VoIP marketing specialist TMONE takes over MCI call center

(I-Newswire) January 3, 2006 - Iowa City, IA Jan. 3rd � TMONE (http://www.TMone.com/), an Iowa direct marketing firm, today announced its occupancy of a 300 seat facility formally utilized by telecommunications goliath MCI. The marketing company specializes in acquiring new subscribers for VoIP (voice over internet protocol) an emerging voice and data communications technology (a.k.a. digital phone service) that enables users to transmit voice and data over broadband internet connections substantially reducing the cost of phone service and achieving added functionality not available through POTS (plain old telephone service). The facility marks another expansion for TMONE whose growth will continue to support the VoIP industries press to acquire new subscribers over the next five years. Employing multiple channels to acquire new subscribers, TMONE's direct response focused marketing solution is comprised of contact center services, direct mail, internet marketing and above the line advertising media. The 27,000 square foot state of art facility is designed to acquire up to 50,000 telecom and information service subscribers a month at full capacity and support millions of customers. The layout of the facility can be viewed at http://www.TMone.com/iowa-city.
VoIP (voice over internet protocol) subscriber counts have grown rapidly over the last year (approximately 4 million subscribers at the end of 2005) and according to the comparative estimates of industry observers the aggressive rate of growth is expected to continue over the next five years culminating at over 54 million subscribers lines by the end of 2010. Leading the way to mass adoption in the consumer market are companies like 8x8 (Packet8), SunRocket, and Vonage that developed VoIP solutions early on and have been aggressively marketing in 2005. Entering into the fray are some noteworthy arrivals whose size and resources validate the hype surrounding the new technology. Bellsouth (powered by Packet8), Verizon - MCI, SBC - AT&T and Qwest Communications all major ILEC's (independent local exchange carriers) have announced the launch of VoIP solutions. MSO's (multiple service operators) Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox, Videotron, Charter, Comcast, and Mediacom are also bundling VoIP phone service with other service offerings. Other 2005 VoIP announcements are internet moguls Google (Google Talk), Microsoft, EBay (Skype), AOL (TotalTalk), and Yahoo! This commitment to a strong VoIP play by the ESP's (enhanced service providers), ILEC's, MSO's, ISP's (internet service providers), and dot-coms is writing on the wall for TMONE who has been preparing to support VoIP marketing efforts since the companies launch.
TMONE was founded in 2002 by Anthony Marlowe, President and John Burchert, COO after a successful tenure operating contact center services for Fortune 500 telecom provider MCI. The company has been actively marketing on behalf of telecom providers & information service providers since inception and has been at the forefront of VoIP customer acquisition in 2005. Driving the marketing company to new heights is a talented management team that boasts over 100 years of combined experience direct marketing telecommunications. The management lineup and company history created a natural niche for TMONE and has piloted it to support the budding VoIP market. Key to TMONE's integrated marketing solution is their expertise in contact center services which enabled the company to field a unique multi-channel approach designed specifically for VoIP. The innovative solution is responsible for successfully acquiring a significant number of new VoIP subscribers for some of the industries most prominent service providers. Among the clientele that will benefit from the expansion is leading Santa Clara, CA based VoIP and videophone communications provider 8x8, Inc (NASDAQ: EGHT) who contracted TMONE in August of 2005 to provide direct response marketing and contact center services for their suite of Packet8 business and residential internet phone and video phone service offerings.
"The new facility is indicative of the fact that VoIP has transitioned to mass market adoption. IPTV, Wi-Fi and other related technology will follow suit quickly. This sets the stage for true consumer and small business choice in voice and video communications." said Anthony Marlowe, President.
TMONE's project management division supports a wide range of ancillary marketing channels used to acquire subscribers for its clientele, and will also be located out of the new facility. TMONE capitalizes on its direct marketing and teleservices expertise with service offerings that add value to its basic acquisition package and allows clients to customize their integrated marketing with wholesale advertising passed though by TMONE. The additional services and marketing media are managed by TMONE and implemented with existing database marketing and contact center services in mind. Offerings include dedicated inbound tele-sales, customer winback, customer retention, welcome calls/up-sell, web collaboration and project management of supplementary direct marketing channels and above the line advertising media such as the internet, radio and television.
"We are happy to locate ourselves in Iowa City and the old MCI facility is a perfect fit," said John Burchert, COO. "TMONE will be immediately adding over 200 jobs to the Iowa City - Cedar Rapids technology corridor many of which will require the same skill sets as the positions eliminated by MCI. We will continually grow until we level off close to 1000 employees."
Pulling from the telecom talent pool left by MCI and the University of Iowa is part of TMONE's strategy. "Iowa City is a great town and a great place for our business. We hope to reciprocate positive things to the community. It is easy to understand why FORBES (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005) ranks Iowa City in its Top 10 best places," said Corey Poulsen.
About TMONE
Located in eastern Iowa, TMONE (http://www.TMone.com) has multiple locations that serve as the hub for the companies marketing list (http://www.discount-lists.com), call center services, and project management divisions. TMONE is a leading provider of inbound and outbound call center services and direct response marketing. Specializing in new customer acquisition, the call center consults and provides services to MSO's, ESP's, Cable Co's, ILEC's, RBOC's, UNEP CLEC's, ISP's Satellite and VoIP providers in search of new customer acquisition, and lead generation services. The companies' project management division is unique in its ability to execute and coordinate mass marketing efforts utilizing database marketing, inbound and outbound tele-sales, internet marketing, direct mail and above the line media.
For additional company information, visit TMONE's web site at http://www.TMone.com.
SOURCE: TMONE
CONTACT: Ethan Z. Davis
Phone: 1-877-868-2586
E-Mail: Info@TMone.com
Web site: http://www.TMone.com
Attached Media: http://www.TMone.com/iowa-city

Company Contact Information
TMONE