrend-report-pr-clickatellwebbannermar21.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"More than half of consumers have already used chat to talk to businesses; they want banks to get on board"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 30, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"—"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0K7WsN0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", the leader in mobile communications and "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0K7Wrz0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"chat commerce"}]},{"type":"span","value":", releases its first "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0K7WpD0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce Trends Report"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and finds that U.S. banking consumers would use a chat app for banking like the ones they use to talk to friends and family if the bank offered it. In fact, 70% would use chat as a communications channel and 77% are open to purchases via their chat app."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Chat Commerce Trends Report, based on a survey of over 1,000 U.S. banking consumers conducted by Dimensional Research in partnership with Clickatell, underscores that chat is the next big thing for customer service, marketing, and payments, as U.S. consumers extend the use of chat from friends and family conversations to commerce—and that banking is well positioned to drive adoption."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Almost 9 in 10 consumers already use chat apps, such as WhatsApp, Apple iMessage, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, and Instagram chat on a mobile device, the research shows. It also demonstrates that 54% have used a chat app to talk to a business, with younger generations doing so at even higher rates. This is occurring at a time when more than 6 billion monthly active chat users outnumber the over 4.6 billion Internet users, according to Statista 2021."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Consumers have moved to chat in mass, and it is fast becoming the number one preferred digital engagement platform. This research reveals that they’re now ready to do business with the brands they love on their favorite chat apps,” said Pieter de Villiers, CEO and Co-Founder of Clickatell. “Banks and other brands need to meet consumers where they are, which is on chat, or risk losing mindshare.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The survey defined a “chat app” as an app to exchange written communication with a live person. The consumers surveyed have at least three bank accounts. Other research shows consumers want to move their banking transactions to chat:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"1 in 3 have communicated with a bank using a chat app."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Almost three quarters (73%) are interested in banking via chat."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"62% agree it would be convenient to use existing chat apps for banking."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"70% are likely to use a chat app for banking if their bank offered it; Millennials are most likely to use a chat app for banking tasks if it were offered."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"65% say COVID-19 has changed the way they use banking apps, including 12% who started using an app for the first time."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Millennials increased the way they use banking apps the most due to COVID-19."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Now that consumers are driving to bank branches less and COVID-19 has led to increased call center wait times, they are increasingly transitioning to secure chat apps to communicate and transact with banks and other brands,” added de Villiers. “Banks are well positioned to lead the evolution of digital commerce in the U.S. to the next era, which will be chat commerce.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Banks gain competitive advantage with Chat Commerce"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"Not surprisingly, younger consumers are most invested and interested in chat to interact and transact with businesses. While half of all banking consumers have used chat to talk to a business, 68% of millennials have done the same. Millennials are also most likely to use chat for banking if it was offered."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Higher income households and consumers with the highest education levels are also more interested in banking via a chat app, this research demonstrates, as are people who access bank accounts more frequently."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"The top three banking services consumers want via chat apps are for customer support, to check account balances and pay bills, the research reveals. This dovetails with expectations that chat commerce via mobile will unfold in the U.S. first in customer service and then move on to transactions and payments around goods and services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To view a copy of the Chat Commerce Trends Report, please visit,"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0K7WpD0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":" click here."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We create a better world through technology, making commerce in chat accessible for everyone, everywhere. Consumers can now connect with brands to find goods and services, make purchases, track orders, and resolve issues with a simple text or chat. No need for cash, phone calls, in-person interactions, or apps. Founded in 2000 with now over 10,000 customers, Clickatell is powering the digital commerce transformation. Clickatell is headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA and has offices in Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"(www.clickatell.com)"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"url":"mailto:nadia.louw@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"louw@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +27 (21) 910 7700"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", 415-846-1543"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160422","slug":"african-insurers-turn-to-chat-to-break-their-digital-gridlock","title":"African Insurers Turn to Chat to Break their Digital Gridlock","internalName":"African Insurers Turn to Chat to Break their Digital Gridlock","publishDate":"2021-03-30","seo":{"description":"Learn how African insurance companies are relying on omnichannel strategies, and especially chat commerce, to help them tackle their digital gridlock.","title":"African Insurers Turn to Chat to Break their Digital Gridlock","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957205-clickatell-prmesa-african-insurers-turn-to-chat-to-break-their-digital-gridlockwebbanner.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 30, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"—"},{"type":"span","value":" African insurance companies are relying on omnichannel strategies, and especially chat commerce, to rapidly advance their digital offerings and help them tackle their current digital gridlock.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Delivering the keynote at Clickatell’s webinar for the African insurance cluster recently, Mark Walker, IDC Associate Vice President Sub–Saharan Africa, opened with a reality check for the industry. He noted, according to the IDC’s 2020 MEA CIO Survey, 64% of insurance organisations in the region are stuck in the early and middle stages of digital transformation. Just 11% are currently in what the IDC describes as the most advanced, or optimised stage, where the insurer is aggressively disruptive in using new digital technologies.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Walker noted, however, that the Covid pandemic had been a trigger for many organisations in the insurance sector to accelerate their digital initiatives, with 62% advancing plans by one year, while 14% accelerated their digital roadmaps by two years.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Referring again to the 2020 MEA CIO Survey, Walker shared that the biggest expectation of digital transformation from business was an improvement in the customer experience. He also highlighted that the future of insurance would see a move from the traditional channels of agent and broker supported by websites and call centres to an omni-engagement environment involving traditional channels, as well as new digital channels including mobile and social networks.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The importance of a strong omnichannel strategy was affirmed by the attendees in the results of a virtual poll taken after the keynote, which showed that 90% of respondents saw chat as a catalyst to their digital transformation drive.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Moderator of the event, Werner Lindemann, Clickatell Senior VP Commercial Middle East and Southern Africa, took the attendees through the benefits of using chat to enhance customer experience, reduce cost, and decrease time to revenue.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Contextualising the power of chat’s reach, Lindemann pointed out that chat is now surpassing the reach of social media with chat platforms serving 5.8 billion users, while social media serves 4.6 billion users, underpinning Clickatell’s mission to bring brands to their customers on the channels of their choice.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lindemann also shared research from WhatsApp which showed that 81% of customers would message a business to find out about products or services, 75% to receive support, and a healthy 74% would use chat to connect with a business in order to make a purchase.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat holds the key to future innovation in insurance "},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Looking at the future of chat in insurance, Lindemann shared with attendees how Clickatell was already working with insurers in Africa to market and sell insurance over WhatsApp, including the admin intensive FICA requirements, as well as the lodging of claims.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The second virtual poll underscored the importance insurance players placed on chat with almost 50% of attendees saying they had already implemented chat functionality in their digital offering, 42% saying they were planning to so this year still, and just 11% saying they had no firm plans for chat, as yet.   "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The panel discussion kicked off with Pieter de Villiers, co-founder and CEO at Clickatell, affirming the IDC studies.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The insurance industry has a lot of catching up to do. Customers have expectations of how they want to engage with all of their brands, including the more traditional insurance companies. In 2017, when the chat economy emerged we saw banking leapfrog into the new era, but it has taken the insurance companies some time to transform out of the call centre era and realise the efficiencies of chat,” de Villiers said.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Sharing his experience of the digital transformation journey, Kreegan Govindsamy, Head of Product Management at Discovery Holdings, looked at the benefits of chat and its role in Discovery’s future.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We now have the ability to offer interactive messaging, which has use cases across the entire customer journey. All the way from leads generation to sales, onboarding engagement, and if needs be, credit control and conservations. I think the use cases are becoming more widely adopted as a means to support and enhance human-based interactions,” Govindsamy said.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Looking ahead, Govindsamy said Discovery would be looking at using its chat architecture or conversational AI architecture to experiment with video and voice as a means to enhance the conversational offering.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Wrapping up, de Villiers pointed out insurers in Africa would need to ensure their products were tailored to the market with a focus on micro or pay-as-you-go insurance. They should also not neglect billing and collections which, fortunately, could also be supported by digital channels.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Insurance providers in emerging markets have an opportunity to leverage the additional reach made possible through chat commerce, expanding their total addressable market by up to three times with micro insurance products,” de Villiers said.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Finally, he summed up the consensus of the webinar, saying that unless insurers in Africa had reach, they would not be able to effectively serve their customers. This, he reiterated, required the effective use of mobile and the power of chat.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To watch the webinar, Chat Commerce for Insurers: Your Digital Transformation Roadmap,"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"on-demand click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0K5vHD0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We create a better world through technology, making commerce in chat accessible for everyone, everywhere. Consumers can now connect with brands to find goods and services, make purchases, track orders, and resolve issues with a simple text or chat. No need for cash, phone calls, in-person interactions, or apps. Founded in 2000 with now over 10,000 customers, Clickatell is powering the digital commerce transformation. Clickatell is headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA and has offices in Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria ("},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noreferrer noopener"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":")."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Semaphore Communications, Elzaan Rohde "},{"url":"mailto:elzaan@semaphore.co.za","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"elzaan@semaphore.co.za"}]},{"type":"span","value":"  "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"url":"mailto:nadia.louw@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"nadia.louw@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +27 (21) 910 7700 "}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", 415-846-1543 "}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160428","slug":"the-right-channel-strategy-will-be-the-insurance-game-changer-in-2021","title":"The Right Channel Strategy will be the Insurance Game Changer in 2021","internalName":"The Right Channel Strategy will be the Insurance Game Changer in 2021","publishDate":"2021-02-18","seo":{"description":"Check this introduction to our free Webinar on the subject of chat commerce in the insurance industry due to lower costs and improved time to revenue.","title":"The Right Channel Strategy will be the Insurance Game Changer in 2021","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957290-clickatell-prmesa-insurance-the-right-channel-strategywebbanneropt.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa, 18 February 2021"},{"type":"span","value":", A strong omni-channel strategy and the smart use of chat commerce could hold the key to help fast-track digital adoption in pan-African insurance companies, allowing them to benefit from lower costs, decreased time to revenue, and satisfied customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Speaking ahead of their insurance webinar, Werner Lindemann, Clickatell Senior VP Commercial: Middle East and Southern Africa, sets the scene, saying: “The insurance sector could face its Rubicon in 2021. Despite evidence showing both the cost saving benefits of digital channels as well as customer preference for them, a recent McKinsey report highlights that while digital adoption is a healthy 70 percent in banking, it is just 35 percent in insurance. With the growing threat of disintermediation by other sectors, as well as disruption by Insurtech offerings, unless insurance companies take the plunge into an omni-channel world, it faces some very real challenges this year.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Beyond the Bot"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Looking at how insurance companies have missed out on meaningful digital adoption, Lindemann says that far too many insurance companies have simply deployed bots and believed this satisfied their digital requirements. He warns that it is never long before the results of this short-term approach rear their head."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Most African Enterprises (including Insurers) are dead set on deploying bots, but many had not properly thought through what the architectural stack requirements would be,” he says."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lindemann explains that each time companies deploy a channel there are three components they need to think about."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The first is deciding over which channel they want to connect with their customer. Web chat, which was initially the darling of chat, poses a real problem as it’s not asynchronous and there is no way to retain chat history – a vital requirement in delivering a good customer experience and keeping records of document exchange, especially in a service industry such as insurance."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The second component of the architectural stack which needs to be considered is the orchestration layer. Most companies build a bot without thinking about how it will connect with the various channels and how it will behave on WhatsApp, SMS and web interfaces. This lack of channel cohesion does not leave the customer with a good omni-channel experience, sometimes putting them off the digital channels altogether."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The third consideration is the ability to hand over to a live agent when the bot starts sounding stupid. Lindemann says this last part of the stack is often overlooked or not thought through properly, leaving the bot strategy incomplete or messy and resulting in a very poor customer experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“If you don’t integrate properly you lose the ability to provide decent customer experience, that will drive potential upsell in the medium term. This is the death knell when it comes to deploying a good omni-channel experience,” Lindemann warns."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat to the rescue"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lindemann explains that in order to reach customers where they are, chat is the key channel for Insurers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Complex products like insurance generate numerous requests for information, updates, and more. Many of these requests are fairly simple, making chat the perfect choice. We know that mobile-first consumers prefer to deal with straightforward interactions the same way they’d make or change a coffee date with a friend, via chat. Using this channel means consumers get fast answers to easy questions, and a live chat agent can take over if needed,”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"International research supports Lindemann’s sentiments. According to "},{"url":"https://www.ibm.com/blogs/watson/2017/10/how-chatbots-reduce-customer-service-costs-by-30-percent/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"research sponsored by IBM"}]},{"type":"span","value":", global businesses spend $1.3 trillion on customer service calls each year. Of those types of assisted interactions, 80 percent could be resolved with automated responses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are currently working with an Insurer who sells micro- insurance into rural areas in Africa. We are designing a user journey with them where a customer can apply for insurance over WhatsApp and also use the chat channel to lodge a claim all using the cellphone number as the main identifier. We have also designed the system to allow applicants to self-FICA which is a real game changer. By uploading their ID, a selfie and proof of residence you can prove who you are. What’s more the WhatsApp channel allows you to ask and answer questions in an asynchronous environment and at the customer’s convenience,” Lindemann explains."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In an increasingly competitive environment, Lindemann says insurance companies will need to differentiate themselves through outstanding customer experience. In addition, the pressures of a pandemic economy have also put a renewed focus on driving down costs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Chat is showing itself to be the hero in rapid digital transformation. Serving your customers over the channel they prefer to use is the first and most important building block of good customer experience. Chat also drives increased convenience, higher engagements, decrease the time to revenue and reduces the cost to serve. Placing chat at the centre of your omni-channel experience is the best way to ensure success,” Lindemann says."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell has assembled industry experts to take a deeper dive into setting up a winning channel strategy for insurance companies. Taking place on Tuesday 16 March 11:00 - 12:00, the live webinar will include Mark Walker, Associate VP – South, East and West Africa at the IDC, Pieter de Villiers Co-Founder and CEO of Clickatell, as well as Discovery Holdings’ Head of Product Management, Kreegan Govindsamy. Register here "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0GQxF70","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://hubs.la/H0GQxF70"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and learn how to take a customer-first approach to digital transformation, and enhance customer experience, reduce cost, and decrease time to revenue with chat commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"nadia.louw@clickatell.com"},{"type":"span","value":", 072 071 3058"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Semaphore Communications, Elzaan Rohde, elzaan@semaphore.co.za, 083 256 1493"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160461","slug":"chat-commerce-drives-higher-revenue-better-cx","title":"Chat Commerce Drives Higher Revenue, Better CX","internalName":"Chat Commerce Drives Higher Revenue, Better CX","publishDate":"2021-02-10","seo":{"description":"Check out our free Webinar, Chat Commerce Drives Higher Revenue, Better CX, presented by Clickatell and Aberdeen Research explaining why a customer-first approach is key with chat commerce and how to get started.","title":"Chat Commerce Drives Higher Revenue, Better CX","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957394-prchat-commerce-drives-higher-revenue-better-cxclickatell-banner-image2opt.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Webinar by "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" and "},{"url":"https://www.aberdeen.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Aberdeen Research"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" explains how to begin, and why a customer-first approach is key with chat commerce"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" REDWOOD CITY, Calif., February 10, 2021"},{"type":"span","value":" "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"—"},{"type":"span","value":" Companies that deploy chat in commerce see higher revenue growth, stronger customer retention, reduced service costs, and increased marketing effectiveness than companies that don’t, indicates research from Aberdeen Research in partnership with Clickatell, a global leader in mobile communications and chat commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat commerce—enabling customers to interact and transact with brands via chat apps—is being adopted globally, led by Asia, Europe, and Africa, and quickly followed by North America, the research shows."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The research is discussed in full detail in a just released on-demand webinar, “Leveraging Chat to Manage & Evolve a Customer-First Digital Transformation Program,” which is available "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0GhYw20","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In the global multi-industry survey of 405 companies, Aberdeen found that at least two-thirds of firms use chat and that those that use chat in commerce achieve superior financial results while delivering a better customer experience. Highlights of the research indicate that companies using chat in commerce experience a:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"75% improvement in annual revenue growth"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"48% bump in customer retention rates"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"27% improvement in ability to reduce service costs"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"21x improvement in marketing ROI"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The research also shows that many forms of chat—including WhatsApp, live chat, and mobile in-app messaging—rank high in terms of planned adoption as companies seek more connection with consumers. Forty six percent of businesses have implemented messaging apps or plan to do so in the next 12 months."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are on the cusp of mass adoption of chat in commerce, and smart brands will create one holistic customer experience across all customer channels, including chat, the interactive channel of choice,” says Jeppe Dorff, Clickatell Chief Product and Technology Officer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"While many companies have pursued digital transformation efforts, many have fallen short of goals. By deploying chat—which is now used daily by eight in 10 adults, the research shows—companies can more quickly respond to changing consumer needs and preferences as they pursue their digital initiatives. This is especially critical in the wake of COVID-19, which hastened digital commerce around the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat-enabled data and insights"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat also enables companies to gather more data and insight, more quickly, into the customer experience so companies can respond more readily. Lack of visibility into customer data was cited by eight in 10 companies as a key challenge, the research shows."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Chat enables customer-friendly digital transformation and best practices are applicable in all industries,” says Omer Minkara, Aberdeen VP and Principal Analyst. “By making digital transformation efforts customer first, not business first and focused on internal needs, companies will see greater success in satisfying and delighting their customers.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Companies who used chat in commerce, when compared to those who didn’t, were 84% more likely to improve the number of positive social media mentions for their brand, the research shows."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In the webinar, Minkara and Dorff also discuss how a brand may use chat to take a customer-first approach to digital transformation, including key first steps such as: focusing on frequent customer issues; devising metrics to measure success; iterating and improving chat initiatives as you go; and expanding use cases over time. The webinar also discusses issues such as key building blocks to use chat in customer-first initiatives and roadblocks and pitfalls to digital transformation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To view the webinar, “Leveraging Chat to Manage & Evolve a Customer-First Digital Transformation Program,” click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0GhYw20","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Today’s consumers choose chat as their preferred method of communication (e.g., Text, WhatsApp, Apple iMessage, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, etc.) and expect a convenient, efficient and engaging experience to purchase goods and services. Clickatell’s Chat Commerce Platform gives consumers the power to connect, interact, and transact with brands anytime, anywhere. With offices in the US, Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria, Clickatell has 15,000 customers, ranging from Fortune 500 organizations to well-known consumer brands and small businesses. Visit Clickatell at "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"url":"mailto:Nadia.louw@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"louw@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +27-21-910 7700"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", 415-846-1543"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61160508","slug":"african-banks-perfectly-poised-to-benefit-from-chat-commerce","title":"African banks perfectly poised to benefit from chat commerce","internalName":"African banks perfectly poised to benefit from chat commerce","publishDate":"2020-12-08","seo":{"description":"Attendees at Clickatell’s Connect Interact and Transact (CIT) annual event in November heard how African banks perfectly poised to benefit from chat commerce. Click here for more details.","title":"African banks perfectly poised to benefit from chat commerce","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957589-citafrican-banks-perfectly-poised-to-benefit-from-chat-commerceclickatell-banner-imageopt.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lagos, Nigeria, 10 December 2020"},{"type":"span","value":": Attendees at Clickatell’s Connect Interact and Transact (CIT) annual event in November heard how chat commerce can assist companies, especially banks, connect with customers who are increasingly demanding a new way of engagement and shifting their trust from traditional organisations to startups."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The event, which is normally hosted in Lagos for Clickatell’s Nigerian and other African customers and partners, was hosted virtually this year and chaired by Hannes van Rensburg, Clickatell’s Chief Commercial Officer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"He introduced the speakers by positioning the importance of digital engagement in a pandemic challenged world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Covid-19 has changed customers’ buying behaviour and how they interact with brands. For this reason, it has accelerated digital investments for many organisations. Companies are now urgently turning to chat channels to help them meet these new expectations. Clickatell is investing and innovating in this space so we can enable commerce where your customers are,” van Rensburg explained."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Featured speaker, Alyson Clarke, principal analyst at Forrester kicked off her keynote titled: The Future of Banking, by sharing some of the company’s research findings. These showed how banking business priorities have changed during the pandemic. Of note was banks accelerating their shift to become digital businesses, ranked as the third top priority post-pandemic, closely following growing revenue and reducing costs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Forrester states that the next decade in banking will be all about insights and who consumers trust to use them. The organization says: consumers want personalized experiences and products, with a level of guidance and assistance set by customer preference; that customers expect return on consent and that trust and permission must not be taken for granted. It was also noted that a focus on financial well-being, through advice and in refining products for consumer needs, will define leaders."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"An engaging panel discussion following the keynote focussed on the importance of chat when it comes to empowering consumers in a digital world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gareth Bray, Business Development and Partnerships at WhatsApp, opened the discussion by sharing how Covid-19 had accelerated existing trends."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We’ve been working with our partners, such as Clickatell, to onboard new businesses, whether it's their first foray into conversational commerce or to vastly increase the efficiency of their customer service by using asynchronous chat apps. We have multiple use cases in the fintech space in Africa. One company began onboarding new customers through their chat channel, which meant they could still grow their business even in the throes of a pandemic,” he said."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pieter de Villiers, co-founder and CEO at Clickatell confirmed this trend saying chat was faster, simpler and smarter for both the customer and for the bank. He said Clickatell believes banks, particularly in the emerging markets, can increase their reach by a factor of three if they implement chat. “The goal should be no pain for your customer and ultimately zero hold time,” de Villiers added."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With over 2 billion users on its platform, WhatsApp understands user behaviour when it comes to chat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Meeting your customer where they are is key in all of this. Our findings show that sixty percent of users choose to message a business rather than pick up the phone. They want to interact with a bank on a device of their choosing, on the platform of their choosing, at a time of their choosing. They want this frictionless, convenient service from any company they may be interacting with,” Bray shared."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s West Africa Director, Samson Isa, underpinned these findings when he shared the results of an online poll event attendees had taken earlier. When asked how comfortable their customers were transacting digitally, 60% of attendees responded ‘very comfortable’, 44% responded ‘somewhat comfortable’ and just 6% said their customers were ‘not very comfortable’ transacting digitally."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We can see that African customers want to engage with brands via digital channels. Enabling chat commerce provides a huge opportunity, particularly for banks in the region,” said de Villiers in his closing."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To download a recording of the CIT 2020 virtual event click "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/webinars/the-future-of-digital-commerce-is-chat/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". For more information on how chat commerce can help your business connect with your customers visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Today’s consumers choose chat as their preferred method of communication (e.g., text, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp) and expect a high degree of convenience in the way they are served with goods and services. Clickatell makes this possible by offering real-time customer engagement and transaction platforms that enable businesses to connect, interact, and transact with their customers via mobile chat and other digital channels. With offices in the US, Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria, Clickatell has 15,000 customers, ranging from Fortune 500 organizations to well-known consumer brands and small businesses. We connect businesses to 6 billion mobile phone users in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. Visit Clickatell at "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Media Contacts"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Nadia Louw, "},{"url":"mailto:nadia.louw@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"nadia.louw@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", +27-72-071-3058"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, Andrea Mahoney, "},{"url":"mailto:andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"andrea.mahoney@clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", 415-846-1543"}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61181776","slug":"from-a-worlds-first-connecting-the-internet-with-mobile-phones-to-pioneering-chat-commerce-clickatell-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary","title":"Pioneering Chat Commerce, Clickatell Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary","internalName":"Pioneering Chat Commerce, Clickatell Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary","publishDate":"2020-10-20","seo":{"description":"Clickatell Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary and its vision of creating a better world through technology championing, customers and powering the next wave of the digital economy","title":"Pioneering Chat Commerce, Clickatell Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957728-clickatell-celebrating-20yrsweb-banner.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Clickatell‘s vision of creating a better world through technology has culminated in 20 years of championing customers and powering the next wave of the digital economy"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., October 20, 2020 —"},{"type":"span","value":" Twenty years ago, Clickatell, a global leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, became the first company to connect the world’s fastest growing commerce platform – the internet – with the world’s fastest growing communications platform – the mobile phone. Today, Clickatell is pioneering chat commerce – the biggest transformative chapter in the unfolding digital economy – to enable brands to connect, interact, and transact with their customers on mobile messaging and chat channels, anywhere, reliably, securely, and in real-time on the world’s most popular chat apps."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Consumers spend 90% of their screen time on five mobile apps, and chat apps rank number one. They prefer digital commerce experiences and expect to be able to buy goods and access services 24x7 from anywhere."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A recent Aberdeen research report, “"},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ycmKN0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Maximize the ROI of Chat in Commerce Activities"}]},{"type":"span","value":",” indicates that companies incorporating chat capabilities enjoy 75% greater year-over-year growth in annual revenue and 89% greater annual growth in cross-sell and up-sell revenue."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Chat commerce is how availability for financial opportunities will unfold for the next billion people,” said Pieter de Villiers, co-founder and CEO at Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation across businesses around the world, including digital commerce, and people are embracing commerce via chat. “The next billion people and millions of merchants will not be onboarded through websites, email, and point of sale devices, but through digital and chat commerce experiences,” de Villiers added."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Despite the pandemic, Clickatell is experiencing rapid growth and recently appointed Glen Braganza as CFO and Jennifer Shambroom as CMO. The veterans of fintech, payments, and the mobile ecosystem respectively bring substantial insight and leadership to position Clickatell for further growth."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers believes a technology company does not survive and grow amidst two decades of technology disruptions if it does not continue to innovate. Clickatell’s recent innovations include the launches of chat commerce, chat banking, and chat self-service solutions and products. In addition, Clickatell’s unique low/no code digital engagement and payment orchestration capabilities make it fast and easy for leading brands to deploy the company’s chat commerce experiences in minutes rather than days."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We aim to grow by ten times in the next six years. A larger Clickatell can have a bigger and better impact in the world,” concluded de Villiers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell milestones:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2000: Became the first to connect internet businesses with consumers on mobile using SMS that could be implemented with four lines of code."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2012: Pioneered global SMS API offering and award-winning mobile payments and distribution platform Transact."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2017: Developed proprietary technology for natural language understanding and in-chat application delivery as part of its Touch platform."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2018: Introduced the world’s first chat banking solution: ABSA."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2019: Became the premier enabler of chat commerce in emerging markets."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"2019: Became the first to bring chat commerce capabilities to the telecom sector: "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/clickatell-mtn-south-africa-chat-commerce-whatsapp/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"MTN South Africa"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about how Clickatell can enable chat commerce for businesses, visit Clickatell’s product page "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ycmLt0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To download the Aberdeen research report, click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ycmKN0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To download the big book of chat commerce eBook click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0yclF90","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To download the history of messaging infographic click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0yclJB0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To watch Clickatell’s history timeline click "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ycmJW0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information on Clickatell, visit "},{"url":"https://hubs.la/H0ycmLW0","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61181811","slug":"sterling-bank-leads-with-clickatells-chat-banking-solution","title":"Sterling Bank Leads with Lending, Investing and Credit Rating Features on WhatsApp with Clickatell’s Chat Banking Solution","internalName":"Sterling Bank Leads with Lending, Investing and Credit Rating Features on WhatsApp with Clickatell’s Chat Banking Solution","publishDate":"2020-07-28","seo":{"description":"Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria announces a collaboration with Clickatell to offer a unique and very personalized banking experience for existing customers and prospective account holders through the popular messaging app - WhatsApp.","title":"Sterling Bank Leads with Lending, Investing and Credit Rating Features on WhatsApp with Clickatell’s Chat Banking Solution","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957832-clickatellpr-sterling-bank-using-whatsappwebbanner.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lagos, Nigeria, July 29, 2020 – "},{"type":"span","value":"Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria's leading commercial bank, in collaboration with Clickatell, a global leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, today announced a unique and very personalized banking experience for existing customers and prospective account holders through the popular messaging app - WhatsApp. Customers can now initiate bank transfers, and airtime and bill payments, check balance, and BVN inquiries, as well as statement generation directly on WhatsApp with the aid of "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Kiki"},{"type":"span","value":", a new personalized financial assistant."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The financial assistant also connects customers directly to customer service, making dispute resolution seamless."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Designed to provide personalized service to every customer of the bank, "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Kiki"},{"type":"span","value":" possesses conversational intelligence and will answer questions related to personal finances once prompted. "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Kiki"},{"type":"span","value":" makes initiating banking transactions as easy as chatting with friends through the bank's verified WhatsApp number - +234 906 000 6449."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Oladipo Alabede, Group Head of Digital Banking at Sterling Bank, said “Delivering banking on WhatsApp for instant messaging is desirous by our customers who want a reliable, convenient, and safe medium to perform basic banking transactions on their mobile devices. It eases the stress of moving between apps before transactions can be concluded.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to Alabede, WhatsApp is easy, safe, fast, and secure. “It has improved security that prevents fraud and enables customers to have access to all their accounts. The service is designed for self-service registration and the customers can sign-on from any location. The current features of the app include Sterling to Sterling and Sterling to other banks' transfers, airtime top-up, bill payments, balance inquiry, BVN inquiry and statement generation, among others.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are pleased to help Sterling Bank enable chat banking on WhatsApp, making banking services available to its customers anytime and everywhere on a channel they use daily,” says Samson Isa, Director – West Africa for Clickatell. He added, “Chat banking is the future of financial services with bank customers preferring the channel for conducting routine banking, as it is fast, simple, and secure. We are proud to be leading this shift in financial services, along with customers like Sterling Bank.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For a customer to get started, Alabede explained that he or she would need to follow three simple steps."}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Firstly, the customer would have to save the mobile number +234 906 000 6449 as a contact on his/her device and should remember to save the number as \""},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Kiki"},{"type":"span","value":".\""}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Secondly, once the number has been saved, the customer should start a conversation by typing “Hi,\" “Hello” or \"Hey,\" among others, and sending the message to "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Kiki"},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lastly, the prospective customer should agree to the terms and conditions by sending “I AGREE” followed by the account number to "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Kiki"},{"type":"span","value":". Thereafter, an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number for validation. The customer is also expected to set a transaction PIN using his/her debit card."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Alabede said the customer must use the mobile number registered on his/her Sterling account to enjoy the service."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"He added that a new set of features will soon be enabled, as the bank is exploring ways to serve customers better with the introduction of micro lending, micro investment, account opening, card request, and credit rating, among others."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Sterling Bank Plc"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Sterling Bank Plc is a leading national commercial banking establishment in Nigeria. It commenced operations as NAL Bank in 1960. Today, with over N1 trillion in total assets, 180 business offices, and over 800 ATMs nationwide, Sterling Bank has grown into a major financial institution. The Bank prides itself as ‘Your one-customer bank’ that celebrates each customer as a unique individual."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For further information, please visit http://www.sterling.ng."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61182210","slug":"clickatell-launches-chat-desk-to-shake-up-the-1-3-trillion-call-center-industry","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat Desk to Shake Up the $1.3 Trillion Call Center Industry","internalName":"Clickatell Launches Chat Desk to Shake Up the $1.3 Trillion Call Center Industry","publishDate":"2020-07-15","seo":{"description":"Chat Desk is a digital contact center solution that helps agents resolve customer queries and obtain customer insights in real-time using chat channels.","title":"Clickatell Launches Chat Desk to Shake Up the $1.3 Trillion Call Center Industry","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635957940-clickatell-launches-chat-desk-for-contact-centerspressreleaseclickatell-banner-1.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Chat Desk transforms the way businesses serve their customers through chat channels and live agent support"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 15, 2020 —"},{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell, a global leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, today announced the launch of Chat Desk, a digital contact center solution that helps agents resolve customer queries and obtain customer insights in real-time using chat channels for live agent support. The solution addresses the growing consumer demand for easy and personal experiences by transforming the traditional call center with one simple integration."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“For decades, businesses have spent significant resources on the call center experience – generating 265 billion customer service calls each year – and most of this investment does not create desired outcomes for businesses or consumers. It’s cost prohibitive and doesn’t provide customers with the experience they expect,” said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. “Chat Desk addresses some of the biggest customer experience challenges today. It enables consumers to communicate on the chat channels they are most comfortable using, while enabling organizations to easily integrate chat to deliver the very best customer experience and not break the bank.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A complete end-to-end chat solution, Clickatell’s Chat Desk enables live agents and their supervisors to communicate with customers over popular chat platforms such as WhatsApp, tracking tickets and chat histories."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Our clients connect with each other all day, every day with instant messages,” said Shaun Kotwal, Head of Standard Bank Wealth and Investment, South Africa. “By providing Clickatell’s dedicated Chat Desk, we can deliver a service that is more personalized than ever before – right where our clients are already communicating. A service that is not only simple, but also secure.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By integrating chat channels within Chat Desk, businesses lower the demand on costly, traditional voice channels and enable agents to resolve multiple chat requests simultaneously, lowering the cost per resolution and increasing customer satisfaction, Dorff explained."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Desk’s real-time reporting and analytics provides agents with the ability to view customer sentiment and insights, and access customers’ outstanding and historical tickets. With these features, agents efficiently manage customer escalations by easily transferring inquiries to correct departments or specialized agents."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Studies have shown that just three percent of customers enjoy using IVR (interactive voice response), yet 80 percent of interactions can be resolved by automation and engagement,” added Dorff. “Chat Desk addresses this divide with a solution designed to delight customers and build brand loyalty.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Additional key benefits of Chat Desk are its capabilities for supervisors. Chat Desk empowers supervisors to effectively manage agents by monitoring their activities, performance, productivity, and workload in real-time. Through Clickatell’s "},{"url":"/products/chatflow/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Flow"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a visual workflow editor, agents can also identify the most frequent queries and where resources like interactive FAQs and other self-service options are sufficient."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Desk is cloud-based for fast deployments and instant updates, significantly lowering the risk for organizations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For details about Chat Desk, visit our "},{"url":"/products/chat-desk/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"product page"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and watch our "},{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXGv1wQhOzQ","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"video"}]},{"type":"span","value":". For more information on Clickatell, visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61182880","slug":"clickatell-announces-automated-faq-response-solution-on-whatsapp-for-businesses-experiencing-high-call-volumes","title":"Clickatell Announces Automated FAQ Response Solution on WhatsApp for Businesses Experiencing High Call Volumes","internalName":"Clickatell Announces Automated FAQ Response Solution on WhatsApp for Businesses Experiencing High Call Volumes","publishDate":"2020-06-19","seo":{"description":"Clickatell launches a cost-effective response solution for businesses to deliver an enhanced customer experience via its new Automated FAQ Response solution.","title":"Clickatell Announces Automated FAQ Response Solution on WhatsApp for Businesses Experiencing High Call Volumes","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958025-clickatell-introduces-faq-response-solution-to-help-businesses-with-high-call-volumes-web-banner.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Cost-effective contact center automation solution helps businesses improve customer experience"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 7, 2020 —"},{"type":"span","value":" In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Clickatell, a global leader in mobile communications and chat commerce platforms, today announced a swift to implement and cost-effective response solution for businesses’ contact centers to deliver an enhanced customer experience. Clickatell’s announcement of its new Automated FAQ Response solution comes as contact center operations struggle with maintaining consistent customer experience amidst support agents working remotely, consumer anxiety, lockdowns and social distancing measures."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Businesses are experiencing ever higher customer queries, while also having to decentralize their contact center operations with thousands of frontline agents having to work from home. Some businesses are contending with less staff and even shutting some contact centers down, making customer service challenges a critical area of need,” explained Jeppe Dorff, Clickatell Chief Product and Technology Officer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell’s new Automated FAQ Response solution, integrated with Clickatell’s cloud-based workflow automation software, enables enterprises to automate responses and provide immediate answers to customers’ most frequently asked questions in WhatsApp – improving customer experience and reducing operating costs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The cloud-based solution integrates into existing contact center interactive voice response (IVR) systems with minimal configuration changes. It includes Clickatell’s "},{"url":"/products/chatflow/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Flow"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a visual workflow editor, to manage the questions and responses. Clickatell enables this with a FAQ bot that gives customers instant answers to questions on WhatsApp. Businesses will be able to significantly reduce their contact center congestion."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In addition to the solution for WhatsApp, businesses can also send out timely emergency text notifications through SMS using Clickatell’s "},{"url":"/products/sms-campaign-manager/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Campaign Manager"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a free, no-code communication platform. Campaign Manager makes SMS messages and campaigns simple to launch in minutes for time-critical alerts and notifications at scale."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Our purpose at Clickatell is creating a better world through technology, and we have seen this amplified during several crises over our 20 years of leadership in mobile technology. We now find ourselves amidst a global public health crisis, and we’re here to help our customers reach their audience through fast, reliable communications and digital commerce platforms,” said Jeppe Dorff."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell recognizes businesses’ need to be responsive to customers in online and mobile channels is crucial during these extraordinary times. To help businesses get started, Clickatell is providing businesses a special offer that removes set-up fees and waives three months of software platform usage fees."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For details regarding our new contact center special offer, please visit our Automated FAQ Response page "},{"url":"https://solutions.clickatell.com/automated-emergency-response-faq","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"here."}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61182993","slug":"endeavor-welcomes-pieter-de-villiers-ceo-of-clickatell-to-their-global-network","title":"Endeavor Welcomes Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell, to Their Global Network","internalName":"Endeavor Welcomes Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell, to Their Global Network","publishDate":"2020-01-13","seo":{"description":"Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell completed the selection process to join Endeavour and shares his experience below.","title":"Endeavor Welcomes Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell, to Their Global Network","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958114-endeavorwelcomespieterdevilliersceoofclickatelltotheirglobalnetwork.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"During the 92nd International Selection Panel in Riviera Maya, held December 11-13, 2019, Endeavor officially marked the milestone selection of the 2,000th Endeavor Entrepreneur since the organization’s founding in 1997."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With 24 entrepreneurs leading 15 companies from 11 markets selected at the last panel for 2019, Endeavor now supports 2,016 entrepreneurs leading 1,258 companies in 35+ growth markets around the world. Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell completed the selection process and shares his experience below."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"1. What motivated you to join the Endeavor process?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship as a way to create jobs and fulfill a purpose of having a positive impact in our world; this seems to be in line with Endeavor’s goal in terms of ‘impact’ and ‘giving back’."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"While Clickatell is arguably larger in size and traction than the typical Endeavour cohort; taking the time to invest in the Endeavor process made sense given that one of our priorities is to expand our leadership in chat commerce enablement into new markets such as Latin America and this is a region where Endeavor has a strong network of ‘like-minded’ entrepreneurs and advisors."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2. Comment on the process."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The process was insightful and helpful as it acts as a trigger to take a critical look at one's business, the market you serve and the overall market opportunity as a whole. The preparation as well as the interview panel format creates a ‘forcing function’ to ensure you can clearly articulate the execution plan; this I found to be well worth the effort. Finally, being together with like-minded entrepreneurs from around the world is always a privilege and energising, I truly enjoyed meeting the group."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"3. In your opinion, why is innovation important in today’s business landscape?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Innovation is a big part of our success and company DNA; back in 2000 we were the first solution in the world that enabled the internet to communicate with a mobile phone via text messaging by simply adding four lines of code to a web page. Innovation takes commitment and drives real value; it also shaped our values as you have to have courage to innovate, and be curious, creative and collaborative. We essentially connected the fastest growing commerce platform with the world’s largest communications platform with thousands of brands across 200 countries paying for our services."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"4. How are you leading innovation in your sector?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We believe technology can be used to make things better and easier for mankind, and we focus our efforts on helping people like you and me ‘get things done’ and save time when we are interacting with the brands we love. Globally, we are regarded as leaders in the area where communications (messaging, chat, interaction, etc.) meets commerce (payments, billing, etc.) and  truly #1 in several markets when it comes to chat commerce enablement (the 3rd wave after e-commerce and app commerce)"}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"5. Comment on your experience of Endeavor to date; how has it helped you to think bigger?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The endeavor team are very helpful, professional and overall a great group of people to work with; I cannot say enough about the joy it is to interact with them."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We are definitely thinking bigger as a result of the work we have done with Endeavour and the international selection panel. All I can say is watch this space given that we are spoiled with a very large $70B+ market opportunity and have the product, team and momentum necessary to be successful in leading the market we target."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"6. What are you most looking forward to on your Endeavor journey?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As mentioned we are exploring expansion into Latin America, and I look forward to partnering with the Endeavor team and entrepreneurs as we explore opportunities. We are also getting ready for a growth round (series C) and believe Endeavour will provide a good sounding board for us."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"7. Lastly… With a focus on our value proposition, is it possible to comment on how Endeavor has helped you with Access to Market, Access to Talent, and Access to Capital?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"It is early in the process and relationship with Endeavour, and we expect to actively engage and interact with the team to see how best they can assist us with market, talent and capital access. Stay tuned."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"ISPs in 2020 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (February 10-12), Brooklyn, New York (March 23-25), London, U.K. (May 11-13), Bali, Indonesia (June 30-July 2), Nairobi, Kenya (August 10-12), Lake Como, Italy (September 14-16), Palo Alto, California (October 26-28), and São Paulo, Brazil (December 9-11). For more information on these events, please contact ISP@endeavor.org."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61184995","slug":"makros-customers-now-engage-experience-instant-customer-care-connecting-retailer-directly-whatsapp","title":"Makro’s Customers Now Engage and Experience Instant Customer Care by Connecting with the Retailer Directly on WhatsApp","internalName":"Makro’s Customers Now Engage and Experience Instant Customer Care by Connecting with the Retailer Directly on WhatsApp","publishDate":"2019-12-05","seo":{"description":"South African retailer Makro has launched instant customer care and servicing by directly connecting with the retailer on WhatsApp.","title":"Makro’s Customers Now Engage and Experience Instant Customer Care by Connecting with the Retailer Directly on WhatsApp","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958208-chat-commerce-whatsapp.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Makro Instant Customer Care"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, Calif., December 5, 2019 –"},{"type":"span","value":" Makro announced today shoppers at its 22 South African outlets and busy online store will now experience instant customer care and service by directly connecting with the retailer on WhatsApp.  Impressive features available in Makro’s chat offering include tracking orders, viewing current catalogs, accessing a digital store card, locating nearby stores, and having frequently asked questions (FAQs) instantly answered in chat on WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Makro receives numerous customer inquiries daily, and a chat channel on WhatsApp was the obvious solution to provide accessible and seamless customer communication."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Customers will now access the information they want, when they want it, without having to endure a lengthy phone call or escalate potential queries,” said Kerry Ho, Makro’s head of digital marketing. “This bold step towards the future of customer service ensures customers have the best experience on their own terms. The addition and implementation of exciting functions in WhatsApp align with Makro’s mission to help our customers fulfill their aspiration of living better lives, running better businesses, and saving time and money.”"}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Makro's Intelligent Assistant"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Makro's Intelligent Assistant (iA) was developed by Feersum Engine, a product that allows brands to connect with their consumers on the device of their choice. Feersum Engine's human-centered approach enables the company to constantly improve the Makro user experience and add features to the messaging service on WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To enable WhatsApp integration, Makro worked with global chat commerce leader Clickatell, known for pioneering commerce in the chat space and responsible for many industry firsts."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Retail is currently one of the most competitive environments and ensuring customer satisfaction must be the number one priority for business leaders in this sector. The Makro team has already shown themselves to be trailblazers, ensuring they can meet and engage with their customers on the platforms of their choice,” said Clickatell founder and CEO Pieter de Villiers. “Digital transformation will ensure sustainable growth, and we are looking forward to developing our partnership with Makro as they continue on this exciting path.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customers can connect with Makro directly on WhatsApp by adding 0860 300 999 as a WhatsApp contact, scanning the QR code below, or via this link "},{"url":"https://wa.me/0860300999","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://wa.me/0860300999"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"For Media Inquiries:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Welisa Nene – Makro Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"e: Welisa.nene@makro.co.za"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Andrea Mahoney, Clickatell Director of Marketing Communication"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"e: Andrea.Mahoney@Clickatell.com"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61185025","slug":"chat-commerce-africa-leapfrogged-regions","title":"Chat Commerce in Africa has Leapfrogged Other Regions","internalName":"Chat Commerce in Africa has Leapfrogged Other Regions","publishDate":"2019-11-15","seo":{"description":"Pieter de Villiers shared his insight into chat commerce and chat banking and how they will forever change the way business is done in Africa.","title":"Chat Commerce in Africa has Leapfrogged Other Regions","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632901997-chat-economy-banking-commerce-small-300x200.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat Commerce in Africa"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Cape Town, 12 November 2019"},{"type":"span","value":". Speaking at an event hosted at AfricaCom in Cape Town this week, Clickatell co-founder and CEO, Pieter de Villiers shared his insight into chat commerce and chat banking and how they will forever change the way business is done on the continent."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat commerce and chat banking have revolutionized the way companies are serving their customers. Without having to invest in new architecture, companies are able to meet and engage with their clients on the platforms of their choice. What’s more, with one simple implementation, organizations can boost their customer penetration by a factor of three. For businesses in Africa, this next generation of commerce has proved to be the best way to overcome infrastructure and socio-economic challenges and local businesses are quickly embracing the opportunity."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The nineties saw the emergence of the internet and shortly after that, the advent of e-commerce. We then graduated to the app economy and mobile commerce became the big game-changer. All the major brands invested millions in apps as they rushed to take advantage of this mobile-first economy. The natural evolution of this has been bringing fast, secure messaging to the masses. Platforms like WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook Messenger allow the world to connect in the most efficient way available,” de Villiers explained."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"While China remains the undisputed leader in chat commerce, de Villiers says the African continent and South East Asia are vying for second place. And, considering the comparatively low internet penetration in Africa, de Villiers said this shows just how powerful chat is when it comes to reaching consumers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The nature of transacting over a chat platform makes it a perfect mechanism for the African region. Consumers in these markets often have limited data, making the downloading and use of apps a hard sell for many companies. In fact, app penetration stands at just 18% in Africa. Chat channels like WhatsApp, however, can extend penetration to 64%, which is more than a 300% improvement in reach when compared to traditional apps.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"He said his company sees chat commerce as the biggest opportunity for CIOs and CMOs since the internet, saying that serving clients on the digital platform really matters and chat commerce allows the effort to be supersized without having to lay down any new architecture."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Banks, in particular, have leaped at the chance to quickly and easily reach their customers with this frictionless service. Serving 15 000 global business and having completed a number of implementations in the financial services sector, Clickatell has firsthand experience of how chat banking has rapidly taken off – with Africa leading the way."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Africa is no laggard when it comes to innovation. Mobile money services, for example, were pioneered in Africa and served as the global benchmark in how to deploy and scale up the offering. Once again, we are seeing African banks being the most open to innovation and we have completed chat banking deployments at four of the largest African banks,” de Villiers comments."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers also pinpointed mobile operators as a significant chat commerce enabler."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Using chat as a basis to serve customers means businesses can slash the time to resolve customer queries by 80%. Making use of smart technologies like bots and AI, companies can let machines carry the load, allowing the humans to do the high touch interventions that require personal skills.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Looking into the future de Villiers believes the simplicity of chat commerce will become even more attractive."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Soon our phones will become part of our digital identities. Authentication will be based largely on the information from our phones as well as an indicator of our behavior, enabling seamless authentication for lower-risk requests.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers ended his presentation with a word of caution to business leaders who still had reservations about chat commerce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“This is a massive opportunity for brands. Not only do they get to serve their customer on a digital channel of their choosing, but they get to be in the contact lists of their customers – in the same way in which friends and family are. In an age where brands gain and lose market share based on their ability to serve customers, it’s imperative to be on the same platforms as your customers. Just a few years back it was a nice to have. In 2020, not being able to reach your customers will spell death to a company.”"}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61185236","slug":"zimbabwe-steward-bank-chat-banking-whatsapp","title":"Zimbabwe-Based Steward Bank Launches Chat Banking on WhatsApp in Partnership with Clickatell","internalName":"Zimbabwe-Based Steward Bank Launches Chat Banking on WhatsApp in Partnership with Clickatell","publishDate":"2019-04-23","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is pleased to announce Steward Bank in Zimbabwe is to integrate and offer chat banking services on WhatsApp using our Whatsapp business solution.","title":"Zimbabwe-Based Steward Bank Launches Chat Banking on WhatsApp in Partnership with Clickatell","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958415-steward-bank-zimbabwe.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Steward Bank WhatsApp"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.stewardbank.co.zw/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Steward Bank in Zimbabwe"}]},{"type":"span","value":" is the latest in a series of major banks across Africa to successfully integrate and offer chat banking services on WhatsApp. Clickatell is an authorized global WhatsApp Business solution provider headquartered in the US. Its chat banking customers include ABSA, UBA, GT Bank, and First Bank of Nigeria."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp is a popular chat application in Zimbabwe, and Steward Bank’s presence on WhatsApp unlocks financial inclusion for millions of people who are already using WhatsApp. The advantages to the Steward bank customer using WhatsApp include convenience, speed, and efficiency for frequently used banking activities."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Steward Bank is primed to see a positive uptake for their WhatsApp-based chat banking service, "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Sosholoza"},{"type":"span","value":". Through "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Sosholoza"},{"type":"span","value":", Steward Bank customers can enjoy customer service via WhatsApp. The bank intends to expand its reach to WhatsApp users in the country, eliminating the need for these users to download and use a banking app that could use costly data bundles. With "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Sosholoza,"},{"type":"span","value":" customers can initiate frequently used banking capabilities including balance checks, money transfers, and airtime purchases."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Just over 37,000 customer profiles were registered in the first three weeks following the launch,” says Dr Lance Mambondiani, CEO at Steward Bank. “The simplicity of on-boarding and transaction initiation have been key contributors to these numbers.”  Getting started with the "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Sosholoza"},{"type":"span","value":" service is as simple as initiating a chat with a friend on WhatsApp, with users simply needing to save the Steward Bank WhatsApp number and begin the conversation with a “Hi” message. Security and privacy for banking chats are ensured by the bank-grade Clickatell platforms."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The benefits for financial establishments like Steward Bank are clear, as Dr Mambondiani explains: “"},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Sosholoza"},{"type":"span","value":" on WhatsApp has expanded Steward Bank's services to non-Steward Bank customers regardless of geographical location, bank affiliation, and even mobile money operator affiliation. Customers can easily make enquiries and raise queries right at the point of need. The WhatsApp Business solution has enabled us to enhance our accessibility and remain in constant touch with our customer needs.”"}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat banking is only the beginning"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"While the WhatsApp Business solution is revolutionizing how financial institutions engage with their customers, the platform’s capabilities are being rapidly extended to other verticals including retail, e-commerce, and travel. With the ability to deliver the convenience of automated and live agent customer service, Clickatell’s differentiated offerings enable the dual benefit of providing both a superior customer care experience and deeper engagement for frequently used services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"/products/whatsapp/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"Learn more about how Clickatell can help you"}]},{"type":"span","value":" create delightful conversations with your customers on WhatsApp."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61187192","slug":"clickatell-mtn-south-africa-chat-commerce-whatsapp","title":"Clickatell Helps MTN South Africa Become the First Telco to Launch Chat Commerce on WhatsApp","internalName":"Clickatell Helps MTN South Africa Become the First Telco to Launch Chat Commerce on WhatsApp","publishDate":"2019-03-26","seo":{"description":"Clickatell has helped MTN South Africa has become the first telco to launch chat commerce on WhatsApp. Click here to find out more.","title":"Clickatell Helps MTN South Africa Become the First Telco to Launch Chat Commerce on WhatsApp","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958514-mtn-chat-commerce-header.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"MTN Chat and Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"REDWOOD CITY, California, March 26, 2019: MTN South Africa has partnered with global customer engagement company, "},{"url":"/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong","underline"],"value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":", to launch MTN Chat, enabling its customers to engage with the telco over WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"MTN Chat will enable customers to initiate the purchase of airtime and data bundles within their WhatsApp chat session. Over time, clients will also be able to access customer support and self-service options, including performing upgrades, managing their accounts, and receiving low balance alerts. MTN Chat forms part of MTN’s vision to significantly enhance its digital business offering to boost its customer base through advanced services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Clickatell understands that mobile operators are under increasing pressure to deliver excellent customer service over the digital channels their customers prefer,” explains Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell Founder & CEO. “By offering convenient services over a secure, convenient channel, MNOs can both increase their transactional volume and attract and retain customers – something that is paramount in an age of continuous digital transformation and growing competition.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell has already helped Absa Bank, GTBank, First Bank of Nigeria and United Bank of Africa successfully deploy chat banking capabilities on WhatsApp across Africa."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is an authorized WhatsApp Business solution provider. The WhatsApp Business API provides brands with the ability to send out notifications and conduct two-way conversations with consumers within WhatsApp once they have opted in. Clickatell’s Touch Flow and Connect platforms give MTN the capability to unify its communication channels, customize user workflows, and connect to internal systems."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“It is imperative that companies focus on improving their self-service experiences in order to retain and grow their customer bases. The Clickatell offering provides an easy, secure, and convenient way of giving users control over their accounts through WhatsApp, a platform they already have an affinity for,” says Jacqui O’Sullivan, Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN SA."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers says Clickatell’s low effort, high return offerings can propel mobile network operators onto a digital transformation road that differentiates them from their competitors."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Clickatell has worked hard to ensure that the deployment of its solutions is far less challenging than typical enterprise platform integrations. With over 1.5 billion people in 180 countries using WhatsApp every month, delivering chat commerce experiences on WhatsApp is one of the most efficient ways to reach a majority of consumers who can immediately benefit from the services offered on the channel. There is no doubt that this solution is perfect for MNOs around the world where WhatsApp is frequently used.”"}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61187231","slug":"clickatell-expands-board-industry-heavyweights-bolster-growth","title":"Clickatell Expands its Board with Industry Heavyweights to Bolster Growth","internalName":"Clickatell Expands its Board with Industry Heavyweights to Bolster Growth","publishDate":"2019-02-12","seo":{"description":"Meet Clickatell's three new team members; Michael Jordaan, Willem van Biljon and Ryno Blignaut.","title":"Clickatell Expands its Board with Industry Heavyweights to Bolster Growth","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632902557-micheal-jordaan-press-release-header-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell expands board"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, SA: 12 February 2019 –"},{"type":"span","value":" South African-born and Silicon Valley-based global customer engagement company, "},{"url":"/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", has made three new appointments to its board as it enters its next phase of growth and global expansion."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Michael Jordaan, respected financial services expert, venture capitalist, and serial entrepreneur joins Clickatell as the Chairman of the board. Mr Jordaan was previously the CEO at FNB, one of South Africa’s leading banks. Under his leadership, FNB was named the “World’s Most Innovative Bank” at the 2012 Global Banking Innovation Awards for its pioneering move away from traditional banking. Mr Jordaan now heads up Montegray Capital, a private investment company and lends a strategic hand to various businesses, including as Chairman of credit bureau CompuScan, Director and shareholder of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and as director and shareholder of the listed data network RAIN. He also the former Chairman of Wines of South Africa."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mr Jordaan is joined by non-executive directors, Willem van Biljon and Ryno Blignaut."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Entrepreneur and technologist, Willem van Biljon, co-founded Mosaic Software that developed the Postilion payment system, the first high-end payment transaction switch for commodity hardware and operating systems. He later joined Amazon where he led the team that developed Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), now Amazon Cloud. Mr van Biljon has worked extensively with online retailer Takealot.com where he served as CTO and currently as an advisor."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ryno Blignaut has 23 years of financial experience. He currently serves as President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Restoration Hardware (RH).  He also served as the Chief Business Officer of Wheels Up, a private aviation company. Mr Blignaut was the CFO and Chief Risk Officer at Xoom Corporation, an online and mobile money transfer company. He was instrumental in Xoom’s 2013 public offering on the Nasdaq stock exchange and its subsequent $890 million acquisition by Paypal in 2015."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Our new appointments are a mix of technologists and financial services experts. Michael Jordaan has first-hand knowledge of the needs and challenges of mobile banking through his investment in the app-driven bank, Bank Zero,” commented Clickatell CEO and founder, Pieter de Villiers. “We will benefit from the tremendous insight offered by Willem. His experience scaling up infrastructure and serviceability at global technology companies is vital for us at this stage of our business.  Ryno understands the complexities of global regulations across multiple geographies and has experience managing a global business footprint.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The appointments come at an opportune time as Clickatell plans to build on a 30% year-on-year organic growth across its regions of global operations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We see chat banking and chat commerce growing rapidly around the world. Our board’s collective global experience along with our leadership team’s on-the-ground emerging market success gives us an edge enjoyed by very few companies,” de Villiers added."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We’re a global technology company leading mobile innovation since 2000, with offices in Silicon Valley (HQ), Toronto, Nigeria, and Cape Town. Backed by investors such as Sequoia Capital and DAG Ventures, our cutting-edge mobile messaging, engagement and real-time mobile transaction platforms have served billions of messages for over 15 000 customers, helping the world’s leading brands such as Visa, IBM, WhatsApp, Avaya, and McKinsey, remain relevant in an ever-changing digital world. Visit "},{"url":"/who-are-we/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"clickatell.com/who-are-we"}]},{"type":"span","value":" for more info on how we unlock possibilities."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61187320","slug":"usa-long-number-pricing","title":"Get a USA long Number for Only $0.99 – with No Setup Fee!","internalName":"Get a USA long Number for Only $0.99 – with No Setup Fee!","publishDate":"2018-11-29","seo":{"description":"A 2-way number is a legal requirement in the USA. For a limited period you can get a USA long number for only $0.99 – with no setup fee.","title":"Get a USA long Number for Only $0.99 – with No Setup Fee!","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632902821-usa-long-number-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Get a USA long number for only $0.99"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"If you’re wanting to communicate via SMS with your customers in the United States, you’re going to need a 2-way number as is required by "},{"url":"/faqs/answer/two-way-messaging-united-states/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"legislation in the USA"}]},{"type":"span","value":". You can either opt to use a USA "},{"url":"/products/sms/long-numbers/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"long number"}]},{"type":"span","value":" or a "},{"url":"/products/sms/short-codes/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"short code"}]},{"type":"span","value":", both of which will allow you to open up a two-way communication channel with your customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"The great news is that we’ve slashed our USA long number pricing and you can now get a long number for only $0.99"},{"type":"span","value":" – on any of our subscription plans! Whether you need the number for a month, a quarter, or even a year, you’ll only pay $0.99. And, as an added bonus, there’s no setup fee. All of your incoming messages are free, so you’ll only pay for outgoing messages. And with our "},{"url":"/promotions/united-states-text-messaging/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"super low message pricing"}]},{"type":"span","value":" for the United States, there’s no reason not to start your USA SMS campaigns today."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Two-way numbers might be a legal requirement to send messages to the United States but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a host of benefits which your business can tap into. Here are just some of the ways you can grow your business using a USA long number:"}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Get valuable feedback with surveys"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Surveys are a really simple way for your customers to rate your products or services. You could, for example, allow them to rate products by replying to your messages with a YES/NO to let you know whether they’d make use of a specific service/product again. Measuring customer satisfaction should always be a top priority for any business and two-way messaging makes this easier than ever."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Use your USA long number to improve customer conversion"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Text messaging is a very popular conversion tool. Sending an SMS to your leads to encourage them to make a purchase and entice them with a discount or coupon on products or services they may be interested in is sure to assist with conversion. Allowing them to respond with specific details about what they’re looking for is a sure-fire way to really maximize on this opportunity."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improve customer support services"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Great customer service offers a really significant competitive edge in a crowded market. Two-way messaging is ideal for any organization offering a support service. The personal and instantaneous nature of text messaging enables customers to receive the exact help or support they’re looking for. Opening this two-way communication channel for your customers will certainly increase their satisfaction, trust in your business and services, and brand loyalty."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Appointment reminders and confirmations"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Time is money. When a customer forgets about an appointment they’ve made with you, or doesn't cancel their bookings, your business suffers substantial losses. Use your USA long number to send out reminders and allow customers to reply to either confirm, cancel, or reschedule their appointments or bookings."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Polling campaigns"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Two-way text messaging is a very cost-effective way to run polling campaigns to gather votes. This allows your business to measure customer loyalty, collect data, or understand exactly what it is that your customers want."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Could there be any reason not to get your USA long number today?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ready to get started? All you need to do is "},{"url":"/sign-in","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"log in to your Clickatell Platform account"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and complete your long number application. You’ll be ready to go within just a few clicks. Don’t have an account yet? "},{"url":"http://campaigns.clickatell.com/tracker/3331","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Sign up for a free account today"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and enjoy free testing in our sandbox environment."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61187375","slug":"first-bank-launches-whatsapp-chat-banking","title":"First Bank of Nigeria and Clickatell Drive Financial Inclusion in Nigeria Using WhatsApp","internalName":"First Bank of Nigeria and Clickatell Drive Financial Inclusion in Nigeria Using WhatsApp","publishDate":"2018-10-30","seo":{"description":"Clickatell promotes Financial Inclusion in Nigeria by enabling FirstBank to launch Chat Banking on WhatsApp","title":"First Bank of Nigeria and Clickatell Drive Financial Inclusion in Nigeria Using WhatsApp","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958651-cms-3.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Firstbank launch Chat Banking on WhatsApp"}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell promotes Financial Inclusion in Nigeria by enabling FirstBank to launch Chat Banking on WhatsApp, unlocking the opportunity for millions of new consumers to experience an improved way to initiate day-to-day secure banking activities and digital product purchases from within the chat application."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/firstbankofnigeria/videos/vb.218502344846561/253351745356535/?type=2&theater","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"First Bank of Nigeria"},{"type":"span","value":","}]},{"type":"span","value":" in partnership with "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell’s Transact division"}]},{"type":"span","value":", has commercially launched its "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Chat Banking"},{"type":"span","value":" channel on WhatsApp. This capability enables FirstBank’s customers to manage their banking needs within their WhatsApp chat with the same efficiency as USSD. Customers can add "},{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/firstbankofnigeria/videos/vb.218502344846561/253351745356535/?type=2&theater","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"First Bank’s"}]},{"type":"span","value":" published WhatsApp phone number or direct link access to the First Bank’s “Verified” profile to begin a secure Chat Banking session."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Transact’s"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"span","value":"bank-grade platform allows for banks around the world to develop and seamlessly deliver their unique customer experiences consistently across multiple channels. Clickatell Transact’s solutions allow banks to self-manage and instantly deploy changes to their offerings without the need for intensive professional services lowering turnaround times from weeks to minutes, reducing launch friction, development cycles, and associated overheads. This launch with "},{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/firstbankofnigeria/videos/vb.218502344846561/253351745356535/?type=2&theater","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"First Bank of Nigeria"}]},{"type":"span","value":" marks the third large-scale deployment by Clickatell in the African market in the past month."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell"},{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"span","value":"has pioneered the Chat Banking innovation through WhatsApp with a high emphasis on security to make WhatsApp a risk-free and convenient business engagement channel for customers. Multiple layers of encryption and authentication ensure a safe, and hassle-free transactional experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/firstbankofnigeria/videos/vb.218502344846561/253351745356535/?type=2&theater","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"First Bank of Nigeria"}]},{"type":"span","value":" will offer its’ customers a full suite of banking options that can be initiated through WhatsApp, including balance checks, transfers, payments in addition to a vast bouquet of digital products and services that can be purchased instantly. WhatsApp unlocks an opportunity for brands to offer their customers a more personal, intuitive, and efficient way to engage with them on chat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"“Customers’ expectations are constantly changing and it’s our duty as a customer-focused bank to ensure that our customers are provided with the means to initiate or carry out banking services through any channel they desire,” "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"said Mr. Chuma Ezirim, Group Head, E-Business, First Bank of Nigeria Limited."},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" “We are constantly seeking new ways and opportunities to meet customers at their preferred touch points and we understand our customers are actively engaged on WhatsApp.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell’s Transact Division"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" is"},{"type":"span","value":" committed to providing solutions to social and economic problems, through FinTech innovation. Clickatell’s goal is to provide consumers with efficiency, a pinnacle of customer experience and better value. In countries like Nigeria, where cash is currently the preferred method of transacting, "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell’s "}]},{"type":"span","value":"solutions resolve critical issues around ease of access, safety, security and consistent availability of essential products and services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"We are very excited to be working with the team from First Bank of Nigeria who, in record time, implemented a complex user experience, soft launched and managed to improve on the already exceptional services that First Bank offers its customers. As a technology provider, Clickatell drives to delight both clients and their end-users through low code deployments and innovative upgrades. This rapid time to market and iteration capability of our offerings helps acquire new customers for our clients” - "},{"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeppedorff/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Jeppe Dorff, Managing Director of Clickatell’s Transact Division."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By providing consumers with "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"what"},{"type":"span","value":" they want, "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"when"},{"type":"span","value":" they want it, and integrating solutions"},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" where"},{"type":"span","value":" they engage and transact, Clickatell innovation like Chat Banking on WhatsApp paves the way forward for consumers to gain confidence and trust in digital transactions. Millions of consumers are getting onboarded with each new launch of Clickatell powered chat banking across the world, especially in Africa. Clickatell is diligently pursuing its goal of reaching all of Nigeria’s banked consumers. With its’ success in Nigeria, Clickatell has taken a definitive step in the right direction for greater financial inclusion, both in Africa and around the globe."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Visit "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"www.clickatell.com/products/transact/"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"for more information or contact us directly via"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" "},{"url":"mailto:chatbanking@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"chatbanking@clickatell.com"}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61187680","slug":"kwese-iflix-clickatell-transact-establish-partnership","title":"Kwesé Iflix and Clickatell Transact Establish a Partnership to Expand Mobile Streaming Entertainment in Nigeria","internalName":"Kwesé Iflix and Clickatell Transact Establish a Partnership to Expand Mobile Streaming Entertainment in Nigeria","publishDate":"2018-09-20","seo":{"description":"Kwesé iflix and Clickatell Transact, together with GTBank have partnered to offer the freshest line-up of entertainment via the Kwesé iflix platform","title":"Kwesé Iflix and Clickatell Transact Establish a Partnership to Expand Mobile Streaming Entertainment in Nigeria","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632903353-daf8ad79-6e83-49fa-9441-feff32d33d7f-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Kwesé iflix partners with Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"LAGOS, NIGERIA"},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" – September 2018 - "},{"type":"span","value":"Kwesé iflix, Africa’s game-changing digital entertainment platform and "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","value":", together with "},{"url":"https://www.gtbank.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GTBank"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and some of the most prominent banks in Nigeria, have partnered to offer the freshest line-up of sports, news and entertainment, available to millions of Nigerians, via the Kwesé iflix platform."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Kwesé iflix service offers users the ultimate entertainment experience, including live coverage of the world’s most elite sporting competitions - including the best of European Football with all the UEFA Nations League games and upcoming World Heavyweight Boxing Clash between Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin on September 22nd – as well as the best international and local content programs to stream or download."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Kwesé iflix app can be downloaded via the Google Play or Apple app Stores. Customers can then purchase a Kwesé iflix VIP subscription via USSD and other banking platforms, powered by "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"From September 2018, "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and its banking partners will be enabling their customers to purchase Kwesé iflix subscriptions effortlessly in 3 simple steps:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong","underline"],"value":"Step 1-"},{"type":"span","value":"  "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Enter your bank’s designated USSD code ("},{"url":"https://www.gtbank.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"GTBank"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" - *737*60#)"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong","underline"],"value":"Step 2-"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"  Choose ‘Self’ or ‘Third Party’ from the USSD menu, and select the desired package ranging from N150 a day to a monthly (30-Day) subscription for only N999!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong","underline"],"value":"Step 3-"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"  You will then receive a link to a Kwesé iflix subscription, and by clicking on the link your voucher will be automatically redeemed and activated on your account on the Kwesé iflix platform of your choice. Then sit back and enjoy access to all the action."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Each VIP subscription gives users access to thousands of hours of programs available on Kwesé iflix, including local and international first-run exclusive shows, award-winning TV series and blockbuster movies, such as, Shuga, Hot Ones, Saints & Sinners, Riviera, Grand Prince, The Legend of the Blue Sea, Broken, Britannia, Tin Star, Being Mary Jane, Medici: Masters of Florence, and Luther, as well as popular local and regional content  - Telenovelas such as Secrets at the Hotel, Passion and Power and LaViuda Negra - children’s programs and lifestyle content. The service also offers Nigerians quality content they can watch for free, including short-form drama series, first episodes of TV shows, and local free-to-air TV stations, such as NTA & Kwesé Free Sports."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Announcing the launch of the partnership, "},{"url":"http://kweseiflix.com/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Kwesé "}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"iflix CEO, Mayur Patel, said"},{"type":"span","value":", “Together with "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","value":", Nigeria’s leading distributor of airtime, data and digital products, we have expanded our service, making it as easy as possible for people to access our world-class sports and entertainment content. We are committed to delivering the best mobile TV experience to subscribers across the country, with "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact’s"}]},{"type":"span","value":" support.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Jeppe Dorff, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Clickatell Transact "},{"type":"span","value":"stated “Clickatell Transact is focused on creating real and sustainable value for our clients and all consumers in Nigeria and we are constantly looking to partner with strong and growing brands in the market.  We are excited about the partnership and look forward to being a part of the continued adoption of Kwesé iflix in the market”."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"About Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","value":", is a leading distributor of airtime, data and a vast stable of digital products, providing banks and other organizations with cutting edge, innovative solutions. Clickatell Transact, is committed to creating positive customer experiences, and are dedicated to developing unique, efficient and exceptional solutions for our clients, and their customers. Our industry leading solutions allow us to assist organizations in offering their customers the products and services they want, on the platforms they use. This, alleviating the strain of having to maintain countless relationships with individual providers, and ensuring a seamless integration into any new or existing electronic or digital channels for easy management and reporting."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Transact, in partnership with leading Nigerian Banks have pioneered innovation to develop and grow USSD banking, now WhatsApp banking to create greater financial inclusion in Nigeria. Their solutions allow for consumers to engage with their banks more effectively, efficiently and gain access to services that add value to their lives, and in turn encourage higher retention and consumer satisfaction for banks. Clickatell Transact is dedicated to "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"unlocking possibilities"},{"type":"span","value":" for their clients and end-consumers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more information about Clickatell Transact and how they can add greater value to your business, visit "},{"url":"https://clickatell.com/products/transact","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"www.clickatell.com/products/transact"}]}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"About Kwesé iflix"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"http://kweseiflix.com/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Kwesé "}]},{"type":"span","value":"iflix is a mobile platform that offers cutting-edge, youth-focused programming showcasing video-on-demand and download-to-watch-later entertainment content. It is a product stemming from a joint-venture between Kwesé, a pan-African media company, and iflix, the leading emerging market mobile video-on-demand service. Aimed at becoming the core vehicle to delivering seamless mobile experiences to millions of viewers, the App offers users the region's most extensive combination of live sport, entertainment and highly acclaimed local African and international series and movies, including first-to-market exclusive programming."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For more info: "},{"url":"http://www.kweseiflix.com","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.kweseiflix.com"}]}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"About Guaranty Trust Bank plc"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Guaranty Trust Bank plc, also known as "},{"url":"https://www.gtbank.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GTBank"}]},{"type":"span","value":", is a foremost African Financial Institution with an Asset Base of over N3.35trillion and banking operations across Nigeria, Cote D'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom. The Bank is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model in Africa’s financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery and innovation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61189938","slug":"clickatell-transact-uba-launch-chat-banking-whatsapp","title":"Clickatell Transact Enables United Bank for Africa (UBA) to Launch Chat Banking (Leo) on WhatsApp in Nigeria","internalName":"Clickatell Transact Enables United Bank for Africa (UBA) to Launch Chat Banking (Leo) on WhatsApp in Nigeria","publishDate":"2018-09-05","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, is proud to announce that United Bank for Africa (UBA) will be going live with their Chat Banking solution – Leo on WhatsApp.","title":"Clickatell Transact Enables United Bank for Africa (UBA) to Launch Chat Banking (Leo) on WhatsApp in Nigeria","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958747-daf8ad79-6e83-49fa-9441-feff32d33d7f.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell and United Bank for Africa"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"The largest banks in Nigeria and on the African continent, continue to drive excellence in customer experience by expanding their services and digital product offerings into new channels like WhatsApp. Offering more for their customers, for less, powered by "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Transact"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", an "},{"type":"span","marks":["underline"],"value":"authorized"},{"type":"span","value":" WhatsApp Business Solution provider, is proud to announce that United Bank for Africa (UBA) will be going live with their Chat Banking solution – "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Leo "},{"type":"span","value":"on WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In a first for Nigeria, customers can now conduct their favorite banking activities in a secure and convenient manner, by communicating with their bank in a verified WhatsApp chat. This capability is made possible through "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Transact’s "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":".Control"},{"type":"span","value":" platform integrated with the WhatsApp Business API."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":".Control"},{"type":"span","value":" platform for Chat Banking allows banks to roll out commonly used banking activities like checking balances, money transfer and purchasing digital products and services across popular communication channels like USSD and now WhatsApp. The platform offers flexibility, reliability, fraud and risk management for banks and a convenient on demand banking capability for consumers wherever they are."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nigeria is recognized as ground zero for global financial inclusion with a rapid accelerating move from the informal economy to the formal sector. A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) survey, “EFInA Access to Financial Services 2016 Survey”, assessed that 48.6%, or 46.9 million Nigerians, of the adult population are now formally served by banks or similar. The introduction of Chat Banking from Clickatell is accelerating the banking adoption curve by eliminating the business and operational overhead required to roll out convenience banking across popular communication channels and in different countries."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The ground-breaking banking platform launches in Nigeria with UBA. Consumers will be able to conduct their banking activities on WhatsApp and USSD with additional channels slated for 2019. Clickatell Transact is proud to be a market leader with the launch of this innovative solution, aimed at improving consumer experience, creating financial inclusion and amplifying technological advancement in the banking industry."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Speaking about the launch of Leo on WhatsApp, Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director, said: “Our customers are at the heart of our business and we as a bank, are never relenting in matching our words with equal action.  In today’s fast paced world with demands for quick responses, our aim is to make banking seamless and effortless for our millions of existing and potential customers.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Also speaking on the launch of Leo on WhatsApp, Group Head of UBA’s Online Banking, Mr Austine Abolusoro, stated “United Bank for Africa is a technology-driven institution with vast knowledge in the business that we do and Leo, being a tested dependable and intelligent personality, will replicate on WhatsApp, the success it has experienced on the Facebook Messenger platform.  It is a solution that is from the customer’s standpoint, easy to use by anyone regardless of your demography.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Clickatell’s mission is to help its clients be on the forefront with not just innovative services, but also operationally reliable and scalable products which offers convenient services for their customers. With the introduction of our"},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" .Control"},{"type":"span","value":" platform and integration with WhatsApp we are firmly supporting our clients putting their consumers first” said Jeppe Dorff, Managing Director & Executive Vice President of Clickatell’s Transact division."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“It’s been an exceptional journey with our clients and it’s clear that they are committed to providing the best experience for their customers anywhere, anytime. We are building on the exceptional momentum we have seen in Africa and have an exciting roster of banks going live with the Transact platform across Africa in the coming quarters”, Mr. Dorff added."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell Transact"},{"type":"span","value":" and our clients, are proud to be market leaders with the launch of this innovative solution, aimed at substantially improving consumer experience, rapidly creating financial inclusion and amplifying technological advancement in the industry."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"For more information "},{"type":"span","value":"on "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":".Control "},{"type":"span","value":","},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" Chat Banking "},{"type":"span","value":"and"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":" Clickatell’s offerings,"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Visit "},{"url":"/products/transact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.clickatell.com/products/transact/"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Email us at "},{"url":"mailto:chatbanking@clickatell.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"chatbanking@clickatell.com"}]}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61192182","slug":"clickatell-enterprises-whatsapp-business-solution","title":"Clickatell Ushers in New Era for African Enterprises with WhatsApp Business Solution","internalName":"Clickatell Ushers in New Era for African Enterprises with WhatsApp Business Solution","publishDate":"2018-08-01","seo":{"description":"Learn how Clickatell's WhatsApp Business solution empowers enterprises. Enhance customer interaction, streamline communication, and boost business success with our platform.","title":"Clickatell Ushers in New Era for African Enterprises with WhatsApp Business Solution","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635958830-banner-image1.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell becomes an authorized WhatsApp Business Solution Provider"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Global customer engagement company, "},{"url":"/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":", is an authorized WhatsApp Business Solution Provider. Clickatell’s customers on WhatsApp Business solutions include Absa Bank, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, GTBank, and United Bank of Africa. These banks are partnering with Clickatell to roll out their chat banking capabilities on WhatsApp across Africa."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp, a simple, reliable, and private way to talk to anyone in the world is currently one of the most popular messaging services around the globe. More than 1.5 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch, anytime and anywhere."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is the leading global provider of business to consumer communication SaaS solutions through its Connect, Touch, and Transact offerings. Connect services businesses requiring omnichannel messaging APIs for notifications and alerts. Touch enables businesses of all sizes to deploy customer care across digital channels. Transact is today the largest chat banking platform in Nigeria covering over 70% of the banked population across 10 of the largest Nigerian banks."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp Business API provides the ability to send out notifications and conduct 2-way conversations with consumers right within WhatsApp. Clickatell has integrated the API into its Connect, Touch and Transact SaaS solutions, which makes it easy for businesses to build a significant presence on WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With Clickatell’s integrations, a business can immediately start sending out helpful notifications and conduct real time 2-way customer interactions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Businesses have already informally started using WhatsApp for customer engagement. With the Clickatell integrated solutions, they now have the technology backing to actively engage with their customers at scale. Clickatell’s turnkey solutions have enabled its early access customers to go live on WhatsApp in days and weeks."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We are delighted to build on our long running relationship with both WhatsApp and brands with the WhatsApp business integration across all of our offerings”, says Pieter De Villiers, Clickatell CEO. “Businesses have just begun to realize the power of chat-based engagement. We are determined to be the go-to partner of choice for businesses globally.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is actively working with several other large businesses across online commerce, retail, digital entertainment, and financial services to enable their presence on WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Learn more about the "},{"url":"/products/whatsapp/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"WhatsApp Business early access program here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61192291","slug":"paypal-clickatell-platform","title":"PayPal Now Available on Clickatell Platform","internalName":"PayPal Now Available on Clickatell Platform","publishDate":"2018-06-28","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is delighted to announce the introduction of PayPal, as an additional payment method for Clickatell Platform customers.","title":"PayPal Now Available on Clickatell Platform","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959010-paypal.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Bulk sms with Paypal"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We’re super excited to announce the introduction of one of the world’s largest payment networks, PayPal, as an additional payment method for "},{"url":"/products/sms/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Platform"}]},{"type":"span","value":" customers transacting with us in USD, EUR, and GBP billing currencies."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"PayPal allows you to quickly and securely send and receive money for goods, services, and more. So, what can you do with PayPal and what are some of the benefits?"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Shop online in more than 203 countries and regions."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pay for things and send money without sharing your financial information."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Checkout quickly at hundreds of your favorite online stores or service providers (now including Clickatell Platform)."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Use your credit card and earn rewards."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Make once-off payments or recurring payments for monthly bills and subscriptions."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Sit back and let PayPal do all the currency conversion work for you. Currencies are converted on the spot so you’ll know how much you’re spending, as you spend it - no matter which currency you're making your purchase in."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Add multiple credit and debit cards or bank accounts and pay from one single account."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Feel at ease with the latest anti-fraud technology to help make sure your transactions are safer and you’re 100% protected against unauthorized payments sent from your account."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"It’s quick, easy, and it’s free!"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"You can easily set up PayPal as a new payment method on your Clickatell Platform account. From "},{"url":"https://portal.clickatell.com/#/billing/payments","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Payment Methods"}]},{"type":"span","value":", select 'Add a payment method' and an easy-to-use wizard will take you through the process. If you don’t have a PayPal account yet, "},{"url":"https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/account-selection","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"you’ll need to sign up"}]},{"type":"span","value":" for one first and then "},{"url":"/sign-in/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"log in to your Platform account"}]},{"type":"span","value":" to "},{"url":"/faqs/answer/set-payment-method/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"set up your new payment method"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61192468","slug":"clickatell-cc-global-award-africa-regional-operator-year","title":"Clickatell Wins CC-Global Award for Africa Regional Operator of the Year","internalName":"Clickatell Wins CC-Global Award for Africa Regional Operator of the Year","publishDate":"2018-01-27","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is pleased to announce it has been awarded the CC-Global Award for Africa Regional Operator of the Year.","title":"Clickatell Wins CC-Global Award for Africa Regional Operator of the Year","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632905190-awards-clickatell-1440x560-1-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Regional Operator of the year"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Carrier Community recently hosted its second annual "},{"url":"https://www.carriercommunity.com/cc-global-awards-2018-celebrates-innovation-and-achievements-in-the-telecoms-industry/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"CC-Global Awards"}]},{"type":"span","value":" in Berlin and Clickatell is proud to have been presented with the award for Africa Regional Operator of the Year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"More than 80 guests attended the exclusive event with 24 winning companies celebrating their achievements. The awards recognized innovation and achievements among telecom wholesale operators globally and were independently judged by a panel of 13 telecoms analysts and experts from the industry."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We would like to extend our thanks to all the shortlisted companies and industry leaders on the judging panel, with a big congratulations to the winners of the evening,” said Wida Schmidt, CEO of Carrier Community. “Our club was founded as a central platform for encouraging business opportunities across the telecom industry and it is an honor to be able to acknowledge the top leaders in the field.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Founded 17 years ago, Clickatell is a pioneer in enabling brands to build experiences and relationships with their customers via mobile phones, starting with SMS and text messaging. This long history of delivering new services to enterprise customers has given Clickatell insight into building truly transformative B2C communication solutions and our customers are able to engage and transact with 85% of the world’s population via 1000+ mobile operators across more than 220 global territories."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61192636","slug":"lowest-pricing-messages-brazil","title":"Lowest Pricing Ever! Send Messages to Brazil for 61% Less","internalName":"Lowest Pricing Ever! Send Messages to Brazil for 61% Less","publishDate":"2018-01-26","seo":{"description":"Clickatell now offers reliable, direct SMS messaging routes in Brazil and we've just slashed our pricing by up to 61%.","title":"Lowest Pricing Ever! Send Messages to Brazil for 61% Less","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632905577-brazil-pricing-promotion-768x299-1.png?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Send messages to Brazil for 61% less"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With a population of just over 200 million, Brazil has "},{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_mobile_phones_in_use","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"284,2 million mobile phones "}]},{"type":"span","value":"in use, making it the 4th largest mobile market in the world after China, India, and the US. It’s a constantly growing market too – the annual growth rate for mobile phone penetration in Brazil is currently approximately 22% year on year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/625406/smartphone-user-penetration-in-brazil/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to a 2016 study"}]},{"type":"span","value":", only 33.4% of the Brazilian population used a smartphone. And, since SMS messages can be received by even the most basic feature phones, that’s a massive opportunity for businesses to reach the masses in Brazil."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell offers reliable, direct SMS messaging routes in Brazil and, we've just slashed our pricing by up to 61% - to the lowest cost ever! You’ll now be able to send more messages for less – have a look at the "},{"url":"/promotions/brazil-text-messaging/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"super low pricing now available in Brazil to get you started"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With an open rate of 98% and with up to 90% of people receiving SMS marketing messages, reading them within three seconds, it’s pretty obvious why text marketing is so successful."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Here are just four of the many ways you can use SMS messaging to grow your business and tap into this fast-growing market:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Appointment reminders and confirmations: "},{"type":"span","value":"When a customer forgets about a scheduled appointment or doesn’t cancel their bookings, your business suffers – after all, you could have filled that appointment with a new booking. Send automated reminder messages to ensure that appointments aren’t forgotten."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lead generation:"},{"type":"span","value":" Encourage potential customers to send a message to your "},{"url":"/products/sms/short-codes/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"short code"}]},{"type":"span","value":" to request a quote or further information about your products or services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improve your customer support:"},{"type":"span","value":" Outstanding customer service will give your business a significant competitive edge in a market this size. Personalized messages that are delivered instantly enable your customers to receive precisely the support they’re looking for."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Competitions:"},{"type":"span","value":" Use a short code for your marketing messages to Brazil to enable your customers to reply with their details to enter a competition. You’ll build your customer database, identify new leads, and increase your overall customer engagement."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"There are so many ways that you can use SMS to grow your business in Brazil and our new pricing makes it a no-brainer really."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"http://campaigns.clickatell.com/tracker/2635","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Sign up"}]},{"type":"span","value":" for a free account today and enjoy free testing in our sandbox environment."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61194888","slug":"clickatell-best-sms-provider-in-africa","title":"Clickatell Named Best SMS Provider in Africa on the Back of Significant Growth","internalName":"Clickatell Named Best SMS Provider in Africa on the Back of Significant Growth","publishDate":"2017-12-06","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is pleased to announce it has been recognized as the best SMS/A2P messaging provider in Africa at the 2017 Messaging and SMS World conference.","title":"Clickatell Named Best SMS Provider in Africa on the Back of Significant Growth","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632906095-fin-header-visual-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell named best SMS provider"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"South African born Clickatell has been recognized as the best SMS / A2P (Application to Person) messaging provider in Africa at the Nov 2017 Messaging and SMS World "},{"url":"http://www.capacityconferences.com/Messaging-SMS","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"conference"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Over the last 12 months, Clickatell has delivered almost 3 billion messages across the Continent, achieving a 42% year-on-year growth - far ahead of the 4% projected CAGR growth for the overall A2P global messaging market (as defined by a "},{"url":"https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/05/23/995205/0/en/Global-A2P-SMS-Market-Size-Will-Reach-USD-70-0-Billion-by-2020.html","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"recent study"}]},{"type":"span","value":" from Zion Market Research). Moreover, Clickatell has seen over 20% annual message volume growth in many African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Central African Republic, South Africa, and Zambia."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“The award is testament to the focus we continue to place on our African operations. While Africa remains one of the biggest global growth opportunities, we see our operations as part of the communications revolution taking place around the globe and we are delighted to be a part of this change,” says Deon Van Heerden, Clickatell Group CFO."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The winners of the prize were selected by a team of independent judges from the detailed information submitted by dozens of entrants, along with testimonials from their customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Clickatell has developed a global communication platform covering more than 1100 mobile networks across 230 countries and territories. Clickatell’s African presence has created an SMS network that enables its customers to access complete geographical coverage of Africa, incorporating 191 telcos, across all 54 nation states."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell has more than 5000 customers which make use of its network to deliver messages to their African user community. This includes companies such as Capitec Bank, Multichoice Africa, Whatsapp, Sun International, KCB Bank Group, Old Mutual Life Assurance, Nedbank, and First National Bank. During its peak in 2017, Clickatell delivered messages to more than 40 million unique numbers in one month, across the Continent."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“Africa is a complex market. Companies rely on Clickatell to support their customers no matter what phone they are using. Development in this diverse market has ensured that our company remains the most competent service provider on the Continent. Our commitment to the African market remains part of our DNA and this award is recognition of that,” says Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell Group Chief Executive Officer."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, began its seventeen-year journey in Cape Town in June 2000 when it was founded by Pieter de Villiers, Casper de Villiers, Danie Du Toit and Patrick Lawson. Clickatell created the first Global SMS Messaging Gateway and is now one of the largest global mobile text messaging enablers."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61195437","slug":"send-text-messages-us","title":"You Can Now Send Text Messages to the US for Only $0.008","internalName":"You Can Now Send Text Messages to the US for Only $0.008","publishDate":"2017-08-14","seo":{"description":"You can now send text messages to the US for only $0.008. Click here to find out more.","title":"You Can Now Send Text Messages to the US for Only $0.008","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632906341-send-sms-message-usa-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Text messages to the US for only $0.008"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile phone penetration in the US is at a "},{"url":"https://www.statista.com/statistics/222307/forecast-of-mobile-phone-penetration-in-the-us/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"staggering 81.4%"}]},{"type":"span","value":" with more than 300 million mobile phone users making the United States the "},{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_mobile_phones_in_use","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"third largest mobile phone market"}]},{"type":"span","value":" in the world. The market continues to grow steadily and offers endless opportunities for marketers and businesses to deliver their messages straight into the hands of their audience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"And now, you can send more text messages to the US for less since we’ve just dropped our USA message pricing to the lowest price ever at only $0.008 per message! We’ve also removed any minimum spend limits or tiered pricing so everybody pays the same low price no matter how many messages you send."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With an open rate of 98% and with up to 90% of people receiving text marketing messages, reading them within three seconds, it’s a no-brainer why text marketing is so successful."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Here are just a few ways you can use text message marketing to grow your business and tap into the huge US market:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Competitions:"},{"type":"span","value":" Using a short code for your promotional messages to the US allows you to invite customers to enter a competition by replying to your messages with their details. This is a great way to build up your customer database and identify new leads."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Appointment reminders and confirmations: "},{"type":"span","value":"Time is money. And, when a customer forgets an appointment or fails to cancel their bookings, your business suffers. Sending out automated reminders is a great way to ensure appointments aren’t forgotten."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Customer Relationship Management:"},{"type":"span","value":" Personalized customer interactions are essential in building closer relationships with your client base. Integrating text messaging with your existing CRM program is super easy and automating workflows using text messages saves significant costs while improving the overall customer experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lead generation:"},{"type":"span","value":" Text messaging is a very popular method to encourage potential customers to send a message to your short code to get a quote or more information about your products."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improved customer support services:"},{"type":"span","value":" Great customer service has become a significant competitive edge in a crowded market. The uniquely personal and instantaneous nature of text messaging enables customers to receive exactly the help or support they are looking for – no matter where they are."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"There are so many more great ways that businesses are using text messaging to grow their businesses and with our new low pricing there’s no better time to send out your marketing campaigns than now."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"http://campaigns.clickatell.com/tracker/1891","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Register for a free Clickatell Platform account today"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and you’ll also be able to enjoy unlimited free testing in our sandbox environment."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61195530","slug":"clickatell-platform-reporting","title":"Clickatell SMS Platform Gets New Advanced Reporting Features","internalName":"Clickatell SMS Platform Gets New Advanced Reporting Features","publishDate":"2017-04-25","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is pleased to announce the launch of the new advanced reporting features for its Platform SMS messaging product.","title":"Clickatell SMS Platform Gets New Advanced Reporting Features","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959184-istock83222663xxxlarge.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In our ongoing efforts to continuously improve Clickatell SMS Platform, we are happy to announce the release of a host of slick new enhanced reporting features."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS Platform is a powerful, fully scalable communication enabler and everything is faster, simpler, and more effective than ever before – the result of 15 years of insight and experience in the mobile messaging industry. With SMS Platform, you have the freedom to build your conversation platform your way and the ability to SMS-enable any application, website or system in just a few clicks."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The new reporting features give users the ability to create customizable, filtered overviews of their messaging activities and message spend reports with easy to use, interactive widgets. The overview reports offer 30 day snapshots of account and billing activities and users can fine-tune their reporting to suit their specific needs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The various filters available allow users to create customized reports according to criteria like geographical information, date, delivery status, and message type. All reporting views can be exported in image or CSV formats and can also be saved for future use."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"These features are new and do not replace the existing detailed message sent and received reports available, which can be extracted for any date range required."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell continues to develop its products based on customer feedback and we look forward to rolling out more feature enhancements soon."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61196072","slug":"http-api-clickatell-platform","title":"Just Launched: New HTTP API for Clickatell SMS Platform","internalName":"Just Launched: New HTTP API for Clickatell SMS Platform","publishDate":"2017-04-12","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is please to announce the launch of Platform, a new HTTP API for quick and easy SMS integrations. Click here to find out more.","title":"Just Launched: New HTTP API for Clickatell SMS Platform","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"New API for SMS Platform"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Based on extensive feedback received from our customers, we’re pleased to be launching a new HTTP API for quick and easy SMS integrations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell SMS Platform customers are now able to send messages directly from an internet browser with no need for any third-party clients or applications. The API supports both one-way and two-way messaging and there’s no development required so anyone can get started in no time."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS Platform"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS Platform is a powerful, fully scalable communication enabler that is fully customizable giving users the ability to build a tailored conversation platform to suit any business’ specific requirements. With Clickatell SMS Platform, SMS-enabling any application, website, or system is possible in just a few clicks."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With wizard-driven code generation, setting up integrations is super easy and the unique HTTP API keys are available for use within minutes. The HTTP API is the simplest and easiest API to use, making it extremely popular amongst developers and business owners alike for any bulk SMS messaging requirements."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We’re constantly rolling out feature enhancements for the Clickatell Platform – "},{"url":"/products/sms/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"visit our Platform product page"}]},{"type":"span","value":" to learn more about this innovative, customizable, real-time communication solution and take advantage of free unlimited testing in our sandbox environment to see just how easy using the new HTTP API is."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61201798","slug":"two-way-messaging-netherlands","title":"Just Launched: Two-way Messaging in the Netherlands","internalName":"Just Launched: Two-way Messaging in the Netherlands","publishDate":"2017-04-06","seo":{"description":"Clickatell looks at some of the B2C opportunities offered in the Netherlands now that we have launched two-way long numbers across Holland.","title":"Just Launched: Two-way Messaging in the Netherlands","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959430-istock000016480492large.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Traditionally, the Dutch have always been very open-minded about new technologies. And the mobile phone is no exception with the country currently enjoying an 81 percent smartphone penetration. That’s 8 out of every 10 people in the Netherlands who have a mobile phone in their hands regularly, presenting a massive opportunity for businesses – especially now that Clickatell has launched two-way long numbers across the Netherlands."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"What does that mean?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Well, now the recipients of regular B2C communications can reply directly to your messages allowing for meaningful two-way conversations between your business and its customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Two-way messaging has enormous ramifications on marketing trends. If you’re able to have a conversation with your customer, then it follows that you’re able to ask them what they want and deliver it. This is huge for customer-business relationships and will change the way you do business. You’ll go from marketing the way you think you need to market, to marketing the way your customers want you to market. It’s a convenient way to make your business as accessible as possible to your customers."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"How does two-way messaging work?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Two-way messaging uses local long numbers. These are numbers that enable your customers to respond directly to your messages. The numbers are about the same length as a standard local phone number but are more cost effective than other forms of two-way communication. And the best part is that the cost of sending a text to your business sits with the person sending it, which means your business keeps its expenses down while receiving greater rewards for your offerings."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This form of communication is tailor-made for the business-client relationship. It allows your business to send personalised communication to your customers who want to receive it. There’s no need to build a relationship first. The customers receiving your messages are doing so because they want to. Much like people can opt in or out of seeing messages on their Facebook feeds by liking a business page, so it is with two-way messaging. If a customer doesn’t want to receive your communication, they’ll simply opt out."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"But there are other benefits. The short format of an SMS forces both the business and the customer to be concise in what they communicate. This means that both are getting clearer, more focused messages. Customers don’t have to waste time reading through unnecessary messaging and businesses can tell immediately what it is their customer is after."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"4 quick ways you can use your local long number to grow your business in the Netherlands:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Banking alerts:"},{"type":"span","value":" Two-way messaging is the perfect way to send alerts to customers about important activity in their banking accounts. If a customer suspects any unusual activity, they can respond to your long number to receive more information about the transaction."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Customer surveys:"},{"type":"span","value":" Allowing customers to rate your products or services by simply replying to your messages is a great way to measure your customer satisfaction levels while gaining valuable feedback."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Polling campaigns:"},{"type":"span","value":" Similarly, two-way messaging is a very cost effective way to gather votes in a polling campaign allowing you to measure customer loyalty, collect data, or understand what your customers want most."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Competitions:"},{"type":"span","value":" A great way to identify new leads and build up your customer database is to get your audience to enter a competition by replying to your promotional messages with their name and phone number."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"If you’re interested in learning more about how to get started with two-way messaging in the Netherlands, have a look at our "},{"url":"/pricing-and-coverage/message-pricing/#step-1","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"interactive pricing estimator"}]},{"type":"span","value":" where you’ll find all you need to know about pricing and areas of coverage."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61201949","slug":"two-way-messaging-just-launched-france","title":"Two-Way Messaging Just Launched in France","internalName":"Two-Way Messaging Just Launched in France","publishDate":"2017-04-04","seo":{"description":"Some of the SMS marketing opportunities offered by France after the recent introduction of long numbers; a key facilitator in two-way messaging.","title":"Two-Way Messaging Just Launched in France","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959529-istock000016600686large.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile phone adoption in France is reaching all-time highs. A recent study suggests that the French population is close to saturated and will soon even turn to wearables instead. But for now, mobile phones rule the landscape – and the good news is, the latest wearables can send and receive text messages too. There’s a huge business opportunity here. And, with Clickatell having recently introduced local long numbers that enable two-way messaging in France, businesses need to recognise and act on the opportunities that enabling customers to reply to your messages presents."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"InMobi, in “France Market Overview” reported that 70.9% of the ad impressions in Q4 2016 appeared on mobile phone screens. That number has only grown since. And in a country with a population of 65 million people, that’s a fair number of people seeing your market offerings. Now imagine if these same people could respond to your promotional messages in real-time. With two-way messaging, that’s exactly what happens, opening the door for businesses to have real-time conversations with their customers."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"How two-way messaging works"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Long numbers are two-way numbers that enable customers to reply to any text message you send them. Usually the same length as standard local phone numbers, long numbers are far more cost effective. Any message that your customers send to you is at their expense. Thus, while having a long number allows your customers to connect with you and establish a relationship with your brand, they don’t automatically mean a huge rise in expenses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"What’s more, two-way text messaging is tailor-made for B2C and C2B communication. You can send completely personalised messages and have your offering land in the palm of your customers’ hands. And because of the opt-in, opt-out features, customers will only receive messages that they want. This is bound to lead to positive brand sentiment since they aren’t receiving spammy communication that they aren’t interested in."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The 160-character limit that text messaging offers may seem like a challenge, but businesses are learning that it’s actually a strength of the channel. It keeps your customers focused and a simple CTA tells them exactly what they need to do to engage with your offering."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Another benefit of the two-way messaging process is that it’s immediate, instant and doesn’t age. Messages can reach and be replied to regardless of the kind of phone used. With technology changing so rapidly these days and new models replacing old models faster and faster, it’s refreshing to know that your communication is reaching its intended market regardless."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"How can you use two-way messaging?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Appointment bookings and confirmations:"},{"type":"span","value":" What’s more convenient: a simple SMS to book an appointment or a phone call where you must wait on hold for minutes (or hours) before speaking to someone who can help you make your booking?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Lead generation:"},{"type":"span","value":" The opportunities are endless – competitions, promotions that require a response, and getting customers to request a quote, for example, are all great ways to generate leads."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Get valuable customer feedback:"},{"type":"span","value":" Surveys are a fantastic way to gather customer feedback that can ultimately help you improve and grow your business."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improved CRM:"},{"type":"span","value":" It’s so easy to integrate two-way messaging in your existing CRM systems and the benefits of automating workflows are aplenty.\nThat’s only four of the many ways that you can use two-way messaging to ramp up your customer engagement, business growth, and start meaningful dialogues with your customer base. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our "},{"url":"/pricing-and-coverage/message-pricing/#step-1","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"latest pricings and areas of coverage"}]},{"type":"span","value":" using our interactive pricing estimator."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61205807","slug":"two-way-long-numbers-ireland","title":"NEW: Two-Way Long Numbers Now Available in Ireland","internalName":"NEW: Two-Way Long Numbers Now Available in Ireland","publishDate":"2017-03-30","seo":{"description":"Clickatell has launched its two-way long number service in Ireland, which was recently named as the world's largest consumer of mobile internet.","title":"NEW: Two-Way Long Numbers Now Available in Ireland","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959600-89087687-bidorbuy-1440x560-2.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As recently as 2015, "},{"url":"http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/irish-mobile-phone-usage-highest-in-the-western-world-global-stats-reveal-31480385.html","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ireland was named"}]},{"type":"span","value":" the western world’s largest consumer of mobile phone internet. Only Africa and parts of Asia had higher levels of use and penetration. So what does the country’s 3.4 million devices (out of 4.5 million people) mean for mobile marketers? Well, it means that there’s a billboard in the hands of most of your market. And it’s a billboard that, if leveraged correctly, can help your business exponentially. Especially with local Irish two-way long numbers in your arsenal."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"What is two-way messaging?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Two-way messaging is exactly what is says in that it facilitates a ‘ping-pong’ conversation between your business and its customers. It puts the power firmly in the hands of your Irish customers as they’re now able to respond directly to your text messages. Imagine you’re a business that sells football jerseys and you’re able to send your customers promotional material that they’re able to respond to come match day. The possibilities for lead generation are endless."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"And all of this without interfering with your customers' usual behavior. People are constantly in conversations with each other over text, so why shouldn’t be able to respond to their favorite brands and businesses in this way as well? That’s the power of two-way messaging. A quick message to let a friend know they’re going to be late can now go hand-in-hand with a reply to let you know that they’ll take a footie top in 2 different sizes."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"So how does it work?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Your two-way long number is about the same length as a standard Irish phone number and enables your customers to reply directly to any text messages your business might send them. Two-way messaging is tailor-made for the business-client relationship and allows your business to send personalized communication to your customers who want to receive it and enables them to reply to your messages."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Here are just a few ways you can use Irish two-way long numbers to grow your business:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Appointment reminders: "},{"type":"span","value":"Time is money and when a customer forgets an appointment or fails to cancel, substantial losses are suffered. Automated reminders using a two-way long number allows your customers to conveniently confirm, cancel, or reschedule their upcoming appointments."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Competitions:"},{"type":"span","value":" Build up your customer database and identify new leads by inviting customers (and potential customers) to enter a competition by replying to your promotional messages with their name and phone number."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Get valuable customer feedback with SMS surveys:"},{"type":"span","value":" Measuring your customer satisfaction levels and gaining valuable feedback has never been easier – surveys are a simple way for your customers to rate your products or services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"CRM:"},{"type":"span","value":" Integrating two-way messaging with your existing CRM program is a breeze and automating workflows using SMS saves significant costs while improving the overall customer experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Allow customers to opt-out or request more information:"},{"type":"span","value":" Customers who don’t want to receive specific marketing messages can reply via your two-way service to opt-out or, alternatively, respond requesting more information without having to make a phone call.\nIf you’re interested in learning more about Clickatell’s two-way long numbers in Ireland, our "},{"url":"/pricing-and-coverage/message-pricing/#step-1","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"interactive pricing estimator"}]},{"type":"span","value":" will give you a better idea of just how cost effective it is, and help you find the solutions that’ll best suit your budget and business processes."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61206055","slug":"clickatell-two-way-messaging-uk","title":"Clickatell Launches Local Two-Way Messaging in the UK","internalName":"Clickatell Launches Local Two-Way Messaging in the UK","publishDate":"2017-03-28","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is pleased to announce the launch of its two way messaging service in the UK where there are currently some 150 billion SMS messages sent each year.","title":"Clickatell Launches Local Two-Way Messaging in the UK","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632908121-getting-creative-with-bulk-sms-in-your-industry-12-300x122.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell launches UK 2-way messaging"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Less than a decade after the first smartphone was released to the markets of the United Kingdom, smartphone penetration is reaching its peak. The UK "},{"url":"https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Mobile-Trends-That-Will-Reshape-UK-2017/1014901","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"will have 43.6 million smartphone users in 2017"}]},{"type":"span","value":", proving that smartphones are now central to the lives of most UK residents. The market is the third largest in the world for smartphone penetration. And more and more consumers in the UK are buying via mobile, interacting with traditional advertising via their smartphones, and looking for advice on their handheld devices. This has massive potential for marketers and business owners and coincides with Clickatell’s latest offering of local two-way long numbers in the UK market."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"So, what are some of the benefits of two-way messaging?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For starters, the most obvious benefit is the immediate ability to start meaningful two-way conversations with your customers by allowing them to reply directly to the messages you send them. Lead generation, gathering valuable customer feedback, and improved CRM are just a few more of the top benefits."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Two-way long numbers are also very cost effective. When customers respond to your communication they pay for their own text messages. This means that the only expense to your business is subscribing to the long number. Personalised, immediate communication to your British customers at a fraction of the cost of more traditional mediums."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"And don’t forget that SMS marketing remains extremely effective – particularly in the "},{"url":"https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2012/uk-is-now-texting-more-than-talking","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"UK where the average person sends 50 text messages a week resulting in over 150 billion text messages a year"}]},{"type":"span","value":". And they’re doing it all the time, with even the most basic mobile handsets. It’s a part of people’s everyday interactions. Think of the way people text. Short, to the point and in times of need. A quick message to say that they’re running late, or the address of a meeting place or just a little note to say hello."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Imagine the power of a personalized message to each member of your target audience about an upcoming promotion? With people opening text messages an average of three seconds after receiving them, you can rest assured that your message is being received loud and clear. And now, they can message you back confirming their attendance, requesting more info, or even to make immediate purchases."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile shopping is on the rise in the UK - are you ready?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Shopping with mobile devices is already a popular pastime in the UK. 2017 will see the number of mobile shoppers rise to nearly 89% of the country’s digital shoppers. And most of them will be clicking to purchase on their mobile phones. "},{"url":"http://www.businessinsider.com/mobile-sales-drive-unexpected-uk-e-commerce-growth-2017-1","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile phones will account for 7.6% of the UK’s total retail sales"}]},{"type":"span","value":". It’s a marketing pie that’s going to be worth some £26 billion (roughly $40 billion) – can your business really afford to not be part of that?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"If you’re interested in learning more about just how affordable two-way long number rental in the UK is, have a look at our "},{"url":"/pricing-and-coverage/message-pricing/#step-1","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"interactive pricing estimator"}]},{"type":"span","value":" where you’ll find all the details you need on pricing and coverage."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61206121","slug":"start-two-way-conversation-germany-today","title":"Start a Two-Way Conversation in Germany Today!","internalName":"Start a Two-Way Conversation in Germany Today!","publishDate":"2017-03-24","seo":{"description":"Clickatell looks at the strong growth in Smartphone uptake in Germany and the potential for marketers to reach out using two-way long numbers.","title":"Start a Two-Way Conversation in Germany Today!","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632908486-clickatell-launches-hassle-free-variable-cost-sms-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Germans embrace 2-way messaging"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Germans are turning to smartphones as their digital device of choice according to recent surveys. The country’s smartphone population will reach nearly 36 million by the close of the year. That’s an increase of 26% in just over 3 years in a rapidly growing mobile market. And with Clickatell’s latest release of local two-way long numbers in Germany, there’s a massive opportunity for businesses to engage with their customers on unprecedented levels."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Germans are tech savvy and ready to engage"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The German market is quite tech-savvy with an enthusiasm towards the Internet of Things. Their smartphones are now the key device in this equation, the control center, if you will. A lot of people, for example, have connected their smartphones to their cars or sound systems. It goes without saying that their phones are therefore always close to them. This insight means that they’re easily accessible to marketers via two-way long numbers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Imagine a German man in Hamburg adjusting the volume on his sound system from his phone. As he does so, he receives a personalized message from your business about your latest sale on a product that he’s interested in. The sale is occurring the next day and he is prompted to respond with an RSVP. With two-way capabilities, this German man is likely to confirm his presence at the sale and allow your business to adjust for numbers."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"What’s so great about two-way long numbers?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The ping-pong method opens new communication channels and allows businesses to have a real-time dialogue with their customers. This conversation allows a business to be flexible and adapt to what its customers want. Perhaps the German man in our example couldn’t make the sale the following day. Perhaps many in the market sampled couldn’t. But the interest in the sale was there. The business in question could easily reschedule or repeat the sale for a greater impact thereby giving their customer a completely personalized sale leading to greater and returns on investment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"And, consider the cost-effectiveness of such communication. The only real expense to your business when using two-way messaging is your long number subscription. Plus, there are plenty of other benefits too. SMS is download-free and doesn’t require any internet connection to implement. You’ll also find that your messages are being received and read quickly as open rates for SMS are extremely high at 98%. Think about how swiftly people respond to the notifications they receive when a text comes through. In this regard, two-way messaging is instant. It is also highly personalized and your audience will only be receiving content that they want to receive with the ability to easily opt-out of communication they’d prefer not to be bothered with."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"If you’re interested in learning more about Clickatell’s two-way long numbers in Germany, "},{"url":"/pricing-and-coverage/message-pricing/#step-1","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"check out our interactive pricing estimator tool"}]},{"type":"span","value":" which details pricing and areas of coverage, and will help you find a solution that suits your budget and business processes."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61206210","slug":"clickatell-launches-first-one-touch-demand-mobile-customer-service-platform","title":"Clickatell Launches on Demand Customer Care Platform: Clickatell Touch","internalName":"Clickatell Launches on Demand Customer Care Platform: Clickatell Touch","publishDate":"2016-11-17","seo":{"description":"Clickatell unveiled Clickatell Touch™ to transform the entire customer service experience for companies and their customers.","title":"Clickatell Launches on Demand Customer Care Platform: Clickatell Touch","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959667-press-release-touch-5.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Redwood City, California, 16 November 2016 --- Enterprise mobile messaging pioneer Clickatell today unveiled Clickatell Touch"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"™"},{"type":"span","value":", to transform the entire customer service experience for companies and their customers by bringing one-touch, on-demand mobile customer service to enterprises everywhere."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/products/interact/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Touch"}]},{"type":"span","value":" replaces outdated support methods with real-time communication and intelligent workflow automation that brings an end to the current call center experience of complicated phone trees and dropped calls."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"“We can use a mobile phone to summon a car with a single touch of a button and we believe it should be just as easy for customers to connect with brands,” said Deon van Heerden, CEO of Clickatell Messaging. “The world has moved from mobile-first to mobile always. With Clickatell Touch, big brands can set up shop in the palm of a customer’s hand.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The new Clickatell Touch platform delivers a complete, end-to-end enterprise platform that connects consumer chat with business operations. Touch runs in the cloud and works with enterprise infrastructure of every stripe. The platform seamlessly deploys across contact centers and integrates with existing enterprise CRM, ERP and support solutions, including Salesforce, Zendesk, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Touch is personalized, immediate and intuitive, making it a game-changer in today’s customer service landscape. Its essential elements include:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Touch™ chat platform"},{"type":"span","value":" enables businesses to seamlessly manage multiple customer conversations in parallel. Our enterprise chat application provides 360-degree views of customers, chat forwarding, multi-agent to customer chat, markups, bot chat assistance and many other enterprise features that drive customer engagement happiness."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Touch™ cards"},{"type":"span","value":" are customizable mini-applications that bring everyday transactions like appointments, estimates, purchases, invoices and more into the chat stream as simple and convenient self-service interactions."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Touch™ Business rules engine"},{"type":"span","value":" intelligently integrates Touch with your existing on-premise and cloud-based enterprise CRM, ERP, support and business applications to leverage customer data and deliver personalized experiences."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The company says that its trials and testing have indicated up to a 60 percent reduction in call center costs over the first 3 years of operation. Part of these savings is a result of the fact that with Clickatell Touch, a single agent can handle up to six customer conversations at the same time. The other significant saving factors are the elimination of IT infrastructure, self-service and automation capabilities. Touch Cards also provide opportunities to cross-sell and upsell during support interactions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Founded 15 years ago, Clickatell has long been recognized as a pioneer in helping brands build experiences and relationships with customers via mobile phones, starting with SMS and text messaging. The company works with some of the largest global brands including WhatsApp, Facebook, Visa, McKinsey & Company and IBM."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This long history of delivering new services to enterprise customers has given Clickatell insight into building a transformative B2C communication. The technology is designed for rapid, lightweight deployment and low ongoing operational costs – no in-house software or hardware necessary. Clickatell Touch integration requires a one-time, on-boarding charge. There is no upfront capital investment. The service allows for unlimited seats, chat streams, and analytics with monthly billed per-active-customer pricing."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Founded in 2000, "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell"}]},{"type":"span","value":" is a leader in global mobile messaging, helping businesses connect with their customers. Clickatell is a privately held company headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA with over $12 million in funding led by Sequoia Capital and DAG Ventures. To date, Clickatell has served billions of messages for over 15,000 customers. Current customers, which span enterprise sectors, include Visa, IBM, Avaya, McKinsey & Company, Facebook and WhatsApp."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61210674","slug":"clickatell-bolsters-executive-team-in-africa-operations-and-names-mervyn-goliath-as-executive-vice-president-of-engineering-and-operations","title":"Clickatell Bolsters Executive Team in Africa Operations and Names Mervyn Goliath as Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations","internalName":"Clickatell Bolsters Executive Team in Africa Operations and Names Mervyn Goliath as Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations","publishDate":"2013-03-12","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, a global leader in mobile messaging and transactional services, today announced that Mervyn Goliath has joined its executive team.","title":"Clickatell Bolsters Executive Team in Africa Operations and Names Mervyn Goliath as Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632908922-istock20273902xxlarge-101businessuseforsms-2nd-edition-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mervyn Goliath joins Clickatell's executive team"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa "},{"type":"span","value":"- "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"March 12, 2013 - "},{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, a global leader in mobile messaging and transactional services, today announced that Mervyn Goliath has joined its executive team as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver Enterprise-grade mobile enablement in Sub-Saharan Africa and internationally. Clickatell, the international pioneer for Business-2-Consumer messaging, today serves more than 65% of the top banks, insurance companies and retailers in South Africa as well as an impressive and diverse set of international clients."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Recent expansion plans into West and East Africa, as well as the launch of Mobile Transactional services and smartphone applications, are just some of the signs that the management team continues to have big plans for the business as an integral player where mobile, internet and the consumer come together. Goliath has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications, mobile banking, payment and transaction services industries and has held and excelled in executive roles at leading outfits, including ABSA (part of Barclays), MWEB (part of MIH) and Telkom."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Most recently, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Digital Banking Services for ABSA, one of the largest financial services providers on the African continent, where his primary responsibility focused on transforming the bank's digital channels. Before ABSA, Goliath served as CTO and General Manager of Technology and Operations at MWEB and as Group Head in National Telematics and Data Services at Telkom. \"Goliath's experience at ABSA, MWEB, and Telkom, as well as his leadership and expertise, will be invaluable as we advance Clickatell's enterprise mobile-enablement strategy in our Pan-Africa plans,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Mervyn is a respected industry veteran and a seasoned executive with an impressive track record. We are proud to have him join our team.\" Goliath is joining a "},{"url":"/people/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell executive team"}]},{"type":"span","value":" that is already fully engaged and immersed in the mobile financial services space in Africa, the region that is leading the charge in mobile transactions and payments."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Africa is the fastest-growing mobile financial services market because of the technology's ubiquity, cost-effectiveness and the unmet demand for financial services. \"I am extremely excited about the challenge and opportunity of working with Clickatell's team of engineering and financial services experts to grow its enterprise business in Sub-Saharan Africa,\" said Goliath. \"Clickatell's deep enterprise and financial services experience in Africa positions us well to continue to be a technology innovator in this region. We have seen just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of mobile financial services in Africa and I am thrilled at the prospect of joining Clickatell at this time.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Clickatell, Inc. "},{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is a global leader in mobile messaging and transaction services, which enable its customers to alert, interact and transact with their business partners and communities on the mobile phone. Clickatell's global footprint means that it can deliver short message services (SMS) through its next-generation Clickatell Mobile eXchange (CMneXt) to over 800 mobile networks in over 200 countries and territories, with the potential to reach 6 billion mobile phone users - more than 80 percent of the world's population. In addition, with Clickatell Transaction eXchange (CTX), it provides the essential link between mobile consumers and their financial institutions, with services like airtime top-up. More than 15,000 enterprise, government, medium and, small business customers and application developers have embraced Clickatell's technology solutions. Founded in 2000, Clickatell is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61216749","slug":"clickatell-wins-2012-red-herring-top-100-americas-award","title":"Clickatell Wins 2012 Red Herring Top 100 Americas Award","internalName":"Clickatell Wins 2012 Red Herring Top 100 Americas Award","publishDate":"2012-05-30","seo":{"description":"Red Herring Top 100 Americas list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising new companies and entrepreneurs.","title":"Clickatell Wins 2012 Red Herring Top 100 Americas Award","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632910137-girl-reads-text-on-phone-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell wins Red Herring award"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Red Herring's Top 100 Americas list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising new companies and entrepreneurs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay would change the way we live and work. \"It is great to see the re-emergence of Red Herring, a much loved publication for many in Silicon Valley and entrepreneurs around the world. We are also honored to be one of the winners of the Red Herring Top 100 America's award.\" said Clickatell CEO Pieter de Villiers. \"This validates our leadership in changing the way businesses engage with their customers on mobile devices, anywhere, any time.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As mobile use continues to climb, Clickatell's SMS Gateway is gaining more recognition as a powerful and cost-effective channel of targeted communications, marketing and customer interaction. Clickatell has expanded its offerings by providing solutions for the underbanked in developing regions such as Sub Saharan Africa. \"Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat,\" said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. \"After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across North America to the Top 100 Winners."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We believe Clickatell embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. Clickatell should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was very strong.\" Red Herring's editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track record and standing of startups relative to their sector peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the \"buzz\" and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models in Americas."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217031","slug":"clickatell-connect-api-makes-it-easier-for-application-developers-to-leverage-the-power-of-sms-messaging","title":"Clickatell Connect API makes it Easier for Application Developers to Leverage the Power of SMS Messaging","internalName":"Clickatell Connect API makes it Easier for Application Developers to Leverage the Power of SMS Messaging","publishDate":"2012-03-12","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, the global leader in PPM through all mobile devices, today announced the availability of the Clickatell Connect API","title":"Clickatell Connect API makes it Easier for Application Developers to Leverage the Power of SMS Messaging","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959741-istock79861201xxxlarge-firstglobaljpg.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Connect API"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the global leader in Personalized Priority Messaging (PPM) through all mobile devices, today announced the availability of the Clickatell Connect API to enable developers to seamlessly integrate SMS text messaging with their web or mobile applications."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell works with thousands of application developers across the globe and enables their applications to send and receive text messages across more than 220 countries, covering over 960 mobile network operators."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The new Clickatell Connect API offers application developers instant signup for a Clickatell account from within their application, allowing users the ability to send SMS text messages in a far shorter time and more intuitively than was previously the case."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's Connect API now enables developers to let their users perform the following actions without leaving their application:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Register new Clickatell accounts"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Complete Clickatell account activation and user verification procedures"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Requisition one or more Clickatell Messaging APIs (which could include support for sending messages via HTTP(S), XML, SOAP, FTP, SMPP, SMTP, and Com Object)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Purchase Clickatell messaging credits"}]}]}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":" Clickatell Integration"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell is the only solution to offer SMS text messaging account creation via API, and we've gone to great lengths to ensure that any developer who wants to interface an application, site or system seamlessly with our SMS text messaging gateway, can do so reliably and simply,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell's CEO. \"Our APIs are fast, simple, and offer a highly scalable solution for organizations of all sizes.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Before the introduction of the Clickatell Connect API, users of applications built by developers who were leveraging Clickatell were required to manually perform a series of steps to obtain the required Clickatell account credentials to SMS-enable their application."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As the world's largest provider of PPM services, Clickatell is working with developers to provide organizations of all sizes with a powerful way to Connect, Interact, and Transact with their customers on a mobile device. These actions could include delivering just-in-time deals and incentives, and prompt usage, consumption, or purchasing. PPM involves making use of the global reach and push-messaging capability of the SMS protocol to deliver value for the sender and the receiver as a result of message simplicity, contextual relevance, and time-sensitivity."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With SMS, small and large enterprises can reach customers at a far higher response rate than any other media type, averaging between 15-45 percent versus a typical 1-5 percent response rate for popular forms of direct marketing."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Application developers are realizing that SMS text messages can reach consumers with relevant, actionable, and personalized mobile information,\" added de Villiers. \"We created the Clickatell Connect API so that application developers could leverage the power of high-value mobile PPM messaging with increased convenience and ease-of-use for their users.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217173","slug":"truth-on-call-selects-clickatell-to-enable-sms-based-polling-of-healthcare-professionals","title":"Truth On Call Selects Clickatell to Enable SMS-based Polling of Healthcare Professionals","internalName":"Truth On Call Selects Clickatell to Enable SMS-based Polling of Healthcare Professionals","publishDate":"2012-03-05","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, a leading mobile messaging provider, today announced that Truth On Call selected Clickatell's total messaging solution","title":"Truth On Call Selects Clickatell to Enable SMS-based Polling of Healthcare Professionals","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632911352-healthcare-worker-in-pharmacy-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Truth On Call selects Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, a leading mobile messaging provider, today announced that Truth On Call selected Clickatell's total messaging solution  - global short messaging service (SMS) delivery, 24/7 live support, short code provisioning and easy-to-use APIs, to enable its mobile polling service to healthcare providers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The San Francisco and New York start-up, Truth On Call, reaches out to pre-screened, verified physicians via SMS with multiple response or open-ended questions posed by industry device or drug manufacturers, the media and government. The industry pays to ask the questions and physicians are paid for their responses and control the number of questions they receive every month."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Truth On Call is an ideal service when range, reach and easy response are needed. Truth On Call's application, plus Clickatell's SMS messaging, enables the company to reach a large number of doctors, and other healthcare practitioners, almost instantly. Typical use cases for Truth On Call include a media representative looking for information for an article, or a healthcare organization that needs statistics for outreach during an emergency situation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Currently, Truth On Call connects with physicians in the United States and the United Kingdom, and growth plans call for the opportunity to expand globally. The company selected Clickatell based on its reach of more than 815 networks in more than 200 countries."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"In the past, healthcare market research was completed via fax, email or phone and could take weeks to complete,\" said Rosina Samadani, Ph.D., Founder and President of Truth On Call. \"Clickatell's broad reach gives our service the potential to connect with healthcare professionals across the globe in a matter of minutes and we're excited at the future growth possibilities of these markets.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Truth On Call is revolutionizing the way the healthcare community interacts, opening up a host of new opportunities for this industry to connect with physicians and other healthcare providers in a way that has not been done before. It is exciting to be a part of such a forward-looking innovation that may impact people's lives directly,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Truth On Call"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Launched in 2010, Truth On Call provides earth's fastest verified healthcare practitioner input. It is the only market research service that communicates with verified healthcare providers via text message. It provides the industry with unprecedented reach and speed in communicating with these individuals to provide critical input on time-sensitive questions. Truth On Call is available in the US and UK.\nFor more information about Truth On Call visit "},{"url":"http://truthoncall.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Truth On Call website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://truthoncall.com/"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217350","slug":"clickatell-honored-with-idea-and-innovation-award-by-the-san-josesilicon-valley-business-journal","title":"Clickatell honored with Idea and Innovation Award by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal","internalName":"Clickatell honored with Idea and Innovation Award by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal","publishDate":"2012-02-27","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, the global leader in PPM, announced today that it has won the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal Idea and Innovation award.","title":"Clickatell honored with Idea and Innovation Award by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632908922-istock20273902xxlarge-101businessuseforsms-2nd-edition-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell wins Idea and Innovation Award"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the global leader in Personalized Priority Messaging (PPM), announced today that it has won the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal "},{"url":"http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/feature/ideas-and-innovation.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Idea and Innovation Award-winners"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Idea and Innovation award"}]},{"type":"span","value":" for Social/Economic Impact for providing a service that improves people's daily lives in a significant and tangible way. Clickatell was recognized by The Business Journal at a ceremony held to honor the new directions in the world of technology and science, paying tribute to Silicon Valley's unique position in driving new thinking and advanced technology progress."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The event was held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, and featured winners from biotech, software, hardware and consumer products. \"The goal of the Idea and Innovation Awards was to recognize some of the most innovative products and people here in Silicon Valley,\" said publisher James MacGregor. \"Several of the honorees have achieved a lot in a very short amount of time and the companies are truly groundbreaking.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell provides a solution that enables simpler, quicker and better delivery of high value, just-in-time, individualized mobile messages such as text alerts that can significantly improve people's day-to-day lives in terms of safety, convenience, awareness, and savings. As mobile use continues to climb, Clickatell's SMS Gateway is gaining more recognition as a powerful and cost-effective channel of targeted real-time communications, marketing and customer interaction, and emergency use in remote areas where Internet access is unreliable or non-existent. As an example of how Clickatell is making a positive impact on society, emergency alert services like MapAlerter and Universal Alert use Clickatell in rescue efforts including incident and damage assessment, mobilization of rescue workers, transmission of emergency instructions, and managing evacuations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Following the earthquake in Haiti, Clickatell extended free SMS messaging services to organizations providing aid and helped to reunite missing children with their families. The ubiquity of SMS allowed the lines of communications to remain open during emergency services and disaster relief efforts. The 'store and forward' nature of SMS meant that messages could be delivered as soon as there was a 'window' of network coverage -- and this window didn't need to last more than a few seconds. As a result, many organizations in Haiti were using SMS services to communicate even as the capacities of networks were stretched thin."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"It is an honor to be recognized as a leader in delivering innovation that has a measurable impact on improving people's ability to communicate, work and live more efficiently, and stay safe and informed,\" said Clickatell CEO Pieter de Villiers, who was at the event in Mountain View to accept the award. \"We're just beginning to see how mobile messaging is changing lives, not just for business-to-consumer interaction, but also for emergency alerts. At Clickatell, we are making it easy and cost effective to connect people, companies, ideas, and help in times of increased competition and conflict.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217374","slug":"festive-retail-guide","title":"Festive Retail Guide","internalName":"Festive Retail Guide","publishDate":"2011-11-16","seo":{"description":"Clickatell announced the \"Festive Retail Guide\" to assist retailers to improve customer response, retention and reach through easy & effective SMS.","title":"Festive Retail Guide","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959822-istock74956629xxxlarge-mobileevolutionofretailjpg.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":"- Clickatell, the global leader in Personalized Priority Messaging (PPM), today announced the \"Festive Retail Guide\" to provide retailers with a resource to drive holiday sales through strategic mobile marketing campaigns. Retailers can dramatically improve customer response, retention and reach through easy and effective SMS techniques. Clickatell released the guide as a helpful tool for stores to better market to their customers this holiday season and all year round. SMS mobile marketing is the leading channel for direct marketing to consumers because it is more affordable than traditional forms of marketing and can be targeted directly to the personal taste of the customer. SMS is capable of reaching 91 percent of the US population and has a higher direct response rate than telemarketing, email and direct mail, according to a recent study by the Direct Marketing Association. In fact, 98 percent of people will open a text message, while email messages are left unread 80 percent of the time, according to Nielsen research. Clickatell recommends that retailers capitalize on this growing trend with meaningful, targeted and personalized communication to effectively reach customers. For emerging retailers and small to mid-sized businesses, this will prove to be an essential guide to expand their customer base. The guide also includes details and advice on simple steps retailers can follow to:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Create and manage a contact distribution list"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Establish customer profiles from their account histories"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Write an effective SMS message"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Measure campaign success"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Use the correct tools to send and receive your SMS messages"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"As a global leader specializing in individualized communications, we wanted to share the latest in a series of best practices briefs from the field to make it easier and more cost-effective to use SMS campaigns,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell's CEO. \"The guide helps retailers bring customers through the door by offering deals and discounts straight to their mobile phone.\" By introducing low-cost campaign ideas in the guide, SMS messaging can be used by retailers of any size. In the critical and competitive holiday season and beyond, this is a way for brands to stand out from the crowd and build long-lasting relationships."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217573","slug":"clickatell-announces-personalized-priority-messaging-award-winners","title":"Clickatell announces Personalized Priority Messaging Award-winners","internalName":"Clickatell announces Personalized Priority Messaging Award-winners","publishDate":"2011-10-26","seo":{"description":"Clickatell announced the winners of the inaugural 2011 PPM awards. The winners were chosen by the judges for their innovative use of mobile messaging.","title":"Clickatell announces Personalized Priority Messaging Award-winners","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Redwood City, CA - Clickatell, the global leader in mobile communications specializing in SMS messaging as a service, announced today the winners of the inaugural 2011 Personalized Priority Messaging (PPM) awards. The winners were chosen by the judges for their innovative use of mobile messaging, to, amongst others, build close customer connections, develop effective internal communications and improve global safety and security."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Drawn from a range of sectors from emergency services to retail, the award-winners' mobile message communications exhibited leading characteristics of successful PPM campaigns: making valuable use of the ubiquity, and push-messaging capability of the SMS protocol to deliver value for the message sender and the receiver as a result of message simplicity, contextual relevance and time-sensitivity."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"With a higher response rate than any other media type, SMS can be a highly effective method of communication to develop personal relationships with any business stakeholders -- and the PPM awards prove that the days of traditional bulk mobile messaging are truly long gone,\" said Pieter de Viliers, CEO of Clickatell. \"We created the awards to highlight innovative ways companies are leveraging PPM to reach and influence their audience more effectively than with any other media type.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Universal Alert, used by NASA and the U.S. Military to connect people during an emergency, received the public vote for its use of PPM. This Public Priority Award-winner, headquartered in New Jersey, tapped Clickatell's mobile messaging gateway to simplify mobile group communications. \"Personalized Priority Messages are the most effective means to reach people during an emergency, and potentially save lives, as they are received at a far higher rate than any other communication type,\" said Seth Danberry, CEO of Universal Alert."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"South Africa's largest online marketplace, bidorbuy, was named the winner in the Enterprise category for using PPM to alert bidders in online auctions when they have been outbid, and Databuzz, a software consultancy company from Australia, won the Application Developers award for its companion service, fmSMS which allows users to send relevant SMS messages to a database of contacts on FileMaker. QLess, the winning SMB from Los Angeles CA, aims to use PPM to eliminate the experience of waiting in line. \"When used effectively, SMS can provide businesses with a powerful way to get the message out and improve the customer experience,\" said Alex Backer, Founder and CEO of QLess. \"With SMS, we were able to provide personalized convenience and huge time savings to our customers by helping them avoid dreaded lines and long waits. We are honored to be recognized by the PPM Awards for our work.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"The full list of PPM Award winners and runners-up are as follows:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Enterprise Category"},{"type":"span","value":"\nWinner: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Bid or Buy"},{"type":"span","value":"\nRunner Up: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"May Places"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Small and Medium Business Category"},{"type":"span","value":"\nWinner: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"QLess"},{"type":"span","value":"\n1st Runner Up: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Pin Point Alerts Ltd (Map Alerter)"},{"type":"span","value":"\n2nd Runner Up: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Teach Me 2"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Application Developers Category"},{"type":"span","value":"\nWinner: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Databuzz (fmSMS)"},{"type":"span","value":"\n1st Runner Up: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"iGeek"},{"type":"span","value":"\n2nd Runner Up: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Web Industry"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Public Priority Award"},{"type":"span","value":"\nWinner: "},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"Universal Alerts"}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217654","slug":"clickatell-named-one-of-the-hottest-companies-in-silicon-valley","title":"Clickatell named one of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley","internalName":"Clickatell named one of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley","publishDate":"2011-04-28","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, announced it has received a 2011 \"Hot List\" award from research firm as the hottest technology companies in the Silicon Valley.","title":"Clickatell named one of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632913085-clickatell-discussion-forum-supports-vibrant-community-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell  one of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood Shores, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the leader in Personalized Priority Messaging (PPM) through all media devices, today announced it has received a 2011 \""},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Hot List"},{"type":"span","value":"\" award from research firm Lead411 acknowledging the hottest technology companies in the Silicon Valley."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Based on criteria including fundraising levels, product development and revenue growth, Clickatell was recognized as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the Silicon Valley. Other companies that were recognized nationally include: Box.net, Cloudera Inc., Digital Chocolate, Facebook Inc., Jive Software, Mark Logic Corporation, Meebo Inc., Ning Inc., Ooyala Inc., and Palantir Technologies."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We are honored to be included in such a strong list of growing U.S. technology leaders,\" said Pieter de Villiers, co-Founder and CEO, Clickatell. \"We have continued our focus this year on expanding our product offering, increasing our U.S. footprint, and raising momentum around Clickatell's underlying efforts to lead mobile messaging innovation. This recognition from Lead411 as one of the valley's hottest companies helps validate our commitment to providing more customers with helpful and personal customer engagement technologies.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is innovating new mobile Personalized Priority Messaging services in the form which allows for of high-value, contextually-relevant, time-sensitive notifications and alerts sent directly to consumers. Clickatell recently launched a new web-based solution that will enable small and medium sized US companies to more easily deploy Personalized Priority Messaging in their business."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's platform is used by organizations worldwide to deliver targeted, time-sensitive, mobile alerts, notifications, reminders, responses, updates, answers, verifications and promotions with unprecedented levels of receipt, readership and response. Text messaging is capable of reaching 91 percent of people and is used by 64 percent of the U.S. population. Additionally, organizations tap Clickatell for programs that assist partners and employees with process or operational improvement, cost reduction initiatives, disaster avoidance, emergency management and a host of other mission-critical goals."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We are very proud of these awards. We have been tracking fast-moving companies for our customers for the past 10 years,\" said Tom Blue, CEO of Lead411, \"and we felt it was important to recognize these growing brands publicly.\" The entire list including more details about the award and winners can be found at "},{"url":"https://www.lead411.com/awards/2011/silicon-valley.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Hottest Silicon Valley companies | Lead411"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.lead411.com/awards/2011/silicon-valley.html"}]}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About the Award"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"On a daily basis, the Lead411 research team scours through at least 600 press releases and business articles including venture capital financings, company launches, office openings, new customer press releases, etc. This information has given insight to which are the fastest growing companies in U.S. Lead411's \"Hot List\" awards have been created to recognize these fast growing companies. This particular award started with over 1500 companies and was narrowed down to 71."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Lead411"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.lead411.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Lead411 website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lead411"}]},{"type":"span","value":" provides information, news, and research about U.S. companies and their executives. Founded in 2001, its goal has been to focus on quality corporate data that is valid and useful rather than producing as many company records as possible. In addition, Lead411 tracks company news in order to alert its customers about venture financing, new hires, hiring plans, etc. Customers include Gartner, Administaff and ADP."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217754","slug":"clickatell-launches-new-us-personalized-priority-messaging-text-service-to-make-it-easy-and-affordable-for-small-businesses-to-better-engage-and-interact-with-customers","title":"Clickatell launches new US Personalized Priority Messaging text service to make it easy and affordable for small businesses to better engage and interact with customers","internalName":"Clickatell launches new US Personalized Priority Messaging text service to make it easy and affordable for small businesses to better engage and interact with customers","publishDate":"2011-03-02","seo":{"description":"Clickatell announced its new US small business SMS messaging package to enable companies to easily interact with customers via simple text messages.","title":"Clickatell launches new US Personalized Priority Messaging text service to make it easy and affordable for small businesses to better engage and interact with customers","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959984-clickatell-wins-best-messaging-business-application-1.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's unique Personalized Priority Messaging"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the global leader in Personalized Priority Messaging (PPM) through all media devices, today announced its new US small business SMS messaging  package to enable US companies to easily and affordably interact with and help customers via simple text messages.  The new package introduces an attractive new mobile messaging medium to millions of small businesses that need to better reach, retain, and engage with customers in cost-effective ways."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's unique Personalized Priority Messaging  via mobile devices is under-recognized as the most powerful and efficient digital channel for customer engagement.  It addresses a critical need for businesses of all sizes to differentiate themselves by developing customer relationships through being more helpful.  Key small business applications for PPM are demand creation, customer engagement, service delivery, transactional messaging, and risk mitigation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS messages have been proven to generate 10x or higher direct response rates than other media, averaging between 15-45 percent versus a typical 1-5 percent for popular forms of direct marketing.  Text messaging also has a 5x higher open rate than email (98 percent vs. 20 percent). Text messaging is capable of reaching 91 percent of people and is used by 64 percent of the U.S. population, versus only 26 percent using Twitter and 42 percent using Facebook.  In addition, mobile messaging enables much more targeted, personal interaction and receipt notification than popular social media engines."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Mobile phones and text messages represent an unmatched way for just-in-time communications and two-way interactions that provide highly valued alerts, notifications, updates, answers, verifications, confirmations, and perishable offers that meet the needs of today's consumers,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell.  \"SMS messages are capable of being embedded in virtually every customer-critical business process to automate helpful processes and more meaningful engagement, and we are making it easy for small businesses to get on board.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Built on a history of more than ten years of successful global mobile service delivery and trusted by more than 13,000 customers, Clickatell's new monthly service for US small businesses, starting at just $24.95 per month, includes a dedicated number and up to 1,000 free outbound text messages per month.  Additional outbound text messages are as little as 2¢ per message, and all incoming customer messages are free of charge."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Small businesses can get started in just five minutes from any web browser - no download or installation is required to get the Communicator 2 application from Clickatell up and running on the service.  With Communicator 2, customers can easily import existing contacts and take advantage of time-saving contact management, quick-message templates, and powerful reporting for better intelligence on SMS initiatives.  A dedicated US number is quickly assigned, allowing 2-way communication with customers within minutes of signup."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Communicator 2 is made for emerging businesses that want to embrace the power of mobile messaging and do it without requiring special resources or advance planning,\" added de Villiers.  \"It is ideal for companies that want to better interact with customers in a way that has much better reach and response than traditional forms of direct marketing.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Application Developers' Delight"},{"type":"span","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The new US small business SMS offer is also well-suited for developers who want to create helpful customized web or mobile applications that leverage the power of text messaging. Developers simply sign up for a Central SMS gateway account and select the \"US small business\" option. The Clickatell SMS gateway offers easy API integration, flexible APIs for ease of use, and powerful reporting features.   Developers also get the benefit of a dedicated long number, free incoming text messages, and up to 1,000 free outbound text messages per month.  The Central platform has wide coverage, including every major mobile operator network in the United States, and offers easy set-up through a choice of four well-documented APIs, including HTTP(S), COM objects, SOAP, and XML. Developer support includes developer forums, 24/7 phone and email support, and extensive script libraries available for PHP, VB.Net, VBScript, Cold Fusion, C#, and Oracle to make light work of heavy integration procedures."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As the world's largest provider of PPM services, Clickatell has provided customers with real-time, priority alert messaging through its Secure Enterprise Mobile Messaging Gateway since 2000. Clickatell works globally to provide applications that help brands increase customer contact and conversation, form social communities, motivate and reward buying or referral behavior, deliver just-in-time deals and incentives, as well as prompt usage, consumption or purchase. Additionally, organizations tap Clickatell for programs that assist partners and employees with process or operational improvement, cost reduction initiatives, disaster avoidance, emergency management and a host of other mission-critical goals."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217765","slug":"clickatell-announces-new-12-million-funding","title":"Global messaging leader Clickatell announces new $12 million funding round to support continued expansion and innovation","internalName":"Global messaging leader Clickatell announces new $12 million funding round to support continued expansion and innovation","publishDate":"2011-02-28","seo":{"description":"Clickatell announced it has secured $12 million in a series B round of venture funding led by Sequoia Capital and DAG Ventures.","title":"Global messaging leader Clickatell announces new $12 million funding round to support continued expansion and innovation","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the global leader in Personalized Priority Messaging as a service, today announced it has secured $12 million in a series B round of venture funding led by Sequoia Capital and DAG Ventures. The funding will be used to continue the company's expansion into new service areas and geographies where automated, just-in-time mobile messaging is powering huge gains in customer engagement and value and opening the door to new mobile transactions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is a profitable company with more than 13,000 customers that utilize its award-winning mobile messaging API's and global delivery infrastructure to reach and respond to customers across some 869 networks in 223 countries and territories. Personalized Priority Messaging via Clickatell is embedded into virtually any business process to increase an organization's capacity to offer new levels of customer help and engagement using mobile text messaging (SMS)."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell was early in recognizing the immense power of mobile messaging to transform the customer experience. With the capacity to reach some 70 percent of the world's population, Personalized Priority Messaging can help companies of all sizes create more welcoming and helpful brands by delivering just the right message, to the right person at the right time,\" said Pieter de Viliers, CEO and co-founder of Clickatell. \"We're excited by our continued relationship with Sequoia Capital and value their insight into various markets and sectors. We are also happy to welcome to our team DAG Ventures whom we enjoyed working with on this transaction. Mobile is the new medium of consumer engagement, and brands from Lagos to London are recognizing this. Clickatell is very well positioned to become an even stronger leader in Business-to-Consumer Mobile messaging and transaction enablement. We are excited by the future mobile has to offer.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A leading provider to the global financial services industry, Clickatell is innovating new Personalized Priority Messaging-based services to enable financial transactions over the mobile phone in developing countries. In the United States, it is launching a new web-based solution that will enable small and medium sized companies to far more easily deploy Personalized Priority Messaging in their business. Its platform is used by organizations worldwide to deliver targeted, time-sensitive alerts, notification, reminders, responses, updates, answers, verifications and promotions with unprecedented levels of receipt, readership and response."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Global adoption of mobile messaging as a powerful channel of engagement continues to astound,\" said Mike Goguen, Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital. \"Some 6.1 trillion SMS messages were sent in 2010, triple the volume of 2007. Clickatell continues to be a leader in this market, with both the vision and the execution capabilities to realize the opportunities inherent in this market.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell is well positioned to take advantage of the continuing growth of mobile messaging in both emerging and developed markets,\" said Nicholas K. Pianim, Managing Director at DAG Ventures. \"New Clickatell solutions to power mobile transactions in Africa and increase U.S. small business adoption of Personalized Priority Messaging represent exciting new opportunities for growth.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217781","slug":"8ta-selects-clickatell-as-first-sms-aggregator-to-connect-to-its-mobile-network","title":"8ta selects Clickatell as first SMS aggregator to connect to its mobile network","internalName":"8ta selects Clickatell as first SMS aggregator to connect to its mobile network","publishDate":"2011-02-08","seo":{"description":"Clickatell announced its selection as the first SMS Aggregator worldwide that can send SMS text messages directly to the new 8ta mobile network.","title":"8ta selects Clickatell as first SMS aggregator to connect to its mobile network","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960086-tanzanian-satellite-comms-provider-tops-clickatell-competition.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"8ta choose Clickatell as SMS aggregator"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's expanding global and South African presence demonstrates its success as the leader in PPM through all mobile devices, enabling simpler, faster and more verifiable delivery of high-value, just-in-time, individualized communications and associated mobile transactional services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Launched in October 2010, 8ta uses state-of-the-art radio access network, core and IT technology to deliver products that are of high value, simple to use and of superb quality. The partnership with Clickatell will allow 8ta customers to receive PPM messages such as transactional alerts and validations, business advisories, consumer/student notifications, order verifications, emergency alerts, news bulletins, promotional offers and booking, and appointment confirmations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As the world's largest provider of PPM services, Clickatell has provided customers with real-time, priority alert messaging through its Secure Enterprise Mobile Messaging Gateway since 2000. Clickatell works globally to provide applications that help brands increase customer contact and conversation, form social communities, motivate and reward buying or referral behavior, deliver just-in-time deals and incentives, as well as prompt usage, consumption or purchase. Additionally, organizations tap Clickatell for programs that assist partners and employees with process or operational improvement, cost reduction initiatives, disaster avoidance, emergency management and a host of other mission-critical goals."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell is the leader in global SMS reach, and our partnership with 8ta is continued evidence that when it comes to Personal Priority Messaging (PPM) enablement, the competition has plenty of catching up to do. We continue to have the best global coverage for mobile text,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"It is an amazing realization that within a few minutes of creating an account at Clickatell.com, users can be reaching customers on their mobile phone in any of 220 countries, equating to a potential audience of more than five billion.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61223280","slug":"clickatell-chosen-as-most-innovative-enterprise-access-provider-at-mobile-remittance-summit","title":"Clickatell chosen as 'Most innovative enterprise access provider' at Mobile Remittance Summit","internalName":"Clickatell chosen as 'Most innovative enterprise access provider' at Mobile Remittance Summit","publishDate":"2011-01-31","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, announced that it has received the Most Innovative Enterprise Access Provider award at the 2011 Mobile Remittance Summit","title":"Clickatell chosen as 'Most innovative enterprise access provider' at Mobile Remittance Summit","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632913085-clickatell-discussion-forum-supports-vibrant-community-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Most innovative enterprise access provider'"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the global leader in mobile communications specializing in Personal Priority Messaging, announced today that it has received the Most Innovative Enterprise Access Provider award for its industry-leading messaging solutions at the 2011 Mobile Remittance Summit, West Africa. Hosted by Mobile Money Africa, a top mobile and finance news portal, the conference was introduced to address issues, strategies and opportunities in the money remittance business."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell was awarded Most Innovative Enterprise Access Provider for their excellence in providing services that improve access to formal financial services. The company was honored for their success in providing financial access to millions of unbanked through commercial partnerships and alliances with micro finance banks in West Africa."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Mobile is the new medium of choice when it comes to consumer engagement and Clickatell is proud to be a global leader in business-to-consumer mobile enablement,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Clickatell pioneered Personal Priority Messaging to help companies and consumers benefit from high-value, 'just in time' messaging and it has had a material impact in how companies serve customers, manage identity, distribute offers and share information to their customers. With more than 5 Billion mobile phone users globally, we predict that 80% of Fortune 500 companies will have a mobile strategy by 2015, with the SMB segment to follow. Clickatell looks forward to providing the solution to enable these large and small businesses alike.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Personalized Priority Messaging is helping companies and consumers all over the world to benefit from high-value, contextually-relevant, time-sensitive notifications and alerts that have unmatched rates of receipt, readership, recall and response. Clickatell's SMS Gateway allows any business to connect employees, suppliers and customers anywhere, with any message, across almost any device. Clickatell's high-powered platform ensures reliable delivery of all messages, and its global coverage means that customers can reach 869 mobile networks in over 223 countries and territories."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell is the undisputed leader in providing access to messaging solutions and the company's innovation in mobile messaging technology continues to garner attention as it extends it's footprint across Africa with leading technology and finance companies,\" said Emmanuel Okoegwale, the organizer of the regional award. \"The reliance on Clickatell's seamless delivery of individualized messaging and vast coverage reach sets it apart among mobile communication providers.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61217633","slug":"medadherence-connects-doctors-with-patients-via-sms-program-june-2011","title":"MedAdherence connects doctors with patients via SMS program – June 2011","internalName":"MedAdherence connects doctors with patients via SMS program – June 2011","publishDate":"2011-01-15","seo":{"description":"Clickatell has partnered with MedAdherence, which specializes in messaging for patients with feedback on their treatment or early warnings of a worsening condition.","title":"MedAdherence connects doctors with patients via SMS program – June 2011","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"MedAdherence has partnered with Clickatell, which specializes in personalized priority messaging. Based on their blood sugar level, patients receive texts back from their doctors regarding when they should take their specific medication, feedback on the success of their treatment or early warning signs of a worsening condition."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We think that the healthcare use cases for personalized priority messaging are compelling for both practitioners and patients, from dentist appointment reminders to alerts regarding medication expiry dates and even enabling recipients to respond to messages\" said Llew Claasen, Vice president of marketing, Clickatell, Redwood City, CA."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"MedAdherence is a healthcare company providing care plan automation and communication solutions to prevent the serious medical complications and costs associated with people failing to follow their healthcare provider's prescribed care plans."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell "}]},{"type":"span","value":"specializes in personalized priority messaging through all mobile devices. Other healthcare clients include Primary Care Trusts and AllOne Health."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Mobile health"},{"type":"span","value":"\nMobile works extremely well in the healthcare industry because SMS messages are personalized and time or context-sensitive, when having to do with a patient's health."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Through SMS, healthcare providers can help their patients stay connected with medical professionals on an immediate basis."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Some use cases include patients receiving confirmation messages when an appointment is made, a reminder message with a link to directions in Google Maps and follow-up communication to remind patients of an upcoming appointment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Through the partnership, MedAdherence enables patients to text message their doctors and caregivers daily to ensure adherence and to measure and monitor key bio-metric data,\" said Jonathan D. Katz, CEO of MedAdherence, Norwalk, CT."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell's work with MedAdherence is one of the many collaborations the company has formed in their efforts to help the healthcare sector improve doctor-to-patient communication,\" he said."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Patients constantly being informed reduces no-shows and associated costs, improves the chances of patients correctly medicating and provides patients with a reassuring line of communication directly back to their healthcare provider."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Increasingly, consumers are opting for text messaging as a form of communication with brands, merchants, financial institutions and healthcare providers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We are extremely excited about working with Clickatell to provide patients the ability to manage their chronic diseases in a new and dynamic way,\" Mr. Katz said."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to Nielsen, people between the ages of 12-17 send and receive more than 3,300 text messages per month. Those between the ages of 18-25 send and receive approximately 1,800 text messages monthly, and the 25-35 age group sends and receives 600, while 35-45 year-olds are at around 300."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Additionally, more than 75 billion texts are sent each month in the United States and, on average, 95 percent of those messages are opened and read by the recipient within 5 minutes of receiving it, Nielsen found."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Recent research by the Direct Marketing Association suggests that direct response rates for SMS text messages can be anywhere between 26 percent and 51 percent, significantly higher than those achieved through telemarketing, email and direct mail."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By sending alert notifications through text messaging, healthcare providers are able to stay better connected with their patients."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We believe that the inherently personal nature of the channel, its push-messaging capability, mobility and ubiquity will drive huge growth in valuable mobile alerts via SMS, over the next 24 months\" Mr. Claasen said."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61223358","slug":"premier-lotto-taps-clickatell-wyde-i-to-deliver-mobile-lottery-results","title":"Premier Lotto taps Clickatell, WYDE-I to deliver mobile lottery results","internalName":"Premier Lotto taps Clickatell, WYDE-I to deliver mobile lottery results","publishDate":"2010-12-06","seo":{"description":"Clickatell announced its relationship with WYDE-I Ltd that has made possible the wildly popular mobile lotto results service from Premier Lotto.","title":"Premier Lotto taps Clickatell, WYDE-I to deliver mobile lottery results","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960156-mobile-service-providers-unite-under-common-code-of-conduct.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell partners with Premier Lotto"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Redwood City, CA - Clickatell, the global leader in mobile communications specializing in SMS messaging as a service, today announced its relationship with WYDE-I Ltd that has made possible the wildly popular mobile lotto results service from Premier Lotto. The partnership with WYDE-I, a leading Lagos-based wireless application provider, is a successful example of Clickatell's expanding presence in the Nigerian market to meet the growing demand among consumers for receiving information and services through their mobile phones."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Premier Lotto is just one of the thousands of brands worldwide that are discovering new ways to engage customers, and their own employees and partners, using the ubiquity of SMS messaging. Almost all of the world's five billion mobile phones are able to at least receive SMS text messages. One of the world's largest providers of SMS services, Clickatell has provided customers with real-time, priority alert messaging through its Secure Enterprise Mobile Messaging Gateway since 2000. Clickatell works with developers worldwide to build applications that help brands increase customer contact and conversation, form social communities, motivate and reward buying or referral behavior, deliver just-in-time deals and incentives, as well as prompt usage, consumption or purchase. Additionally, organizations tap Clickatell for programs that assist partners and employees with process or operational improvement, cost reduction initiatives, disaster avoidance, emergency management and a host of other mission-critical goals."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We have employed the industry's best practices in delivering our product to Nigerians and that includes providing results as soon as draws happen,\" said Adebisi Adebutu, Executive Director of Operations at Premier Lotto. \"Working with Clickatell and WYDE-I has helped us extend our reach to customers who may be traveling, live in more remote areas of the country, or who otherwise may simply be away from a television or radio. We can still reach them with the nearly real-time information they crave. Word of mouth has led to the dramatic rise in our subscriber base, showing how popular mobile delivery of information truly has become.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Launched with just 200 subscribers initially, the mobile results service from Premier, also known as Baba Ijebu, now draws a daily average of 3,000 lotto players who sign up for draw results. After purchasing a Premiercard, lotto fans use their phones to send a PIN number printed on the card to create an account with credits for 30 results. As drawings take place, the subscribers are notified and when their credits run low, they receive an alert."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Premier Lotto demonstrates how pervasive the demand for mobile information delivery has become and how even organizations like Premier, who are excellent at reaching huge customers bases through mass media channels, can improve their customer engagement using SMS services,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Working with WYDE-I Ltd. was a rewarding experience for our company and we welcome such relationships that will help use expand to meet the demand in Nigeria for mobile messaging services.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Mobile penetration and capabilities are increasing at a rapid pace and WYDE-I has been able to quickly develop and successfully launch new mobile products and services in order to meet market demands\", said Bosun Olukoya, Managing Director of WYDE-I. \"We believe the partnership with Clickatell illustrates WYDE-I's continued goal of providing the most reliable and value driven content service provison over the web and to mobile phones.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61223966","slug":"clickatell-extends-leadership-in-mobile-banking-with-sterling-banks-cardguard","title":"Clickatell extends leadership in mobile banking with Sterling Bank CardGuard","internalName":"Clickatell extends leadership in mobile banking with Sterling Bank CardGuard","publishDate":"2010-11-04","seo":{"description":"Clickatell works with the largest banks in South Africa and Kenya, to provide SMS messaging for mobile banking customers - assisting with fraud monitoring","title":"Clickatell extends leadership in mobile banking with Sterling Bank CardGuard","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632914041-istock90281965xxxlarge-fnb-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell partners with Sterling Bank"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, the global leader in mobile communications specializing in SMS messaging as a service, today announced that Sterling Bank has launched its CardGuard fraud protection service using Clickatell's award-winning messaging platform. The addition of Sterling Bank to its stable of financial services organizations across Africa extends Clickatell's leadership as the top banking message provider on the Continent. Expanding into Nigeria, Clickatell is responding to rising customer demand for messaging services that deliver to end users more information and services via their mobile phone."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A first among Nigerian banks, Sterling Bank's CardGuard incorporates the customer's mobile phone into its network of services. Banks across Africa have tapped into the ubiquity of the mobile phone to interact with their customers and enlist their help in monitoring card activity for fraudulent charges. Clickatell works with the largest banks in South Africa and Kenya, for example, to provide SMS messaging for banking customer service and fraud monitoring, and that trend has now come to Nigeria with Sterling Bank. With CardGuard, Sterling Bank customers can now use their mobile devices to freeze their account should they note a fraudulent withdrawal."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The mobile phone is a powerful customer service channel that helps us respond immediately to our customers while providing an extra layer of protection, for them and for us, against fraudulent activities,\" said "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Devendra Puri, Executive Director, Operations and Technology of Sterling Bank"},{"type":"span","value":". \"Clickatell comes with a wealth of experience in working with financial services providers and we wanted a leading partner in launching this valuable new product. The cost-effective and reliable service that Clickatell provides helped us to improve our customer relationship and protect our bottom line while opening a new revenue source with new mobile capabilities.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Sterling Bank is one of the thousands of brands worldwide that are discovering new ways to engage customers, and their own employees and partners, using the ubiquity of SMS messaging. Almost all of the world's five billion mobile phones are able to at least receive SMS text messages. One of the world's largest providers of SMS services, Clickatell has provided customers with real-time, priority alert messaging through its Secure Enterprise Mobile Messaging Gateway since 2000. Clickatell works with developers worldwide to build applications that help brands increase customer contact and conversation, form social communities, motivate and reward buying or referral behavior, deliver just-in-time deals and incentives, as well as prompt usage, consumption or purchase. Additionally, organizations tap Clickatell for programs that assist partners and employees with process or operational improvement, cost reduction initiatives, disaster avoidance, emergency management and a host of other mission-critical goals."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We have a broad range of experiences from working with banks throughout Africa and we're pleased to be expanding into the Nigerian banking market with our new relationship with Sterling Bank,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Consumers are demanding their favorite brands provide greater interaction and capabilities through their mobile phone and Sterling Bank is out front in responding with its clever new CardGuard service.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61224117","slug":"call-on-crm-deploys-clickatell-offers-high-value-mobile-crm","title":"Call On CRM deploys Clickatell - offers high-value mobile CRM","internalName":"Call On CRM deploys Clickatell - offers high-value mobile CRM","publishDate":"2010-06-09","seo":{"description":"Call On CRM has successfully integrated Clickatell high-value SMS into its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.","title":"Call On CRM deploys Clickatell - offers high-value mobile CRM","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632914274-istock90407659xxxlarge-wickedpromotions-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Call on CRM uses Clickatell SMS"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Redwood City, CA and Scottsdale, AZ - Mobile advertising is expected to reach an astounding $3.1 billion market in the US by 2013. Businesses are finding ways to reach customers using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, using the ever-present mobile phone. Brands benefit by reaching customers where they are through mobile CRM, and customers benefit by receiving real-time offers they want."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"http://calloncrm.com/Default.aspx","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Call On CRM website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Call On CRM"}]},{"type":"span","value":" has successfully integrated Clickatell high-value SMS directly into the ACT! contact database, allowing customers to send SMS messages - to individuals or groups - to any phone number without worrying about the destination carrier. Clickatell works with 820 carriers in 212 countries, able to reach billions of people."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"SMS is the best way to reach customers of all kinds. It provides a focused, personal and immediate channel, and it's also more responsive than traditional marketing,\" said Jean Brule, CEO, CRM Integration Solutions. \"The nature of CRM is simply to build relationships with people, which is why SMS is a perfect way to connect. If done well, SMS offers a natural way to connect with and nurture customers, giving them an active and actionable way to stay in touch with the businesses they desire.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Unlike other traditional marketing channels, mobile CRM using SMS provides one-to-one communications, giving customers an easy way to opt in or out. Call On CRM offers businesses an easy way to store cell phone numbers, helping to better manage each marketing campaign. Using Mail-Merge style templates in ACT!, customers can send, store and track SMS messages to connect with customers on their mobile phone in real time."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Reaching customers via mobile CRM allows enterprises of all kinds to initiate a conversation with customers, and SMS offers a way to reach people personally, without interrupting their day and asking customers answer the phone,\" said Clickatell CEO Pieter de Villiers. \"The opt-in nature of SMS provides a win-win for brands and customers, one of the many reasons mobile marketing is expected to continue growing.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61224130","slug":"clickatell-offers-mobile-marketing-solutions-as-south-africa-prepares-for-soccer-spectacular-2010","title":"Clickatell offers mobile marketing solutions as South Africa prepares for soccer spectacular 2010","internalName":"Clickatell offers mobile marketing solutions as South Africa prepares for soccer spectacular 2010","publishDate":"2010-06-02","seo":{"description":"As South Africa prepares for the arrival of millions expected to enjoy the games, businesses are finding new ways to offer services to customers","title":"Clickatell offers mobile marketing solutions as South Africa prepares for soccer spectacular 2010","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960217-istock75613083xxlarge-nest-jpg.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell offers mobile solutions for 2010 Football"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA and Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - As South Africa prepares for the arrival of millions expected to enjoy the games opening next week, businesses are finding new ways to offer services to customers, especially via mobile messaging. As athletes, fans, tourists, and residents prepare for the highly anticipated games, one thing is certain - everyone will be carrying a cell phone - everywhere they go. And, if businesses connect with their customers via real-time mobile messaging, their phones can act as their \"guide\" for services such as hotel and rental car services, a credit card POS alerts, airline updates, and news on which teams are winning and losing."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Companies using Clickatell services"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"South African Airways, CNN, Metropolitan, Zipcar, Continental Airlines, HotelZone, Safari now, and Fairmont Hotel are just a few examples of customers using Clickatell SMS to reach prospects, alert customers, inform readers, provide loyalty points, and offer on the spot services,\" said Clickatell CEO Pieter de Villiers. \"Businesses adding mobile messaging as an innovative marketing channel find that they can initiate immediate connections with customers at a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing such as physical mailings and broad advertising campaigns. Mobile experts abroad continue to tout SMS as the prevailing mobile channel to reach all kinds of people, all around the world.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"People are benefiting from the ability to use their mobile phone to transact, receive banking alerts, record travel information, book reservations, and more as they travel. It's no surprise that large and small businesses are connecting with customers and prospects on a daily, and often even hourly basis, via mobile messaging."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to global analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, \"Mobile messaging services lend themselves well to multiple use cases and serve a wide range of communication, entertainment, and informational requirements. Simplicity (ease of use), ubiquity, cost-effectiveness, suitability in both consumer and enterprise communication environments are some reasons for the continued popularity of mobile messaging services - particularly SMS.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The adoption of SMS by the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries are at the forefront of innovative communications, able to target customers, anytime, anywhere. Mobile messaging enhances customer service and makes information more accessible, especially as people count on their handy mobile phone for information, including travel updates, luggage assistance, information alerts, improved customer service, car rentals, parking assistance, directions, directory services, health alerts, safety services, and more."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61224141","slug":"creating-the-text-generation-clickatell-celebrates-ten-years-of-innovative-easy-to-use-high-value-messaging","title":"Creating the 'Text Generation,' Clickatell celebrates ten years of innovative, easy-to-use, high value messaging","internalName":"Creating the 'Text Generation,' Clickatell celebrates ten years of innovative, easy-to-use, high value messaging","publishDate":"2010-05-26","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is commemorating its ten year anniversary with coverage of 820+ global carriers, 12,000+ customers. Click here to find out more.","title":"Creating the 'Text Generation,' Clickatell celebrates ten years of innovative, easy-to-use, high value messaging","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960288-clickatell-launches-hassle-free-variable-cost-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - A key player in the creation of the incredibly active and growing SMS messaging '"},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"text generation"},{"type":"span","value":"', Clickatell is commemorating its ten year anniversary with coverage of 820+ global carriers, 12,000+ customers, the largest SMS application developer community, and ability to reach an astounding 4 billion+ people around the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Congratulations to Clickatell as they celebrate the past decade and enter the next one. As the mobile market rapidly takes hold, as Clickatell leads, I look forward to watching them advance this burgeoning market even further,\" said Stuart Mackenzie, partner at Ethos Private Equity. \"Businesses have just begun taking advantage of SMS messaging to connect, communicate and transact; over the next 10 years, Clickatell will remain at the forefront, providing enterprise messaging capabilities for critical applications.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Just 18 years ago - on December 3, 1992 - the first SMS message, \"Merry Christmas,\" was sent, initiating minimal messaging traffic at only 0.4 messages per month. Since then, SMS growth has skyrocketed: an astounding 4.1 billion messages are sent each day with no end to the soaring growth in sight."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Since that first message, SMS has changed the way we connect to each other at work and at play, fast becoming a part of the fabric of our daily lives. Irrespective of who we are, where we're from, or where in the world we are, we're just a 'text' away and yet I believe we're still in the early stages of discovering the ways SMS messaging will truly change our lives,\" said Clickatell founder & CEO, Pieter de Villiers. \"I'm extremely proud of our team's commitment to delivering state-of-the-art messaging services and providing excellent customer service, because these are at the heart of our mission to continue delivering value-added messaging services.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"SMS shows no signs of declining, as the mobile industry continues to find innovative ways in which this highly-penetrated information and service delivery channel can provide value to consumers and enterprise users alike, in both developed and emerging markets,\" said Pamela Clark-Dickson, senior analyst for messaging at Informa Telecoms & Media. \"We forecast that global SMS traffic will increase by 80.3% over the next five years, with mobile subscribers generating 6.3 trillion SMSes in 2014. Africa and the Middle East will experience the highest growth rates in SMS traffic over the forecast period.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell provides application-to-person (A2P), high availability, value-added SMS messaging solutions to businesses and communities as they serve their customers in an increasingly competitive and mobile world, including all types of enterprises and Financial Institutions sending high value messages such as banking alerts, emergency responders sending alert messages, healthcare providers sending important health information, and many more."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Just beginning to be utilized for banking, transactions, healthcare, transportation and much more, SMS continues to be the reigning mobile killer app, mainly because of its sheer ubiquity and ease of use. Especially important in developing regions where people must travel hours to reach their banks, and then have to wait 4+ hours in line, clearly the mobile phone gives people the freedom and safety that cannot be achieved otherwise,\" said Red Gillen, senior analyst at Celent. \"In the US, the pain points are different, but clearly, people love their cell phones and are quickly starting to want a variety of services via quick and easy SMS.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Founded in June of 2000 by Pieter de Villiers, Casper de Villiers, Danie Du Toit, and Patrick Lawson, Clickatell created the first Global SMS Messaging Gateway and is still recognized globally as the #1 destination on the web for SMS enablement. The Company has won dozens of awards including the coveted Gartner 'Cool Vendor,' which recognized Clickatell's easy-to-use, open platform to implement global SMS. Today, Clickatell's Secure Enterprise Messaging Gateway provides individuals, developers, enterprises, and governments a proven method for expanding communications, productivity and profitability via the mobile device - which people of all demographics carry in their purses, pockets and backpacks and often check before they go to sleep and as soon as they wake up, all around the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"A snapshot of mobile value given to customers over the past decade"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2000"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, founded in Cape Town, South Africa, launches the world's first pre-paid model for A2P mobile messaging supported by simple Web interfaces."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2005"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell powers "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Oracle"},{"type":"span","value":"'s enterprise IT alert system to send real time, critical alerts to IT staff to keep its business operating smoothly."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2006"},{"type":"span","value":" - "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"First National Bank"},{"type":"span","value":" uses Clickatell SMS to deliver critical text banking alerts to customers to prevent fraud and give people control of their money; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Schools-SMS"},{"type":"span","value":" offers text alerts from schools to parents providing another immediate channel to protect students; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Standard Bank"},{"type":"span","value":" implements Clickatell SMS Gateway to send SMS alerts to help customers gain tighter controls on their finances."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2007"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell powers "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Metropolitan's Cover2Go"},{"type":"span","value":" initiative to offer first ever, mobile insurance services via SMS messaging; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Continental Airlines"},{"type":"span","value":" deploys SMS to weary travelers alerting them of scheduling, gate or destination changes. The "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"European Commission"},{"type":"span","value":" alert officials via mobile - offered in 15 languages - providing immediate communications to alert on emergencies and global disasters so action can be taken; The UK's "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"National Health System (NHS)"},{"type":"span","value":" sends Clickatell SMS to citizens offering important health tips on many issues including quitting smoking, teen pregnancy, AIDS prevention, and more."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2008"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell selected by "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"VISA"},{"type":"span","value":" to deploy its mobile text and email notifications to Visa cardholders in partnership with leading banks; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"S1"},{"type":"span","value":" and Clickatell partner to offer community, national and international banks mobile services; EMC's "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"RSA"},{"type":"span","value":" picks Clickatell to bundle enterprise security with SMS alerting solutions; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"CNN"},{"type":"span","value":" offers the world breaking summer Olympic news via SMS; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Moneybookers"},{"type":"span","value":" employs Clickatell SMS messaging to reduce fraud and increase security for mobile wallets; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Christie's"},{"type":"span","value":" implements Clickatell SMS to offer \"auction text alerts\" to move more valuable merchandise."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2009"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell delivers 2-way SMS excerpts of "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"President Obama's Ghana and Cairo speeches"},{"type":"span","value":" to millions around the world to create a \"Mobile Town Hall,\" giving everyone a voice; Clickatell wins "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Gartner's Cool Vendor award"},{"type":"span","value":" honoring innovation and impact in messaging market; First National Bank wins "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Celent Model Bank award"},{"type":"span","value":" because of their innovative use of mobile SMS communications in the banking sector; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"mFoundry"},{"type":"span","value":" and Clickatell partner to serve banks wanting to send powerful SMS alerts to cut fraud; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Microsoft SharePoint"},{"type":"span","value":" includes SMS alert capabilities to alert enterprise workers of changes in workflow; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Premier Global"},{"type":"span","value":" implements SMS messaging to improve daily communications on travel, email, stock trades, banking, more; "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"GFT"},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"FirstGlobal"},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"InfoTechnology"},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Fortis MFB"},{"type":"span","value":", and many others sign up with Clickatell to alert customers via SMS on financial transactions; Hudson River landing government response teams including the "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"US Coast Guard"},{"type":"span","value":" were alerted using Clickatell SMS, critical emergency messages which were critical to the life saving effort; Gartner predicts SMS-based money transfers will be more popular than mobile browsing and searching."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"2010"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell delivers free SMS messaging to support "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Haiti relief through "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":"Ushahidi"},{"type":"span","value":" and others giving the volunteers a way to immediately react and respond when food, water and medications arrive."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"I believe we are uniquely positioned with our value-added services, management and industry leadership to charge ahead into the next 10 years and beyond,\" de Villiers concluded."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Follow Clickatell on "},{"url":"http://twitter.com/Clickatell","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Clickatell on Twitter"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Twitter"}]},{"type":"span","value":", "},{"url":"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clickatell/187073743959","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Clickatell Facebook Page"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Facebook"}]},{"type":"span","value":", and "},{"url":"http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2850770","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Clickatell LinkedIn Group"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"LinkedIn"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61224826","slug":"sms-keeps-elections-safe-and-honest-clickatell-sms-deployed-to-invite-voters-to-text-election-practices-in-real-time","title":"SMS keeps elections safe and honest - Clickatell SMS deployed to invite voters to text election practices in real time","internalName":"SMS keeps elections safe and honest - Clickatell SMS deployed to invite voters to text election practices in real time","publishDate":"2010-05-11","seo":{"description":"Sudanese citizens were offered a reliable, efficient way to communicate different practices pertaining to voting, all from the mobile device.","title":"SMS keeps elections safe and honest - Clickatell SMS deployed to invite voters to text election practices in real time","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960374-istock86118537xxxlarge-crash-course2fa.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - In an effort to improve the conduct of last month's election in Sudan, a group of Sudanese civil society organizations - the Sudan Institute for Research and Policy (SIRP) and Asmaa Society for Development, in collaboration with other groups - took advantage of Ushahidi's platform, which provides an open crowdsource crisis information service, and deploys Clickatell's text messaging gateway. Sudanese citizens were offered a reliable, efficient way to communicate different practices pertaining to voting, all from the mobile device."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Posted live to a special website, sudanvotemonitor.com, Clickatell-powered text messages appeared on a map, letting citizens and officials know of inappropriate behavior as it happened on election day. Politics Daily reported, \"After the first day of elections, more than 100 text message reports were posted. Each reported incident is broken down into one of 12 categories, including 26 reports of voter tampering and 15 reports of disturbances, including violence.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Incorporating SMS into these important world events gives people more power, making sure that people are kept safe and rights are protected,\" said Clickatell CEO Pieter de Villiers. \"During public elections, the truth sits in the hands of the people who are present and witnessing the action at the polls. Pretty much everyone carries a mobile phone, and everyone knows how to text - it makes sense to offer people a voice using mobile messaging. I commend the local Sudanese for making these communications available to the people during such an important election.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In 2009, the US State Department used Clickatell's text messaging gateway to offer the people of the Middle East and Africa the ability to send in text message comments live during President Obama's historic speeches, giving people who normally don't have a voice the ability to express their feelings. In January 2010, Clickatell worked with Ushahidi to offer the people of Haiti and Chile the ability to text in life-saving information regarding food and water supply, rescue information following both tragic earthquakes."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Text messaging is now a critical communication channel for people all over the world. SMS is familiar to everyone, works on every phone, and is often able to get through when voice messages cannot,\" said De Villiers. \"We're proud to enable the value that text messaging brings to deliver and receive important information.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61224855","slug":"clickatell-ceo-recognized-by-global-telecoms-business","title":"Clickatell CEO recognized by Global Telecoms Business","internalName":"Clickatell CEO recognized by Global Telecoms Business","publishDate":"2010-04-20","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is honored to announce that Global Telecoms Business (gtb) has named CEO, Pieter de Villiers, as one of its esteemed \"40 Under 40\" executives.","title":"Clickatell CEO recognized by Global Telecoms Business","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632913250-clickatell-wins-best-messaging-business-application-1-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pieter de Villiers  named as \"40 Under 40\" executive"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, provider of high-value mobile messaging, is honored to announce that "},{"url":"http://www.globaltelecomsbusiness.com/Default.aspx","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Global Telecoms Business (gtb) website"},{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Global Telecoms Business (gtb)"}]},{"type":"span","value":" has named Clickatell founder and CEO, Pieter de Villiers, as one of its esteemed \""},{"url":"http://www.globaltelecomsbusiness.com/pdf/GTB_MarApr2010_40-under-40.pdf","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"GTB 2010 40 under 40"},{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"40 Under 40"}]},{"type":"span","value":"\" executives who will likely \"run the telecoms industry in 2020.\" Sponsored by KPMG, gtb's March/April issue features the forty people, which also includes executives from BT, AT&T, Google, GSMA, Alcatel-Lucent, HP, Vodafone, and more."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Joe Gallagher, head of telecommunications at KPMG UK commented, \"Succeeding in a changing world takes talent. I would like to congratulate the 40 individuals recognized here, who are helping to drive the future of this dynamic sector, many of whom could well be leading the mobile messaging behemoths of 2020.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"De Villiers founded Clickatell in 2000 and is responsible for establishing the Company as a global, mobile messaging provider, enabling tens of thousands of enterprises and billions of consumers to interact, communicate and benefit greatly via their mobile phone. Providing application-to-person, high availability, value-added messaging solutions to businesses and communities, Clickatell serves its customers in an increasingly competitive and mobile world, including small and large enterprises and Financial Institutions sending high-value messages such as bank account alerts, emergency responders, Rx reminders, travel alerts, and much more."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"It is an honor to be recognized for the work that we've done for the past 10 years, and to receive this award on behalf of our hardworking team around the world,\" commented De Villiers. \"People are really just beginning to see the value of the mobile phone - something most already cannot live without. But, we're just starting to see how mobile messaging can change lives. From receiving travel alerts to life-saving information, the potential of the mobile phone to improve imperative daily communications and connections is extraordinary.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About gtb's 40 Under 40"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"gtb asked readers to provide the industry's young leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow. After making the first selection from the many nominees, we asked the shortlist if they would take part in a survey, which is published here, and a longer survey which will be published at gtb's 40 under 40 conference and awards ceremony in September, soon to be announced."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61224906","slug":"winner-of-the-mtn-wasp-awards-2008","title":"Winner of the MTN WASP Awards 2008","internalName":"Winner of the MTN WASP Awards 2008","publishDate":"2010-04-16","seo":{"description":"Awarded to South African organizations recognized for excellence in the Wireless Application Service Providers (WASP) industry.","title":"Winner of the MTN WASP Awards 2008","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Awarded to South African organizations recognized for excellence in the Wireless Application Service Providers (WASP) industry."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":" "}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61225050","slug":"satelite-microfinance-bank-deploys-clickatell-sms-to-limit-fraud-and-keep-customers-informed","title":"Satelite Microfinance Bank deploys Clickatell SMS to limit fraud and keep customers informed","internalName":"Satelite Microfinance Bank deploys Clickatell SMS to limit fraud and keep customers informed","publishDate":"2010-02-17","seo":{"description":"Clickatell, global leader in high value messaging, is providing in-country SMS alert services to Satelite Microfinance Bank.","title":"Satelite Microfinance Bank deploys Clickatell SMS to limit fraud and keep customers informed","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632915832-s1-corporation-and-clickatell-partner-to-provide-on-demand-text-banking-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Satelite Microfinance Bank partners with Clickatell"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Barcelona, Spain - GSMA Mobile World Congress"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, global leader in high value messaging, is providing in-country SMS alert services to Satelite Microfinance Bank in collaboration with Neptune Software Plc. Satelite's customers now receive real-time, priority alert messaging via Clickatell's Secure Enterprise Mobile Messaging Gateway, notifying them when transactions are taking place on their credit and debit accounts.  "}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Microfinance has fast become an important part of financial services as institutions serve previously under or un-served markets. Providing reach, connectivity and ubiquity, mobility is standing at the center of this high growth sector as the next billion consumers begin to receive a whole new breed of financial services,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Emerging markets are showing a tremendous ability to leap-frog developed markets in terms of technology adoption and regulatory reform. In fact, there are three times more mobile payment and mobile banking initiatives in emerging markets than in developed markets.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Experts estimate that 20-30 billion dollars are currently on loan to more than 50 million microfinance borrowers around the globe. Moreover, approximately 70% of the Nigerian population is un- or under-banked, an exploding demographic to take advantage of microfinance services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Microfinance refers to financial services provided to low-income people, usually to help support self-employment. Examples of microfinance products include: small loans, savings plans, insurance, payment transfer, SMS alerts and other services that are provided in small increments that low-income individuals can afford. These services help families start and build \"micro\" enterprises, the very small businesses that are important sources of employment, income, and economic vitality in developing countries worldwide. Because salaried or wage-paying jobs are scarce in many developing countries, most citizens earn their livings through self-employment, creating and operating their own small enterprises. But without financial options to fuel productivity, they cannot grow their businesses to help escape poverty. The microfinance movement was born to ease the suffering caused by poverty, and to awaken the under-capitalized productivity of the world's working poor."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Utilizing the ubiquity of mobile phones in our country, we've been able to create a cost effective and reliable direct line of communication between us and our customers ensuring far more personalised and cost effective banking service,\" said Nnamdi Chizea, Divisional Head, Operations & Treasury Management for Satelite MFB. \"Satelite MFB is proud to have the backing of global players, Clickatell and Neptune Software, as we lead Africa's charge to provide much needed access to financial services to the continent.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Satelite MFB currently has operations in eight locations across Nigeria, an expansive ATM infrastructure, and inter-connected branches, offering on-line real time transaction processing, made possible by the investments made in advanced technology and mobile financial services. In addition to offering retail and small business savings, loan and credit facilities Satelite MFB is also a Western Union money transfer agent."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61225068","slug":"valentines-day-the-3rd-largest-retail-holiday-1-06-billion-text-messages-sent-february-14-2009","title":"Valentine's Day the 3rd largest retail holiday - 1.06 billion text messages sent February 14, 2009","internalName":"Valentine's Day the 3rd largest retail holiday - 1.06 billion text messages sent February 14, 2009","publishDate":"2010-02-09","seo":{"description":"Businesses - both large and small - looking to reach customers effectively for Valentine's Day are turning to the ubiquity of SMS marketing.","title":"Valentine's Day the 3rd largest retail holiday - 1.06 billion text messages sent February 14, 2009","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"1bn text messages to be sent on Valentine's Day"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Businesses - both large and small - looking to reach customers effectively for Valentine's Day are turning to the ubiquity of SMS marketing on the mobile phone. Providing ideas and guidance to deploy, manage and track the success of SMS marketing programs, Clickatell published another guide in its successful series, which can be downloaded today at 2010 Valentine's Mobile Marketing Handbook."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Valentine's Day takes a larger share of shoppers' wallets than any other holiday season, third to Christmas and back-to-school. Based on the National Retail Federation's (NRF) this year's Valentine's Day survey, the average consumer will spend $103.00 on traditional Valentine's Day merchandise, up from $102.50 in 2009. NRF also predicts that US consumers will spend a total of $14.1 billion on Cupid's holiday this year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Last year, with more than 1.06 billion messages sent on Valentine's Day, SMS continues to play a major role in how the world communicates and transacts in many ways. Given the popularity of SMS, especially on large spending holidays, retailers are finding clever ways to reach customers to drive revenue, using SMS marketing, which can be easily implemented, via Clickatell applications or APIs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With more than 4 billion mobile phones already equipped with SMS, the growth of SMS has been astounding. Portio Research, a leading firm covering the mobile messaging market, issued its first messaging report in 2010 noting that, \"SMS continues to confound expectations as Worldwide Messaging Revenues set to exceed USD $233 billion by 2014.\" Smart marketers around the world are incorporating SMS marketing as a wide reaching communications channel as part of their complete marketing mix, augmenting existing channels like direct mail, email, printed coupons and others. Another recent study by Dialogue Communications reported that 67% of mobile users would like to receive text alerts for everything from medical appointments to bill payments."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"This Valentine's season, the most popular forms of social media, SMS and Facebook, will help retailers generate more awareness and buzz about brands, products, services, and special offers instantly and effectively,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Retail offers can be delivered to more than 4 billion consumers via SMS, including more than 500 million Facebook users instantaneously, making it that much easier and natural for offers to be passed along virally. Never before has it been so easy and effective to reach billions with relevant, targeted, permission-based offers,\" he concluded."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61232762","slug":"sms-offers-wide-variety-of-aid-to-haiti","title":"SMS offers wide variety of aid to Haiti","internalName":"SMS offers wide variety of aid to Haiti","publishDate":"2010-02-03","seo":{"description":"Multiple organizations around the world are tapping in to the power and ubiquity of SMS services to provide support to the people of Haiti.","title":"SMS offers wide variety of aid to Haiti","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960502-sms-accessible-with-clickatells-sms-gateway.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS donation line"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA and Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - Multiple organizations around the world--including Ushahidi, FrontlineSMS, the Red Cross, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and the US Administration--are tapping in to the power and ubiquity of SMS services to provide support to the people of Haiti. From donating to charity via an SMS short code, to connecting with loved ones via an SMS missing person's service, to getting text alerts about the arrival of critical supplies and their corresponding distribution points, SMS is proving to be more disaster proof than alternative communications channels and technologies. Clickatell, global leader in high value messaging, with the ability to reach billions of people across more than 815 mobile operators, today announced the extension of its free SMS service to organizations providing aid to the people of Haiti."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Experts hail the \"store and forward\" nature of SMS, which means that SMS messages will be delivered as soon as there is even a \"little\" window of network coverage. In addition, the sheer ubiquity makes SMS the best choice when it comes to keeping the lines of communications open during emergency services and disaster relief efforts. Many organizations are using SMS services to communicate even as the capacity of networks are stretched thin; and, relief agencies are already reporting the fact that SMS services have strengthened relief efforts in a country where a large part of the infrastructure is in disarray."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"People in Haiti are showing tremendous courage and determination and we are seeing SMS play a significant role in scaling the efforts of the people on the ground and around the world. We invite relief agencies to make use of our SMS Gateway into Haiti and offer such services for the remainder of February as a small contribution on behalf of Clickatell and its staff,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"There are a number of ways individuals and organizations can help: World Vision, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF), Direct Relief, Yele Haiti, Partners in Health, Red Cross, World Food Program, Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900), Save the Children, Lambi Fund, Doctors Without Borders, The International Rescue Committee, Care, William J. Clinton Foundation, Meds & Food For Kids, Feed the Children, Habitat for Humanity, Mayor's Fund for NYC, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD), Interaction."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Donations from US mobile phones can also be made by texting:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS \"HAITI\" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS \"YELE\" to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti's Earthquake relief efforts"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS \"GIVE10\" to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell is extremely proud to be working with some of these organizations who are making a tremendous difference on the ground and we wish the People of Haiti all the best as they start to rebuild their lives,\" added de Villiers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Able to reach more than 4 billion people, and often preferred over voice and email, SMS has been used for a variety of  \"life saving\" connections. Most notably, Clickatell's real-time alert notification technology was utilized during the Hudson River Airplane Landing emergency last year, helping the US Coast Guard connect with other emergency response systems to alert the authorities of the event as it happened. Lives can be saved, first responders mobilized and people can be connected through SMS during critical times of disaster, such this tragedy in Haiti. Even when regions are experiencing low bandwidth overhead, SMS can still be delivered and received. Clickatell is trusted by highly regarded security companies like Entrust, RSA Data Security, several organizations within the US Government, large enterprises, and 10,000 small and medium businesses worldwide. Organizations will continue to use SMS services in new and innovative ways to reach people anywhere, any time."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61247979","slug":"sms-helps-provide-instant-sos-during-times-of-crisis-clickatell-and-ushahidi-urge-support-to-haiti","title":"SMS helps provide instant SOS during times of crisis - Clickatell and Ushahidi urge support to Haiti","internalName":"SMS helps provide instant SOS during times of crisis - Clickatell and Ushahidi urge support to Haiti","publishDate":"2010-01-21","seo":{"description":"In 2010, Clickatell partnered with its customer Ushahidi expanding the call for assistance for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.","title":"SMS helps provide instant SOS during times of crisis - Clickatell and Ushahidi urge support to Haiti","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960619-cnn-chooses-clickatell-to-power-sms-breaking-news-service.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA and Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, in partnership with its customer Ushahidi, is expanding the call for assistance for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, emergency services deployed to assist those in crisis, as well as all the men and women that are volunteering in Haiti. As the world rallies around a country in crisis, it is paramount that recovery initiatives are expedited; and SMS alerts are being used as the communications platform of choice to coordinate initiatives, share information, organize processes, and gather and disburse significant information. Anyone can visit "},{"url":"https://www.ushahidi.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Ushahidi website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.ushahidi.com/"}]},{"type":"span","value":" to see a visual map of the activities and incidents in the region, submit incident reports via the website directly, or send and receive text messages about the situation and needs in Haiti."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Views of incidents in the area can be seen visually, and for those operating live on the ground, SMS alerts provide up to the minute information. Clickatell customer Ushahidi, a citizen-reporting platform, is working with a number of organizations in Haiti and around the world including the US Department of State, United Nations, Frontline SMS, International Network of Crisis Mappers, mobile carriers, Red Cross, EIS and InSTEDD among others. The system tracks data gathered from people on the ground while teams of specialists work to ensure that incoming information is accurate and filtered appropriately so decisive action can be taken. An SMS shortcode, 4636, has been introduced to speed the process; this SMS alerts service is only available in Haiti and is free of charge, people can use it to report developments as they happen to aid relief efforts."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Thanks to the ubiquity and availability of SMS - even with damaged infrastructure - people are able to stay in contact to communicate to volunteers, convey information about the location of food and medical supplies, and SMS alert those looking for missing persons when information has been discovered, all helping to restore a country that has resorted to violence as people fight for survival."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The SMS's being sent and received are vital at this time, and, of course, time is of the essence. People have lost loved ones and support needs to be provided immediately to those on the ground dealing with the realities of the situation. Sometimes a matter of 5 minutes can make or break a person's survival and spirit working in this environment, not only can text messages get there, they get there fast,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Clickatell is honored to support customers like Ushahidi and FrontlineSMS, by ensuring messages are delivered accurately and instantaneously.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To get involved, please take the following action:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"DigiCell subscribers in Haiti: text 4636 giving location and description of emergency"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ushahidi's Haiti platform is live at: "},{"url":"https://www.ushahidi.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Ushahidi website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.ushahidi.com/"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"From any cell phone, report information by texting 4636 or internationally at +447624802524"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Send e-mail to Haiti@ushahidi.com"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Tweet with hash tag #haiti or #haitiquake"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Visit "},{"url":"https://www.ushahidi.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Submit a Haiti report to Ushahidi"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"https://www.ushahidi.com/"}]}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"For information on UN family members working in Haiti call +1 212 963 4139 or visit "},{"url":"http://www.un.org/en/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah/"}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61247994","slug":"clickatell-appoints-len-pienaar-former-first-national-bank-ceo-of-mcommerce-to-its-executive-team","title":"Clickatell appoints Len Pienaar - former First National Bank CEO of mCommerce - to its executive team","internalName":"Clickatell appoints Len Pienaar - former First National Bank CEO of mCommerce - to its executive team","publishDate":"2010-01-20","seo":{"description":"Clickatell appoints Len Pienaar - former First National Bank CEO of mCommerce - to its executive team. Click here to find out more.","title":"Clickatell appoints Len Pienaar - former First National Bank CEO of mCommerce - to its executive team","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632913923-mobile-service-providers-unite-under-common-code-of-conduct-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell appoints Len Pienaar"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA and Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, one of the world's leading innovators in mobile messaging and value-added mobile services, announced today that Len Pienaar, former FNB CEO of the M-Commerce Division, will join Clickatell's executive team as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver financial services to the mobile phone. Pienaar brings 12+ years of operational and business development experience in mobile banking, payment and transaction services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The world is at a critical turning point with people creating unprecedented demand for 'anytime, anywhere' convenience of mobile services. With more than a decade of experience, Clickatell has proven its ability to quickly enable businesses to reach customers whether they're around the block or around the world. Ubiquity, ease of use and fingertip access is the foundation in providing mobile banking and other financial services to the un- and under-banked,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"With Len's experience at MTN, CellC and FNB, we will rely on his leadership and expertise as we advance the use of mobile phones in financial services deployments in Africa and other parts of the world. Len is a well-known industry veteran with an impressive track record and we are proud to have him at Clickatell.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mr. Pienaar joined FNB, the fourth largest bank in Africa in 2004, where he led the strategy and deployment of several 'world first' mobile banking services and garnered numerous local and international awards for FNB, most recently the coveted Celent Model Bank Award for its mobile banking initiatives. All from their mobile phone, FNB customers can check account balances, get account mini statements, transfer money between FNB accounts, make 3rd party payments, purchase mobile prepaid airtime for themselves or someone else, purchase prepaid electricity, pay traffic fines, make 'Cell Pay Point' purchases online, and even buy Lotto tickets and take full advantage of the 2010 World Cup Soccer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"I am looking forward to becoming a 'provider' to help companies realize the vast potential of a mobile strategy. The successes we are seeing with mobile financial services in Africa are a good indicator of the impact mobile phones can have,\" commented Pienaar. \"Specifically, what excites me most is the opportunity to help deploy mobile services across a myriad of markets and regions. Clickatell's deep financial services experience, combined with a large geographical footprint, positions them well to advance the mobile financial services marketplace, specifically in the United States, where banks are just starting to look at mass mobile banking services. Clickatell is fast emerging as a worldwide leader, trusted by operators and banks alike, and I am looking forward to working with Clickatell's customers and its team of mobile experts.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61249929","slug":"from-mobile-healthcare-to-payments-to-microfinance-sms-remains-tip-of-the-spear","title":"From mobile healthcare to payments to microfinance, SMS remains 'tip of the spear'","internalName":"From mobile healthcare to payments to microfinance, SMS remains 'tip of the spear'","publishDate":"2010-01-12","seo":{"description":"In the US, mobility is gaining momentum for high value transactions and mobile services such as banking, healthcare, government and more.","title":"From mobile healthcare to payments to microfinance, SMS remains 'tip of the spear'","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - In less than a decade, mobility has gone from a mere convenience to an absolute must-have, both in the US and globally. In the US, mobility is most commonly used for social connections and is gaining momentum for high-value transactions and mobile services such as banking, healthcare, government, and more, albeit on a slower scale, especially when compared to other, developing regions around the world. In Afghanistan, small business owners absolutely depend on mobility to bank; in South Africa, people use their mobile phones to purchase insurance; in India, farmers are using SMS to track crop prices; in Iraq, people are \"listening\" into President Obama's historic speeches. These are just a few examples, and testimony to the wide selection of life-changing and awe-inspiring necessities using the simplicity and mass ubiquity of mobile text messaging, especially when looking at underdeveloped and developing regions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The US mobile market experienced another fast-paced, high growth year -- giving enterprises, financial providers, vendors, and mobile operators much to consider. The constant evolution, however, is presenting challenges, especially for carriers, and fuelling confusion in what is already a dynamic and complex market. The pressure on mobile carriers is tremendous and while some are looking to get back to the basics, others are considering offering higher value-added services, such as mobile payments and \"app stores\" which might create even more market confusion, as the carriers attempt to \"own\" more of the customer experience."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In predicting the 2010 US mobile messaging landscape, we reflect on 2009, a year, which many predicted, would see the demise of SMS (being made obsolete by mobile IM and email); but, in reality, we saw SMS continue to remain the long-standing \"killer app\" on the mobile phone. Last month, Gartner made its Mobile Predictions, projecting that SMS money transfers will be the "},{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"number one"},{"type":"span","value":" mobile application in 2012. In fact, Clickatell itself has seen tremendous growth in the application-to-person (A2P) SMS segment as the \"tip of the spear\" to offer a wide variety of mobile services being used on a global scale."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"During the world's largest worldwide mobile event, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, in February 2009, many of the big US-based trendsetters (Apple, Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) who have changed the rules by redefining the consumer Internet and mobile usage landscape were in fact not showcased on stage. Clearly, they were discussed in hallway conversation, but people have been slow to acknowledge their global impact on a \"mobile services\" scale over the course of 2009. Clearly, social media has taken the world by storm, and people--from teenagers to grandparents--in all corners of the world are taking part in social media to stay informed and in touch. Texting has also reached many corners and many demographics and has overtaken voice calling on the mobile phone. The combination of the two cannot be ignored. As we look to 2010, the telecommunications industry will be forced to acknowledge the tremendous market shifts that have already taken place almost solely because of these influencers, coupled with the billions of SMS messages being sent globally."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"All eyes will again be on the 2010 Mobile World Congress taking place next month, and it is our belief that consumers, influencers, and other, new \"market-shapers\" will provide and demonstrate a myriad of exceptional use cases to be adopted by the masses. Mass adoption will continue to \"force\" the shape and future of mobile services, and enterprises will need to move quickly to give customers what they want."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"David vs. Goliath?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"At the moment, carriers continue to drive broadband and smartphone adoption as the future of mobile. And, given the broad adoption of SMS as a core technology, this may limit the scope of their service offerings, because billions of people around the world have different types of mobile devices, and often, broadband connectivity is not viable. On a global scale, this leads to poor adoption and negative user experience, resulting in a lack of confidence and user frustration, bringing uncertainty for enterprises wanting to deliver powerful mobile services to customers around the globe."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Today, there are roughly 4 mobile phone users worldwide for every 1 computer user. When looking at the numbers, it is clear that SMS is still the widest-reaching communications tool available today:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"4 billion mobile SMS users, globally"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"10 million iPhones shipped, globally, in '08"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"3 billion Nokia phones shipped, globally, in '08"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"150 million Facebook users"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"45 million LinkedIn users"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In addition to the social media applications, smartphone evolution has certainly gained the collective attention of enterprise IT and financial services providers. With 90,000 apps, iPhone is getting much attention. But, as businesses start to plan their mobile strategies, they need to reach all of their customers. Banks must consider their entire customer base when rolling out critical mobile services; and more specifically what happens to those who cannot be reached on a smartphone?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Four billion of us, however, can access SMS in seconds, from any phone."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In other regions of the world, SMS is being used for critical banking functions and other mobile services such as airtime top-ups, bill payments, real-time payments, lottery, remittances, point of sale payments, and more. The US is concentrating heavily on the smartphone market, which has yet to reach critical mass adoption, which equates to future revenue. Most enterprises and financial institutions are clearly looking to increase the all-important bottom line today. Regardless, we believe US-centric companies will continue to focus on iPhone and other smart devices."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Given the attention to smartphones, however, we predict that SMS, USSD and other ubiquitous, \"built-in\" technologies will continue to thrive and make their way into important use cases as the \"tip of the spear\" for enterprise, government, healthcare, financial services offerings, and other critical mobile services."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Mobile SMS or the Mobile Internet?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In the US, the Internet arrived long before widespread mobile adoption. This and other affluent markets are focusing innovation efforts in mobile services on smartphones that mimic the Internet, such as BlackBerry with killer email, and iPhone with killer browsing. US carriers, consumers and businesses alike are embracing the smartphone as an extension of the PC, therefore mobilizing Internet and email."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We believe that in 2010, US markets will continue to embrace the mobile phone as a \"mobile Internet device\" rather than placing the mobile phone in its own unique category, with the ability to reach billions of people who are not already connected to the Internet (or who may not own a PC, or even a television). We expect even more exclusive mobile services deals between mobile manufacturers, carriers and content providers as they move towards monetizing the \"Mobile Internet.\" And, as always, there will be winners, losers and more surprises."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"We expect US businesses to take a closer look at their peers abroad and notice the mobile successes in banking, healthcare, retail and social media specifically, focused on advancing mobile \"touch\" points by innovating and making it easier to communicate and transact with customers."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Carrier Infrastructure - Old and New"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"US carriers have made an incredible investment in their 3rd and 4th generation data networks. The cost extends far beyond the network upgrade itself reaching into higher subsidies for more expensive smartphones, better-trained support staff assisting customers with increasingly complex services, as well as making concessions to hardware and service providers for \"exclusive\" deals to help differentiate from the competition. Carriers are always looking to find new and creative mobile services and ways to offset these costs without disenfranchising existing customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Carriers might benefit greatly by looking at their core infrastructure for answers. SMS is an asset that the carriers have long since paid off. On the consumer side, SMS is a commodity. People of all demographics have become accustomed to a modest flat rate for unlimited messaging. The great part for the mobile user is that this is an agnostic channel for communication -- with no need to set up an account, and no reliance on a particular social network. SMS messages can simply be delivered to anyone, at any time."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Because of this ease and ubiquity, small and large businesses need to realize the value of SMS as a massive channel to reach customers, prospects, partners, and employees. The process, however, for businesses to properly make use of mobile services is fraught with implementation expense and regulation. The barrier put forth by the US carriers, however, could be easily altered once they realize the hefty revenue opportunity, which can come from an old investment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"From our global vantage point, Clickatell sees many of the world's top carriers realizing strong revenue streams from messaging fees paid by businesses because the implementation process provides for quick and easy access. We believe A2P SMS revenue would thrive if the US carriers would consider the following:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Reduce the fees for shortcodes and/or allow long numbers to be used for A2P messaging."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Streamline the service review and approval process from months to weeks or days."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Continue to enforce the opt-in/opt-out and objectionable content rules to ensure responsible use."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As the mobile industry continues to flourish, we believe that the US market and many others around the world will provide innovative mobile service offerings, making lives better and more convenient. Each of these markets would benefit greatly if they would come together and learn from each other's successes and failures."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As we look to 2010, there are sure to be a new set of winners (and losers), and mobility will continue to be an exciting and innovative market around the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This is the first part of a series of Clickatell's \"Mobile State of the Union.\" Next quarter, de Villiers will take a closer look at another specific region and share his views on the mobile landscape."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61251853","slug":"clickatell-sms-service-earns-2009-mobile-excellence-award-for-powering-best-mobile-viral-campaign","title":"Clickatell SMS service earns 2009 Mobile Excellence Award for powering \"Best Mobile Viral Campaign\"","internalName":"Clickatell SMS service earns 2009 Mobile Excellence Award for powering \"Best Mobile Viral Campaign\"","publishDate":"2009-12-15","seo":{"description":"The Mobile Excellence Awards, announced its 2009 Mobile Excellence Award winners at their prestigious event held in Los Angeles.","title":"Clickatell SMS service earns 2009 Mobile Excellence Award for powering \"Best Mobile Viral Campaign\"","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960722-clickatell-delivers-breaking-news-to-european-commission.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell wins Mobile Excellence Award"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Last week, the Mobile Excellence Awards, produced by Little Monster Media, announced its 2009 Mobile Excellence Award winners at their prestigious event held in Los Angeles, CA on December 7th. In attendance, Clickatell won first place in the \"Best Mobile Viral Campaign\" category for its SMS service and its work with The US State Department, sending SMS messages to the people of Cairo, Ghana, and others around the globe during President Obama's historic speeches earlier this year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"SMS is an amazing technology; it can be used to reach people in all corners of the world for a variety of life-changing purposes. From payment alerts to remittances, to remote airtime top-ups, to important communications such as Obama's global message of peace, people count on their mobile phone-specifically SMS-to improve their lives,\" commented Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Individuals representing more than 100 countries took advantage and signed up to receive SMS excerpts, some were even able to have 2-way conversations with the President himself, something that has never been done before. We are continually impressed with the results our customers are able to achieve using Clickatell's high-value SMS services.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile Excellence Award winners were selected based upon strategic initiatives and objectives, the impact of technology used, creativity, ease of use and reach, and execution and proven market success. Judges for the 2009 Mobile Excellence Awards were comprised of an esteemed panel of industry leaders and luminaries who were all in attendance the evening of the event."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell demonstrated creative leadership in the mobile industry with their global, viral campaign and we look forward to watching them continue to drive mobile innovations,\" said Sarah Miller, Founder & Chair, Mobile Excellence Awards. \"The mobile market is experiencing tremendous growth and transformation, despite the economic downturn. As we head into 2010, we believe growth will continue and we're already looking forward to next year's Mobile Excellence Awards.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Giving people a voice, who might not have even been able to view these historic speeches, and creating an industry-first \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders,\" this extraordinary mobile SMS campaign reached many in all corners of the world. Officials at the US State Department responsible for the SMS service program commented on the deployment, \"We applaud Clickatell for its 'herculean effort' to make this unique event happen; the Clickatell team was efficient, experienced, knowledgeable and professional.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Incredible SMS service speech responses have been collected on the US State Department website at http://www.america.gov/sms-comments.html. Actual text comments include:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Thank you so much Mr. President, this is the greatest speech I have ever heard, it is very inspiring, he was reaching out and we should not fail him, the speech makes my tears fall, thank you.\" - Saudi Arabia"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Many thanks for your excellent service. Can I get the sound of this speech?\" - Iraq"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Thanks for the fantastic quotes from Obama mesmerizing speech...\" - Egypt"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Good evening! Thanks for an SMS of Obama's speech. In my opinion, its good speech if he will take it into action, especially to solve the problems of the Middle-East.\" - Tanzania"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Thanks for your nice services.\" - Bahrain"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"I appreciate Mr. President's support for the dialogue among communities. It is an effective way to solve the problems including Palestine and Kashmir and bring peace in the world.\" - Pakistan"}]}]}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile Excellence Awards"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The MEAs were founded & created to recognize the best in the mobile entertainment industry including media, marketing, and technology. The annual Mobile Excellence Awards are one of the most influential and prestigious events in the Mobile Entertainment industry and hit unprecedented milestones in its second year. Doubling its attendance and award submissions this year, MEA processed submission entries from more than 12 countries. CEOs flew into Los Angeles from around the world to join the mobile glitterati for the evening. International delegates on hand represented countries from Ireland, Israel, Turkey, London, and Russia."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"No matter what your business, mobile communications are booming and will continue to make a difference in reaching customers anytime, anywhere - and you can reach any cell phone in the world using Clickatell's SMS-as-a-Service Gateway. Visit www.Clickatell.com today to SMS-enable any application, website, or system. Offering the immediate capability to send and receive messages to and from any application, Clickatell's Gateway is the first online, self-provisioning SMS gateway in the world, with the widest range of APIs available today for mobile SMS developers."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61253788","slug":"clickatell-sweeps-2009-mobile-star-award","title":"Clickatell Sweeps 2009 Mobile Star Award™","internalName":"Clickatell Sweeps 2009 Mobile Star Award™","publishDate":"2009-12-09","seo":{"description":"Clickatell today announces several award wins in the eighth annual Mobile Star Award™ program, hosted by mobile technology news portal MobileVillage.com.","title":"Clickatell Sweeps 2009 Mobile Star Award™","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960802-istock75613083xxlarge-nest-jpg-1.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell today announces several award wins in the eighth annual Mobile Star Award™ program, hosted by mobile technology news portal MobileVillage.com. Recognized for its exemplary work and contributions to the mobile industry worldwide, Clickatell won in the following five categories:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Enterprise Software: Marketing / Advertising: Shining Star"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Enterprise Software: Messaging / Alerting System: Superstar"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Developer & Enterprise Software: Application Development: Rising Star"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Customer Success Story: Commerce / Marketing: New Heights - SuperStar"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Visionary: Wireless Network Solutions: Pieter de Villers - Shining Star"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Mobile Star Awards program showcases \"best of\" entries in dozens of categories including mobile applications, enterprise mobile software, wireless network products, enterprise success stories, mobile industry visionaries, and more. For the full list of winners, visit: "},{"url":"http://www.mobilevillage.com/awards.htm","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Mobile Village website"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile Village"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Because 'Go Mobile' readers are the industry's most savvy mobile business users, Clickatell can claim they are the users' choice in these categories,\" says Gary Thayer, Mobile Star Awards Director. \"Clickatell was chosen by real users based on real results, not hype. In addition to continuing to watch this remarkable mobile market develop, we look forward to watching Clickatell as they continue to provide winning mobile messaging services in the coming year.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Winners were chosen by subscribers of MobileVillage's \"Go Mobile™\" - a free e-newsletter that delivers headlines from top mobile technology stories on popular websites such as Cnet, Engadget, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Computerworld, AppScout, and others. \"Go Mobile\" was launched nearly ten years ago and is published every three weeks to thousands of readers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Pieter de Villers, Clickatell CEO and founder commented, \"We're honored to receive these awards and thank all of those who voted. We especially pride ourselves on the Mobile Development award and the Commerce award with New Heights, highlighting our customers. We strive to make it easy for them to come to Clickatell.com and get started sending messages to their customers for convenient, intimate, and high value mobile communications.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61259404","slug":"clickatell-wins-2009-mobile-marketing-association-award-for-best-mobile-campaign","title":"Clickatell wins 2009 Mobile Marketing Association Award for Best Mobile Campaign","internalName":"Clickatell wins 2009 Mobile Marketing Association Award for Best Mobile Campaign","publishDate":"2009-11-23","seo":{"description":"The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) announced its 2009 winners during the Fifth Annual MMA Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, CA.","title":"Clickatell wins 2009 Mobile Marketing Association Award for Best Mobile Campaign","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632910759-istock79861201xxxlarge-firstglobaljpg-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell wins Best Mobile Campaign award"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA and Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - Last week, the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) announced its 2009 winners during the Fifth Annual MMA Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, CA. Clickatell was honored with a first place win in the 'Best Mobile Campaign by Channel & Region' category, highlighting its work with the US State Department and its successful global mobile campaign to send 'live' text messages during President Obama's Cairo and Ghana speeches earlier this year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The MMA, its members and the entire mobile marketing community come together each year to honor our industry's exemplary campaigns and remarkable leaders throughout the world,\" said Mike Wehrs, president and CEO of the MMA. \"We congratulate this year's winners and finalists on their outstanding achievements, and look forward to their continued success as they help advance the mobile marketing channel's evolution in the years to come.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Creating an industry first \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders,\" this extraordinary mobile SMS campaign reached thousands who might not traditionally have a 'voice' during important events. To view a video of the white house administration talking about the success of the Ghana event, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/White-House-Press-Briefing-7/15/09/. Actual SMS responses can still be seen on http://www.america.gov/ghana_sms_map.html."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Last week, Gartner issued a press release identifying the "},{"url":"http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/1230413","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Gartner identifies the top 10 consumer mobile applications in 2012"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Top 10 Mobile Applications of 2012"}]},{"type":"span","value":", based on their impact on consumers and industry players, considering revenue, loyalty, business model, consumer value and estimated market penetration. Number One on the list is Money Transfer, using SMS. Other notables are Mobile Payments, Location Based Services, Near Field Communications, and Mobile IM. "},{"url":"http://www.geek.com/apple/gartner-predicts-top-10-mobile-applications-in-2012-986522/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Article by Bryan Osborne | Gartner predicts top 10 mobile applications in 2012"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Bryan Osborne, blogger at Geek.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":" commented, \"At one time I believed that instant messaging might takeover SMS. It looks like SMS will remain firmly in place.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"With over 4 billion SMS enabled mobile phones in use around the world, SMS remains the single most effective method to reach the masses,- said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO.\" The US State Department required a fast and easy way to reach people in all corners of the world and in multiple languages, giving them the ability to be a part of the most historic speeches of our time. The credit really goes to the US Department of State and President's Obama's commitment to reach people at grassroots level and acknowledging that the mobile phone, using Clickatell's Global SMS Gateway, was the most compelling solution to achieve their goal."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The MMA's fifth annual awards competition attracted hundreds of submissions in twelve categories from companies across the globe. Winners were selected by the MMA Awards Selection Committee comprised of global industry leaders from wireless carriers, technology and content providers, agencies and industry publications. Other esteemed winners using the mobile phone to reach people around the globe include Kraft Foods, Coca Cola, Pizza Hut, UPS, ESPN, and more."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61259428","slug":"clickatell-sms-campaigns-help-customers-turn-shoppers-into-buyers","title":"Clickatell SMS campaigns help turn Shoppers into Buyers","internalName":"Clickatell SMS campaigns help turn Shoppers into Buyers","publishDate":"2009-11-23","seo":{"description":"Many of Clickatell's customers are taking advantage of mobile marketing for immediate reach, reduced campaign costs and higher customer satisfaction.","title":"Clickatell SMS campaigns help turn Shoppers into Buyers","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA and Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - As organizations look for more effective and cost efficient ways to reach customers during this year's holiday season, many of Clickatell's customers are taking advantage of mobile marketing for immediate reach, reduced campaign costs, higher customer satisfaction, increased traffic - ultimately resulting in higher profits. Today, Clickatell published its \"2009 Festive Mobile Marketing Handbook\" to help large and small businesses conceptualize, implement and monitor effective mobile sales, mobile marketing, and customer relationship management campaigns this festive shopping season, using the power of SMS."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The mobile phone adds an incredible marketing tool to the mix - it's highly cost effective for businesses to implement - and customers want to receive information and special deals before, during and after they shop, conveniently to their mobile,\" commented Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Given the tremendous popularity and ubiquity of SMS, the potential for mobile marketing is phenomenal. Recently, the CTIA reported that "},{"url":"http://mashable.com/2009/10/07/ctia-wireless-survey/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"WOW: 4.1 SMS messages are sent daily | Mashable"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"4.1 billion texts are sent daily"}]},{"type":"span","value":". This, combined with research that says text messages are read within 4 minutes (compared to 48 hours for email), clearly, mobile is the way to reach customers. We're just starting to see the power of what can be achieved via mobile; location-based marketing, couponing, and contextually relevant communications are just the start of the possibilities to connect with customers via the mobile phone.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nielsen reports, \"SMS marketing is on the rise as most consumers are permanently attached to their mobile phones. It's no wonder text marketing is on the rise, as marketers make the most of being able to communicate with consumers (with mobile coupons, viral games, reward programs, etc.) while on the go.\" The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) confirms in its Annual Mobile Attitude and Usage Study that one-in-four mobile users express strong interest in mobile marketing. With Clickatell's easy to use SMS Gateway, retailers can get started in less than a day and begin sending SMS messages to reach consumers instantly - especially as we approach the holiday season."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell solutions are already being effectively used by a broad range of businesses for mobile marketing campaigns to send timely promotions, respond to orders, alert customers on order and shipment status, schedule timely collections of goods, and even as internal communication tools to monitor the progress of the supply chain, including manufacturing and shipping."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"http://www.banta.ws/bantaweb/contact.php","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Banta Furniture website"},{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Banta Furniture"}]},{"type":"span","value":", producer of home furnishings, relies on Clickatell to alert customers when their custom made furniture is ready for pick up and to ensure efficiencies in the manufacturing production cycle. "},{"url":"http://www.mamamikes.co.ke/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Mama Mikes website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mama Mikes"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a US-based online gift portal, allows East Africans living abroad to purchase gifts and vouchers for their families back home. The website sends Clickatell SMS alerts to notify recipients in Kenya and Uganda when gifts or vouchers have arrived."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With over 55 physical shoe stores across the UK and Ireland, Schuh works with Clickatell to reach customers via SMS. "},{"url":"http://www.schuh.co.uk/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Schuh website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Schuh"}]},{"type":"span","value":"'s Systems Manager Blair Milligan commented, \"Through SMS, we've not only increased our reach, but we've saved money doing it. We use Clickatell to market and communicate directly to customers, including sending information on special offers, sales and promotions. We also send text alerts to customers when orders have been received, letting them know they can pick up their new shoes. We've seen great response from our customers, they are very happy with the mobile service.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61271829","slug":"got-sharepoint-get-clickatell-sms-alerts-via-virto-to-improve-business-flow","title":"Got SharePoint? Get Clickatell SMS alerts via Virto to improve business flow","internalName":"Got SharePoint? Get Clickatell SMS alerts via Virto to improve business flow","publishDate":"2009-11-10","seo":{"description":"Mobility is critical, especially when people are traveling or not typically sitting at their desks, an SMS alert can be received at anytime, anywhere.","title":"Got SharePoint? Get Clickatell SMS alerts via Virto to improve business flow","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Get Clickatell SMS alerts via Virto"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - With more than 4 billion cell phones in use today, just about everyone can receive text messages anytime, anywhere. In the work place, mobility is critical, especially when people are traveling and not typically sitting at their desks. "},{"url":"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharepoint","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"What is Microsoft SharePoint according to Wikipedia?"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Microsoft SharePoint"}]},{"type":"span","value":", software to enable browser-based collaboration, process management, search, and document-management, "},{"url":"http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/blogs/all/how-many-sharepoint-users-no-one-knows-for-sure/?cs=36875","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"How many SharePoint users? No one knows for sure | IT Business Edge blog"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"has been reported"}]},{"type":"span","value":" to serve more than 100 million people. Enterprises are taking advantage of SMS alerts and using them to alert employees, partners and customers throughout a number of enterprise applications from IT ticket alerts, to customer service notifications, and now critical business process communications."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell today announced that "},{"url":"http://www.virtosoftware.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Virto Software website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Virto"}]},{"type":"span","value":", a new vendor of Web Parts for Microsoft SharePoint 2007 and 2010, has incorporated the award-winning Clickatell SMS-as-a-Service (SaaS) Gateway into its Virto Alert Customizer to enhance the flexibility of the built-in SharePoint SMS notification system. By sending custom SMS alerts within minutes, SharePoint 2007 users can send Clickatell-powered text messages to a specific user or a group of users in real time, therefore cutting lag time between document changes and keeping business efficiencies high."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"As people continue to become increasingly mobile in the workplace, they need to be able to access more than just email from their mobile phone. Truly, the mobile device is replacing the PC in many cases,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Often times, people don't want the hassle of taking their laptops when heading out to meetings throughout the day. As a result, they're counting on their mobile phone to keep them connected and active at work. Being able to send and receive SMS alerts when important SharePoint documents change hands exemplifies the importance of mobility using SMS for a myriad of enterprise applications.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Using Virto Alerts Customizer, users can define the schedule for delivering SMS alerts, choosing between sending an alert immediately, once per hour, day and week. SMS alerts can also be sent within a specified timeframe, for example, only within working hours from 8 AM to 5 PM. In addition, users can combine a bunch of alerts into a single ticket. In this case, all alerts will be assembled into a single text message instead of being sent in separate messages."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We chose Clickatell because they are a reliable source of delivering SMS solutions globally. With a decade of experience, enterprise-grade operations and easy to implement SMS solutions, Clickatell provides developers with solid solutions to get started immediately,\" said Serhio Zaiman from Virto. \"We look forward to providing SharePoint users with the ability to take advantage of all that Virto has to offer in its well-received Virto Alerts & Clickatell based SMS alerts solution.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61552674","slug":"clickatell-acknowledged-by-mobile-marketing-association-awarded-finalist-in-two-categories","title":"Clickatell acknowledged by Mobile Marketing Association and awarded Finalist in two categories","internalName":"Clickatell acknowledged by Mobile Marketing Association and awarded Finalist in two categories","publishDate":"2009-10-27","seo":{"description":"Clickatell was recognized for \"Overall Excellence\" and is a finalist in two Mobile Marketing Association award categories.","title":"Clickatell acknowledged by Mobile Marketing Association and awarded Finalist in two categories","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell finalist in MMA awards"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Overall Excellence\" demonstrating excellence in evangelism, leadership, advocacy, public interest"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Best Mobile Campaign by Channel & Region\" for its work with the US State Department, sending President Obama's SMS speech excerpts to Middle East and African regions"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" -- The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) announced its MMA Award 2009 finalists yesterday, recognizing those companies who have demonstrated unparalleled expertise and a commitment to advancing the use of the mobile channel. Clickatell has been honored with two finalist spots: \"Overall Excellence\" and \"Best Mobile Campaign by Channel & Region\" highlighting its work with the US State Department and its successful mobile campaign sending \"live\" text messages to global citizens during President Obama's Cairo and Ghana speeches earlier this year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell's innovation and execution in the campaign they submitted demonstrates how companies can derive great benefit by taking advantage of the skyrocketing mobile messaging market. Truly impressive innovations in the mobile marketplace today impact many industries, ranging from healthcare to government to financial services - and the Global Mobile Marketing Awards recognize the leaders and their outstanding campaigns making a difference for us all,\" said Mike Wehrs, president and CEO of the MMA. \"We're pleased to recognize Clickatell twice as finalist, and look forward to watching their progress in the mobile industry.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The MMA received hundreds of submissions in 12 categories from companies across the globe. Finalists were selected by the MMA Awards Selection Committee, comprised of global industry leaders from wireless carriers, technology and content providers, agencies, and industry publications. Clickatell was recognized for \"Overall Excellence,\" which will be awarded to the company who has demonstrated excellence in all of the following areas: evangelism, leadership, advocacy, and public interest."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell was also recognized for \"Best Mobile Campaign by Channel & Region,\" for its work with the US State Department in implementing two distinct mobile campaigns to deliver SMS excerpts to people around the globe during the Cairo and Ghana historic speeches given by President Obama. Creating an industry first \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders,\" this mobile text campaign reached the masses of people who might not traditionally have a \"voice\" during these events. To view a video of the White House administration talking about the success of the Ghana event, go to: White House Press Briefing 7/15/09/. Actual SMS responses from the speeches can still be viewed on Ghana SMS Map."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We strive to help make our customers more relevant, and we're proud to be recognized for our efforts over the past 9 years,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"With 4 billion+ people having mobile phones and SMS access, mobile messaging continues to be more ubiquitous than all the email and social media communications combined. If you are looking to reach people where they are, on any device, regardless of the social community they belong to, then SMS provides a very compelling solution and now is the time to get your mobile messaging strategy in place. More and more companies recognize that reaching people in real time on their mobile is the best communications tool available today, and Clickatell is honored to serve more than 10,000 large and small businesses globally.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Mobile Marketing Association is the premier global non-profit trade association established to lead the growth of mobile marketing and its associated technologies. The MMA is an action-oriented organization designed to clear obstacles to market development, establish mobile media guidelines and best practices for sustainable growth, and evangelize the use of the mobile channel. The more than 700 member companies, representing over 40 countries around the globe, include all members of the mobile media ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.mmaglobal.com."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61558286","slug":"clickatell-and-premiere-global-services-roll-out-enterprise-text-messaging-to-customers-in-south-east-asia","title":"Clickatell and Premiere Global services roll out enterprise text messaging to customers in South East Asia","internalName":"Clickatell and Premiere Global services roll out enterprise text messaging to customers in South East Asia","publishDate":"2009-10-20","seo":{"description":"Clickatell and Premiere Global services roll out enterprise text messaging to customers in South East Asia. Click here to find out more.","title":"Clickatell and Premiere Global services roll out enterprise text messaging to customers in South East Asia","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632984427-clickatell-powers-worldwide-sms-growth-and-momentum-2008-excellent-year-for-company-and-mobile-messaging-industry-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Enterprise SMS messaging"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Atlanta, GA and Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - As mobile, especially text messaging, continues to become the communications method of choice across many aspects of life, "},{"url":"https://www.pgi.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Premiere Global website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Premiere Global"}]},{"type":"span","value":" (NYSE: PGI) has integrated Clickatell's leading SMS-as-a-Service platform to provide customers with the option of adding mobile text message alerts into all aspects of existing business communications, often including email, voice, online, and physical mail communications."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Premiere Global Services has presence in 24 countries and is accessed by nearly one million end users from an established base of more than 50,000 customers, including 90% of the Fortune 500."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Premiere Global Services provides customers with the ability to tap into Clickatell's gateway to immediately start sending SMS notifications to millions of customers with a click of a mouse. Through a simple enhanced interface in Premiere Global Service's software, customers can easily and quickly add and customize SMS distribution based on user preferences and opt-in choices."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The partnership provides global customers with the ability to integrate, send and manage large scale SMS communications with customers; reaching more people in more countries, more often, in less time via mobile text messaging - a preferred choice by most consumers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Premiere Global Services is already being used in a myriad of sectors including airlines, banking, collection, hospitals, insurance, pharmaceutical, and retail drug markets to manage communications across many platforms and IT environments. The partnership with Clickatell allows Premier Global Service's customers in these segments to offer high value text-based flight status notifications, delivery reminders, trade confirmations, transaction alerts, appointment reminders, automated notifications to streamline accounts receivable, and payment reminders to improve cash flow by reducing the number of outstanding payments and eliminating the need to employ a \"live agent\" call center for collections purposes."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"By integrating text messaging into existing business processes, companies are gaining competitive advantage, excelling at customer services and improving their operational efficiency,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Already available on 4 billion+ handsets worldwide, SMS remains the most used mobile application -- over instant messaging (IM), media rich MMS, mobile email, and even voice in many regions. People simply prefer to be notified via SMS on their mobile phone.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In Australia alone, Frost & Sullivan* reports that enterprise SMS message volumes will grow to 290.4 million messages per day by 2015 from 175 million messages per day in 2008. Frost & Sullivan highlights the cost effectiveness promising high return on investment of enterprise text messaging as a key market driver. *This is proprietary research commissioned by Premiere on the market."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"It's clear that the enterprise mobile imperative is here to stay and our Fortune 500 customers are eager to launch enterprise-class SMS services,\" said David Adams, Premiere Global Services' Products Director, APAC. \"Why, because there is money in it. Given the current macro economic environment, our customers are trying to satisfy, retain and attract new customers all while greatly reducing operational costs. SMS delivery information directly to cell phones and it is exactly what people want; text messaging remains the most common mobile denominator in terms of acceptance. Clickatell offers the perfect solution to incorporate the ability to deploy SMS rapidly and directly from our software.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We are pleased and honoured to be working with Premiere Global Services, clearly a leading provider of integrated communications software across various customer segments around the globe,\" concludes de Villiers."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61558350","slug":"mobile-money-africa-appoints-clickatell-vp-jeppe-dorff-to-advisory-board","title":"\"Mobile Money Africa\" appoints Clickatell VP Jeppe Dorff to advisory board","internalName":"\"Mobile Money Africa\" appoints Clickatell VP Jeppe Dorff to advisory board","publishDate":"2009-10-14","seo":{"description":"Clickatell & Mobile Money Africa announced the appointment of Clickatell's Jeppe Dorff, VP of Mobile Financial Services to the publication's advisory board.","title":"\"Mobile Money Africa\" appoints Clickatell VP Jeppe Dorff to advisory board","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632914274-istock90407659xxxlarge-wickedpromotions-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile Money Africa appoints Jeppe Dorff"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA & Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell and "},{"url":"http://www.mobilemoneyafrica.com","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile Money Africa "}]},{"type":"span","value":"announced the appointment of Clickatell's Jeppe Dorff, VP of Mobile Financial Services, to the publication's esteemed advisory board. Other members are global leaders involved in the advancement of \"mobile money,\" including executives who have worked with global brands including World Bank, Paypal, mPay Connect, Timesformoney, Taurus Mobile, and others."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Recognized for its mobile financial deployments at First National Bank, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec Bank, Metropolitan Life, Old Mutual, S1 Enterprise, and Moneybookers, Clickatell has a decade of experience in providing financial institutions with mobile expertise and services to offer mobile banking, payments and wallet services. Under Jeppe's direction, Clickatell is providing and innovating new services for financial customers around the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to Mobile Money Africa's creator and editor Emmanuel Okoegwale, \"We're pleased with the overwhelming interest in our recent launch and are delighted to add Mr. Dorff, who in his role at Clickatell has hands-on experience helping banks and other FI's deploy and run mobile payments and banking solutions. Jeppe will help us provide a balanced view of the advancements and innovations throughout Africa as well as developments that are unfolding in the West.\" Partnering with IT Web, Mobile Commerce, and VAS and Aitec Africa, Okoegwale also serves on the CreditSMS Advisory Board in the US."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jeppe Dorff commented, \"I'm excited to be involved in this endeavor to help the industry take full advantage of the 4 billion+ cell phones around the world today. I respect Emmanuel's decision to form a truly global advisory board, spanning from Africa to Afghanistan. In order to turn the mobile phone into a true \"wallet,\" industry stakeholders around the world must work together to solve issues and take advantage of the vast opportunity. I look forward to providing insight into the complex issues regarding mobility and payments around the globe.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Jeppe Dorff"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jeppe Dorff currently serves as Clickatell's VP, Mobile Financial Services (MFS) where he is responsible for developing the company's MFS product strategy. Prior to joining Clickatell, Mr. Dorff served as Head of Product Development EnStream, a Canadian Joint venture between Rogers Communications, Bell Mobility and TELUS, in the proximity and remote payments space, where he was responsible for developing the product strategy, software development, and go-to-market strategy. Previously, Mr. Dorff was Founder & CTO of Secure Wireless Transfers where he developed KushCash, an award-winning leading US mobile payment service, which was nominated for several leading awards, including CNET Webware awards. Prior to that position, he was CEO of RealMessages where he managed the development of mobile text messaging and marketing services for media and content partners."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61558387","slug":"clickatell-chosen-as-finalist-for-09-mobile-excellence-awards-best-mobile-viral-campaign","title":"Clickatell chosen as Finalist for 2009 Mobile Excellence Awards: Best Mobile Viral Campaign","internalName":"Clickatell chosen as Finalist for 2009 Mobile Excellence Awards: Best Mobile Viral Campaign","publishDate":"2009-10-13","seo":{"description":"Clickatell is pleased to announce it has been chosen as a Finalist for the '09 Mobile Excellence Awards: \"Best Mobile Viral Campaign\".","title":"Clickatell chosen as Finalist for 2009 Mobile Excellence Awards: Best Mobile Viral Campaign","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960958-istock93047393xxlarge-101businessusesforsms-1st-edition.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell Best Mobile Campaign Finalist"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The "},{"url":"http://mediaxawards.com/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Mobile Excellence Awards website"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile Excellence Awards (MEA)"}]},{"type":"span","value":", produced by Little Monster Media, announced its finalists for 2009 at an exclusive Show Stoppers press event at CTIA. Clickatell has been recognized in the \"Best Mobile Viral Campaign\" category for its industry-first SMS campaign in partnership with the US State Department, which sent 'live' text messages to global citizens during President Obama's Cairo and Ghana speeches earlier this year. One of the most coveted and influential awards programs in mobile entertainment, media & technology, The MEAs profile the best of the best in mobile entertainment, media, marketing & technology."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We were delighted to work with President Obama's team in getting a very important message of hope, responsibility, and reconciliation out to the people of Africa and the Middle East - and, perhaps more importantly, being able to give people a voice whether they were in Ashanti, Ghana or Amman, Jordan,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"More than 4 billion people have mobile phones that can send and receive SMS--no other technology has been able to democratize communications in such a profound way.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This year's MEAs will take place on December 7th, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA, and will celebrate the best in mobile entertainment, creativity, and breakthroughs from all walks of the mobile ecosystem. Judged by industry luminaries, the Mobile Excellence Awards are sponsored in part by GoTV Networks, Virgin Mobile, GameStop Digital Ventures, Saffron Digital, Keynote Systems Azuki Systems, and supported by industry-leading organizations such as GSMA Mobile Innovation, Wireless Industry Partnerships, ShowStoppers, Axis PR, Mobile Monday, ITV Alliance, Billboard, Mobile Monday LA, RCR Wireless, Mobile Marketer, Wireless Week, MobiAdNews, MobilizedTV, and many others."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nominated for its innovative work with the US State Department, Clickatell implemented two distinct mobile messaging campaigns to deliver SMS excerpts to people around the globe during the Cairo and Ghana historic speeches given by President Obama. Creating a \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders,\" this mobile text campaign reached the masses of people who might not traditionally have a 'voice' during these events. You can "},{"url":"http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/White-House-Press-Briefing-7/15/09/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"view a video of the white house administration talking about the success of the Ghana event here"}]},{"type":"span","value":". Actual SMS responses from the speeches "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/ghana_sms_map.html.","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"can still be viewed here"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Mobile Excellence Awards"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Mobile Excellence Awards profile the latest in mobile entertainment, including media, marketing, and technology. The MEAs honor excellence in achievements of mobile entertainment from start-ups to applications, to studios, including interactive media, film, television, music, games, agencies, and high-tech. The MEAs honor the best of the best from all walks of the mobile entertainment ecosystem. For more information, please go to www.mobilexawards.com."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Little Monster Media"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Little Monster Media is a full-service packaging and event production house based in Los Angeles, California. Little Monster Media specializes in packaging and production for the mobile and digital entertainment industries, including music, television, and film. Drawing from an elite team of industry leaders, Little Monster Media is committed to making things happen."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61558416","slug":"industry-kudos-continue-clickatell-awarded-best-mobile-messaging-campaign-and-industry-personality-of-the-year-for-ceo-pieter-de-villiers","title":"Industry kudos continue: Clickatell awarded \"Best Mobile Messaging Campaign\" and \"Industry Personality of the Year\" for CEO Pieter de Villiers","internalName":"Industry kudos continue: Clickatell awarded \"Best Mobile Messaging Campaign\" and \"Industry Personality of the Year\" for CEO Pieter de Villiers","publishDate":"2009-09-14","seo":{"description":"Clickatell founder and CEO Pieter de Villiers was honored as \"Industry Personality of the Year\" in 2009. Click here to find out more.","title":"Industry kudos continue: Clickatell awarded \"Best Mobile Messaging Campaign\" and \"Industry Personality of the Year\" for CEO Pieter de Villiers","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Visiongain announced its Mobile Content Awards (MCA) winners last week during its London event to those companies and individuals making significant progress in the mobile industry. Clickatell founder and CEO Pieter de Villiers is being honored as \"Industry Personality of the Year,\" for his insight and contributions to the mobile industry. And, Clickatell is being recognized for \"Best Mobile Messaging Campaign\" highlighting its work with the US State Department and its successful mobile campaign sending \"live\" text messages to global citizens during President Obama's Cairo and Ghana speeches earlier this year."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This announcement is released on the heels of Tuesday's news from MOBI Awards nominating Clickatell in the \"Best Mobile Direct Response\" category for the Obama global text campaign as well."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We've seen numerous developments in mobile content, bringing further improvements in the experience of accessing content via mobile phones, and hence greater opportunities for businesses to take advantage of the channel. According to industry research, demand for mobile content is expected to represent two-fifths of operators' revenue this year,\" said Visiongain's Henry Evan James, Delegate Manager for the event. \"We look forward to watching innovative leaders like Clickatell and the progress they make in this fast moving market.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Recognized for its \"Best Mobile Messaging Campaign,\" Clickatell implemented two successful, distinct mobile campaigns to deliver SMS excerpts to people around the globe during the Cairo and Ghana historic speeches given by President Obama. Creating an industry first \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders,\" this mobile text campaign reached the masses of people who might not traditionally have a \"voice\" during these events. To view a video of the White House administration talking about the success of the Ghana event, please view "},{"url":"http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/White House Press Briefing 7/15/09/.","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/White House Press Briefing 7/15/09/."}]},{"type":"span","value":" Actual SMS responses from the speeches can still be viewed on "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/ghana_sms_map.html.","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/ghana_sms_map.html."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The esteemed MCA \"Industry Personality of the Year Award,\" presented to Pieter de Villiers today, was judged upon those individuals who have made significant progress in the mobile industry sector. The only winner in this category, de Villiers founded Clickatell in 2000 and has built the company into a leading global mobile messaging provider serving a variety of vertical markets including mobile financial services, healthcare, government, mobile social networking, retail, and more. With more than 8,300 customers, Clickatell has connections to >790 carriers, serving >220 countries, reaching billions of people."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"This is quite an honor, we are pleased to be given both of these awards from Visiongain, a leading global research firm. Working since 2000 to help enable businesses, communities and governments worldwide to better inform, interact and communicate with their constituents via SMS, has been the thrill of a lifetime. Most recently, with the US State Department and President Obama's White House Administration, we've seen once again the profound and positive impact SMS can have on people around the world. Clickatell is very proud of our unique role in the industry and look forward to continuing this type of innovative work with our growing list of customers across a variety of industries - after all, they are the real winners in all of this,\" concluded Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61562470","slug":"clickatell-recognized-for-overall-excellence-and-breakthrough-achievements-in-mobile-at-the-esteemed-2009-mobi-awards","title":"Clickatell recognized for overall excellence and breakthrough achievements in mobile at the esteemed 2009 MOBI Awards","internalName":"Clickatell recognized for overall excellence and breakthrough achievements in mobile at the esteemed 2009 MOBI Awards","publishDate":"2009-09-08","seo":{"description":"Clickatell was nominated in the \"Best Mobile Direct Response\" category for its industry-first SMS campaign working with the US State Department.","title":"Clickatell recognized for overall excellence and breakthrough achievements in mobile at the esteemed 2009 MOBI Awards","twitterCard":null,"image":null},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell recognized at 2009 MOBI Awards"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Last week, MOBI announced its top picks for its prestigious awards to honor those companies making history advancing mobile, marketing, and advertising with innovative campaigns. Clickatell was nominated in the \"Best Mobile Direct Response\" category for its industry-first SMS campaign working with the US State Department, which sent 'live' text messages to global citizens during President Obama's Cairo and Ghana speeches this past summer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nick Friese, President, DM2 Events and MOBI awards judge commented, \"It's amazing what organizations are doing these days with mobile phones and social media to reach people all around the world, clearly advertising and marketing is changing very quickly. We are happy to include Clickatell and its work with the US State Department in our awards, showcasing this innovative use of text messaging and look forward to seeing more campaigns like this in the years to come.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The MOBI Awards honor overall excellence and breakthrough achievement in mobile media, marketing, and advertising. The MOBI's are presented by DM2, the publishers of digiday:DAILY and the hosts of digiday:MOBILE, which includes hundreds of leading mobile media and marketing experts, journalists, insiders, marketers, publishers, and mobile technology visionaries. The winners will be announced at The MOBI Awards Gala on September 16, 2009, at The W Hotel Union Square, New York."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nominated for its innovative work with the US State Department, Clickatell implemented two distinct mobile messaging campaigns to deliver SMS excerpts to people around the globe during the Cairo and Ghana historic speeches given by President Obama. Creating a \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders,\" this mobile text campaign reached the masses of people who might not traditionally have a 'voice' during these events. To view a video of the white house administration talking about the success of the Ghana event, please view "},{"url":"http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/White-House-Press-Briefing-7/15/09/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Press briefing 7/15/09 | The White House"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/White-House-Press-Briefing-7/15/09/"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell CEO Pieter de Villiers commented on the recognition, \"To be honored for this particular deployment is especially important because it shows what SMS can accomplish as a wide-reaching communications tool in today's global environment - with the need to unite more important than ever. Comments came in via SMS from 150+ countries, commenting on President Obama's views and thanking him for his accessibility during these events. It even gave Obama a chance to respond to people who are hoping to see big changes in the administration's global policy and peacemaking efforts. Able to be received when a voice call may not, SMS is dependable, easy to use and already 'built into' the 4 billion mobile phones in use today.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The MOBI Awards are selected by an esteemed committee of leading mobile media and marketing experts, journalists, insiders, marketers, publishers, and mobile technology visionaries, including:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Benjamin Mosse, Director, Mobile, The Associated Press"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jeremy Wright, Global Director, Brand Strategy, Nokia Interactive"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Robert Samuels, Director, Mobile Products, The New York Times"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Robert Victor, Business Product Manager, Mobile, Google"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Terri Walter, Vice President, Emerging Media, Avenue A Razorfish"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dave Gwozdz, CEO, Mojiva"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Evan Neufeld, Vice President, comScore Brand Metrix"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Maria Mandel, Sr. Partner, Executive Director Digital Innovation, Ogilvy"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dan Frommer, Senior Editor, Silicon Alley Insider"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Adam Hirsch, Chief Operations Officer, Mashable.com"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dan Flanegan, VP Strategy & Client Services, Brand in Hand, LLC"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Eric A. Litman, Chairman & CEO, Medialets"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Tony Nethercutt, VP Sales, AdMob"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jeremy Arnon, Senior Director, Business Development, Quattro Wireless"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nick Friese, President, DM2 Events"}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61562546","slug":"foreign-exchange-leader-gft-deploys-clickatell-to-connect-traders-to-fast-paced-currency-market-prices-using-real-time-sms","title":"Foreign exchange leader GFT deploys Clickatell to connect traders to fast-paced currency market prices using real-time SMS","internalName":"Foreign exchange leader GFT deploys Clickatell to connect traders to fast-paced currency market prices using real-time SMS","publishDate":"2009-09-01","seo":{"description":"Global Forex Trading is working with Clickatell to provide real-time SMS alerts to its network of registered traders serving 120 countries.","title":"Foreign exchange leader GFT deploys Clickatell to connect traders to fast-paced currency market prices using real-time SMS","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635961049-foreign-exchange-leader-gft-deploys-clickatell-to-connect-traders-to-fast-paced-currency-market-prices-using-real-time-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"http://www.forex.com/uk/index.html","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Global Forex Trading website"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Global Forex Trading"}]},{"type":"span","value":" (GFT), a worldwide leader in online currency trading, is working with Clickatell to provide real-time SMS alerts to its network of registered traders serving ?120 countries. Traders using GFT's forex trading platform, DealBook® 360, can opt-in to receive text message alerts to be immediately informed of critical market news, analysis, commentary, changes in markets prices, deal-closure notifications, and order limit status, to help traders make informed decisions when seizing critical up-to-the-minute opportunities in this $4 trillion dollar per day market. GFT has more than 20,000 traders registered worldwide to receive SMS alerts and sends over 50,000 messages per day."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"As forex trading increasingly appeals to a greater retail sector, companies like GFT are working aggressively to provide tools and information that not only encourage a safe trading environment but also help traders maximize their returns. Our DealBook® suite of trading platforms is designed for trading online spread bets and spotting foreign exchange and contracts for differences,\" said Muhammad Rasoul, executive vice president and COO, GFT. \"Clickatell has proven their ease of use and reliability, and our customers depend on receiving real-time critical data using Clickatell SMS to guide decisions, minimize potential risks and most of all, to profit,\" said Rasoul."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_exchange_market","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"What is forex trading according to Wikipedia?"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Forex trading"}]},{"type":"span","value":" is regarded as one of the world's main financial markets with a global daily average in turnover estimated at $3.98 trillion, concentrated mostly from London, New York and Japan. Euromoney's FX2009 report says foreign exchange is responsible for driving record profitability for institutions, despite the credit crunch that started 12 months ago. Another contributing factor to the exponential growth in turnover is the increase in a number of individual retail traders and institutions turning to forex trading to profit. Currency trading markets operate 24 hours a day and 5.5 days a week, where most retail traders have other jobs and hectic schedules. Mobility via SMS offers the perfect solution, giving traders flexibility and necessary communications to track markets, stay informed, trade, and ultimately profit."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"In 2008, 50% more trades took place via mobile than the previous year, and the market is expected to double again by 2011,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Clickatell's expansive international network coverage and tested solutions allow traders the freedom of mobility and confidence that regardless of where they are, the critical data they need is within arm's reach. With SMS, they can make fast decisions, a critical factor in today's economic climate where traders would rather be safe than sorry.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Global Forex Trading"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"GFT spurred the online currency trading modernization in the late 1990s in the U.S., when it built the DealBook® trading platform, reinventing the way speculators were trading currency futures on exchange. Today, GFT is one of the leaders of the industry in innovation with its award-winning trading platform, web-based trading applications, and mobile trading solutions. GFT is also spearheading a revolution in market education with its online currency portal FX360.com, its world-renowned currency research team and continued advancement of market-trading technology."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61562578","slug":"fundamo-and-clickatell-partner-to-deliver-mobile-banking-solutions-to-global-financial-providers","title":"Fundamo and Clickatell partner to deliver mobile banking solutions to global financial providers","internalName":"Fundamo and Clickatell partner to deliver mobile banking solutions to global financial providers","publishDate":"2009-08-12","seo":{"description":"As the number of mobile banking customers continues to skyrocket, banks and other financial services providers are already reaping significant rewards.","title":"Fundamo and Clickatell partner to deliver mobile banking solutions to global financial providers","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1632985552-fundamo-and-clickatell-partner-to-deliver-mobile-banking-solutions-to-global-financial-providers-300x117.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Fundamo and Clickatell to partner"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The ubiquity of the mobile phone already offers banking customers of all demographics unrivalled convenience and security while also advancing un- and under-banked market by reducing the need for physical branch and even the Internet for online banking. As the number of mobile banking customers continues to skyrocket, banks, other financial services providers as well as operators are already reaping significant rewards."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Together, Clickatell and Fundamo have extensive experience in mobile banking, mobile wallet, and mobile money transfer services to financial services institutions and mobile network operators. Fundamo's technology is used in one third of all mobile banking deployments globally and its customers include MTN, Celpay and Standard Bank. Having a decade of experience with banks, Clickatell works with leading institutions like First National Bank, Standard Bank, MoneyGram, Capitec, Nedbank, Moneybookers, New Heights Microfinance Bank, and others."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"All from the convenience of the mobile phone, banking customers can perform a myriad of transactions via SMS including checking balances, transferring funds, approving payments, locating bank branch and ATMs, and receiving SMS \"receipts\" at the time of purchase to immediately help prevent fraudulent or mistaken transactions. In fact, Clickatell's banking customers have already seen a 40% reduction in fraud simply by offering real-time SMS alerts to customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Research shows that a bank's most profitable clients are those using mobile banking and we believe SMS is core to a bank's portfolio of services. Leading banks are putting together mobile strategies all around the world,\" commented Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"The combined capabilities of Fundamo and Clickatell support the requirements of financial institutions deploying immediate and long term mobile services. Our two companies understand the needs of banks who want to deploy today and grow their mobile service offerings into the future.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Fundamo envisages a future in which innovative technology and business models bridge the divide between the developed and developing, the digital and physical, and the mobile and financial worlds. Our ultimate goal is to deliver secure access to high quality financial services that have the potential to improve quality of life for everyone,\" said Hannes van Rensburg, Fundamo CEO. \"Fundamo and Clickatell share a commitment to deliver innovative and cost-effective mobile financial services founded upon unrivalled experience in deploying these services in developed and developing markets.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Fundamo"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Established in 2000 and backed by strong venture capital investors Fundamo is a specialized mobile banking and payment software solution provider. Fundamo has been visionary in predicting the trend towards providing financial services through mobile phones and the impact this will have on the delivery of financial services in both developing and developed markets. The company has established its leadership position based on a history of technical innovation and successful deployments. With over 40 successful deployments in over 30 countries Fundamo has the expertise to build the technologies, the experience to build the businesses and the vision to build the industry."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202044","slug":"sms-highlights-from-president-obamas-ghana-speech-to-be-delivered-live-via-clickatell","title":"SMS highlights from President Obama’s Ghana speech to be delivered live via Clickatell","internalName":"SMS highlights from President Obama’s Ghana speech to be delivered live via Clickatell","publishDate":"2009-07-10","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635961172-sms-highlights-from-president-obamas-ghana-speech-to-be-delivered-live-via-clickatell.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Taking advantage of the ubiquity of mobile phones and rapid delivery of SMS, the US Department of State is working with Clickatell, global mobile messaging provider, to reach citizens around the world during an important speech to be given by President Barack Obama tomorrow, July 11, 2009 from Accra, Ghana. The US Department of State is offering African and International/Non-US citizens around the world the ability to receive live speech highlights in English or French via SMS. In addition, enrolled participants can send their text message speech comments via their mobile phone back to the US Department of State, where selected responses will be posted online at "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/ghana_comments.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Comments on Obama's speech"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/ghana_comments.html"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Enroll Now: Four easy steps to register online to receive President Obama's Ghana speech highlights via SMS on July 11:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"International/Non-US citizens can enroll today online at: "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Registration for Obama's speech"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Complete online enrollment form to receive SMS speech highlights on mobile phone?"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Receive President Obama's Ghana speech highlights during July 11 event"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Comment during Obama's speech via standard 2-way SMS reply"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In addition to online enrollment, African citizens interested in receiving President Obama's Ghana speech highlights via SMS can enroll directly through their mobile phone by entering a specified mobile service code number, depending on their African country of origin. Specific mobile codes for enrollment are available at: "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/world/africa.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"America.gov"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/world/africa.html"}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Using the mobile channel to remain transparent and accessible, the US Administration is facilitating two-way mobile communications to the African public as well as International/Non-US Citizens interested in President Obama's Ghana speech. Unlike existing \"push\" news mediums like TV and radio, SMS provides for two-way communications, giving the people of the world a voice during momentous events such as these. Clickatell is proud to be working with the US Department of State to increase communications directly throughout regions around the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"According to a recent study by Ernst and Young, Africa is the world's fastest growing mobile phone market, having expanded by ?49% since 2002. People throughout the region can participate in this momentous event and have a global voice using their cell phone on the spot,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Clickatell was the first to marry the Internet with global SMS delivery - making it now possible to rapidly deploy global mobile messaging services like the Obama speech via SMS.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202049","slug":"clickatells-text-messaging-connects-thousands-around-the-world-during-live-obama-cairo-speech","title":"Clickatell’s text messaging connects thousands around the world during live Obama Cairo speech","internalName":"Clickatell’s text messaging connects thousands around the world during live Obama Cairo speech","publishDate":"2009-07-10","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The US State Department's initiative to connect people abroad during President Obama's speech from Cairo via Clickatell SMS was a huge success. With the help of Clickatell, the US Department of State built a website on "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"America.gov"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/"}]},{"type":"span","value":" to register people wanting to receive SMS message highlights from President Obama's speech from Cairo on June 4, 2009. Thousands of people representing more than 150 countries opted-in to the first-of-its-kind SMS campaign, meeting the goals of the US State Department to create open, two-way mobile communications from global audiences - in essence, creating a \"Mobile Town Hall Without Borders.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Specifically for this event, Clickatell set up unique mobile routing and tapped into its own existing complex network infrastructure capable of reaching more than 775 mobile operators in over 220 countries around the world. Clickatell worked closely with the US State Department to build the online website and registration process to offer opt-in services for global citizens wanting to participate during the live speech. The service received registrations from thousands of people representing more than 150 countries in four languages, including English, Persian, Urdu, and Arabic. Comments directly from those having signed up to receive SMS speech highlights have been posted to the website at "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/sms-comments.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Comments on Obama's speech"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/sms-comments.html"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We applaud Clickatell for its 'herculean effort' to make this unique event happen; the Clickatell team was efficient, experienced, knowledgeable and professional,\" said officials at the US Department of State responsible for the program."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Sampling of direct SMS comments from people around the world:"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The success of the Obama Cairo Speech campaign was made instantly apparent during the successful 'live' speech excerpt delivery via SMS to enrolled participants. In addition, participants from around the world replied back with their speech comments immediately. SMS-reply messages from enrolled participants with comments were received by Clickatell and immediately posted on the website of the US State Department. Below are samples of various comments made available on "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/sms-comments.html","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Comments on Obama's speech"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/sms-comments.html"}]},{"type":"span","value":":"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Thank you so much Mr. President, this is the greatest speech I have ever heard it is very inspiring, he was reaching out and we should not fail him, the speech make my tears fall, thank you.\" - Saudi Arabia"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Many thanks for your excellent service. Can I get the sound of this speech?\" - Iraq"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Thanks for the fantastic quotes from Obama mesmerizing speech ...\" - Egypt"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Good evening! Thanks for an sms of Obama speech. In my opinion its good speech if he will take it into action, especial to solve the problems of the Middle-East.\" - Tanzania"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"Thanks for your nice services.\" - Bahrain"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"\"I appreciate Mr. President's support to the dialogue among communities. It is an effective way to solve the problems including Palestine and Kashmir and bring peace in the world.\" - Pakistan"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The great thing about SMS is that everyone carries a cell phone in their pocket, purse or backpack at all times and everyone knows how to text - which is now being used more than voice calling on the mobile. Think back to only one year ago - people thought that text was just for kids. Now, this type of text service and many others proves that SMS can open new doors and possibilities to increase effective communications around the world,\" said Chuck Drake, Clickatell EVP of Marketing. \"In addition to blogging, tweeting, and other forms of social media, people in all corners of the world can take out their cell phone and be 'heard' while these events are taking place. This is just the beginning of how we'll see SMS being used for game-changing events such as these.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202051","slug":"speech-by-president-barack-obama-set-to-make-mobile-history","title":"Speech by President Barack Obama set to make mobile history","internalName":"Speech by President Barack Obama set to make mobile history","publishDate":"2009-06-03","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile history will be made once again by President Barack Obama, his White House Administration and the US Department of State in anticipation of "},{"url":"http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/08/obama.egypt/","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"CNN Politics | Obama to address Muslim relations in Egypt speech"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"the historic speech"}]},{"type":"span","value":", to be given by President Obama from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009. The US Department of State has selected Clickatell, global mobile messaging provider, to build and power the online enrollment process and support the global delivery of 'live' mobile speech highlights via SMS during President Obama's speech to millions of international citizens."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The innovative text messaging service will serve as a 'mobile town hall without borders,' giving enrolled participants the ability to send SMS response comments via their mobile phone back to the US Department of State regarding President Obama's speech. The US Department of State will post selected comments from global citizens online at "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Registration for Obama's speech"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.america.gov/sms-comments.html"}]},{"type":"span","value":" following the speech."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"International/Non-US Citizens interested in receiving President Obama's Cairo speech highlights via SMS are invited to enroll today online at "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Registration for Obama's speech"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The US Department of State--with the help of Clickatell--set out to increase communications directly in the regions around the world where President Obama's call for a new relationship between the United States and the Muslim world will be addressed. In order to ensure broad and easy access to this historic communications event, a global mobile text messaging campaign is being offered outside the US--in multiple countries and languages--to ensure that people throughout the Middle East and other international regions can easily access President Obama's important messages. With over 4 billion mobile phones in use today around the world, SMS is an effective and ubiquitous method to reach the masses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Four steps to make the most of this historic mobile event:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"numbered","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"International/Non-US Citizens can enroll today online at "},{"url":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html","meta":[{"id":"target","value":"_blank"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"title","value":"Registration for Obama's speech"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.america.gov/sms.html"}]}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Complete the online enrollment form to receive SMS speech highlights on mobile phone"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Receive President Obama's speech highlights during momentous event on June 4"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Comment during Obama's Speech via standard 2-way SMS reply"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"SMS allows for mobile social media and information sharing to billions, and the Obama administration continually amazes me as they find ways to communicate to ordinary people with extraordinary messages,\" commented Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Just about everyone in the world carries a mobile phone, and the use of SMS to communicate important information--live as the world listens--is truly astounding. People can now be involved as the conversation happens. We are honored to be a part of this momentous occasion in sending millions of messages to interested citizens.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202054","slug":"clickatell-customer-wins-prestigious-model-bank-award","title":"Clickatell customer wins prestigious Model Bank Award","internalName":"Clickatell customer wins prestigious Model Bank Award","publishDate":"2009-06-02","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635699894-clickatell-customer-wins-prestigious-model-bank-award.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"FNB's SMS-based alert service"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, a worldwide provider of mobile messaging solutions for banks and financial institutions, is pleased to announce that First National Bank (FNB) has won a prestigious 2009 Model Bank Award in Mobile Banking from Celent. FNB, one of South Africa's \"big four\" banks, is a premier retail bank and an early pioneer and market share leader in providing mobile banking to millions. As a Clickatell customer since 2004, FNB has pioneered the use of SMS in many innovative mobile banking services which have been broadly adopted by more than 80% of their personal banking customers in South Africa. Celent is an international strategy consultancy and leading global research and advisory firm specializing in financial services - with offices and client relationships across North America, Europe, and Asia."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In early 2008, Celent launched its annual Model Bank 2009 award nomination process aimed at answering the question: \"What would it look like for a bank to do everything right with today's technology?\" In winning this award, FNB and other award recipients are acknowledged as leading banks deploying best practices, which other financial services providers should follow. Clickatell was cited for its role in provisioning effective and innovative SMS technology and text messaging services allowing FNB to expand its footprint into Africa, which ultimately helped FNB win this esteemed award. The 2009 Model Bank Report highlighting winning bank case studies is available at "},{"url":"http://celent.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"Celent website"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.Celent.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Celent is pleased to present FNB with this award,\" said Jacob Jegher, senior analyst in Celent's banking group, and author of the report. \"Among many excellent nominations this year, FNB was selected for their work in mobile banking in demonstrating how mobile text banking can be deployed and broadly adopted to prevent fraud, reduce operational costs, increase customer acquisition, loyalty and value.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"FNB's SMS-based alert service - inContact™ -- has proven to significantly decrease fraud by engaging customers in the process of real-time monitoring of account activity through text message and other mobile services. With more than 80% of its customers subscribed to inContact, FNB reports that since the mobile alert service has been launched and promoted, overall customer acquisition and retention rates have also grown significantly. Further, the bank reports that significant cost savings have also been achieved as demand for more expensive call center customer support activities via voice calls with live agents have been addressed by the use of more effective, less expensive text banking communications."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"The Clickatell service helped us to create early consumer confidence in mobile banking across a number of countries we serve. Since our launch of inContact, we have seen the service become the most popular mobile banking service offered in the marketplace across the many markets we serve,\" commented Len Pienaar, CEO Mobile Transact Solutions, FNB. \"Our long-standing partnership with Clickatell to provide trusted, reliable SMS services helps us provide customers with anytime, anywhere mobile alerts so they can manage their finances. We are pleased to be honored with this prestigious award from Celent and look forward to continuing to provide innovative mobile banking solutions to our customers.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"No longer a 'nice to have', mobile banking has fast become a necessity when offering customers compelling banking options. Banks like FNB are proving the tremendous value proposition in the use of SMS in their mobile banking strategies as they strive to profitably retain, grow and better serve their customers, especially in the current economy,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Clickatell has been working with banks around the world for almost a decade and has the know-how and demonstrated track record of success in delivering compelling mobile text banking services. Easy to implement and offer, Clickatell SMS Receipts™ provide our customers with immediate text banking alerts of account status and activity, fraud alerts and more.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About FNB"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"FNB is the oldest bank in South Africa and traces its origins back to the Eastern Province Bank, which was formed in Grahamstown in 1838. Today, FNB trades as a division of FirstRand Bank Limited. Mobile and Transact Solutions is a division within First National Bank (FNB), which forms part of the FirstRand Group. In line with FNB's overall vision and values, Mobile and Transact Solutions (MATS) aims to be a cost-effective banking channel that provides innovative and affordable products and services within Cellphone Banking, Prepaid Services, Expansion, and eWallet Services. MATS strives to improve ease of access to banking technologies, including the provision of technologies not conventionally associated with traditional banks."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202228","slug":"infotechnology-solutions-chooses-clickatell-to-deliver-text-banking-15-million-messages-to-be-sent-per-month-expected-to-grow","title":"Infotechnology Solutions chooses Clickatell to deliver text banking; 15 million messages to be sent per month, expected to grow","internalName":"Infotechnology Solutions chooses Clickatell to deliver text banking; 15 million messages to be sent per month, expected to grow","publishDate":"2009-05-05","seo":{"description":"Infotechnology Solutions partners with Clickatell to revolutionize text banking. With 15 million messages to be sent per month and expected growth, discover how this collaboration is reshaping the banking landscape.","title":"Infotechnology Solutions chooses Clickatell To Deliver Text Banking Messages","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635700065-infotechnology-solutions-chooses-clickatell-to-deliver-text-banking-15-million-messages-to-be-sent-per-month-expected-to-grow.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As banks around the world continue to benefit from interactive text alerts to reduce fraud, reduce call center costs, and ultimately increase revenue, Infotechnology Solutions has chosen Clickatell to offer interactive text alerts to banking customers in Nigeria - one of the fastest growing African economies. Banks can offer customers real time SMS alerts with every transaction, giving customers immediate knowledge of account movement on their cards. Using Infotechnology's new solution, named MoneyGuard, customers have the ability to immediately respond to alerts on transactions considered fraudulent."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"It takes an average of two weeks after a \"stop\" request is made before a card is blocked - and it only takes a few hours to empty an account. With MoneyGuard powered by Clickatell SMS, it takes only minutes to effectively block a card. This solution arms cardholders with the ability to respond interactively and in real-time. The Moneyguard product was delivered by Spectrum Message Services Pty Ltd from Australia and customised in conjunction with InfoTechnology from Nigeria, and has proven success in countries like Hungary where card fraud has been reduced to 0.0022%, one of the lowest in the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Banking customers automatically receive text alerts on transactions in near real-time and can determine immediately if the transaction was authorized by themselves. If it is considered fraudulent, customers can immediately respond by sending an SMS to block the card from then on. Imagine the vast reduction in fraud by combining the freedom of mobile phones and the immediacy of text messaging,\" commented Abiodun Adesina, CEO of Tripplea Group, Inc; Infotechnology's holding company. \"Having an established track record among the strongest global financial companies, Clickatell came highly recommended by financial and mobile experts from around the world. With the ability to send more than 15 million messages per month, our banking customers are pleased with the speed and quality of this innovative real-time solution during the pilot recently concluded by several banks in the country.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile banking is fast becoming a greater contributor to the economy as mobile payments drive additional subscribers to mobile providers. Pyramid Research identifies Nigeria as the largest and fastest growing market on the African continent and has over 61 million of the 4 billion global GSM lines. In 2008, Nigeria's mobile market experienced a CAGR of over 5.7% ranking them as one of the top 10 mobile countries in the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Mobility is driving economic, financial and social change throughout the world, especially in emerging markets like Africa,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"With continued shifts in the global economic system, people want even more direct involvement in and control over their finances. We look forward to working with Infotechnology's banking customers and further participate in the tremendous growth as leading banks continue to deploy text banking.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202234","slug":"clickatell-nominated-for-prestigious-world-technology-award","title":"Clickatell nominated for prestigious World Technology Award","internalName":"Clickatell nominated for prestigious World Technology Award","publishDate":"2009-04-28","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The "},{"url":"http://www.wtn.net/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"The World Technology Network"},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"World Technology Network"}]},{"type":"span","value":" (WTN) announced that Clickatell has been selected as a nominee for a 2009 World Technology Award, presented by the World Technology Network, in association with TIME magazine, Fortune magazine, and Science magazine, among others. Clickatell is eligible to be selected as the Winner of the 2009 World Technology Award in \"Communications and Technology.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"James P. Clark, founder and Chairman of the World Technology Network, commented \"The World Technology Awards program is not only a very inspiring way to identify and honor the most innovative people and organizations in the technology world, but it also is a truly disciplined way for the WTN membership to identify those who will formally join them as part of our global community. By working to make useful connections among our members, we look forward to assisting Clickatell continue to help create our collective future and change our world.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Winners will be announced on July 16, 2009, in New York, at the World Technology Awards gala ceremony at the TIME & Life Building at the conclusion of the two-day World Technology Summit. The World Technology Awards honor individuals and corporations from twenty technology-related sectors viewed by peers as being the most innovative and doing the work of the greatest likely long-term significance. Award categories range from communications, biotechnology, space and energy through to ethics, design and entertainment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nominated for its innovative SMS Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Gateway, Clickatell provides companies around the world with the ability to deploy mobile messaging services in hours. \"We are pleased with the recognition and owe it all to our innovative customers. Developers from social networking creators, like mig33, healthcare service providers, like ComplyRx, innovative banks, like First National Bank, and leading retailers, like Fruit & Veg City are the real heroes,\" exclaimed Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"They understand that people want to transact, communicate and receive real value from their mobile phone. Using Clickatell to offer text services is easier than ever - developers can deliver new ways to engage customers and ultimately improve the bottom line through cost savings and new revenue streams.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Nominees for the 2009 World Technology Awards were identified based on an intensive, global process over a period of many months in which current individual WTN members (primarily elected WTN Fellows from previous Awards cycles, who now number over 1000, spread out over 60 countries) made their nominations based on who they think is doing the innovative work in their field of the greatest likely long-term significance. After the WTN gathers further information from nominees, WTN individual member then vote on their preferences within their category. The top five selections in each category are announced from the podium on stage at the Awards ceremony, and inducted into the WTN membership as Corporate Members. The Winner receives an Award on stage and makes comments about their innovative work to those assembled."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A selection of WTN members in the 20 different award categories who nominated/judged/voted in recent years includes:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Tim Berners-Lee, Director, World Wide Web Consortium (W3c)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Niklas Zennstrom, CEO & Founder, Skype"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gordon Moore, Co-Founder, Intel"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Kilnam Chon, Professor, Korea Advanced Institute Of Science And Technology (Kaist)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Richard Marks, Manager, Special Projects, Sony Computer Entertainment"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Lawrence Lessig, Professor, Stanford Law School; Author \"The Future Of Ideas\""}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Philippe Van Nedervelde, Executive Director, Foresight Institute Europe"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Calestous Juma, Professor Of The Practice Of International Development, Kennedy School Of Government, Harvard University"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gary Shapiro, President, Consumer Electronics Association Of America"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Don Peppers, Co-Founder, Peppers & Rogers Group; Author \"One To One Future\""}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Dan Gillmor, Author, \"We The Media; Grassroots Journalism By The People, For The People\"; Former Technology Columnist, San Jose Mercury News"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gregory Stock, Director, Program On Medicine, Technology, & Society, UCLA"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Fred Von Lohmann, Senior Intellectual Property Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Leslie Vadascz, Former President, Intel Capital"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ann Winblad, Co-Founder, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Richard Dasher, Executive Director, US-Asia Technology Management Center, Stanford University"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Josh Wolfe, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Lux Capital"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Albert Teich, Director, Science And Policy Programs, American Association For The Advancement Of Science (Aaas)"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Daniel Goldin, Chairman, The Intellisis Corporation; Former Administrator, NASA"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Molly Coye, President, Health Technology Center"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Bert Keely, Architect, Tablet Pc, Microsoft"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Jim Fruchterman, President & CEO, The Benetech Initiative"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Alexandra Weber Morales, Editor In Chief, Software Development Magazine"}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This year's World Technology Awards ceremony will cap the 2009 World Technology Summit taking place on the 15th and 16th of July at the TIME Conference Center in the historic TIME & Life Building in New York City. This year's Summit -- which has as its theme \"How to Save the Future,\" will also include demos from the stage, and exhibits from the floor. For more information on the World Technology Network, World Technology Awards and World Technology Summit, please visit www.wtn.net."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About The World Technology Network"},{"type":"span","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The World Technology Network is a New York-headquartered organization that was created to \"encourage serendipity\" - happy accidents - amongst those individuals and companies deemed by their peers to be the most innovative in the science and technology world. WTN's areas of interest range from IT and communications to biotech, energy, materials, space, and related fields such as finance, marketing, policy, law, design, and ethics. Each year, WTN members are brought together through an ongoing global series of regional roundtables, global Summits, and other events. The WTN has also convened the World Energy Technologies Summit at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The central events in the WTN calendar include the annual World Technology Summit and World Technology Awards - the culmination of a global judging program through which new members are nominated and selected and by which the network grows and is refreshed."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202243","slug":"zendesk-and-clickatell-answer-the-call-to-assist-it-help-desk-and-customer-support-staff-via-sms-service-alerts","title":"Zendesk and Clickatell “answer the call” to assist IT help desk and customer support staff via SMS Service Alerts™","internalName":"Zendesk and Clickatell “answer the call” to assist IT help desk and customer support staff via SMS Service Alerts™","publishDate":"2009-03-31","seo":{"description":"Discover how Zendesk and Clickatell join forces to provide IT help desk and customer support staff with SMS service alerts. Stay informed and ensure timely communication with this powerful collaboration.","title":"Zendesk and Clickatell Answer the Call: Assisting IT Help Desk and Customer Support Staff with SMS Service Alerts","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635700392-zendesk-and-clickatell-answer-the-call-to-assist-it-help-desk-and-customer-support-staff-via-sms-service-alerts.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960550","name":"SMS"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Chat enterprise Zendesk"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As text messaging continues to expand beyond peer-to-peer and into to tens of thousands of business, community and government applications--from social networking, banking, travel and transportation, education, call centers, and more--Clickatell and Zendesk announced their work to mobilize IT help desks and customer support centers around the world. Instead of physically racing back to the cubicle to check the status queue or culling endless voicemails to sort requests and changes, IT and customer support staff can depend on anytime, anywhere Clickatell SMS Service Alerts™ to instantly notify and update IT help desk professionals with customer support status for technical problems, provide real-time service delivery schedule information and coordination and instill greater productivity throughout organizations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Available for Apple's iPhone and Google's Android and countless other mobile devices, Zendesk lists notable customers such as Twitter, MSNBC, The Rackspace Cloud, Definiens, and more than 1,000 other small, medium and large enterprises. Zendesk notifies help desk agents with new ticket assignments and outstanding requests delivered to their mobile phone via SMS, which is immediate, reliable and cost-effective even when voice calls and emails may not be. IT help desk professionals need instant information to tend to mission critical support issues and to prevent them from wasting time and energy tracking down technical difficulties that have already been fixed. SMS Service Alerts offer freedom and independence to IT help desk and customer service professionals to operate more like the mobile emergency experts they really are."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Despite being run ragged everyday with inadequate service tracking and scheduling tools, IT and customer support workers everywhere are the real un-sung heroes of the enterprise,\" says Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell's CEO. \"They are responsible for solving the problems that if gone unchecked halt productivity and impact employees and customers which ultimately affects the bottom line. Given today's economic situation, Clickatell SMS Service Alerts are just the answer that these hardworking professionals are looking for to maximize their already vital role within the enterprise. SMS is the most immediate, reliable and broadly available communication means ever invented because there is no need to download anything, no requirement to access software - just simply read the text message when it arrives on the phone.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Definiens customers benefit from SMS customer service"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence® company, Definiens chose Zendesk Mobile Help Desk and Clickatell SMS to deliver state-of-the-art customer service and support. Definiens provides image analysis software that is at heart of critical business processes in drug discovery, medical imaging and remote sensing. The company wanted to globally provide user friendly and real-time customer support and chose to implement mobile customer service using Zendesk and Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Definiens' software analyzes and interprets digital images on every scale, from microscopic cell structures to satellite pictures. Using the unique Definiens Cognition Network Technology® it emulates the powerful human cognitive processes to automatically extract intelligence from images."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Our customers and support staff are located across the globe. It is imperative that our distributed teams are kept a breast of the latest information about new and active support incidents, wherever they happen to be and at anytime. Using the combination of Zendesk and mobile notifications enables us to offer our customers the highest levels of service,\" explains Dr. Wolfgang Rencken, Definiens COO. \"With Zendesk and Clickatell, mobile help desk implementation was easy, operation is simple and the results are impeccable. We have implemented a truly mobile, global help desk to serve our customers - anytime and anywhere.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Our software is even more valuable when customers can implement mobility to their IT Service operations so they can count on it no matter the time or location,\" comments Mikkel Svane, Zendesk CEO. \"Able to be implemented in less than a day, Clickatell is the only mobile messaging provider who offers an easy to deploy and use Software-as-a-Service messaging service and they are truly global.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202246","slug":"clickatell-named-a-cool-vendor-in-2009-by-leading-analyst-firm","title":"Clickatell named “Cool Vendor” by leading analyst firm","internalName":"Clickatell named “Cool Vendor” by leading analyst firm","publishDate":"2009-03-25","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, leading provider of mobile messaging solutions, today announced it has been included in the list of \"Cool Vendors in Mobile and Wireless, 2009\" report by Gartner, Inc."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Developers worldwide are actively engaging Clickatell to implement innovative mobile messaging services for a myriad of uses,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"From creating mobile social networks to helping save lives on the Hudson River, SMS is inherent as communities, governments and enterprises deliver strategic mobile services to customers and constituents. Well known within the mobile developer community, Clickatell provides all the necessary tools to begin delivering pioneering mobile solutions to customers in less than a day.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"SMS technology--functional on all cell phones--provides banks, insurance companies, mortgage lenders, foreign exchange, microfinancers, social networks, hospitals, publishers, and more with a direct, quick channel for instant customer communications, instant cost savings and an instant revenue opportunities. Easy to initiate and receive, SMS provides a tool for immediate customer intimacy a key strategy for countering the economic downturn and also presents opportunities to create new customer value and loyalty. Even in these slowing times, it is widely believed that people won't give up their cell phones and more and more businesses are looking at ways to leverage text messaging as a way to 'touch' their customers."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Gartner's Cool Vendors Selection Process"},{"type":"span","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Gartner's listing does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness of a particular purpose. Gartner defines a cool vendor as a company that offers technologies or solutions that are:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Innovative"},{"type":"span","value":", enable users to do things they couldn't do before;"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Impactful"},{"type":"span","value":", have, or will have, business impact (not just technology for the sake of technology);"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Intriguing"},{"type":"span","value":", have caught Gartner's interest or curiosity in approximately the past six months."}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202247","slug":"critical-health-services-delivered-to-u-s-military-soldiers-go-mobile-using-clickatell-sms-through-allone-mobile","title":"Critical health services delivered to U.S. military: Soldiers go mobile using Clickatell SMS through AllOne Mobile","internalName":"Critical health services delivered to U.S. military: Soldiers go mobile using Clickatell SMS through AllOne Mobile","publishDate":"2009-03-11","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell partners with AllOne Health"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA, March 11, 2009"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, global mobile messaging provider, today announced its work with AllOne Health to provide real-time SMS communications for U.S. Military in need of care and services from their health care provider. As Soldiers return home with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other significant injuries, the U.S. Military is providing a pilot mobile health outreach program to help speed recovery and track progress through AllOne MobileSM, a wireless application that manages personal health information and is secured by Diversinet CorpWorking with Clickatell to offer text messages for important alerts and notifications, AllOne Mobile provides injured Soldiers access to case managers and other military personnel to monitor and stay in touch with service members through personalized mobile communications. Information received from Soldiers will help personalize and monitor daily care. Initially, AllOne Mobile's platform is anticipated to support the rehabilitation needs of up to 10,000 returning Soldiers in a phased implementation over the next year."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"US Military Healthcare SMS Service Provider"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The groundbreaking new service from AllOne Health has been built to provide the fastest, most reliable, and secure mobile health care information available today. Clickatell is used to send provisional SMS messages to \"touch and remind\" Soldiers to access the latest encrypted information within their secure health information application. AllOne Mobile's proprietary health information application, secured by Diversinet Corp. (TSX Venture: DIV, OTCBB: DVNTF), links participating service members recuperating at home with their case managers and unit support staff."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Taking advantage of mobile technology within the health sector gives health care providers and patients the ability to personalize care, deploy services remotely, and promote healthier lifestyles,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Communications on a daily, and sometimes hourly, basis can make a big difference in caring for patients through at-home mobile care programs, which also provides significant cost savings to the health care industry. With this innovative service from AllOne Health, the U.S. Military will improve communications and enhance the quality of health care through up-to-the-minute access to medical information by patients and health care providers.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Almost four billion people depend on cell phones every day - and SMS comes \"built-in\" to almost every phone. SMS is being used by communities, organizations, and governments worldwide to save lives and connect people. Health care along with financial services, social networking, transportation, and other industries will benefit from SMS. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that specifically address health as set forth by the United Nations Millennium Declaration are exploring mHealth technologies to improve health outcomes, as well as generate cost savings within the health system. The specific potential of mHealth lies in its ability to offer opportunities for information transfer capabilities that previous technologies did not. As a result of such technological advances, the capacity for improved access to information and two-way communication becomes available at the point-of-need and for health care workers at the point-of-care."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A burgeoning technology to improve the health care system as we know it today, SMS has the potential to save health care institutions--such as hospitals, insurance providers, clinics, and other patient care facilities--time and money by offering patients a way to communicate directly with health care professionals, getting to the heart of the health matter in real-time, potentially avoiding valuable office visit time and other \"red-tape\" issues that cause slowdowns and high costs."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Giving Soldiers the option of real-time, direct, two-way encrypted communications with their health care workers via their mobile phone is a real benefit to these brave men and women,\" said William C. Reed, president, and CEO of AllOne Health. \"Not only will it provide ways to speed recovery, but it will provide convenience so they can spend time at home with their families. Clickatell provides an important part of the overall communications strategy to offer these reliable mobile services around the world.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About AllOne Health"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"AllOne Health encourages individuals to take responsibility for their health and provides tools and services to employers and health plans to help support them. Results include better health, improved productivity, and reduced health care costs. AllOne Health pursues an integrated and comprehensive approach to providing personal health management; secure mobile access to personal health information, extensive workplace services -- including on-site health care, safety and compliance services -- and health benefits. Established in 2002, AllOne Health is headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with offices in Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pa.; Houston, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Alexandria, Va. AllOne Health has more than 1,000 customers\nthroughout the U.S. and in 44 countries. For more information call (888) 989-9001."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Diversinet"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Diversinet Corp. (TSX Venture: DIV, OTCBB: DVNTF) is a leading provider of wireless authentication and access solutions that secure the personal identity, transactions, and data of consumers over almost any mobile phone or handheld device. Diversinet's reliable, end-to-end MobiSecure Wallet and Vault products provide global, secure, and cost-effective solutions to mobilize personal health records, financial services transactions, and identity protection management."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-61272063","slug":"metropolitans-cover2go-further-innovates-deploys-ussd-using-clickatells-proven-platform-to-streamline-mobile-insurance-sales-and-business-process","title":"Metropolitan's Cover2go further innovates; deploys USSD using Clickatell's proven platform to streamline mobile insurance sales and business process","internalName":"Metropolitan's Cover2go further innovates; deploys USSD using Clickatell's proven platform to streamline mobile insurance sales and business process","publishDate":"2009-03-10","seo":{"description":"Plunging headfirst into mobile, Cover2go, created by Metropolitan, is employing mobile technology to distribute insurance to millions of uninsured people.","title":"Metropolitan's Cover2go further innovates; deploys USSD using Clickatell's proven platform to streamline mobile insurance sales and business process","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960889-oracle-clickatell-simplify-global-messaging.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cover2go mobile technology innovations"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"ITWeb Mobile Payments, Johannesburg, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" -- Plunging headfirst into mobile, Cover2go, created by Metropolitan, is employing mobile technology innovations to distribute insurance to millions of un- and under-insured people. Announced today, Cover2go implemented Clickatell's Enterprise USSD solution to improve insurance access, advance sales efficiencies, and streamline business processes by leveraging the mobile phone. As a result, Cover2go has greatly reduced the cost of insurance and improved insurance accessibility in remote areas."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Given South Africa's large cell phone penetration, it was imperative to develop a well thought out mobile distribution strategy because Cover2go is designed to reach people who fall outside of the gambit of traditional insurance models,\" said Cover2go's Raymond Africa, head of IT Infrastructure and Process. \"We chose Clickatell because they have seen what works and what doesn't when deploying mobility strategies in our part of the world.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Now, using the Clickatell-powered USSD solution, customers can activate insurance vouchers via mobile by texting Cover2go's unique short-code, 120*C2GO# (120*2246#), therefore eliminating the need for a sales representative. Cover2go's \"direct activation\" allows consumers to simply enter the \"voucher activation number,\" along with the necessary personal information, all from their mobile phone in a secure USSD session. Metropolitan Cover2go has also found tremendous benefits in leveraging mobile enrollment as a way of streamlining internal processes for accurate verification as well as automated data confirmation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Financial institutions, large and small, continue to be leading adopters of mobile and are successfully capturing new customers, satisfying existing ones, and fast creating new revenue streams as they move beyond the traditional means of commerce and communication. Companies--local and abroad--can learn a great deal from the deployment by Cover2go - a global leader in bringing the next wave of financial services to a largely underserved market,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"We're excited about the market growth ahead and our role in enabling financial services providers to remain relevant with their ever-increasing mobile customers as they introduce successful mobile banking and insurance products in developed and developing markets.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Four billion of the world's 6 billion people use a mobile phone today, and in developing markets, mobile is often the only technology available. It has been predicted that the mobile phone will change communities and their economic outlook, especially in developing parts of the world. Mobile phone penetration and use continues to skyrocket each year, growing even faster in Africa than many other places throughout the world."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Such ubiquity and simplicity created an opportunity for Cover2go to address the need for insurance, despite the traditional need to visit a physical office - often a geographic barrier to access in itself,\" says Africa. \"No need to make time-consuming and often frustrating phone calls and no requirement for incomprehensible paperwork. The message to the customer: just click and transact.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"99% of all GSM phones come equipped with USSD, which runs over the same channel as SMS. Generally associated with real-time or instant messaging phone services, USSD provides a \"session-based\" transactional mobile service. Likened to a secure internet session via an \"SMS-like\" interface, once the USSD-session is established, it remains active until the transaction is complete or the session times out. USSD, widely used by mobile operators for airtime top-ups, is being made more available to enterprises looking to launch compelling services. Typical of other short-message protocols, response times for interactive USSD-based services are almost immediate."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell USSD solutions enable transactional data to be transferred real time across the mobile channel with enhanced security and reliability. The benefits to Metropolitan and their customers are tremendous:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Security:"},{"type":"span","value":" USSD allows session-based communication between the server and the mobile device with no information left on the device"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Real-time Connections:"},{"type":"span","value":" very low latency due to the nature of the wireless networks and session-based communications; communications initiated by simply entering service codes; no need to install, open, or learn a new application"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"More Insurance Options:"},{"type":"span","value":" access to new customer segments; more returning customers; more insurance options for those who need it, when they need it"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Improved Convenience:"},{"type":"span","value":" quick and easy activation capabilities on the spot with mobile access to services"}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69202248","slug":"all-eyes-on-kenya-this-week-gsm-leaders-agree-telecoms-and-emerging-markets-will-help-spur-economic-growth-amidst-a-global-recession","title":"All eyes on Kenya this week: GSM leaders agree telecoms and emerging markets will help spur economic growth amidst a global recession","internalName":"All eyes on Kenya this week: GSM leaders agree telecoms and emerging markets will help spur economic growth amidst a global recession","publishDate":"2009-02-17","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635700868-all-eyes-on-kenya-this-week-gsm-leaders-agree-telecoms-and-emerging-markets-will-help-spur-economic-growth-amidst-a-global-recession.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, global mobile messaging provider and leader in SMS technology for mobile banking solutions confirms reports that Telecommunications will continue to be a driver of economic activity as it stimulates innovations, increases productivity and efficiency as well as drives increases in GDP. GSM Leaders today confirmed that the economic recovery would most likely be lead by China and other emerging markets such as Africa. 'We expect growth to come in particular within the Telecoms and Banking sector', said GSM Leaders at the 2009 World Mobile Congress being held this week in Barcelona, Spain. At this event, recent mobile banking activities in Kenya took center stage as a key topic among several Mobile Banking, Mobile Money Transfer and Mobile Payment lectures currently underway. Fuelling opportunity and growth, recent banking regulatory changes in Kenya and in other developing countries that permit a broad range of mobile financial services use cases including cash to mobile, mobile to cash, mobile to mobile transfers and other new mobile financial services offerings have been launched to achieve significant end user growth and adoption. It is therefore appropriate to look not only at what is being discussed at the largest global telecom's event taking place in Barcelona this week but to also look at the Banking and Technologies East Africa conference in Nairobi this week for insights and thought leadership."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Serving customers and communities through mobile and payment technologies, will create a private sector funded stimulus that will fuel local economic development supported in partnership with government; the short term focus is the unbanked and under-banked, but the positive impact will go well beyond the banking sector\" says Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO, from the GSM Leadership Summit."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Financial institutions throughout Africa have been relatively unscathed in the current global banking turmoil allowing room to explore new growth strategies and not ruling out continued investment in infrastructure to expand banking services in partnership with mobile technology and telecoms providers. Africa has managed to leapfrog technology pointing to many respects where there are now over 300 million mobile devices on the continent and more transactional SMS's are being sent in Namibia than in New York."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Elsewhere in Africa financial institutions have struggled with the business case to justify the investment and resources allocation required to expand infrastructure and services to rural communities in remote areas, unlike many of the mobile operators (MNO's) who have taken the initiative and found business models to justify infrastructure rollout in remote areas. These same operators are now offering additional services such as MTN's Y'ello Money and M-PESA which are being hailed as success stories as they address real market need and pain points. Africa's consumers have already demonstrated and accepted the use of the mobile phone as a payment device, with airtime becoming Africa's biggest commodity, many already use 'minutes' as a form of currency with which to purchases goods, catch a taxi, pay a bill and even pay their utility company (eg. water, electricity). SMS technology is the communication vehicle being used by companies to engage with their customers, by sending alerts on any account activity, enabling transaction requests and allowing consumers to stay on top of their finances, financial institutions are able to increase customer retention, fight fraud more proactively and bring the benefit of banking to more consumers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Later on this week at the Banking and Technologies East Africa conference in Nairobi, Kenya; Clickatell will present to an international audience of banks, technology providers, regulators and micro finance companies who are coming together to explore opportunities and discuss challenges about recession beating 'Mobile Solutions for African Banks'."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"We're excited to be involved in this conference and believe these economic times allow for partnerships and joint investment as companies like Clickatell bring banks and carriers closer to sustainable, win-win business models that serve consumers with relevant, value added services. Clickatell forms a critical part of the mobile banking ecosystem through its trusted management of reliable cross carrier infrastructure that is integrated into complex banking and payments back-end systems. As an aggregator we understand the role of connecting very different environments such as that of a bank and a Telecoms operator in a value added manner that allows consumers to experience ubiquitous services.\" comments Deon van Heerden, Country Manager for Clickatell's MEA operations."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69881850","slug":"clickatell-powers-santam-innovative-insurance-fraud-alert-service","title":"Clickatell powers Santam Innovative Insurance fraud alert service","internalName":"Clickatell powers Santam Innovative Insurance fraud alert service","publishDate":"2008-06-23","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635700392-zendesk-and-clickatell-answer-the-call-to-assist-it-help-desk-and-customer-support-staff-via-sms-service-alerts.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell partners with Santam Insurance"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, US"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, a leading provider of global mobile messaging, today announced its partnership with Santam, South Africa's leading short-term insurer, to provide a text-based fraud reporting channel, as well as improved results from Clickatell-powered Santam call center using SMS text alerts for claims processing. Jerry Chetty, Head of Forensic Services at Santam, says, \"The main reason behind this innovative addition to Santam's current fraud reporting services is the confidentiality attached to it, as well as instant access to fraud reporting mechanisms."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cellphones are the fastest growing means of communication and will address these concerns.\" Taking advantage of SMS as a ubiquitous communications channel, Santam now enables people that are involved in, aware of, or witnessing a scam to text fraud tip-off's anytime from anywhere using mobile shortcode 31640; thereby reducing the probability of fraudulent or false claims being paid out. The text message infrastructure provided by Clickatell allows for immediate, discreet, and assured delivery, increasing Santam's ability to respond quickly and appropriately to reported incidents."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"All reports are treated confidentially unless the reporting party wishes to disclose their identity. Chetty advises those reporting fraud tips to provide as much detail as possible and answer basic questions such as who, why, how, and when in order to provide the agents with as much information as possible. Chetty commented further, \"We expect our text-based fraud tip line to become the de facto standard across the insurance industry. We expect it will be an efficient and reliable form of communication as the immediate nature of SMS is providing us with the ability to quickly act on fraud tips and maintain high levels of service. We anticipate that it will evolve from receiving text-only messages to also be able to receive photos and video clips of unethical behavior as they occur.\" According to industry sources between 8% and 35% of car and household claims paid out annually to local policyholders are fraudulent, costing the insurance industry $15 billion per year. In the US, the insurance industry occupies such a central position in the domestic economy that the FBI's Financial Crimes Section views fraudulent claims as an investigative priority."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Combatting insurance fraud"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (http://www.insurancefraud.org/) estimates that the cost of fraud is as high as $80 billion each year. \"By providing this innovative text-based tip line, Santam continues its leadership as a customer-centric organization that is leveraging the compelling mobile footprint in its market to reach more people, more often in a more relevant manner as they strive to reduce the high cost of insurance fraud and pave the way for closer customer relationships,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"SMS has proven itself to be an efficient and reliable form of communications in the Financial Services sector and has received widespread adoption due to it's immediate, real-time relevance characteristics and has, therefore, become a compelling mobile transaction and alert capability which has earned it the respect from heads of Marketing, IT and Operations in small and large Fortune 500 companies.\" In addition to fraud reduction services, Santam has been working with Clickatell to bolster its corporate call center to reach customers via SMS more effectively at a lower cost."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In less than a year, Santam has seen 500% growth in the utilization of its proactive claims service attributable to its simplicity, low effort, and cost, offering Santam's customer's true convenience and peace of mind. \"Interacting with customers through a live agent costs roughly $5 - $9 per call - clearly the cost savings through the use of SMS is tremendous. And, the results are even more effective and pleasing to us and the customer,\" Fanus Coetzee, Santam's Head of Insurance Services commented. \"Organizations across all industries should take full advantage of these cost savings by implementing text-based services.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882547","slug":"s1-corporation-and-clickatell-partner-to-provide-on-demand-text-banking","title":"S1 Corporation and Clickatell join forces to provide on-demand text banking","internalName":"S1 Corporation and Clickatell join forces to provide on-demand text banking","publishDate":"2008-06-04","seo":{"description":"Experience the future of on-demand text banking through the partnership of S1 Corporation and Clickatell. Discover how this collaboration brings convenient and secure text banking services to customers, allowing real-time access to account information, transaction alerts, and more. ","title":"S1 Corporation and Clickatell Partner To Provide On-Demand Text Banking","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635700065-infotechnology-solutions-chooses-clickatell-to-deliver-text-banking-15-million-messages-to-be-sent-per-month-expected-to-grow.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960550","name":"SMS"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"S1 Enterprise Customer Conference 2008"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Miami, FL, and Norcross, GA"},{"type":"span","value":" - S1 Corporation (Nasdaq: SONE), a leading global provider of customer interaction software solutions for financial and payment services, and Clickatell, a leading global mobile messaging provider, today announced a partnership to provide on-demand text-based mobile services through the S1 Enterprise and Postilion Internet Banking solutions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"S1 Enterprise and Postilion customers across the globe will be able to take advantage of the on-demand capabilities of SMS banking and payments services, including account balance inquiries, funds transfers, account alerts and person-to-person (P2P) payments. The two-way SMS service enables users to proactively manage their finances and monitor potential fraud via their mobile phones."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's global messaging gateway delivers transactions and alerts to and from cell phones over 700 networks in more than 200 countries. \"Clickatell complements our comprehensive mobile offering which includes SMS and mobile Internet banking and payments services,\" said Mike Jackson, S1's Vice President of Product Strategy. \"As we looked to make a decision among mobile gateway providers, Clickatell was the right fit given the company's global reach, enterprise expertise, and ability to provide the quality of service needed for our banking and payments customers worldwide.\" Red Gillen, banking analyst for Celent, a leading analyst firm commented, \"Given the familiarity with SMS, high cell phone penetration, and ease of implementation, text messaging is a primary driver for mobile banking. Basic SMS alerts are unique in that they are the mobile technology that can reach out and find banking customers to manage account balances, move money between accounts, detect fraud in real-time, and much more."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As banks continue to roll out their mobile strategies, SMS should be a priority, given its relatively fast implementation timeline and usefulness to consumers.\" \"S1 Enterprise, Postilion and Clickatell have extensive experience in providing services to the financial community - it makes perfect sense that we would team up to provide financial institutions with on-demand access to text banking,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"As banks continue to reach out to an increasingly mobile customer base, they require the ability to communicate interactively with their customers in a secure, real-time manner. We look forward to working with S1 Enterprise and Postilion to help deliver on-demand text-based mobile services to their sizable customer base.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About S1 Enterprise"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"More than 100 banks and three million consumers, small businesses, and corporate users worldwide rely on S1 Enterprise solutions to access and manage their financial information."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A division of S1 Corporation (Nasdaq: SONE), S1 Enterprise is a leading provider of integrated banking solutions that deliver financial service providers a holistic view of their customers whether online, in the branch or in the call center."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About Postilion"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Postilion, a division of S1 Corporation (Nasdaq: SONE), is a leading provider of integrated solutions for self-service banking and payment processing. Our offices, on five continents, serve over 1,500 customers in more than 50 countries. Postilion solutions drive self-service financial transactions and payments, including advanced transactions such as prepay, through Internet access points, ATMs, POS terminals, and phones."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"More than 100,000 ATMs and 500,000 POS terminals worldwide run on Postilion solutions. In the United States, over 1,250 credit unions and community financial institutions use Postilion solutions. Built on open systems, Postilion solutions provide consolidated management information, card management, 3DES and EMV enablement, and loyalty management. At the forefront of compliance with new regulations and security enhancements, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Visa's Payment Application Best Practices (PABP), Postilion can help customers achieve compliance with the latest data security standards developed by the payment card industry. More information is available at "},{"url":"http://www.postilion.com%2C/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.postilion.com."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"About S1 Corporation S1 Corporation (Nasdaq: SONE) delivers customer interaction software for financial and payment services and offers unique solution sets for financial institutions, retailers, and processors under three brand names: Postilion, S1 Enterprise and FSB Solutions. Additional information about S1 solutions is available at www.s1.com, "},{"url":"http://www.postilion.com%2C/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.postilion.com, "}]},{"type":"span","value":" and www.fsb-solutions.com."}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Forward-Looking Statements"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements include statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business. The words \"believes,\" \"expects,\" \"may,\" \"will,\" \"should,\" \"projects,\" \"contemplates,\" \"anticipates,\" \"forecasts,\" \"intends\" or similar terminology identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made using information currently available to us. Because these statements reflect our current views concerning future events, they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Therefore, actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The risk factors included in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (and available on our web site at "},{"url":"http://www.s1.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":"www.s1.com"}]},{"type":"span","marks":["emphasis"],"value":" or the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov) provide examples of risks, uncertainties, and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Except as provided by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882760","slug":"clickatell-partners-with-rsa-to-provide-on-demand-authentication-using-cell-phones","title":"Clickatell partners with RSA to provide on-demand authentication using cell phones","internalName":"Clickatell partners with RSA to provide on-demand authentication using cell phones","publishDate":"2008-05-27","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell - & RSA on demand authentication"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell, global provider of mobile messaging solutions, today announced that it has partnered with RSA, The Security Division of EMC, to enable the delivery of two-factor authentication to mobile devices, via SMS."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The results of this technological partnership were recently demonstrated by the two companies at the RSA® Conference in San Francisco, CA. \"Security needs are evolving rapidly, and RSA is focused on meeting our customers' needs for a truly flexible, scalable and intuitive authentication system to suit all scenarios and demands,\" said Sam Curry, Vice President, Product Marketing & Product Management, for RSA's Identity and Access Assurance Group. \"Given the critical nature of enabling remote access and continuity during emergencies or outages, we need a technology partner with global reach and the ability to reliably deliver enterprise-grade operations and quality of service. We are very pleased to be working with Clickatell.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Providing timely and direct messages in seconds, SMS is the ideal form of communication to help enterprises and government agencies provide one-time passwords to mobile employees, contractors and partners. And, given the ubiquity of cell phones as a device we carry at all times, the mobile device is a reliable and convenient method of reaching the intended party. RSA SecurID® one-time passwords expire after a brief time period making them ideal to provide to users via SMS. Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell, commented, \"The technology partnership between RSA and Clickatell combines two leading forces in security and mobile messaging respectively, to provide proven solutions to global customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Having started out almost ten years ago, Clickatell has 8,300 enterprise customers in the US and around the globe across many industries including banking, healthcare, government services, insurance, and more. When it comes to making critical and secure mobile transactions, Clickatell understands what customers need to be able to connect, transact and communicate anytime, anywhere.\" Two-factor authentication combines 'something you know' with 'something you have,' providing a more reliable and secure level of user identity assurance than static and reusable passwords."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"As a result of Clickatell's collaboration with RSA, users who don't typically carry an RSA SecurID two-factor authentication token can now receive an RSA-generated one-time password via text message directly to their cell phone. This allows for immediate and secure access to the corporate network, without requiring physical tokens to be assigned or software to be installed. In addition, this technology partnership provides enterprises with a business continuity option that is designed to enable broad-based secure remote access to corporate resources even during a business disruption scenario."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882767","slug":"clickatell-named-finalist-for-best-mobile-enterprise-software-solution","title":"Clickatell named Finalist for Best Mobile Enterprise Software Solution","internalName":"Clickatell named Finalist for Best Mobile Enterprise Software Solution","publishDate":"2008-05-19","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635962031-clickatell-named-finalist-for-best-messaging-business-application.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Best enterprise messaging system award"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA "},{"type":"span","value":"- Clickatell, leading provider of global mobile messaging, today announced it was nominated as finalist for \"Best Enterprise Software\" in two product categories: \"Best Mobile Developer Tool\" & \"Best Mobile Marketing Solution\" as part of the MobileVillage® 2008 Mobile Star Awards™."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell was nominated for its leading SMS Gateway and its Multimode Mobile Messaging platform. The seventh annual Mobile Star Awards competition honors the top companies, products, deployments, and leaders in mobile and wireless technology. \"We are excited to see the mobile market explode as people take advantage of what mobility has to offer and vendors continue to innovate and provide services to support this huge market,\" said MobileVillage Editor, Gary Thayer. \"So, it's no surprise that we're seeing some exciting innovations in mobile applications. Clickatell is highly respected for such innovative products, so we're excited to see them nominated this year and I look forward to seeing them prosper.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To read more about this year's nominations, visit "},{"url":"http://www.mobilevillage.com/awards.htm","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"nofollow"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.mobilevillage.com/awards.htm"}]},{"type":"span","value":". Readers of MobileVillage's Go Mobile® newsletter will be invited to vote for winners beginning in July, and MobileVillage will announce winners in late September. \"For almost a decade, we've been providing enterprise messaging solutions to thousands of developers and have helped them deliver mobile solutions for IT Developers, global banks, insurance providers, healthcare organizations, social networks, travel and transportation, healthcare and more industries,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Our customers need a solution that is easy to implement, easy to use, reaches people around the globe, and provides enterprise-level quality of service. Clickatell works with over 8,300 organizations to deliver mobile messaging strategies for companies worldwide needing to reach customers for a variety of critical communications and transactions anywhere, anytime.\""}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Nomination for Best Enterprise Software: Mobile Developer Tool"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell serves the IT Developer-centric Enterprise market via its world-first (launched in 2000) self-provisioned, software-as-a-service (SaaS) Clickatell Messaging Gateway, which makes it fast and easy for any organization to set up and implement text-based messaging solutions to reach customers using cell phones. Clickatell's Enterprise Messaging Gateway includes a series of open and well-documented APIs that support a set of common protocols, such as the popular HTTP for interfacing and data exchange, FTP to upload files, XML for structured data, SMTP to connect e-mail to SMS, or Windows COM to integrate directly into applications. Script libraries and comprehensive integration specification documents are provided with each protocol. IT Developers worldwide connect daily to Clickatell's Messaging Gateway for immediate access to enterprise-class SMS services - enabling anytime, anywhere mobile messaging delivery for enterprise applications. For more information about the Clickatell Messaging Gateway, please visit "},{"url":"https://www.clickatell.com/faqs/answer/how-does-the-clickatell-sms-gateway-work/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"How does the Clickatell SMS Gateway work?"}]}]},{"type":"heading","level":4,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Nomination for Best Enterprise Software: Mobile Marketing"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell also serves the Enterprise and Government market segment with its Clickatell Multimode Messaging Manager, which provides assured delivery of real-time disaster and critical alert messages across multiple messaging channels. Clickatell's Multimode Messaging Manager is a multi-channel messaging application that can be integrated with any enterprise or public safety system. A messaging event - such as a status update or transaction alert - generated by an enterprise application is forwarded to the Multimode Messaging Manager via a set of open APIs, automatically transcoded into the right format and delivered in real-time to the recipient's device (e.g. mobile phone, landline, fax, pager, PC or any IP connected device). The Multimode capability allows messages to \"switch\" between these communication channels. Assured message delivery makes it ideal for emergency alerts, business continuity notifications, and multichannel marketing applications."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882804","slug":"clickatell-wins-best-messaging-business-application","title":"Clickatell wins “Best Messaging Business Application”","internalName":"Clickatell wins “Best Messaging Business Application”","publishDate":"2008-05-14","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959984-clickatell-wins-best-messaging-business-application-1.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell, leading provider of global mobile messaging, today announced it won the \"Best Messaging Business Application\" award by 160 Characters as part of its 2008 Mobile Messaging Awards. As one of three finalists in the Messaging Business Application category, Clickatell was chosen because of its work with Metropolitan Cover2Go, who provides life insurance directly to customers' cell phones via SMS. The 2008 Mobile Messaging awards cover the whole range of mobile messaging including SMS, MMS, IM, email, and voice-messaging. Mike Grenville, founder of 160Characters.org commented, \"Clickatell and the other award winners represent the most exciting and promising companies in the enterprise mobile space today.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The award winners were presented last week at the Gala Awards Dinner in Cannes at the Global Messaging Congress. \"Leading enterprises worldwide are providing mobile services using text messaging to build customer relations, acquire new customers, and build a trusted brand,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Metropolitan Cover2go is a great example of how our business-class applications can change lives. Through a highly innovative SMS-based service, Metropolitan customers can rest assured, knowing they have the insurance coverage they need anytime, anywhere via their cell phone.\" Having moved away from the traditional way of selling insurance, Metropolitan Cover2go offers insurance in a way that is convenient and hassle-free for customers."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The belief that insurance should be bought, not sold, puts the decision in the hands of the customer. The SMS accidental death insurance product is easy to access and use by anyone with a cell phone. The policy is bought by sending your name and ID number to a premium-rate short code and the cost is applied directly to the phone's plan. The system, powered by Clickatell, responds with a confirmation and policy number, requests the name of a beneficiary, and reminds the policyholder to make sure they inform someone about the life insurance. Once the policy expires, a notification is sent asking if they choose to renew."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This service can be applied anywhere across the globe, making it possible for people to benefit from added insurance coverage while on the go, anywhere, anytime. \"The use of SMS to enable our business process helps us to achieve nothing less than a complete revolution in the life insurance industry. With mobile messaging from Clickatell, we've been able to dramatically simplify the process of buying insurance and increase availability to customers who would otherwise not qualify through general insurance carriers under normal circumstances. Clickatell's global SMS gateway made this deployment a simple process and has guaranteed message delivery enabling us to ensure reliable delivery of each message,\" says Derek Pead of Metropolitan Cover2Go. For more information about Metropolitan Cover2Go please visit: "},{"url":"http://www.cover2go.co.za/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.cover2go.co.za/"}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882818","slug":"clickatell-named-finalist-for-best-messaging-business-application","title":"Clickatell named finalist for Best Messaging Business Application","internalName":"Clickatell named finalist for Best Messaging Business Application","publishDate":"2008-05-06","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, US "},{"type":"span","value":"- Clickatell, leading provider of global mobile messaging, today announced it was chosen as one of three finalists for \"Best Messaging Business Application\" by 160 Characters as part of their 2008 Mobile Messaging Awards. As one of three finalists in the Business Application category, Clickatell was chosen because of its work with Metropolitan's Cover2Go, who provides life insurance directly to customers' cell phones using SMS. The award winners will be presented at the Gala Awards Dinner in Cannes on May 8, 2008, immediately after the first day of the Global Messaging Congress. \"We're proud to be recognized as a leading provider of mobile business applications for our proven work providing enterprise messaging around the world,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"Cover2go, like many of our business-class applications, is using the power of innovative technology to create mobile products and services using SMS."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell works with over 8,300 organizations to deliver mobile strategies for direct customer communications and critical transactions across a number of vertical industries including financial services, mobile marketing, IT, and social networking.\" Mike Grenville, founder of 160Characters.org and long time industry journalist commented, \"The finalists delivering mobile business applications represent the most exciting and promising companies in the enterprise mobile space today. Clickatell was selected by an experienced panel of judges against many companies delivering mobile services today. We wish Clickatell the best of luck and look forward to tracking their success.\" Having moved away from the traditional way of selling insurance, Cover2go offers insurance in a way that's convenient and hassle-free for the customer. The belief that insurance should be bought, not sold, puts the decision in the hands of the customer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cover2go is easy to access and use by anyone with a cell phone. The policy is bought by sending your name and ID number to a premium-rate short code, and the cost is applied directly to the phone's plan. The system, powered by Clickatell, replies with a confirmation and policy number, requests the name of a beneficiary, and reminds the policyholder to make sure they have informed someone about the life insurance. Once the policy expires, a notification is sent asking if they choose to renew. This service can be applied anywhere across the globe, making it possible for people to benefit from added insurance coverage while on the go, anywhere, anytime. The 2008 Mobile Messaging awards cover the whole range of mobile messaging from SMS and MMS, to IM, email and voice-messaging. They are open to all companies with a messaging product, service or initiative which has been launched from April 2007."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882825","slug":"clickatell-powers-messaging-for-world-assembly-of-140-parliaments","title":"Clickatell powers messaging for world assembly of 140 parliaments","internalName":"Clickatell powers messaging for world assembly of 140 parliaments","publishDate":"2008-04-30","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960722-clickatell-delivers-breaking-news-to-european-commission.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa "},{"type":"span","value":"- Clickatell, global provider of messaging solutions, has provided the South African Parliament with an SMS alert service to support communication at the 118th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in South Africa recently. Founded in 1889, the IPU is the world organisation of parliaments, providing 140 countries with a platform for dialogue about global issues. The IPU works for peace, the cooperation between peoples, and the firm establishment of representative democracy. It also supports and closely cooperates with the United Nations whose objectives it shares. Each year's event is hosted in a different country. Last year, the host country was Switzerland. In 2006 it was Indonesia."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This year, in a historical event, the South African parliament was one of the first countries in the Southern African Development Community region to host the assembly. Under the theme, \"Pushing back the frontiers of poverty\", the Cape Town International Convention Centre was abuzz with a multitude of languages and nationalities as issues from climate change to maternal and new born child health are put under the spotlight. Clickatell's messaging service helped the South African parliament deliver timely notifications to these delegates, providing them with important information, reminders and alerts about the latest happenings at the conference. \"Since the start of the conference, over 1,000 delegates descended on Cape Town. With most delegates using their overseas cell phones and roaming on the South African network, SMS presented the easiest, fastest and most cost effective way to stay in touch with each other,\" says Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"An important need for the SA parliament was to deliver real-time messages in a reliable manner to each delegate on a wide variety of cell phone networks and devices. Clickatell's extensive global messaging network provided them with the ability to ensure that all the cell phones, from across the globe, would be covered and no messages would get lost during and after the event. Clickatell was also able to deliver the service quickly - getting the service up and running in under two weeks. Delegates could sign-up to receive SMS notifications as part of the registration process for the event. Based on which categories they opted into, organizers were able to send delegates reminders on upcoming events and networking sessions, newsworthy items, photo opportunity notifications, etc. making this a safer and more informed IPU event."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The feedback the SA parliament has received from delegates is that this has been one of the most successful IPU events they have attended logistically. This is the first year the South African Parliament has made use of SMS for an event of this size. Judging by the success, they will continue making use of this service in future."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882832","slug":"clickatell-helps-healthcare-organizations-worldwide-realize-the-benefits-of-sms","title":"Clickatell helps healthcare organizations worldwide realize the benefits of SMS","internalName":"Clickatell helps healthcare organizations worldwide realize the benefits of SMS","publishDate":"2008-04-15","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1633103668-istock92118719xlarge-textaparent.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA "},{"type":"span","value":"- Clickatell, leading provider of global mobile messaging solutions, today announced it has been chosen by leading healthcare organizations including Cell-Life, ComplyRx and the National Health Service (NHS) to provide mobile solutions that deliver critical medical information to cell phones across the globe. These innovative organizations are leading the healthcare industry by providing secure mobile messaging solutions which is changing the way the healthcare industry communicates with consumers and patients across the globe. There are also significant financial advantages available to healthcare companies who take advantage of SMS over traditional methods of communications. For example, having launched its service using Clickatell in 2006, the NHS has seen a 60% cost savings and has reached over 90% of its intended audience, providing information they need to live healthier lives. \"Healthcare organizations are receiving pressure to curb the rising cost of healthcare and they need to find ways to communicate with their customers in an efficient and cost-effective way. By leveraging SMS technology to better inform and communicate with their customers using cell phones, they are able to deliver superior services,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"With global cell phone penetration now exceeding 70% of households including those in lower income demographics, people can access life-saving medical advice at critical times, subscribe to preventative healthcare information, participate in remote treatment options, curb disease outbreaks, and improve prescription compliance.\" Taking advantage of ubiquitous text messaging, healthcare organizations worldwide can initiate a broad range of mobile communication initiatives at minimum cost and with a great deal of flexibility, security and convenience. Using SMS, the healthcare industry can reach more people in more places with critical healthcare information they need and seek. Using Clickatell, these leading healthcare providers and partners are improving people's lives through innovative solutions:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"ComplyRx, an independent healthcare company based in Georgia, helps physicians and patients establish interactive, direct communications to promote medical compliance. The company is also working to improve adherence to clinical and hospital discharge instructions to decrease the probability of re-admission after hospital treatment. With the help of Clickatell, patients and caregivers can receive regular SMS and email notifications to help patients follow their doctors' recommended medical plans. \"We set out to help doctors communicate with their patients long after the critical treatment. Doctors may or may not be familiar with the innovative technologies to help them efficiently and intimately stay in touch with their patients to remain an important part of the daily process of getting well,\" commented Blain Burdette, President of ComplyRx. \"Text messaging provides an inexpensive and convenient way for doctors to communicate with patients or caregivers to remind them of important medical treatments, and Clickatell was the best choice because they ensure that critical messages don't get lost or dropped.\""}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"UK-based Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust, part of the National Health Service (NHS) has been using SMS to disseminate health information and medical advice to over 300,000 people in their growing community. Working with Clickatell and 123 Consultants, the NHS's goal is to raise awareness around health issues such as diet, drugs and safe sex among the general public, with a specific focus on teen health. To benefit from the NHS service, people simply text \"stop smoking,\" for example, to receive relevant information about a specific health topic. Given a teenager's need for immediacy and privacy when it comes to various health questions, this service is especially important for them to be able to receive legitimate and trusted information to answer their questions around sex, pregnancy, drugs, and other critical health issues. According to Phil Colledge of 123 Consultants, \"Typically this important information has been spread via printed leaflets, which often only reached 1% of the intended audience. By comparison, SMS reaches over 90% of its intended audience, at around 50-60 % of the cost.\""}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Cell-Life, a non-profit organization, is using SMS to disseminate educational material about HIV/AIDS management and prevention to South African citizens. Cell-Life also uses cell phones to collect data about people with HIV/AIDS and support treatment of people with Anti-Retroviral Treatment. When talking about HIV/AIDS, confidentiality is incredibly important, and the intimacy of one's personal cell phone is a perfect tool to communicate medication reminders, drug breakthrough's and updates on medical plans according to the doctor's orders. \"The simplicity and intimacy of an individual's cell phone makes SMS an effective means of personal communications. Clickatell's excellent functionality, especially their two-way SMS for real time communications, made them our partner of choice,\" says Dr. Peter Benjamin, general manager of Cell-Life. \"Clickatell's ability to provide guaranteed delivery is absolutely vital in making sure we get the right message to the right people at the right time.\""}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69882946","slug":"enterprises-worldwide-rely-on-clickatell-for-mission-critical-mobile-messaging","title":"Enterprises worldwide rely on Clickatell for mission-critical mobile messaging","internalName":"Enterprises worldwide rely on Clickatell for mission-critical mobile messaging","publishDate":"2008-01-29","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635962804-enterprises-worldwide-rely-on-clickatell-for-mission-critical-mobile-messaging.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mission-critical mobile messaging worldwide"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood City, CA"},{"type":"span","marks":["strong","emphasis"],"value":" "},{"type":"span","value":"-  With ever-increasing cell phone use, mobile device ubiquity and cost effectiveness of text messaging services, enterprises worldwide are increasingly implementing mobile messaging strategies for essential communications as a key differentiator to serving their customers. In 2007 large enterprise organizations such as BBC, Continental Airlines, CNN, the European Commission, Metropolitan Life, and Nedbank chose Clickatell to provide mobile messaging applications."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"These new enterprise customers represent substantial growth to Clickatell's existing client base that already includes Barclays Bank, BP, First National Bank, Shell, Standard Bank, and others. \"Guaranteed, real-time delivery is critical for transaction-based messages,\" commented Len Pienaar, CEO of First National Bank's Mobile and Transact Solutions. \"You can't have messages evaporate, even if it is one in a thousand. The Clickatell gateway and its real-time reporting mean I can be sure our customers will receive their text alerts every time. Clickatell was the obvious choice for FNB because of their global reach, tremendous enterprise experience and high quality of service.\" Clickatell also reports significant growth in the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) market segment, having added thousands of new customers via www.clickatell.com, the self-provisioned, software-as-a-service (SaaS) portal specifically designed with SME's in mind."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In total, Clickatell has more than 8,000 implemented SME customers - a direct result of the successful Clickatell SMS Gateway and other solutions, which make it fast and easy for any organization to set up and implement mobile messaging solutions to reach their customers using cell phones. The Portio Research report, \"Mobile Messaging Futures 2007 - 2012\" states, \"By 2012 global SMS revenues are expected to reach $67 billion USD, driven by 3.7 trillion messages.\" The report continues, \"If there was one message this report should get across it is this: SMS continues to be a phenomenal success as the cheapest, quickest and easiest to use form of peer-to-peer mobile communication."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Markets have continued to grow and greatly exceeded the predictions of similar research carried out in 2005. SMS traffic has not flattened out in mature markets but continued to boom whilst the US market has grown much faster than expected.\" Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell confirms these astounding numbers, \"SMS messaging is expanding exponentially with over 1 billion cell phones shipped worldwide each year and growing; enterprises everywhere can reach more people via mobile devices than ever before and can text with more immediate interaction than an email,\" he said. \"Businesses and governments need to provide their customers and citizens with critical communications when they need it - anywhere, anytime - and text messaging is clearly the easiest, most convenient and most efficient delivery available today.\" In 2007, Clickatell enhanced its enterprise operational initiatives and looks forward to continuing to help its customers exceed their mobile strategy goals:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell continues to extend its Quality of Service (QOS) and the reliability of its IT infrastructure. Clickatell further upgraded its enterprise-grade facilities to include hosted services to meet the needs of enterprises seeking compliance to SAS 70 and other data security, safety and integrity best practices."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell continually expands network reach and now supports more networks and carriers than any other messaging provider in the world. In 2007, Clickatell provided roughly 85 additional networks, continuing to expand its global service availability."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell secured funding from Sequoia Capital and established additional presence in the US. Also in 2007, Clickatell hired Chuck Drake as Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, and Bill Wolfe as Executive Vice President of Research & Development."}]}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Clickatell works with high profile customers across the globe:"}]},{"type":"list","style":"bulleted","children":[{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"First National Bank's inContact mobile service notifies customers immediately of account transactions by sending an SMS message to their mobile phone. Real-time, secure, and reliable information on these transactions enables FNB customers to keep up-to-the-minute with all banking activity taking place in their accounts, and to monitor and detect fraudulent activity. The Clickatell solution enables FNB to expand their popular inContact and related services across multiple countries."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"International broadcast news network CNN depends on Clickatell to power its \"Breaking News Alert\" SMS service to mobile phone users around the world. With this service, customers receive headline alerts via text messages to their mobile phone as major international news stories break. Clickatell's market-leading solution ensures that CNN customers can receive breaking news as it happens wherever they are in the world."}]}]},{"type":"listItem","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Metropolitan Life created an innovative business unit called Cover2go that uses mobile phone technology from Clickatell to extend insurance to those who had little previous access. Cover2go ensures that anyone can send an SMS message to Metropolitan Life and receive instant life insurance for six days in the case of accidental death. Using Clickatell, Metropolitan Life has revolutionized the insurance industry by simplifying and streamlining the purchase process."}]}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69883633","slug":"cnn-chooses-clickatell-to-power-sms-breaking-news-service","title":"CNN chooses Clickatell to power SMS breaking news service","internalName":"CNN chooses Clickatell to power SMS breaking news service","publishDate":"2007-06-19","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960619-cnn-chooses-clickatell-to-power-sms-breaking-news-service.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"CNN Breaking new SMS"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"London, UK"},{"type":"span","value":" - International broadcast news network CNN has chosen leading mobile messaging provider Clickatell to power the promotional version of its \"Breaking News Alert\" SMS service to mobile phone users around the world. The promotional service is set to go live in June. The service will allow users to receive a headline alert as text message to their mobile phone as soon as a major international news story breaks."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's market-leading messaging aggregation and delivery solution ensures that users of the CNN service receive breaking news information via SMS as it happens, immediately and reliably, wherever they are in the world. Users can then link through to CNN's mobile news site, "},{"url":"http://www.cnnmobile.com/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.CNNmobile.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":", via their handsets, for the full story. \"We are delighted to be working with CNN to deliver its \"Breaking News\" service,\" said Deon van Heerden, VP of sales for Clickatell. \"CNN's selection of our global message delivery technology means that mobile phone users everywhere now experience - free-of-charge - a service that keeps them up-to-date with world affairs as they happen, via their mobile device.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is able to keep CNN \"Breaking News alert\" users informed of all news updates as they happen, irrespective of their location, thanks to its robust, carrier-grade global messaging infrastructure that delivers high-priority alerts to approximately 600 mobile networks in 200 countries."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69883639","slug":"clickatell-launches-hassle-free-variable-cost-sms","title":"Clickatell launches hassle-free variable cost SMS","internalName":"Clickatell launches hassle-free variable cost SMS","publishDate":"2007-05-29","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960288-clickatell-launches-hassle-free-variable-cost-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Variable Cost SMS Service Provider"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" -- Clickatell, Inc., the world's #1 global mobile messaging company, today announced the launch of a mobile terminated (MT) premium rate SMS service in South Africa. Unlike typical premium rate SMS services, which charge users for the messages they send, mobile terminated services charge according to messages received, allowing Clickatell's customers to offer a raft of flexible and creative messaging services from a single shortcode."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Currently offered by Vodacom and MTN in South Africa, mobile terminated services are used for subscription-based content. Because the networks offer these services in different ways, Clickatell provides an easy-to-use open interface for value-added service providers to access the networks and bill their customers. Uniquely, Clickatell pays out the full revenue share to its customers. \"Using operator systems directly can sometimes introduce unnecessary complexities as message delivery and billing relies on different systems. By combining this into one interface, Clickatell ensures its customers do not have to be exposed to these hassles,\" said Patrick Lawson, Clickatell CTO. Clickatell's mobile terminated billing service provides all the necessary unsubscribe and stop commands to ensure that its customers are adhering to strict regulations regarding spamming."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In South Africa, the Wireless Application Service Providers' Association (WASPA) clearly defines these requirements. Clickatell aims to support all future networks in South Africa when they role out MT premium rate services. The benefit of offering mobile terminated premium rate services is that users don't have to send an SMS every time they want certain information. So, for example, traffic or weather information can be delivered on a regular basis to the handset, once a user has subscribed. In addition, because South African operators offer variable billing, a single shortcode can be advertised and promoted for a variety of services with different charges associated. \"Many service providers make a heavy investment in branding their subscription numbers, so it makes sense for them to associate one number with their brand, while offering a variety of services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell can ensure a quick approval on shortcode applications and, by leveraging its good relationship with local networks, can guarantee delivery of text based messages at a scheduled time while ensuring users are billed at the predetermined rate. In addition, service providers are required to register the nature of their content with the networks - Clickatell takes care of this as well,\" concludes Lawson."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69883647","slug":"multimedia-first-for-clickatells-showcase","title":"Multimedia first for Clickatell’s showcase","internalName":"Multimedia first for Clickatell’s showcase","publishDate":"2007-03-27","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635961049-foreign-exchange-leader-gft-deploys-clickatell-to-connect-traders-to-fast-paced-currency-market-prices-using-real-time-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood Shores, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" -  BusineSMS recently launched the Altona application and it will be featured in Clickatell's third party application showcase in April 2007. Altona is a desktop-based multimedia composer that gives users the ability to quickly and easily send and share multimedia web content on a cellphone. Now that the application has been included on Clickatell's application showcase, users in various countries can send and share multimedia messages anywhere in the world with a simple drag and drop function."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Messages will be sent via Clickatell's global messaging gateways and network - delivering messages to handsets on over 600 networks in almost 200 countries. Using the Altona application, consumers everywhere can now send pictures, sound, video and text found on the web to any mobile phone, anywhere around the world. \"This is a world first from a global reach perspective. It allows consumers and businesses to take advantage of the multimedia capabilities available today to send wallpaper, slideshows, ringtones, coupons, barcodes, podcasts, video trailers, and of course, text messages,\" says Jonathan Zufi, managing partner at busineSMS. \"busineSMS's Altona is a great example of an application making mobile messaging and rich content sharing accessible and simple to use. Clickatell focuses on providing the world's broadest and most reliable messaging network and we are delighted that developers and innovators are using our global network to launch innovative services."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Altona is a great application and makes the sharing of content truly simple and seamless,\" said Clickatell CEO, Pieter de Villiers. The Clickatell showcase offers the mobile application developer community a high profile stage to promote their messaging applications. Stringent testing by Clickatell's engineers means only the best of breed applications appear on the showcase. All showcase software is fully integrated into Clickatell's powerful messaging gateway and will be promoted to Clickatell's more than 8,000 customers ranging form Fortune 500 companies to SMEs."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69884337","slug":"len-pienaar-ceo-of-mobile-transact-solutions-fnb-talks-mobile-banking-at-us-event","title":"Len Pienaar, CEO of Mobile and Transact Solutions FNB, talks mobile banking at US event","internalName":"Len Pienaar, CEO of Mobile and Transact Solutions FNB, talks mobile banking at US event","publishDate":"2006-11-14","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959822-istock74956629xxxlarge-mobileevolutionofretailjpg.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Len Pienaar talks mobile banking"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"BAI Retail Delivery Conference, Las Vegas, NV"},{"type":"span","value":" - Clickatell is happy to announce Len Pienaar, CEO of Mobile & Transact Solutions for First National Bank (FNB), will present \"Cellphone Banking in South Africa, and innovation success\" on Thursday, November 15th at 12 pm."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The BAI Retail Delivery Conference is a leading financial services conference and expo to help banking executives understand how to increase the bottom line and invest in customer relationships. Len will discuss how FNB has employed SMS and other cellular technologies to drive business results and deliver valuable and intimate services to customers. Clickatell, the leading provider of global mobile messaging for banks and other financial institutions, will be featuring the FNB case study in its booth #2444."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell provides the mobile messaging software for FNB to deliver international balance enquiries, account payments, micro-payments, and critical fraud alerts over cellphones via SMS to its customers worldwide. Clickatell has been providing mobile messaging solutions since 2000 and has over 8,000 active customers worldwide. A world expert in SMS banking, Len Pienaar is CEO of the Mobile & Transact Solutions division for FNB and is part of a delegation of South African bankers facilitated by the Business Trust. Len has been integral to the implementation and delivery of valuable services to FNB customers. To learn more about FNB and their banking services, please visit "},{"url":"https://www.fnb.co.za/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.fnb.co.za."}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69884691","slug":"clickatell-raises-stakes-for-global-mobile-messaging-reach","title":"Clickatell raises stakes for global mobile messaging reach","internalName":"Clickatell raises stakes for global mobile messaging reach","publishDate":"2006-09-04","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959741-istock79861201xxxlarge-firstglobaljpg.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - The company's messaging gateway now connects to 578 networks in 192 countries. Notably, Clickatell has expanded its reach to NTT DoCoMo and Vodafone in Japan, all GSM and CDMA networks in Canada, as well as networks in Afghanistan, East Timor, Nicaragua, Vatican City, Indonesia, Macau, the Bahamas and Canary Islands. Clickatell offers SS7 delivery to many of its destinations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In addition to Clickatell's direct connections to all mobile operators in the UK, it also delivers text messages to both cell phones and landlines in the country. Text-enabled landline phones display the SMS on the landline handset screen, or the text is converted to a voice message for handsets without screens. \"Clickatell delivers SMS text messages to more networks than any other provider. And, true to our motto of 'any message, anywhere' we are able to deliver SMS and multimodal messages to billions of people, customers and employees around the world,\" says Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"The ease of communication that text messaging offers is evident and businesses continue to embrace it. Our SMS delivery volumes have doubled over the past year in North America alone, which is traditionally a market that displayed a slower adoption for SMS.\" Mobile messaging is enabling business communications around the world to more effectively reach customers, colleagues and partners than traditional methods."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Today Clickatell enables thousands of businesses to offer information and alerts to improve customer experience, fight fraud, increase efficiencies and offer real-time exchange information. \"One in three people in the world has access to a mobile phone, so it is easy to understand why businesses, governments and communities are all starting to utilise mobile messaging to communicate time relevant information,\" says De Villiers. In addition to its easy-to-use and efficient global SMS services, Clickatell has extended its offering with an enterprise-grade Multimode Message Manager. This is a carrier-hardened messaging platform that allows for the secure sending of messages across multiple channels, including SMS, to ensure accurate delivery of millions of messages to specific audiences by phone, smart phone, landline, fax, pager, PC or any IP-connected device."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69884716","slug":"clickatell-joins-with-oracle-to-drive-enterprise-messaging","title":"Clickatell joins with Oracle to drive enterprise messaging","internalName":"Clickatell joins with Oracle to drive enterprise messaging","publishDate":"2006-07-30","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960889-oracle-clickatell-simplify-global-messaging.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood Shores, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - Inherent in Clickatell's enterprise-grade MGMS platform is its multimodal capability that allows messages to escalate from device to device, i.e. cell, landline, fax, smart-phone, pager, PC until they are received. The result is that customers and employees can now be communicated to in 'real time' and are more 'connected' to one another than ever before. The combined solution provides customers of both companies with an enterprise level messaging service that allows for reliable, immediate calendaring, email and voice-mail alerts delivered to targeted worldwide audiences at better delivery rates than traditional methods. The MGMS platform provides expanded usage for unique IDs, voice messages, urgent messages, filter-set mailboxes and calendar entries across business groups."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The result is an improvement in productivity and business communications. \"While all wireless operators offer standard SMS, Clickatell has added features that make SMS more suitable for enterprise environments, including bulk broadcast capability, global connectivity and performance guarantees,\" states Kitty Weldon, Enterprise Mobility Analyst for Current Analysis, Inc. in her Advisory Report, \"Will Messaging Surpass E-mail as the Killer Business App?\" As Clickatell's enterprise-grade MGMS is built on the proven Oracle 10g Application Server, it offers an unprecedented high level of quality of service via customizable reporting mechanisms to confirm message receipt. Enterprises can expect to know the number of messages sent, when they were delivered, who received them and where. This information allows for the development of greater cost efficiencies by IT managers who can select lower cost channels for delivery. Oracle's iSupport, a component of Oracle E-Business Suite, works with Clickatell to improve 'time to recovery' as it allows for Priority One (P1) trouble tickets to be immediately routed to the appropriate knowledge source."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The iSupport application generates notifications in response to events triggered along the Oracle internal support process flow. These notifications are currently dispatched to mobile devices serviced by carriers in 190 countries. Oracle's ASK system also leverages Clickatell's MGMS to retrieve contact information from directories across networks and then sends the information to the requestor in real time. \"In order to meet the demands of messaging in a dynamic enterprise environment, we wanted to create a solution that provides immediacy, availability, quality of service and cost efficiencies. The combination of Clickatell's messaging and Oracle's 10g Application server provides the global reach and the multi-channel flexibility to fully realize the business potential for messaging in the enterprise,\" says Jim Queen, General Manager, North Americas, Clickatell. Clickatell's enterprise-grade MGMS is built on open architecture and standards allowing today's devices to connect across multiple channels in a \"plug & play\" mode. In 2001, Clickatell pioneered the first single point of entry for real-time access to global text message delivery. Today, Clickatell's multimodal messaging gateway connect directly with the infrastructure of mobile operators, which enables Clickatell to guarantee delivery and receipt of massive quantities of inbound and outbound messages in real-time to any device. Clickatell has the ability to dynamically route messages via multiple networks based on cost, features, destination and gateway load. The company's advanced platform, routing engine and load management technology allows it to cross more networks than its competitors."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69884753","slug":"sms-accessible-with-clickatells-sms-gateway","title":"SMS accessible with Clickatell’s SMS gateway","internalName":"SMS accessible with Clickatell’s SMS gateway","publishDate":"2006-05-15","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960502-sms-accessible-with-clickatells-sms-gateway.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell provides connectivity to its carrier-grade, high volume SMS gateway through multiple interfaces, including HTTP, FTP, XML, a Com Object and e-mail. It has now extended its interfaces to include SMPP, making it one of the most accessible SMS gateways in the world, according to Pieter de Villiers, MD of Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"\"Clickatell has played a leading role in the global SMS arena,\" says De Villiers, \"and offers real-time connectivity to over 470 mobile networks. This has assisted us in gaining clients from every corner of the globe, ranging from mobile networks to Fortune 500 companies, leading content providers and smaller application developers.\" The primary reason for this, says De Villiers, is Clickatell's strong focus on accessibility. \"Gaining access to a Clickatell account and being able to send your first SMS takes only a few minutes. Thereafter, integration is seamless, allowing clients to send SMS messages to virtually any mobile network in the world via Clickatell's SMS gateway."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This is in keeping with Clickatell's role as an enabler of any system or user with a mobile messaging requirement.\" Together with carrier-grade delivery, Clickatell's platform also allows for real-time message reporting. Messages can be tracked by destination number, status, delivery date, and a host of other parameters."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's servers automatically update each message status by posting this data back to the sender's servers. The platform further allows for complete user management, billing integration, SMS voucher management and extensive redundancy gateways. As an enabler, Clickatell plays a pivotal role in powering a large number of the globe's SMS applications, ranging from SMS plugins, MS Exchange Server SMS modules, Lotus Domino bulk database SMS add-ins and many other ASP- and desktop-based SMS solutions. A large number of international distributors and resellers also deploy SMS solutions powered by Clickatell under their own brand. \"We are confident that our role in the value chain as a mobile messaging enabler and delivery aggregator is being entrenched more and more every day,\" concludes De Villiers. \"SMS aggregation is becoming more specialised as the global playing field changes."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With the introduction of interconnect fees and MMS, information laws requiring accurate records and application service providers demanding more from mobile networks, this industry has seen a host of players disappear over the past few months.\" Clickatell is set to remain a market leader in the global SMS market for some time to come, as new markets emerge and cell phone penetration continues."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69884776","slug":"3rdsun-places-premium-rate-sms-services-within-easy-reach","title":"3rdSun places premium rate SMS services within easy reach","internalName":"3rdSun places premium rate SMS services within easy reach","publishDate":"2006-05-01","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635963639-3rdsun-places-premium-rate-sms-services-within-easy-reach.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - 16ixty makes it easy for non-technical users to set up SMS-based services online, and provides a Web-based front-end tool and monthly management service. The service is aimed at individual users and smaller companies wanting to set up premium rate SMS services. Clement Olivier, managing director of Cape Town-based 3rdSun Solutions, says 16ixty makes it possible for anyone to easily and cost-effectively set up and manage their own SMS services without needing technical resources. \"All administrative tasks required for ordering, setting up and maintaining your SMS service are handled by 16ixty."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"When running their SMS campaigns, users can rest assured that all the back-end technicalities are taken care of and that the delivery of their communication is guaranteed,\" he says. 3rdSun's interface with Clickatell ensures users have access to a vast range of SMS services, without having to concern themselves with the complexity of setting up and managing the network connections to each mobile operator. 3rdSun selected Clickatell for network access, connections and the physical sending of all SMSs because of its proven functionality, world-wide distribution framework and wide selection of services. \"Clickatell is the market's leading SMS gateway provider and offers a robust infrastructure while ensuring a reduced cost per SMS. A broader scope of services means we can also offer WAP capabilities for sending and receiving SMS, for example."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell is based locally, but covers the globe, and so ensures 3rdSun can extend this capability to its customers around the world,\" says Olivier. Clickatell's open APIs and SMS service developer kits are available to developers around the world. Its third party showcase also provides developers with a platform to publicise and distribute their software. \"Clickatell's SMS gateway offers developers an ideal platform for creating mobile messaging applications. Our APIs, SMS tools and software development kits are available to developers, programmers and industry players worldwide, demonstrating our commitment to ongoing innovation in the mobile messaging arena,\" says Anton Lan, head of Middle East and Africa at Clickatell."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The 16ixty solution provides users with dedicated software tools that can be accessed via a Web browser. Setting up the system is a simple process of registering online at "},{"url":"http://www.16ixty.com/","meta":[{"id":"title","value":"16ixty "},{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"http://www.16ixty.com"}]},{"type":"span","value":" and obtaining a password for day-to-day management of all SMS communications. Web-based access also makes the service ideal for companies wishing to work remotely. In addition, the solution is pre-packaged so customers don't incur the costs typically associated with customised solutions. There is a basic set up fee and monthly rental charge for maintenance and support."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69885574","slug":"clickatell-merges-with-multimode-inc","title":"Clickatell Merges with MultiMode, Inc","internalName":"Clickatell Merges with MultiMode, Inc","publishDate":"2006-03-26","seo":null,"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"San Mateo, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" - At the same time, Clickatell also announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States. Both companies are private and the terms of the deal were not disclosed."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The company will operate as Clickatell, Inc. With this transaction, Clickatell is addressing the growing demand for mobile messaging services by extending its Short Message Service (SMS) capabilities to include multimodal messaging and alerting communications. Multimodal messaging allows users to choose on which devices they would like to be reached for time-critical alert messaging. Text, voice, email, fax and pager alerts can be sent to one or more communication devices according to customer preference; including every mobile phone, fax machine, land line phone, text pager and IP-connected device in the world. This represents a major extension to Clickatells product family and offers enterprise customers and employees unprecedented application-initiated mobile message delivery with significant cost efficiencies."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The Clickatell/MultiMode merger brings to the U.S. proven solutions, such as real-time alerts for financial transactions that do not exist here today, said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. The MultiMode Global Messaging Service (MGMS) extends our messaging capabilities to devices beyond the mobile phone and allows us to deliver a truly any message, anywhere solution for corporate communication. The end result is a global messaging infrastructure that allows businesses to better communicate with their customers wherever their location and whatever their device preference. In a world plagued by identity theft and unauthorized account activity, financial institutions, governments and agencies around the world are embracing Clickatells end-to-end global messaging solutions as they deploy their Text Alert Programs. For example, banks can now alert any Internet banking client whenever someone logs into their online account, making it much harder for criminals to access bank accounts without being detected."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In Europe, Asia and even Africa, this type of alert communication is becoming commonplace but it is now a fast-growing trend in America. \"We are delighted to join with Clickatell, the global leader in the SMS mobile messaging space, said Tad Bogdan, former CEO and co-founder of MultiMode and now EVP Worldwide Sales at Clickatell. This merger underscores Clickatells commitment to providing mobile users with unparalleled mobile message delivery methods. Customers will now be able to receive real-time alert notifications on any communications device, anywhere in the world.\" Clickatell and MultiMode have collaborated on messaging and alerting services in the past including teaming together for the worldwide delivery of messaging for Oracle Corporation and its clients. Oracle uses messaging and alerting for calendar and email alerts, mobile sales force notifications, IT network events and emergency management. According to Forrester Research, the many flavors of messaging will account for more than 126 billion messages and $8.6 billion in revenue in the US in 2009, with short message service (SMS) dominating these numbers."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69886394","slug":"best-in-class-enterprises-rely-on-mobile-messaging-for-success","title":"Best-in-class enterprises rely on mobile messaging for success","internalName":"Best-in-class enterprises rely on mobile messaging for success","publishDate":"2006-02-06","seo":{"description":"Discover why best-in-class enterprises rely on this powerful communication tool to drive their business forward. Explore the benefits of mobile messaging and how it can elevate your company's performance and customer engagement.","title":"Enterprises Rely On Mobile Messaging For Success","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635963885-best-in-class-enterprises-rely-on-mobile-messaging-for-success.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960538","name":"Mobile Marketing"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Enterprise class MMS"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Redwood Shores, CA"},{"type":"span","value":" Analyzing the use of push e-mail, enterprise SMS, enterprise multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), mobile Instant Messaging and mobile Voice over IP (VoIP) in over 150 organizations worldwide, this study found 85% of all organizations surveyed have at least one mobile messaging solution in place and 68% have two or more. \"The need to react more quickly to environmental changes is driving organizations to adopt mobile messaging solutions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Moving beyond push e-mail, companies are now also assessing other mobile messaging solutions such as SMS for their ability to improve workflow. The ideal is to have all these communication options available on one device\", says Pieter de Villiers, chief executive of Clickatell, whose customers include John I Haas, Heart of Birmingham Primary Trust Care, Vodacom, First National Bank, and Oracle. Multimodal mobile messaging, combining voice, e-mail, SMS and fax delivery channels, ensures companies of confirmed delivery of mission critical information."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The flexibility of multimodal messaging further allows enterprises to stay in touch with staff, partners and customers anywhere, anytime by switching between the recipient's preferred communication mediums at any time. SMS's quick and cost-effective data delivery, together with its proliferation as one of the most commonly used and understood forms of non-voice mobile communications, has seen it emerge as the world's primary messaging service in recent years. According to Aberdeen's research, 48% of all organizations and 59% of best-in-class companies deploying mobile messaging applications are opting for SMS. The top factors driving SMS's uptake is the ability to satisfy customer needs (81%), to react quicker to change (67%), and to achieve operational cost efficiencies (57%). Best-in-class organizations use SMS predominantly in customer service and sales departments, while newer users of the technology still mostly deploy messaging in their IT departments or to communicate with colleagues."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"While 69% of all organizations prefer to have their SMS solution either completely outsourced or hosted by a third party, 67% of best-in-class enterprises already have an infrastructure in place that supports a platform solution unifying their mobile messaging applications. \"The technical experience and expertise of an established mobile data solutions partner and redundant connectivity makes outsourcing messaging worthwhile instead of re-inventing the wheel. Multi-channel solutions such as those provided by Clickatell get companies up and running quicker with less initial expense, providing a clear path towards a unified messaging environment across the enterprise,\" says De Villiers."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69886487","slug":"tendersystem-sms-enables-insurance-claims","title":"TenderSystem SMS-enables insurance claims","internalName":"TenderSystem SMS-enables insurance claims","publishDate":"2005-10-18","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635964009-tendersystem-sms-enables-insurance-claims.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Tendersystem SMS Quotes"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":"- ValueCard, replacement service provider for the insurance industry, today announced it has teamed up with Clickatell, the leading global messaging gateway, to provide a real-time insurance procurement service. ValueCard has integrated Clickatell's SMS gateway service into its open source TenderSystem software to allow immediate claims quotations on the move. TenderSystem is an Internet-based system that sources, awards and manages the total procurement process. Users request quotes from suppliers who then tender for the business via reverse auction."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The addition of Clickatell's SMS functionality means that quotes can be submitted in real-time, decreasing the tender period to less than two hours, ensuring that suppliers do not miss any opportunities. SMS are sent with each quotation request (RFQ) and purchase order, notifying agents of awaiting quotes or successful transactions. An SMS is also sent to the client informing them of the status of their claim. This alert increases security for the client by preventing fraudulent transactions, known as switch selling. This is when a supplier quotes for a product or service and replaces it with a cheaper or higher-margin item. The introduction of SMS to the system allows relevant information to be delivered quickly to clients and agents, even if they are on the move. In addition to better and faster service, customers also achieve an audited 20% cost savings, due to improved efficiencies and leveraging the age-old principle of supply and demand. \"Quick and accurate information is crucial for any procurement system to function correctly,\" said Christiaan Erasmus, managing director of ValueCard. \"Suppliers must be notified immediately when an RFQ has been issued, allowing them to quote before the tender closes to ensure a potential sale."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The real-time nature of SMS makes this possible.\" \"TenderSystem is a great example of a service deploying SMS in a way that maximizes the benefits of the technology,\" said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. \"TenderSystem brings immediate, relevant information to subscribers in a way that saves both them and the insurance agents money and increases the speed and efficiency of the service.\" ValueCard evaluated a range of SMS providers and selected Clickatell based on its extensive network coverage, low cost, and ease of integration. \"TenderSystem is an open source project and we had to integrate an SMS solution that offers international network coverage, at the best possible price, with minimal disruption to our community,\" said Erasmus. The integration of mobile messaging functionality means that TenderSystem is ideally suited to areas with little telecommunications infrastructure, bringing an effective procurement solution to previously marginalized regions. TenderSystem is available under an open-source license at Sourceforge.net. Since it was open-sourced in July 2005, it has been downloaded over 600 times. The software is currently used by the short-term insurance industry but is also suitable for any procurement process, especially public-sector purchases."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About TenderSystem"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"TenderSystem, www.tendersystem.com, is an open source Internet-based solution to source, award and manage the total procurement process. It was developed by ValueCard (Pty) Ltd, in 2002 and is now the de facto procurement system in Southern Africa allowing insurance companies to decrease their largest expense, namely claims payments. ValueCard was selected as a finalist in the 2005 Emerging Technology Top 100 awards for innovation of the procurement process."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887385","slug":"oracle-clickatell-simplify-global-messaging","title":"Oracle & Clickatell simplify global messaging","internalName":"Oracle & Clickatell simplify global messaging","publishDate":"2005-09-19","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960889-oracle-clickatell-simplify-global-messaging.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The web service allows businesses using Oracle Application Server Wireless to immediately connect to Clickatell's global gateway to send their short message service (SMS) messages locally and around the world. The Clickatell gateway provides the largest mobile messaging coverage network in the world with connections to over 550 mobile network operators in 180 countries. It makes sending an SMS as simple as sending an email. Oracle Application Server Wireless allows businesses to easily extend existing enterprise applications to include messaging services to their customers and staff."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The introduction of Clickatell's web service allows businesses to send alerts and other messages in near real-time regardless of the recipient's location. Connection to the Clickatell gateway is quick and easy via the default web service and requires no additional software or drivers. And to gain the advantages of a global multi-network messaging network, businesses don't need to individually negotiate with and connect to mobile operators. In addition, businesses don't have to spend resources on getting the best performance from the connections as Clickatell actively monitors the networks and takes care of load balancing and message routing. Finally Clickatell's team of messaging experts and systems engineers is available via a 24 x 7 x 365 in-house service centre. \"With an estimated 1,000 billion SMS messages set to be sent this year, businesses can't ignore the role that SMS plays in their corporate messaging strategy,\" said Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO. \"Our relationship brings together two leaders: Oracle in middleware and databases, and Clickatell in global messaging; and means that any Oracle user can simply and effectively enable their business for SMS.\" Clickatell is a member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork and its mobile messaging web service will be demonstrated at Oracle OpenWorld this week."}]},{"type":"blockquote","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"About the Oracle PartnerNetwork"},{"type":"span","value":" Oracle PartnerNetwork is a global business network of 15,000 companies who deliver innovative software solutions based on Oracle software. Through access to Oracle's premier products, education, technical services, marketing and sales support, the Oracle PartnerNetwork program provides partners with the resources they need to be successful in today's global economy. Oracle partners are able to offer customers leading-edge solutions backed by Oracle's position as the world's largest enterprise software company. Partners who are able to demonstrate superior product knowledge, technical expertise and a commitment to doing business with Oracle can qualify for the Oracle Certified Partner levels."}]}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887503","slug":"clickatell-icm-streamlines-premium-campaign-management","title":"Clickatell ICM streamlines premium campaign management","internalName":"Clickatell ICM streamlines premium campaign management","publishDate":"2005-05-22","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635961049-foreign-exchange-leader-gft-deploys-clickatell-to-connect-traders-to-fast-paced-currency-market-prices-using-real-time-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"By providing for two-way interactive messaging, Clickatell ICM equips users with the tools they need to manage subscriber lists and content. Content can be text-only, or information linked from existing applications. Users have full control over their campaigns and services in real-time, making it easy to launch a once-off marketing campaign or to create a new service. Clickatell ICM provides a simple intuitive interface for real-time direction of both inbound and outbound messaging campaigns using keyword management. Examples of keywords include competitions, marketing campaigns and ringtones."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Since Clickatell uses its own SMS gateway product, which connects directly with the SMS infrastructure of mobile operators, the company can guarantee the delivery and receipt of bulk inbound and outbound SMS messages at the most competitive pricing. With message volumes, particularly in the field of premium-rated messaging, growing rapidly off an increasingly high base, many companies have the opportunity to earn revenue from new services and content. However, managing these campaigns without the proper tools can prove to be very difficult, with many service providers charging excessive fees to run messaging campaigns. Clickatell decided in June 2004 to give all revenue generated on premium rated campaigns to the companies running the campaigns and only charges a flat SMS handling fee, breaking from general practice in the mobile messaging arena. The revenue generated from premium rated messaging is usually split between the mobile operator, the client and the organization running the campaign."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The advantages of Clickatell ICM are: * Interactive campaign management. * Instant access and full control of campaigns anywhere, anytime. * Keyword and Sub-Keyword management. * Flexible and robust. * Comprehensive Subscription Management with opt-in and opt-out features. * Multiple-number support, including shared Shortcodes where available. * Content management including linking to external sources. * Multi-users with feature access control. * Bulk messaging capabilities. * Detailed reporting in real-time. Since not all countries offer premium rate messaging services, Clickatell ICM will initially be marketed to consumers in South Africa and the US. Other countries will follow later. Other Campaign Management Software and Custom Development: Clickatell's SMS application showcase features a number of applications that have been developed by independent parties who use the Clickatell Gateway. For example, Smessage, an interactive advertising campaign management tool, can help with marketing, advertising and function organisation. Clickatell's showcase also lists SMS Integrators & Solution Providers that can develop bespoke applications to meet a client's exact requirements. Clickatell's Application Showcase can be found at the following URL: http://www.messagingmarket.com"}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887565","slug":"new-clickatell-service-centre-at-the-heart-of-the-move","title":"New Clickatell service centre at the heart of the move","internalName":"New Clickatell service centre at the heart of the move","publishDate":"2005-03-07","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635964343-new-clickatell-service-centre-at-the-heart-of-the-move.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - The new location houses its head office and includes its finance, purchasing, marketing and technical development departments as well as a new 24-hour Customer Service Centre. Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Lawson commented: \"The new office facilities reflect the speed at which the company has expanded over the past 12 months. The relocation has now allowed us to improve on the quality of our team of highly skilled support personnel by enhancing the support and service we provide to our customers with a new 24/7 Customer Service centre.\" \"Clickatell continues to demonstrate its commitment to the mobile data industry by providing key coverage in markets critical to our continued success."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Next on the cards will be two new business sales offices situated in the UK and USA, which will enable us to continue to focus our energies on remaining the market leader. These two New Business Sales offices will boast a combination of highly qualified existing and new personnel,\" Lawson continued. Over the past two years, Clickatell has expanded considerably and now services numerous Fortune 500 companies and various other businesses around the globe. Managing Director, Pieter de Villiers, said: \"Our expansion has been a key driver of our need for additional space in not only South Africa, but the UK and US as well. These new offices will allow us to continue to invest in these key markets and allow us to be closer to the customers we serve around the globe, whilst still continuing with our aggressive growth of the company.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887596","slug":"the-evolution-of-the-mobile-transaction","title":"The evolution of the mobile transaction","internalName":"The evolution of the mobile transaction","publishDate":"2005-02-13","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635959822-istock74956629xxxlarge-mobileevolutionofretailjpg.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","marks":["strong"],"value":"Cape Town, South Africa"},{"type":"span","value":" - Yes, Mr Grove knows a thing or two about protecting a monopolistic position. Well, paranoia is probably what our Telecoms sector is experiencing as the 'revenue grab' continues with operators trying to sustain rocketing growth rates. Take this 'new' business channel called premium-rated SMS and short codes. It is a business model enabling third parties to utilise the mobile operator's billing relationship with its subscriber, allowing them to bill for goods, or more often 'content' (the preferred term, seeing that there are no banking licenses issued currently)."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This initiative from predominantly GSM operators around the world has created a whole new business opportunity for media owners and campaigners, as one of the holy grails sought by virtual retailers - 'micro billing' - became a reality. By publishing a short code (5 digit number) and its rate, any third party can collect money from the consumer. An SMS sent in such a campaign will be billed to the subscriber's phone. For example, should you wish to purchase a mobile game you merely send an SMS to a specified premium-rated number and the game will be delivered to your handset. Back to the paranoia argument: While Visa and Mastercard charge approximately 5% for handling a transaction, premium rate billing offered by mobile operators costs the campaigning party as much as 35%."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"This high cost is apparently justified because the network operator assists with the distribution function. In fact the model is called 'revenue share'. Mobile operators have taken great strides in making telephony available to the masses, but are stifling future growth with unsustainably high pricing models - and overhanging credit terms. For example, the revenue from a premium SMS campaign is paid out to the initiating party between 60 and 90 days after the campaign compared to 'immediately' by the likes of Visa and Mastercard. Meantime, the campaigner has incurred upfront costs to market and promote the offering. Another link in this value chain is of course the service provider (VAS or WASP), who also takes its share of revenue before passing it on to the campaigner."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"A service provider will typically charge the campaigner up to 10% of the band charge of the SMS, which again is hard to justify, as the function of switching a message should not get more expensive as the price of the band increases. Mobile operators and their service providers should embrace this great opportunity to facilitate communication and trade in the mobile environment. Fees should be charged in line with the service they render, not by the retail value. By exploiting the relationship, the whole industry pays a hefty price in lost growth opportunities. Are we as telecoms sector players doing enough to break down the barriers, and is there a true competitive spirit in the sector? \"I don't know.\" says Pieter de Villiers, Managing Director at Clickatell. \"But I do know that technology is continuing to reduce the cost of communications and billing. It is up to us to use these new channels with reduced costs to grow innovative business models - not cramp them.\" \"On that subject of paranoia: I think I like better that bumper sticker I read the other day: 'Just because you are paranoid it doesn't mean we are not going to get you.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887628","slug":"learn-to-walk-before-you-run","title":"Learn to walk before you run","internalName":"Learn to walk before you run","publishDate":"2005-01-23","seo":{"description":"Learn the essential steps to success with Clickatell's insightful article, \"Learn to Walk Before You Run.\" Discover valuable tips and strategies for building a strong foundation in mobile messaging and communication.","title":"Learn to Walk Before You Run: A Guide to Succeed In Mobile Messaging ","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635700392-zendesk-and-clickatell-answer-the-call-to-assist-it-help-desk-and-customer-support-staff-via-sms-service-alerts.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960538","name":"Mobile Marketing"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Yet today, we already have three such networks operational (courtesy of Sentech, WBS and Vodacom), with MTN and others set to follow shortly. So what has changed? Well quite a bit actually. Mobile operators have witnessed a rapid deregulation of the communications market in 2004, as well as the swift growth of alternative mobile data solutions such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and UMTS-TDD. When coupled with a growing need to further differentiate their services in a highly competitive market, operators have been spurred on to roll out 3G networks to ensure the growth of future revenues and market share. The big question is: will these rapid changes in the marketplace lead to equally rapid changes within your own company's business processes?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"At Clickatell, a leading international end-to-end mobile messaging provider, the launch of 3G networks is warmly welcomed as a potent new offering for mobile data solutions. However, as business leaders scurry to find out just where it will add value to their organisations, the company cautions those that are looking to run before they can walk. \"3G will deliver undoubted power, with connections of up to 384 kbps and the potential to scale to 2 mbps within two years as the technology develops,\" says Pieter de Villiers, Managing Director at Clickatell. \"However, from our vantage point as an experienced player in the mobile market, we would caution South African businesses from getting caught up in the hype that will undoubtedly surround 3G in the months to come."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"After all, the fundamental business rule about any new technology is not how powerful it is, but how it can add business value.\" De Villiers points out that the cost and complexity of 3G services is an issue, and will initially restrict them to only the very top end of the marketplace. \"Third generation technologies aren't cheap to roll out, as evident in the relatively high cost of the 3G service packages that network operators currently offer,\" he says. \"This, combined with the additional high cost and scarcity of 3G handsets, will without doubt constrain the initial uptake of 3G services to a few hundred thousand users ­ similar to the uptake of GSM technology in the first few years following roll-out.\" Another fundamental issue is the education of the marketplace around 3G services. As is the tendency with new technologies, initial marketing will focus on the 'novelty' aspect - things such as conducting video calls or viewing sports highlights on your handset. But just how practical are these functions in a business context?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Where is the business case for 3G? \"I believe there is undoubtedly a role within a business for 3G data services, allowing mobile workers greater depth in their communication with office-bound applications,\" comments De Villiers. \"It is when a business wishes to use 3G data services for communication outside of the business that I believe there will be issues and short term limitations. The strength of any communications network is governed by its size. Even if a business can afford 3G services, are the relevant parties it would wish to use 3G to communicate with able to? It is no use building a business model on a technology that over 95% of the target market has no access to.\""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In contrast, De Villiers points out that SMS as an external communications channel is a highly affordable technology that every mobile user has access to, whether they operate on GSM, GPRS or 3G. What's more, the proven capabilities of corporate messaging solutions from third party service providers allow a business to roll out and reach its entire target market with personalised communication within a matter of days. No wonder then, that countless large corporates already rely on corporate messaging as a core part of their one-to-one communication with customers. \"Getting to grips with and understanding corporate messaging is the foundation of any business's mobile data strategy, and undoubtedly the starting point for both the business and its customers in becoming accustomed to the mobile channel,\" concludes De Villiers. \"Whilst 3G most certainly holds great potential for the future, any business looking to provide mobile data services for its customers in 2005 would be well advised to stick with the proven credentials of corporate messaging. In other words, look beyond the hype, and learn to walk before you run.\""}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887638","slug":"vodacom-launches-mobile-developers-zone","title":"Vodacom launches Mobile Developers Zone","internalName":"Vodacom launches Mobile Developers Zone","publishDate":"2004-05-03","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635960722-clickatell-delivers-breaking-news-to-european-commission.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The all new connectivity centric Developer Zone ("},{"url":"http://www.vodazone.co.za/","type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.vodazone.co.za"}]},{"type":"span","value":") will enable developers and integrators of mobile applications to register, connect, test and deploy their SMS and MMS applications and services in real-time. The site also aims to provide the creators of mobile applications with an environment to cater for all their development needs by offering easy access to documentation, information, sample code, software and support. \"The launch of the Vodacom Developer Zone means that we are now able to offer developers, the opportunity to interface with Vodacom through a simplified process, allowing immediate SMS and MMS integration\" said Mr Mthobi Tyamzashe, Vodacom's Group Executive - Corporate Affairs. He added that having a web-contained environment would stimulate growth in the local and international developer communities."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Access to mobile data services such as alerts, mobile marketing, mobile content and premium-rated messaging has already benefited society and will continue to add value as we will be able to transact more, using our mobile phones. The new site includes a wide variety of benefits, including an advanced IP-based interface, that allows real-time connectivity to Vodacom's SMSC (Short Message Service Centre) and MMSC (Multi-Media Messaging Service Centre) infrastructure, allowing for real-time connectivity in a controlled and managed environment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In the final analysis Vodacom intends to increase its average revenue per user by increasing the number of applications and services on offer, through the Vodacom Developer Zone that enables simple, fast connectivity and deployment to developers around the world. The Vodacom Developer Zone will also allow Vodacom to select the \"best of class\" solutions for inclusion in a unique and innovative 3 rd Party Application Showcase, from where partnership, distribution and commercialisation deals may be forged. To view, register and find out more information on Vodacom's Developer zone, go to "},{"url":"http://www.vodazone.co.za/","meta":[{"id":"rel","value":"noopener noreferrer"},{"id":"target","value":"_blank"}],"type":"link","children":[{"type":"span","value":"www.vodazone.co.za"}]},{"type":"span","value":"."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887648","slug":"ethos-technology-acquires-an-interest-in-clickatell","title":"Ethos Technology acquires an interest in Clickatell","internalName":"Ethos Technology acquires an interest in Clickatell","publishDate":"2004-04-22","seo":{"description":"Discover the powerful partnership between Clickatell and Ethos Technology. Explore how this collaboration brings together industry-leading expertise and innovative technologies to deliver cutting-edge communication solutions.","title":"Clickatell Partners With Ethos Technology","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635961049-foreign-exchange-leader-gft-deploys-clickatell-to-connect-traders-to-fast-paced-currency-market-prices-using-real-time-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960538","name":"Mobile Marketing"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell partners with Ethos Technology"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell has been hugely successful in securing its brand and product offerings. Ethos' involvement as an anchor shareholder will provide Clickatell with a sound platform from which to build on its position as a market leader through product innovation and development as well as carefully targeted marketing."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"span","value":"Ethos Technology"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"According to Claudia Koch, CEO of Ethos Technology, \"two factors in our assessment of Clickatell persuaded us that the business represented an excellent investment opportunity: their clearly defined growth strategy in an emerging and rapidly growing global market segment, underpinned by their differentiation of broad connectivity and robust, supporting technology tools; and their young but exemplary executive management team, that displayed an unusual combination of maturity, focus, clarity, and passion in working through strategic and operational challenges.\" \"Ethos's portfolio strategy is to invest in high-growth technology companies that have a proven revenue model, solid customer base, and successful operating track record, so of course, we are extremely pleased with the partnership and proud of the endorsement given to us by Ethos."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"To have the backing of such an experienced and well-respected investor such as Ethos can only mean even bigger and greater things for Clickatell. The growing demand for mobile messaging solutions and integration systems remains extraordinarily strong and this partnership will enable us to exponentially increase our market share in this emerging space. The Ethos team has concluded this transaction in record time, confirming what is already widely recognized: Ethos is the venture capital partner of choice\", said Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. Notwithstanding the sale of their interest in Clickatell, pointBreak remains upbeat about Clickatell's prospects. \"We are proud of our association with Clickatell and we are convinced that Clickatell will go from strength to strength. Our investment in Clickatell exceeded our expectations and cement pointBreak's successful investment track record in a difficult investment market\", says Rein van Veen, director of the pointBreak."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887661","slug":"clickatell-places-south-africa-among-the-top-mobile-communication-countries-in-the-world","title":"Clickatell places South Africa among the top mobile communication countries in the world","internalName":"Clickatell places South Africa among the top mobile communication countries in the world","publishDate":"2004-03-04","seo":{"description":"Discover how Clickatell has positioned South Africa as a leading country in mobile communication. Explore their innovative solutions and the impact they have made in revolutionizing mobile interactions.","title":"Clickatell: Elevating South Africa's Mobile Communication Status","twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635961172-sms-highlights-from-president-obamas-ghana-speech-to-be-delivered-live-via-clickatell.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":{"id":"DatoCmsTaxonomyCategory-142960550","name":"SMS"},"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Having accepted the invitation of presenting the workshop at the largest GSM event in the world, Clickatell found themselves sharing centre stage with forerunning companies such as Motorola, Digital DNA, The Parlay Group, Symbian and Siemens Mobile, proving that South Africa is among the top countries when it comes to mobile communications. The 2004 Vodacom Mobile Connect event is aimed at promoting mobile applications, integration and usage in South Africa."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With panel discussions, case studies, workshops and exhibitions from South Africa's leading mobile solutions providers, it promises to inspire the business community with innovative mobile technologies. Clickatell's SMS workshop, presented by globally renowned messaging expert, Gary Cousins, will give a comprehensive overview of the SMS industry including the latest technologies, integration with Clickatell's carrier-grade SMS gateway through multiple protocols, technical features of SMS and the future of the mobile messaging industry in general."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With the news just being confirmed by the GSM Association, that there are now globally more GSM mobile handsets in daily use than the total number of personal computers and televisions combined, and that the number of mobile subscribers exceeded the number of fixed telephone lines for the first time in 2003, developers, programmers and industry players are advised not to miss out on attending the workshop as Clickatell will offer advice and information on how to globalise your offerings, by providing you with all the tools, insight and information you will need to build and integrate your mobile messaging application. Cape Town based SMS enabler Clickatell opened the floodgates for SMS applications in 2001, by providing simplified and reliable integration into carrier-grade message gateways."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"In the short space of a few years, this South African owned company grew rapidly and are now considered to be one of the leaders in the mobile communications industry with over 4,500 active developers connecting to their SMS gateway in order to SMS-enable their applications from all corners of the globe. As a leading end-to-end mobile data solutions provider, delivering services to developers and thousands of other clients in more than 180 countries, Clickatell's services include global message aggregation and delivery, messaging enablement and applications, and the provision of mobile developer-centric platforms, API's and toolkits."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Clickatell's clients, who include mobile networks, developers, application vendors and businesses, utilise their carrier-grade technology platform for immediate deployment of various solutions for consumers and businesses. Clickatell's global messaging gateway enables mobile text message delivery to over 550 mobile networks around the globe, all of whom benefit directly or indirectly from SMS generated from a large number of service providers and applications."}]}]}}}},{"id":"DatoCmsTemplatePressRelease-69887669","slug":"harnessing-the-power-of-sms","title":"Harnessing the power of SMS","internalName":"Harnessing the power of SMS","publishDate":"2004-02-25","seo":{"description":null,"title":null,"twitterCard":null,"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/54467/1635964841-harnessing-the-power-of-sms.jpg?auto=format"}},"featuredImage":null,"category":null,"secondaryCategories":[],"shortDescription":"","body":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Mobile communication has become the most widely used communication medium in the world. With each passing day, our lives are made easier in the delivery of services and products straight into the palms of our hands. The latest estimates are that over a billion SMS messages are sent every day around the world, and the figure keeps growing. Although the use of SMS for business purposes only makes up a smaller portion of the total SMS market, it has increased dramatically over the past year, and it's still growing."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"With more and more staff spending time out of the office or working at home-based offices, it's a cost effective and immediate way to communicate with them. It has also increased the level of relationships between companies and their customers, especially in the financial, retail and business service sectors. As a communications medium, SMS is the most cost-effective way of communicating to any mobile audience. Data is transmitted via different mobile channels than voice, and can be delivered to a handset at a fraction of a voice call."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"The fact that SMS can be sent out in bulk to large groups of recipients in a manual or automated manner further means that fewer resources are required to action the communication. As a micro-billing solution, SMS, and specifically premium rated SMS, has changed the way in which content and service providers interact with the consumer. Premium rated SMS has the advantage of opening up endless opportunities as a wide variety of new content and applications become available to consumers. The principle on which it is built is that a charge is levied to the mobile phone user who sends a message to a service provider. It is widely used for content delivery such as logos and ringtones, and subscription-based services such as stock quotes, sport and news alerts, etc. It can all sound very simple, but companies can find themselves getting totally bewildered by it all."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Different mobile operators will obviously have different policies based on message volumes, and all have different connection interfaces. So without the technical and commercial know-how, connecting directly with mobile operators can be a daunting task. But by connecting through to service providers, who already have the technical and commercial relationships with the mobile operators themselves, can make it a whole lot easier. So what should a business be looking for when choosing this type of communication medium and service provider? \"A definite answer would be value for money,\" comments Don Lange, Sales Manager for Clickatell. \"With Clickatell there are no hidden costs, our messages are priced aggressively and you only pay per message sent. All our software is free to download, so there are no setup fees or license fees involved. Plus we offer a global coverage to over 550 mobile networks.\" Clickatell's experience in the SMS field has allowed them to quickly advance to the status of a first-tier mobile messaging provider."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"They have repeatedly been the first choice for companies who believe in quality, and who prefer to deal with specialists when it comes to message delivery. Offering simple integration through multiple protocols, rapid delivery of messages, real-time message reporting and superior service levels, means that mobilising your business through Clickatell is far from a complex task."}]}]}}}}],"totalCount":145},"datoCmsComponentConversionPanel":{"id":"DatoCmsComponentConversionPanel-144120781","model":{"apiKey":"component_conversion_panel"},"newDesign":true,"background":"dark","eyebrow":"","heading":"Get in touch today!","headingSize":"Heading 1","variant":"Curved","curveType":"Concave","floatAbove":false,"floatBelow":false,"layout":"Split","conversionBody":{"blocks":[],"links":[],"value":{"schema":"dast","document":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"span","value":"Reach out to our PR team and and we will get back to you as soon as possible!"}]}]}}},"conversionReference":[{"id":"DatoCmsComponentCallToAction-144120812","model":{"apiKey":"component_call_to_action"},"label":"About 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