User:Wiki101101wiki/go2

go2

go2 Media is a mobile media company based in Boston, Massachusetts operating go2, a mobile entertainment guide. It reported in 2009 that it had more than 20 million unique visitors annually and over 4 million user visits each month from mobile users seeking movie times, concert information, local event listings and recommendations from go2’s national network of local editors. go2 has numerous ‘deck’ or menu placements on the wireless web menus of AT&T Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cricket Mobile, MetroPCS, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile. It has been ranked as a top 20 mobile Media brand by Nielsen Mobile since 2006.

History
Origin and 1999 Launch.

go2 was the first mobile, location-based yellow page directory and information service launched in the United States. go2 launched on November 29, 1999 with over 300 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) mobile websites. When it launched, each go2 mobile website was dedicated to a specific product or service category or customer (e.g. www.go2pizza.com or www.go2jiffylube.com). go2 was also the first mobile website to provide several local search features and capabilities. Upon visiting any of the go2 mobile websites, the first mobile web page displayed to users included a listing of the business locations related to the specific category (e.g. www.go2pizza.com) or business (e.g. wwws.go2jiffylube.com) ranked by proximity to a specific location. The location was either the last location designated by the user in the user’s last online or wireless go2 session or a new location selected by the user during the session. Locations were set precisely to a specific street address using a variety of methods (postal codes, street addresses, city names, cross streets, reverse phone number look-ups, or selected by the users from locations previously used and saved by the user and/or named by users using go2 Addresses). go2 Addresses were hierarchical shortcodes or other names designating specific locations for use as destination identifiers (e.g. BK for Burger King and MCD for McDonalds) pursuant to go2’s U.S. patented real-world location naming convention and clearinghouse. Upon selection of a specific destination, users were able to obtain detailed information about the location (address, hours, parking instructions, phone numbers, navigation landmarks, specials, etc.) and could also obtain one touch turn by turn directions from the designated starting point to the location or one touch calling.

In May, 2002, go2 and AT&T launched the world’s first mobile LBS application that used Automatic Location Identification (ALI) technologies mandated by the FCC. go2 users were able to use AT&T’s ALI to determine their location and search near that location to obtain a list of requested locations (stores, restaurants, etc.) ranked by proximity to the ALI provide by the AT&T wireless network.

go2 was founded by Lee Hancock, an inventor and early pioneer in the mobile, location based services industry. With initial venture capital backing by eCompanies Venture Group and Cendant Corp. in 2000, go2 was also funded by strategic investors SAIC, Amdocs, and Verisign in 2001. go2 initially incorporated ‘go2 Addresses’, effectively mobile shortcodes for registering, naming, designating and accessing specific locations, based on its patented technology invented by Lee Hancock and Peter Dana and developed with the assistance of Amdocs, SAIC and Verisign.

Early Accomplishments
As a pioneer in mobile, local search, go2 won many awards and was on the leading edge of mobile location-based services and mobile content/media industry. During 2000, 2001 and 2002, go2 powered on a white labeled basis all of the mobile local search results, information and mapping for the Microsoft mobile web portal provided to various U.S. wireless carriers. In February, 2000, go2 and ESRI announced an agreement to be the first companies to deliver maps over WAP Internet-enabled mobile phones. In March, 2000, go2 and Cendant Corporation announced the formation of a strategic alliance to establish mobile and online access to various go2 services, including www.go2daysinn.com, www.go2ramada.com, and www.go2travellodge.com. In December, 2000, go2 and Coca Cola announced a five-year strategic alliance to offer go2’s patented technologies and content rich directory and information services to Coca-Cola Fountain’s food service customers, which lead to go2 licensing its technology and services to McDonalds, Burger King, and dozens of other Coca-Cola distribution points totaling over 100,000 locations. go2 overall placements on U.S. wireless carriers was ranked No. 1 by the Yankee Group in September, 2000, ahead of Yahoo, MSN Mobile, AOL, Amazon, MapQuest and all others.

In 2002 the assets of go2 were acquired by an acquisition company controlled by Lee Hancock and other investors. Its patented technology, location naming convention and mobile shortcodes were temporary shelved and go2 began a transition from a mobile, local directory to a top 20 mobile media brand.

In March, 2007, go2 announced a strategic alliance with Yahoo, and in April, 2007, go2 powered the launch of the MasterCard’s first local search offering, MasterCard Nearby. In 2007, go2 also launched www.go2pets.com, a mobile website and information service dedicated to content and information relevant to pet owners, sponsored, exclusively sponsored by Purina and www.go2golf.com, a mobile website and information service exclusively sponsored by Acura.

In 2007 go2 sold its mobile media business to Boston based 80108 Media, backed by General Catalyst, but retained all of its intellectual property and related assets. 80108 Media changed its name to go2 Media and currently operates all of go2’s websites and business from its offices in Boston, MA. The prior go2 technologies and patents are now held and/or managed by Hancock Technology Partners Mgmt. Co., an early stage seed-fund and incubator focused on companies that are commercializing the original go2 patents and technologies.

Go2 is currently based in Boston, MA., and it’s President/CEO is Dan Smith.