Zamano Explained

Zamano plc
Type:Public
Defunct:2018
Location City:Dublin
Location Country:Ireland
Key People:Ross Conlon, CEO (as of 2014)[1] John Rocket, chairman (as of 2012)[2]
Industry:Mobile technology, Online communications

Zamano plc was an Internet and mobile technology company based in Dublin.[3] [4] The company decided in February 2017 to bring their premium rate SMS business lines to a close by the end of 2017.[5] In November 2018, Zamano plc issued a press release stating that it was entering voluntary liquidation.[6] A liquidator was appointed in early 2019.[7]

History

The company was founded in 2000.[8] During 2002, Zamano reportedly partnered with RTÉ Interactive to launch several mobile and SMS-based games.[9] [10] Later in 2002, Zamano acquired Avoca's interactive SMS business. This provided the company with 10 premium rate SMS short codes covering four UK mobile networks.[11] [12]

In 2007, Zamano completed the acquisitions of Red Circle Technologies and Eirborne.[13] [14] [15] The company's IPO, in early 2007, coincided with these of acquisitions.[16] [17]

In 2011, Zamano announced an investment in a new entity called Newsworthie.[18] However, investment in Newsworthie was ended in October 2011 with outgoing CEO John O'Shea announcing that "As our investment capacity is limited, we intend focusing it entirely on opportunities related to our mobile expertise, and have suspended further investment in Newsworthie."[19] O'Shea departed the company as CEO in November 2011 and was replaced by interim-CEO Pat Landy in a temporary role.[20]

In April 2015, Zamano, signed a deal with Three mobile to allow the company's technology to be used as a conduit by e-commerce providers.[21]

In 2017 the company announced plans to close parts of its business,[5] and by September 2017 it was suggested that the company, following a management buyout, was considering investing in oil and gas exploration companies.[22] By late 2018, the company announced its liquidation,[6] and a liquidator was appointed in 2019.[7]

Products

Zamano offered products for mobile messaging, mobile payments and mobile advertising. Everneo was a division of Zamano that offered mobile and cloud video, video clubs, mobile games, apps, entertainment portals, ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers, SMS services, and IVR lines.

In November 2013, Zamano launched Message Hero, an online business SMS service available to customers in Ireland and the UK [23]

Recognition

Zamano appeared in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 from 2006 to 2009.[24] [25] [26] [27] This followed from coming second in Deloitte's "rising star" category in 2005.[28]

In 2002, Zamano was nominated for an Annual Global Mobile Award, in the Best Mobile Internet Application category for its TxT Manager.[29]

Controversy

On 4 February 2010, the UK phone service regulator PhonepayPlus fined and formally reprimanded Zamano £15,000 for breaching its terms and conditions in relation to unsolicited reverse-charge premium rate SMS messages. PhonepayPlus also ordered Zamano to issue refunds.[30] On 29 March 2012, Zamano was fined a further £35,000 by PhonepayPlus for breaching its terms and conditions in relation to unsolicited reverse-charge premium rate SMS messages.[31]

Between May 2012 and September 2013 Zamano received 587 complaints from consumers in relation to a competition service, "Play2Win". Consumers stated that they had received unsolicited, reverse-billed text messages and that they had not engaged with the service, or acknowledged engaging with the service but stated that they believed it was free. A Phonepayplus tribunal found that Zamano breached the Fairness and Misleading aspects of its code. Given repeated breaches of the code by Zamano, the tribunal imposed an increased fine of £40,000[32]

Notes and References

  1. Zamano Appoints New Chief Executive Officer . 21 January 2014 . Zamano . 30 June 2021.
  2. Zamano appoints new Chairman . 1 March 2021 . Zamano . 30 June 2012.
  3. News: Zamano starts trading on London's AIM . The Irish Times . 10 October 2006.
  4. News: Zamano is first 2007 listing on IEX . RTÉ News . 26 February 2007 .
  5. News: Zamano experiences major fall-off in revenue and profits. The Irish Times. 2017-10-12. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20171012203636/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/zamano-experiences-major-fall-off-in-revenue-and-profits-1.3235514. 12 October 2017. live. dmy-all.
  6. Web site: Zamano plc – In Voluntary Liquidation . zamano.com. 14 November 2018 . 13 February 2023 .
  7. Web site: Fallen mobile technology firm appoints liquidator . thetimes.co.uk . The Times . 12 January 2019 . 13 February 2023 .
  8. Web site: Zamano seeks AIM listing . Irish Times . irishtimes.com . 3 October 2006 . 13 February 2023 .
  9. News: Zamano launches new SMS game in conjunction with RTÉ . Breakingnews.ie . 9 October 2002 .
  10. News: Zamano inks new deal with RTÉ . ENN.ie . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120415011157/http://www.enn.ie/story/show/8655324 . 15 April 2012 .
  11. News: Avoca's interactive SMS business acquired by zamano . Business Library . 2002.
  12. News: Zamano scoops up UK SMS business . ENN.ie . 7 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120415011203/http://www.enn.ie/s/8829256 . 15 April 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  13. News: Zamano rings up another takeover . Goliath .
  14. News: Zamano expands markets with Red Circle buy-out . Breakingnews.ie . 26 November 2007 .
  15. News: Zamano takes flight with Eirborne . ENN.ie . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120415011209/http://www.enn.ie/s/10043724 . 15 April 2012 .
  16. News: Zamano takes aim for float . The Irish Independent . Ailish . O'Hora . 25 September 2006.
  17. News: Zamano makes debut on IEX . The Irish Independent . Emma . Kennedy . 27 February 2007.
  18. News: Restructured Zamono hopeful of stronger Q4 . IBTimes UK . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120429025953/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20110714/restructured-zamono-hopeful-of-stronger-q4_all.htm . 29 April 2012 .
  19. News: Zamano's losses slashed in H1 . Silicon Republic . 7 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111201123711/http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/23801-zamanos-losses-slashed-in . 1 December 2011 . live . dmy-all .
  20. News: Zamano chief to step down . The Irish Times . 6 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111026155115/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1021/breaking10.html . 26 October 2011 . live . dmy-all .
  21. News: Zamano signs deal with Three mobile to become 'billing partner'. The Irish Times. 2018-06-05. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20151217134848/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/zamano-signs-deal-with-three-mobile-to-become-billing-partner-1.2179940. 17 December 2015. live. dmy-all.
  22. News: Zamano may resurface as oil firm. 2017-09-28. 2017-10-12 . irishexaminer.com .
  23. News: Zamano launches Message Hero mobile marketing service . Digitaltimes.ie . 26 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150226141741/http://www.digitaltimes.ie/zamano-launches-message-hero-mobile-marketing-service/ . 26 February 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
  24. News: ZAMANO RANKED 5TH IN DELOITTE TECHNOLOGY FAST 50 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924010630/http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com/pressrelease.cfm?PRID=7157 . dead . 2015-09-24 . Fast Pitch Networking .
  25. News: Fast 50 Award Winners 2007 . Deloitte . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019124928/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_IE/ie/industries/tmt/technology-fast50-awards/d00633d0303fb110VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm . 19 October 2013 .
  26. News: Fast 50 Award Winners 2008 . Deloitte . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019124926/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_IE/ie/industries/tmt/technology-fast50-awards/6c9114fc2d10e110VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm . 19 October 2013 .
  27. News: Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award Winners 2009 . Deloitte . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019124931/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_IE/ie/industries/tmt/technology-fast50-awards/cae8a5dce4888210VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm . 19 October 2013 .
  28. News: Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award Winners 2008 . Zamano .
  29. News: Zamano's TxT nominated for industry award . Breakingnews.ie . 1 May 2002 .
  30. Web site: . 4 February 2010 . Zamano Solutions Ltd. CAS-01409-MZC34L Track 2 . 30 June 2021 . Phone-paid Services Authority.
  31. Web site: . 29 March 2012 . Zamano Solutions Ltd. CAS-04237-P71SR7 Track 2 . 30 June 2021 . Phone-paid Services Authority.
  32. Web site: . 23 January 2014 . Zamano Solutions Ltd. 09739 Track 2 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729062905/http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/For-Business/Adjudications/2014/1/Zamano-Solutions-Ltd-09739-Track-2-19669BE3-E079-E311-8869-4EFAAEEBB3B0.aspx . 29 July 2014 . 22 July 2014 . . dmy-all.

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