Newspaper & Mailroom
USA TODAY Launches Instant Message News Alerts and Search Function
Thursday 10. April 2008 - USA TODAY announces the launch of a brand new instant message-based application. Available initially to users of AOL's AIM service, the largest instant messaging service in the U.S., users will be able to search current and archived USATODAY.com headlines and set up real-time news alerts via instant message.
USA TODAY’s instant message bot was developed by InfiniteAgent, a leading provider of instant messaging and SMS logging services.
“USA TODAY continues to find ways to reach news consumers wherever they are and it is clear that a substantial number of them are using instant messaging platforms to share and receive information,” said Jeff Webber, publisher of USATODAY.com. “By providing real-time news through AIM we continue to provide our readers with the information they want through an innovative platform.”
To access the application users may visit imalerts.usatoday.com or log on through AIM. Once logged into the AIM service, users should add “USA TODAY” to their AIM Buddy Lists. AIM users may input key words into their dialogue windows; when stories are published on USATODAY.com containing those words, AIM users will receive an instant message with a headline, article summary and link back to the complete story. Readers may also use the interactive service to browse and search current and archived USATODAY.com headlines.
“Real-time alerting is a powerful asset to any publishing or relationship-building strategy,” said Jonathan Lieberman, managing partner at InfiniteAgent. “We’re pleased to launch this new service with a partner like USA TODAY that is committed to expanding its audience through new touch-points.”
InfiniteAgent is a pioneer in the hosted application space. Since 1996 the company has provided exclusively hosted, enhanced service layers for enterprise applications, instant messaging and SMS focusing on large-scale services for alert processing and triggering, customer service and intelligent agents. The company also provides a set of web-based tools to build applications on its suite. InfiniteAgent’s latest products focus on managing IM and SMS for the consumer and business markets through its AlwaysOn services, www.AO.IM and a new business-centric social networking platform to debut in the second quarter of 2008.