Partners SapientNitro, part of Sapient (NASDAQ: SAPE), and aviation consulting firm SH&E, a subsidiary of ICF International (NASDAQ:ICFI), today announced the launch of a new joint venture: IONOS(TM) , a multichannel communications and marketing platform that blends an airport's realtime travel information with precisely targeted marketing messages for travelers.
IONOS uses a combination of website, mobile applications and inairport digital signage to convey highly relevant information to travelers while en route to the airport and throughout their airport experience.
The platform debuted on April 23 in partnership with Denver International Airport (DEN), featuring a robust website and a corresponding iPhone (and soon Blackberry) application called goHow(TM) Airport, available free at the iTunes store. Powered by IONOS, goHow Airport helps travelers gain control of their air travel experience by allowing them to track flights, receive reliable, realtime flight status alerts directly from the airport data feed, and search and rate airport amenities. IONOS also uses goHow Airport and other digital media to serve travelers targeted messaging based on time, location and other variables.
"When we began the process of developing a new website, we set three criteria: customer service, effective marketing of DEN's products and services, and increasing revenue," said Sally Covington, deputy manager of aviation, marketing and public relations at Denver International Airport. "We have successfully met all those criteria with our new FlyDenver.com and the goHow application for mobile devices."
"The unique crossplatform approach of IONOS transforms the often confusing and harried consumer travel experience into a seamless and pleasant one," said Ryan Scott, SapientNitro director, and chief architect of the platform. "With IONOS, we focus on two things: establishing command and control for the traveler, and amplifying the authoritative voice of the airport. Delivering information and realtime data across channels helps us bring back to the traveler that oftenlost feeling of excitement for the journey ahead."
SapientNitro and SH&E are in discussions with more than 50 airports worldwide.
In an airport powered by IONOS, like Denver, travelers have access to:
- Uptodate information about flight and gate checkin times directly from the airport and from FlightStats(TM) , providing full domestic and international flight coverage
- Security line wait times
- Precise maps of the airport terminals, including dining/shopping/entertainment options
- Weather information for both departure and arrival cities
- Highly targeted promotions customized to the traveler's gate location, time of day and departure/arrival cities
- Realtime ratings and reviews of airport concessionaires and facilities - and the ability to add their own
Through its different channels, IONOS reinforces airport branding, drives traveler satisfaction, and increases revenue per passenger. IONOS easily integrates into the airport's existing technical architecture, and has a unique advertising model that features the ability for airports to offer all their marketersboth large and smalla free baseline advertising program, in addition to targeted paid advertising, both using a patentpending targeting algorithm.
Targeted advertisers include inairport concessionaires, local travel services such as hotels and transportation companies, local metro businesses, and even national advertisers. Airports receive a share of advertising revenue through impressions, clickthroughs, and promotion redemptions. "The initial reception at Denver International and interest from other airports has been even stronger than we expected," said Christina Cassotis, vice president and leader of airport services at SH&E. "Airports are increasingly looking for ways to form a trusted relationship with travelers. IONOS provides them with this trusted connection, while also offering interesting new revenue streams per passenger by increasing the flow of foot traffic to retail storefronts and airport concessionaires, and through media sales on the IONOS platform." Recently, IONOS was showcased at the Airports Council International - Europe Airport Trading and Conference Exhibition in Malta.
IONOS operates either on a SaaS platform hosted by SapientNitro or installed at the airport. It leverages content management technology from SDL Tridion and realtime data from industry leader FlightStats.
Media: For a press kit on IONOS, including screen shots, email David LaBar (dlabar@sapient.com) or check the IONOS website at http://www.ionosplatform.com/.
Airports: For partnership inquiries, email Christina Cassotis (CCassotis@SH-E.com).
About SH&E, a subsidiary of ICF International
For 45 years SH&E has been dedicated to serving the air transportation industry, providing its aviation expertise to airlines, airports, governments, international agencies, manufacturers, and financial institutions. The company's core capabilities include airline strategy, planning, and operations; airport demand management, planning, and air service marketing; costbenefit analysis of environmental regulations; cargo studies; revenue management; appraisals, maintenance management, and asset management; safety and security audits; financial due diligence, and privatization, mergers, and alliances. In December 2007, SH&E's one hundredplus staff joined ICF International, further expanding its breadth of services, offerings, and expertise. SH&E's Web site is www.sh-e.com.
IONOS uses a combination of website, mobile applications and inairport digital signage to convey highly relevant information to travelers while en route to the airport and throughout their airport experience.
The platform debuted on April 23 in partnership with Denver International Airport (DEN), featuring a robust website and a corresponding iPhone (and soon Blackberry) application called goHow(TM) Airport, available free at the iTunes store. Powered by IONOS, goHow Airport helps travelers gain control of their air travel experience by allowing them to track flights, receive reliable, realtime flight status alerts directly from the airport data feed, and search and rate airport amenities. IONOS also uses goHow Airport and other digital media to serve travelers targeted messaging based on time, location and other variables.
"When we began the process of developing a new website, we set three criteria: customer service, effective marketing of DEN's products and services, and increasing revenue," said Sally Covington, deputy manager of aviation, marketing and public relations at Denver International Airport. "We have successfully met all those criteria with our new FlyDenver.com and the goHow application for mobile devices."
"The unique crossplatform approach of IONOS transforms the often confusing and harried consumer travel experience into a seamless and pleasant one," said Ryan Scott, SapientNitro director, and chief architect of the platform. "With IONOS, we focus on two things: establishing command and control for the traveler, and amplifying the authoritative voice of the airport. Delivering information and realtime data across channels helps us bring back to the traveler that oftenlost feeling of excitement for the journey ahead."
SapientNitro and SH&E are in discussions with more than 50 airports worldwide.
In an airport powered by IONOS, like Denver, travelers have access to:
- Uptodate information about flight and gate checkin times directly from the airport and from FlightStats(TM) , providing full domestic and international flight coverage
- Security line wait times
- Precise maps of the airport terminals, including dining/shopping/entertainment options
- Weather information for both departure and arrival cities
- Highly targeted promotions customized to the traveler's gate location, time of day and departure/arrival cities
- Realtime ratings and reviews of airport concessionaires and facilities - and the ability to add their own
Through its different channels, IONOS reinforces airport branding, drives traveler satisfaction, and increases revenue per passenger. IONOS easily integrates into the airport's existing technical architecture, and has a unique advertising model that features the ability for airports to offer all their marketersboth large and smalla free baseline advertising program, in addition to targeted paid advertising, both using a patentpending targeting algorithm.
Targeted advertisers include inairport concessionaires, local travel services such as hotels and transportation companies, local metro businesses, and even national advertisers. Airports receive a share of advertising revenue through impressions, clickthroughs, and promotion redemptions. "The initial reception at Denver International and interest from other airports has been even stronger than we expected," said Christina Cassotis, vice president and leader of airport services at SH&E. "Airports are increasingly looking for ways to form a trusted relationship with travelers. IONOS provides them with this trusted connection, while also offering interesting new revenue streams per passenger by increasing the flow of foot traffic to retail storefronts and airport concessionaires, and through media sales on the IONOS platform." Recently, IONOS was showcased at the Airports Council International - Europe Airport Trading and Conference Exhibition in Malta.
IONOS operates either on a SaaS platform hosted by SapientNitro or installed at the airport. It leverages content management technology from SDL Tridion and realtime data from industry leader FlightStats.
Media: For a press kit on IONOS, including screen shots, email David LaBar (dlabar@sapient.com) or check the IONOS website at http://www.ionosplatform.com/.
Airports: For partnership inquiries, email Christina Cassotis (CCassotis@SH-E.com).
About SH&E, a subsidiary of ICF International
For 45 years SH&E has been dedicated to serving the air transportation industry, providing its aviation expertise to airlines, airports, governments, international agencies, manufacturers, and financial institutions. The company's core capabilities include airline strategy, planning, and operations; airport demand management, planning, and air service marketing; costbenefit analysis of environmental regulations; cargo studies; revenue management; appraisals, maintenance management, and asset management; safety and security audits; financial due diligence, and privatization, mergers, and alliances. In December 2007, SH&E's one hundredplus staff joined ICF International, further expanding its breadth of services, offerings, and expertise. SH&E's Web site is www.sh-e.com.
