• December 19, 2000

SoundBite Communications, a start-up company with a breakthrough approach to personalized instant communications, announced today that Budget Rent a Car is among the initial advertisers on its 1-800-SOUNDBITE service. SoundBite's telemail service, 1-800-SOUNDBITE, allows consumers to send free voice messages to one or more recipients anywhere in the continental U.S. Each message is accompanied by a brief advertisements that allow consumers to immediately take action such as subscribe to a newspaper, sign up for rewards programs or simply find out more information about a product or service. By advertising on 1-800-SOUNDBITE, advertisers such as Budget are able to customize advertisements and better interact with interested consumers who want to quickly respond to an ad.

SoundBite worked with Budget Rent a Car to develop two campaigns for SoundBite users: "Perfect Drive" and "Fastbreak." A brief lead-in advertisement mentions one of the programs, with an option for consumers to press a button to hear an extended ad and learn more about Budget's rewards programs

Users dial 1-800-SOUNDBITE, speak a message, and enter one or more recipients' phone numbers. The message is sent to recipients who pick up their phone and listen to the message -- in the real voice of the sender -- and then can reply, forward or save the message in a manner similar to email. If the recipient is not available, the SoundBite service automatically leaves the message in their voice mail or answering machine, or calls back if the line is busy. With the voice activated Address Book feature, users can store numbers, create groups, and send SoundBites just by speaking names.