Handmark and STATS Expand Sports Coverage in Pocket Express
-- Partnership adds depth and global content to the best free mobile sports news service --
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – September 6, 2007 -Building on its mission to provide the best news, sports, and weather services for wireless handhelds, Handmark® today announced a new strategic agreement with STATS LLC, the world’s leading sports information provider. The new sports content from STATS is available to sports fans using the new Pocket Express that was recently updated with OAG®, Official Airlines Guides and other services essential to the mobile professional.
STATS maintains a global network of reporters who cover 85 sports leagues and more than 55,000 events a year. Covering every pitch, snap, shot and goal in extensive detail, STATS provides Handmark with up-to-the-minute information and data from its proprietary databases. In addition to live, in-game sports scores, statistics and schedules, STATS coverage in Pocket Express also includes AP editorial content and breaking sports news and AP award-winning sports photography.
“We’re committed to a comprehensive one-stop for mobile consumers where they can quickly and easily discover information they need no matter what their location,” said Douglas Edwards, Handmark Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “With more than 25 years of experience in sports data collection and reporting, we are confident that STATS is the best partner to help us deliver on our promise of the fastest, most reliable sports information to Pocket Express customers worldwide.”
In addition to the major North American sports leagues, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NFL and NHL, Pocket Express will soon add major European football leagues including the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, France and Spain’s First Division, and Germany's Bundesliga.
“Handmark is a proven leader in mobile media and we are very confident our worldwide sports information portfolio will be a great asset to their Pocket Express product,” said Steve Byrd, STATS LLC’s Executive Vice President. “Everyone at STATS looks forward to working with Handmark on Pocket Express as well as future innovations down the road.”
The new Pocket Express Travel Edition features free, unlimited access to news, sports, weather, and travel information. Unlimited access to Directory Search, Movies, Stocks, and more is also available for just a few extra pennies every day. Customers can download Pocket Express at www.pocketexpress.com.
About Handmark
Handmark® is a global leader in the development and distribution of mobile media, focused on creating and delivering consumer-friendly access to the best news, reference, and information content for mobile phones and other wireless handhelds including BlackBerry®, Palm® Treo™, Symbian and Windows Mobile® devices. Handmark signature products, including the award-winning Pocket Express™, transform ordinary handsets into powerful business and entertainment tools. The company manages distribution partnerships around the world with major device manufacturers and operators. These partnerships, along with its technology and distribution relationships with CNN International, The Associated Press, Oxford University Press, Hasbro, MobiTV, TV Guide, EA Mobile and Zagat Survey as well as all major U.S. mobile operators, play a large part in the company’s growth and success. Handmark has offices in Kansas City (world headquarters); London, UK; San Francisco; Atlanta; New York; and Dallas. For more information, visit www.handmark.com.
About STATS LLC
With more than 25 years experience in mission critical sports data collection, processing and distribution - STATS is the world's leading sports information, content and statistical analysis company. STATS offers a world-wide portfolio of sports information solutions - including the company’s hallmark of real-time scores, historical sports information and turnkey fantasy sports operation along with AP editorial content, breaking sports news and photos. STATS’ innovative sports information solutions are utilized in numerous business segments: professional teams; sports broadcast production, cable and satellite networks; interactive television; broadband, wireless and internet; game developers and fantasy sports providers; print media and wire services. STATS has offices in Bangalore, Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Milan, Mumbai, Münster, New York, The Hague and Tokyo.www.stats.com
###
