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| Company // Corporate Highlights |
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| 2008 |
Wizzard Media Collaborates with Adobe to Distribute Video Podcasts Via Adobe Media Player
Wizzard announced in April their relationship with Adobe. Wizzard is working together with Adobe to distribute
high-quality video content from the Wizzard Media Network through the new Adobe® Media Player. The Adobe Media
Player is the first application built on Adobe AIR™ software, the cross operating system application runtime
that extends rich Internet applications (RIAs) to the desktop. The first installment of content from the Wizzard Media
Network will include The Hilary Duff Video Podcast, Tiki Bar TV, Hot for Words, Average Betty, Hawaii Surf Session Report, Midwest Teen Sex Show, Lynchland, and Underbelly, with more content coming soon.
Wizzard Media Partners With YouTube
Also in March, Wizzard announced that it signed a content licensing and advertising agreement with YouTube™.
Wizzard's new YouTube channel, which can be found at www.youtube.com/wizzarddottv, will showcase the best video content from the Wizzard Media Network, targeted at a wide range of niche audiences. Featured shows will include Emmy-nominated programs from the iClipx Extreme Sports Catalog, in addition to other premium video programming from multiple content producers across a variety of categories.
Wizzard Media Delivers First-Ever International Geo-Targeted Podcast Advertising Campaign for Play UK Internet
In March, PlayUKinternet.com has launched their first-ever international geo-targeted podcast advertising campaign
to showcase one of their ticket purchasing sites, PlayEuroMillions.com, on the Wizzard Media Network. Launched on
February 15, the three month campaign is aimed at audiences around the globe in Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Italy, encompassing over half a million ad impressions delivered across a select group of audio podcasts on the network.
Wizzard Media Closes Second Podcast Ad Deal with U.S. Navy™
The U.S. Navy launched a second podcast advertising campaign on the Wizzard Media Network. The eight-month campaign, which launched January 25, is a recruitment effort targeting medical professionals or those wanting to enter the medical field, and will cover over 74,500 ad impressions each month of the campaign.
Wizzard Begins Trading on American Stock Exchange
On February 7, Wizzard hit a company milestone by announcing its common shares had become available for trading
on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "WZE".
Two-Time Emmy Nominee Skip Fredricks Joins Wizzard Media as Sr. VP, Content Programming
In January, Skip Fredricks, atwo-time Emmy nominee for production/direction, joined Wizzard Media
as Senior Vice President of Content Programming. In this newly-created position, Fredricks is
responsible for the development, acquisition and packaging of high level, professionally produced content,
and securing sponsorship deals for worldwide distribution.
Wizzard Media Launches Latest Innovation in Online Advertising
In January, Wizzard and Libsyn announced the new version of the LibsynPRO 2.0 was in beta usage by a
select group of major media companies. LibsynPRO takes all the best features of the Libsyn independent
publishing system and presents enhanced elements to support the demands of big business. The latest version
of LibsynPRO 2.0 incorporates Wizzard Media's one-of-a-kind dynamic advertising insertion system, which will
allow for sophisticated ad campaign management to be extended to Libsyn's high-profile corporate clients.
Wizzard Media Distributes Record-Breaking One Billion Downloads in 2007
Wizzard started off 2008 by announcing the company recorded an unprecedented one billion podcast
download requests in 2007, a milestone for Wizzard Media, its podcasting clients and the entire podcasting
industry. Wizzard Media, comprised of premier podcast-hosting services Libsyn, Switchpod and Blast Podcast,
received an average of 2.75 million requests for podcast episodes per day in 2007, a nearly 300% increase
over the daily average in 2006. |
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| 2007 |
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Libsyn and Wizzard Media V.P.'s Elected to Association for Downloadable Media
Libsyn VP of Sales Chris MacDonald was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of the ADM. In this position,
he will direct ADM's efforts to facilitate the rapid expansion of downloadable media and encourage advertisers to follow the current, fast-growing consumption trends of online, portable and at-home audiences. Wizzard's VP of Podcaster Relations Rob Walch was elected as the Committee Chair for Education & Outreach and will work to coordinate and drive the ADM's efforts to spread the word about the benefits of podcasting and downloadable media to agencies and mainstream media.
Wizzard Media Partners with Dailymotion as Premium Content Provider
In mid-December, Wizzard announced today their selection to join Dailymotion's MotionMaker Program
as a premium content provider. Dailymotion is the world's largest independent provider of premium user-generated and licensed online video entertainment.Original video podcasts from the Wizzard Media Network are
featured within the MotionMaker section on Dailymotion's site. Highlighted content includes some of the
highest-quality and most popular video podcasts from the Wizzard Media Network such as Tiki Bar TV, Joe Cartoon,
The Quincy Jones Show, and The Official Hilary Duff Podcast. Wizzard Media joins many other well-known premium
content providers who distribute with Dailymotion, including Universal, Turner Broadcasting Europe, Sí TV and Comedy Time.
Wizzard Software CFO named Pittsburgh "CFO of the Year"
In November, CFO John Busshaus was selected as "2007 CFO of the Year" in the public company category by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The award was handed out at the publication's annual ceremony held on November 7 at Pittsburgh's William Omni Penn Hotel. Busshaus was chosen from a group of five finalists in his respective category by an independent panel of judges. The finalists were narrowed from a field of 80 nominees from the Pittsburgh region. Judging criteria included the nominee's career achievements and contributions to the company's growth, profitability and other aspects of corporate management.
Wizzard Announces Record Revenue Growth
Once again, the Company recorded record revenues of $1,468,476 during the third quarter ending September 30, 2007, a 79% increase from revenues of $819,590 in the third quarter of 2006. For the nine month period ending September 30, 2007, Wizzard recorded revenues of $3,622,499, a 64% increase over revenues of $2,204,027 for the same period in 2006.
Wizzard Media Inks Podcast Ad Deal with U.S. Navy
In November, Wizzard Media announced today that the U.S. Navy signed on for its first-ever podcast advertising campaign. The campaign is set to run from Nov. 1 and through the end of January 2008. It encompasses 20 different shows in the Wizzard Media network covering the categories of music, gaming and sports & recreation. To execute the buy, Wizzard was faced with its most extensive insertion order to date. The Navy's 20-podcast campaign includes more than 3,000 ad placements across 1,200-plus individual audio and video podcast episodes encompassing over 17 million, multiple ad insertions in each show to help the Navy reach highly fragmented target audiences.
Wizzard Media Taps Virtus Media Sales as West Coast Rep for Podcast Ad Sales
In October, Wizzard Media retained Virtus Media Sales to handle West Coast sales representation. Based in Los Angeles, Virtus Media Sales (www.vmsales.net) is an independent media sales and marketing company representing a diverse group of media companies. This served as another step in growing Wizzard Media's nationwide sales force.
Wizzard Software CEO Named Pittsburgh's "Best Value CEO"
Wizzard's CEO Chris Spencer was been named "Best Value CEO" by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The Pittsburgh Business Times is part of American City Business Journals, the nation's largest publisher of metropolitan business newspapers. To determine who earned this achievement, the Business Times performed a study ranking 35 CEOs of local public companies. The study was conducted by comparing a number of factors to determine how CEO pay connects with company performance. For CEO pay, the study used the most recent fiscal year compensation, including salary, bonuses and non-equity incentive plan compensation. For company performance, the Business Times looked at several commonly acknowledged measures of a company's performance: revenue growth, return on equity, stock growth (from the beginning to the end of the fiscal year), and earnings growth (as compared to revenue growth.) Also notable, Wizzard Software ranked at the top in terms of revenue growth and fifth in stock price increase out of the 35 companies included in the study. Wizzard Announces Changes to Board of Directors
Wizzard Software announced changes to the Company's Board of Directors in early October. The Board accepted the resignations of Armen Geronian and Gordon Berry, effective October 3, 2007. Geronian and Berry resigned for the sole purpose of facilitating the creation of a Board of Directors consisting of a majority of independent directors, allowing Wizzard to become compliant with the mandates set forth by the American Stock Exchange in its efforts to secure a listing. Geronian will continue to serve as Wizzard's Chief Technology Officer and Berry will continue to oversee the Company's healthcare operations. Immediately upon these resignations, the Board unanimously appointed three new independent board members to Wizzard's Board of Directors: Greg Smith, an award-winning producer and entrepreneur with over 10 years of significant experience in television; Douglas Polinsky, President of Great North Capital Corp., a Minnesota-based financial services company; and Denis Yevstifeyev, a CPA who currently serves as a Sr. Financial Reporting Analyst for American Eagle Outfitters. Wizzard Media Partners with Veoh.com to Launch Featured Channel
In September, Wizzard Media launched a Featured Channel on Veoh.com, an innovator in internet television and one of the first internet TV sites to distribute high definition streaming video content. Found on Veoh's Featured Channel pages, the Wizzard Media Channel will include programming from a select group of high-quality, popular video podcasts, such as The Quincy Jones Show, Tiki Bar TV, RipCurl, Lynchland, The Movie Review and many more.
Wizzard's Podcast Download Data to be Certified Using Nielsen//NetRatings
In a landmark event, Wizzard announced in September that it will implement Nielsen//NetRatings' SiteCensus solution to certify download data. With this relationship, Wizzard Media will be able to use Nielsen//NetRatings data to verify the scope of audiences for participating podcasts.
Wizzard Records 83% Revenue Growth and Other Second Quarter Highlights
Once again, Wizzard recorded record revenues, recording $1,428,097 during the second quarter ended June 30, 2007, an 83% increase from revenues of $782,046 in the second quarter of 2006 and a 97% increase over revenues in the first quarter of 2007 ($725,926). For the six month period ended June 30 2007, Wizzard recorded revenues of $2,154,023, a 56% increase over revenues of $1,384,437 for the same period in 2006.
Wizzard Signs Tiki Bar TV and Keith and The Girl for Exclusive Advertising Partnerships
Wizzard Media entered into exclusive advertising partnerships with two popular comedy podcasts, Tiki Bar TV and Keith and The Girl. Under the individual agreements with Keith and The Girl and Tiki Bar TV, Wizzard Media will secure advertising campaigns from national brands appropriate to each show's content. In addition, Wizzard Media will be dedicated to providing each program with marketing and content development support to expand the shows' audiences.
Wizzard Files Application to List Shares on the American Stock Exchange
In August, Wizzard announced that the Company has filed an application with the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) to make its stock eligible for listing on AMEX. The American Stock Exchange lists over 700 companies and is the world's second largest auction-marketplace. Wizzard has determined the Company meets the initial application prerequisites set by the AMEX. However, Wizzard's listing on AMEX is contingent upon application approval and the Company's compliance with all other listing requirements. There is no assurance that the application will be approved. During the approval process, which takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks to complete, Wizzard will continue to trade as "WIZD" on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board.
Quincy Jones Goes Digital with Wizzard Media
In July, Wizzard Media announced an exclusive partnership with Quincy Jones, music legend and now, podcast impresario. As part of Quincy's partnership with Wizzard Media, the Company will partner Quincy with ad campaigns from leading national brands and provide marketing and content development support.
Wizzard Signs Leading Language Podcast to Exclusive Advertising Partnership
Wizzard signed Learn Spanish-Survival Guide, a top-ranked podcast in iTunes, to an exclusive advertising partnership with the Wizzard Media Network. Wizzard will work to market and promote Learn Spanish, as well as secure relevant, national advertising campaigns.
Wizzard Media Expands Ad Sales Division
In July, Wizzard announced that the ad sales division expanded further into New York and Detroit. Joining the Wizzard Media sales team are Marie Isabelle and Athena (Tina) Basle in New York and John Moran in Detroit. Their collective ad sales experience encompasses television, print, direct response and interactive.
Wizzard Secures $7.5 Million in Equity Financing
Wizzard kicked off the third quarter by announcing $7.5 million equity financing from four institutional investors.
Wizzard Media Lands on iTunes™
Wizzard closed out the second quarter by announcing their selection as a Featured Provider in iTunes. Located in the Featured Providers area on the homepage of the iTunes Podcast Directory, Wizzard Media's Channel showcases a select group of podcasts hosted by Libsyn, Switchpod and Blast Podcast, which together make up the Wizzard Media Network. Wizzard Media joins other iTunes Featured Providers such as ABC News, CNN, Comedy Central, ESPN and VH1.
Wizzard Announces 21% Revenue Growth
Wizzard recorded revenues of $725,926 during the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, a 21% increase from revenues of $602,391 in the first quarter of 2006. The growth in the first quarter of 2007 was driven by increased revenues in their speech technology business, the talking pill bottle and the addition of the Liberated Syndication operation (podcasting) in the last month of the quarter. The Company's speech technology (software) business grew 48% when compared to the first quarter of 2006, and 40% compared to the last reported quarter (Q4 2006). Wizzard posted a gross profit of $257,333 during the first quarter of 2007, versus a gross profit of $224,853 in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 14%. Cash on hand was $1,974,801 at March 31, 2007, a 586% increase ($1,687,278) over the $287,523 on hand on March 31, 2006.
Wizzard Media Achieves Landmark Podcast Downloads
In May, Wizzard Media announced its network distributed over 70,000,000 podcast episodes in March to an audience of millions in the U.S. and around the world. In the first quarter of 2007, Wizzard Media's network growth surpassed 50% of the 360,000,000 episodes it distributed in all of 2006 for its 8,000 independent and corporate clients. Daily requests for its publisher's shows surpassed 2,300,000 episodes per day.
Wizzard Software Hires VP of Sales to Lead Wizzard Media's Advertising Sales
In April, 30-year ad sales veteran Jim Else joined Wizzard Media as Vice President of Sales to lead the company's growing new media sales operations. In this key position, Mr. Else will work with the Wizzard Media team to expand their advertising clientele, build and maintain customer relationships and lead the advertising sales team in strategic sales initiatives with the goal of monetizing podcasts and creating new opportunities for content creators and advertisers.
Wizzard Software Acquires Second Home Healthcare & Staffing Agency
Wizzard completed the acquisition of Professional Nursing Personnel Pool (PNPP), a successful home healthcare and professional staffing agency located in Billings, Montana. PNPP's staff will work closely with Interim Healthcare of Wyoming, increasing staffing capabilities and client base to create the largest home healthcare agency in their geographic market.
Wizzard Software's WizzTones Product Selected for the Skype Extras Gallery
In April, WizzTones, Wizzard's premiere software application for Skype™, was selected to be included in the latest version of the Skype software. The WizzTones application can be found under "Personalized" in the Get Extras section in every download of Skype 3.0 for Windows or later.
Record Revenues for 2006 Announced
During 2006, Wizzard recorded record revenues of $2,943,578, an increase of $1,249,503, or approximately 73%, from revenues of $1,694,075 in 2005. This increase was due in part to increased revenues from Rex the Talking Bottle. Wizzard generated a gross profit of $1,064,115 in 2006, versus a gross profit of $703,070 in 2005, an increase of 51%.
Hilary Duff Teams with Wizzard Media for Podcast Distribution
Hilary Duff, internationally celebrated multi-platinum, chart-topping recording artist, headlining concert performer, actress, designer, philanthropist and businesswoman, has teamed with Wizzard Media to host and distribute her podcasts. Hilary's podcast can be found on Apple's iTunes or at Switchpod.com, and on Hilary's recently re-launched hilaryduff.com. The Hilary Duff Video Podcast presents a sneak peak into Hilary's exciting entertainment and business ventures. The latest episodes feature personal messages from Hilary on location in London and Milan. In recent weeks, the podcasts have been consistently ranked in the top 100 most popular podcasts on iTunes and reached the #1 spot of iTunes' Fashion and Beauty category.
XA Interactive Enters into Exclusive Strategic Alliance with Wizzard Media to Expand Marketing Reach for Event Promotion
XA Interactive, a subsidiary of XA Inc., (XA) (OTC BB: XAIN), a major national event marketing firm that serves many Fortune 500 companies, entered into a strategic alliance with Wizzard Media, the world's largest podcasting service and part of Wizzard Software (OTCBB: WIZD), to enhance its service offerings for their Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 clients. With this important partnership, Wizzard Media will assist XA in providing their clients with new social media marketing channels through the creation and marketing of digital content, such as podcasts and web video, adding a cutting-edge advantage to their marketing and public relations efforts. XA will be the exclusive content provider for the event marketing industry in the Wizzard Media distribution network.
Wizzard Software and MedivoxRx Technologies Announce Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle Selected for Inventables Innovation Center
In March, Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle was included in the 2nd quarter edition of the Innovation Center, a quarterly updated technology library designed to introduce, educate, and inspire companies to create new materials and technologies. Each quarterly update contains 20 different, innovative and inspiring technologies. Innovation Center is produced by the Chicago-based company Inventables, whose goal is to help companies innovate by bringing inspiring ideas to designers and engineers of large consumer product companies. Inventables' impressive customer base includes Nike, BMW, Glaxo-Smith Kline and Proctor & Gamble.
Wizzard Creates World's Largest Podcasting Distribution Network and Introduces Wizzard Media, a New Division for High Growth Podcasting Business
In early March, Wizzard announced the signing of the final merger agreement for the acquisition of Liberated Syndication, creating Wizzard Media, the largest podcasting distribution network in the world. Liberated Syndication (Libsyn), founded in 2004 by four entrepreneurs who posses a unique blend of technical acumen and experience in independent media, delivers almost two million audio and video shows per day to millions of consumers around the world. The acquisition was closed on March 19th.
Downloads from Switchpod.com Surpass 3 Million in December, Up from 2.1 Million in November
Starting the year off with a bang, Switchpod.com announced today that podcast downloads from the Switchpod Network exceeded three million in December, surpassing the 2.1 million media downloads in November. These numbers represent consumer downloads of audio and video podcast shows through Apple's iTunes™ and other new media online content destinations. |
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| 2006 |
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Switchpod's November Downloads Hit 2.1 Million November brought about some exciting growth for Switchpod, when it was announced that the company had hosted over 2 million downloads that month, an all-time high.
Company Achieves Record Revenues for 3rd Quarter 2006 In November, Wizzard's third quarter revenues rose by 122% over 2005 third quarter revenues. This was the seventh consecutive quarter over quarter of revenue growth for the Company and sets a new revenue record for Wizzard.
Libsyn, Largest Podcasting Network in the World, to become part of Wizzard Wizzard announced plans in late October to acquire Libsyn, the world's largest podcasting network. This acquisition would create the largest signally-owned podcasting network in the world.
WizzTones Product Attains Skype Certification WizzTones, Wizzard Software's premiere product for Skype, secured Skype Certification in October. This qualifies WizzTones to work with Skype through a worldwide co-marketing and licensing agreement.
Voice Factory International Provides Audiobook Collection for the Switchpod Network In late September, Wizzard and Switchpod entered into a licensing agreement with Voice Factory International to add thousands of hours of high-quality voice recorded audiobooks, in multiple genres, to the Switchpod Network. Switchpod.com will offer this extensive collection of classic books, over 100 in all, for digital download in podcast format at absolutely no cost to the consumer.
Wizzard Expands Technology Portfolio with Acquisition of Second Podcasting Company Wizzard acquired Blast Podcast, a well known advertising technology and hosting service provider in the podcasting world, in September. This is Wizzard's second podcast hosting acquisition in less than 30 days.
Company Enters Podcasting Market; Acquires a Top Podcast Hosting Provider Wizzard's first step of expansion included acquiring podcast hosting service provider, Switchpod.com. Switchpod is considered by many experts to be one of the top five podcasting hosting companies in the industry. It has developed a strong "podcaster friendly" reputation and is known for offering its users unmetered bandwidth, fast speeds, detailed statistics and strong promotional and branding opportunities. Switchpod.com provides both free and premium accounts to users who create audio and video podcasts using the latest technologies.
Wizzard Software's Second Quarter 2006 Revenues Up 268% Over 2005; Up 30% Over First Quarter Wizzard was excited to announce in August that its 2006 second quarter revenues rose by 268% over 2005 second quarter revenues. This is the sixth consecutive quarter over quarter of revenue growth for the Company.
Kaiser Permanente Offering Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle in Northern California In August, Wizzard and Medivox announced that Kaiser Permanente will offer Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle in 140 Northern California Kaiser Permanente pharmacies and health care facilities at no cost to the patient. Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health care organization. Founded in 1945, it is a not-for-profit, group practice program headquartered in Oakland, California. Kaiser Permanente serves more than 8.5 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia.
WizzScribe SI for Linux Introduced In July, WizzScribe SI (Speaker Independent) for Linux offer exceptional accuracy and us designed for developers to implement as offline conversions of voice audio into text, bringing large vocabulary voice recognition technology to a new generation of business applications. Plus, WizzScribe SI offers total speaker independence!
Wizzard Begins Offering WebSphere Multimodal Environment Version 4.3 Also in July, Wizzard added IBM WebSphere Multimodal Environment Version 4.3 to our product offerings. Built on the award-winning IBM Embedded ViaVoice speech technology, the architecture of IBM WebSphere Everyplace Multimodal Environment fully integrates speech recognition and speech synthesis technology into the Web environment. This state-of-the-art technology provides an intuitive, inexpensive and time-effective way to create multimodal applications for smart phones, PDAs, automotive navigation systems, set-top boxes, hands-free phones, tablets, notebooks and desktop computers.
MAVC Becomes Canadian Distributor for Rex In June, MAVC Health and Wellness Inc. was announced as a Canadian distributor of Rex. MAVC is a leading provider of high quality, value-added health and wellness programs and products, specializing in a wide range of memory improvement related programs. MAVC is a leader in developing healthcare programs and has become a well known and respected distributor in North America.
WizzTones Distributed on Skype Partner CD at eBay Developers Conference in Las Vegas WizzTones was distributed to the more the nearly 1000 attendees of the eBay DevCon in June of 2006 in Las Vegas. Wizzard was one of less than a dozen companies invited to participate in this CD.
Wizzard Software's First Quarter 2006 Revenues Up 169% In May, Wizzard was excited to announce increased revenues of 169% over the first quarter of 2005. This is the fifth consecutive quarter over quarter revenue growth for the Company!
Wizzard Software and MedivoxRx Technologies Announces TSSI as Newest Partner for Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle In April, TSSI was announced as a Rex Partner. Since 1994, TSSI has provided durable medical equipment and respiratory medications throughout San Diego County. TSSI's success has been contingent upon supplying services in a humanistic manner to reach various cultures and bring positive changes to the lives of those using TSSI products.
Wizzard Announces Highest Revenues To Date Wizzard announced in March that for the fourth consecutive quarter Wizzard Software's revenues have grown, with expectations that the fourth quarter revenues of 2005 increased approximately 475% over the fourth quarter revenues of 2004. Wizzard's Speech Technology & Services business had its best quarter in company history in the fourth quarter of 2005, making last year Wizzard's best year overall to date.
MedivoxRx Technologies Testifies Before Two Maryland State Committees on Importance of Accessibility In February, MedivoxRx Technologies, Inc was invited to testify before the Maryland Ways & Means Committee and the Health and Government Operation Committee to provide expert testimony in Maryland's efforts to put into effect legislation that requires audible prescription drug information to be accessible to blind or visually impaired patients throughout the state. Aimee Ward, Sales & Marketing Director for MedivoxRx, testified before both committees on February 16th.
MedivoxRx® Added to HealthCare Purchasing Partners International's 340 Prime Vendor Program for Low-Income Americans In February, MedivoxRx ® Technologies, Inc. was added to the 340B Prime Vendor Program, managed by HealthCare Purchasing Partners International™ (HPPI). The 340B Prime Vendor Program provides drugs, supplies and medical devices to clinics, hospitals and health care programs for low-income Americans. MedivoxRx ® will supply HPPI with Rex-The Talking Prescription bottle for pharmacy usage and Starter Kits for Personal Use.
WizzTones for Skype Now Available Wizzard launched its latest product, WizzTones, which is available to everyone via internet download. WizzTones is a new, easy-to-use software application that works in conjunction with Skype, the leader in free VoIP solutions. WizzTones provides Skype users a simple and convenient way to create, manage and use multiple ring-tones for a compelling, personalized online telephone experience.
Wizzard Software Expands Distribution Agreement with IBM for IBM ViaVoice® Developer Offerings to Include Asia Pacific Region Wizzard's IBM ViaVoice® OEM Distribution agreement with IBM was substantially expanded to include the Asia Pacific region, making this a worldwide market for Wizzard. Under these expanded terms, Wizzard will now offer ViaVoice speech recognition and Text-To-Speech Software Developer Kits (SDK's) and associated runtimes to a substantial market, comprised of many Asia Pacific countries where speech technologies are emerging, such as China, Japan, and Australia. Wizzard will also continue to be the channel for IBM ViaVoice SDKs and distributable runtime packages to developers in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Wizzard Software Announces Plans to Acquire Second Interim Home Healthcare Agency Wizzard started the New Year off with a bang and announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to acquire the outstanding stock of a second Interim home healthcare agency for its MedivoxRx ® Technologies subsidiary. This profitable agency is the largest acquisition Wizzard Software has made to date and is the second home healthcare agency to be acquired by Wizzard, the first being Interim Healthcare of Wyoming in September 2005. |
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| 2005 |
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Wizzard Software Completes Acquisition of Interim Health Care of Wyoming In September, Wizzard announced the completion of its acquisition of Interim Health Care of Wyoming, a home health care agency. Interim Health Care will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wizzard and will retain its current management team. Based in Casper, Wyoming, Interim Health Care of Wyoming (Interim) has been serving their community for thirteen years, and is part of the fast growing home health segment of the healthcare industry, providing a wide range of visiting nurse services to the elderly, wounded and sick. It is one of the 300 home health agencies that comprise Interim Health Care. Wizzard and IBM Extend Agreement for Additional Two Years In July, Wizzard Software and IBM extended their agreement for Wizzard to distribute ViaVoice® speech recognition and text-to-speech toolkits and IBM ViaVoice® runtime distribution licenses. This extension provides Wizzard with the continued ability to distribute IBM ViaVoice® developer products to a broad-based development community. IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Wizzard will continue to promote the availability of these world class technologies through Wizzard via a close marketing relationship supported by Internet cross-linking. Cardinal Health to Distribute Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle In July, Wizzard and MedivoxRx ® Technologies announced that they have signed a one year distribution agreement for the Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle System with Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH), a leading provider of products and services supporting the health care industry. Serving more than 33,000 pharmacy locations, Cardinal Health provides solutions to help pharmacies better serve their customers. Under terms of the agreement, Cardinal Health will market, sell and distribute Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottles by the case and Rex recording units with microphones to retail, pharmacy, hospitals and alternate-site customers.
Wizzard Software Offering AT&T Natural Voices for Apple Mac OS X In June, Wizzard announced that AT&T Natural Voices will soon be available for Apple Mac OS 10.3 in English, French, German and Spanish. Named "Technology of the Year" by Frost & Sullivan, a global leader in international consulting and training on emerging high technology and industrial markets, AT&T's Natural Voices product line is widely considered to be one of the most human-sounding speech synthesis systems in the world. AT&T Natural Voices offers "plug-and-play" language support instead of requiring different engines for each language, and the AT&T technology provides exceptionally high channel density. Mac OS X allows application developers to seamlessly incorporate Text-To-Speech into a variety of Mac applications and is beneficial in a number of vertical markets, including accessibility, business automation, security systems, and education. AT&T's Natural Voices has been licensed by Wizzard to a growing number of developers to be used in a variety of environments, including personal productivity, Homeland security, alert systems, and simulators for training in the US Military & NASA astronauts.
Wizzard Software and MedivoxRx ® Technologies the Successful Bidder in Groundbreaking EBay Auction for Olympian Sponsorship Also in May, MedivoxRx ® Technologies emerged the winner of a month-long advertising/sponsorship package offered by Olympic Silver Medalist Adam Nelson. This advertising and sponsorship package, one of the more unusual auctions to hit EBay in recent times, includes 3 nationally broadcast television appearances of the Track and Field star wearing the MedivoxRx ® logo on NBC, ESPN and ESPN2, as well as a speaking engagement on behalf of MedivoxRx ® to be announced. Adam Nelson is one of the most decorated track and field athletes in the U.S., with two Olympic silver medals and two World Championship silver medals among his collection of shot-putting accolades. An Ivy League graduate of Dartmouth College, Nelson studied Government as well as excelled in track and field and football. He is currently preparing for the upcoming U.S. Championships being held in California and New York. Nelson is also an advocate for the World Anti-Doping Agency and will donate a portion of the proceeds to this cause. Mr. Nelson will act as a spokesperson for MedivoxRx's ® premiere product, Rex-The Talking Prescription Bottle.
Wizzard Software's First Quarter 2005 Revenues Up 130% In May, Wizzard announced that its 2005 first quarter revenues were up 130% over first quarter 2004 revenues. Wizzard increased its gross profit before expenses by 336% in 2005 over the same period a year ago. Wizzard grew the number of customers incorporating its speech technology offerings by 126 in the first quarter of 2005. On March 31, 2005, the Company had increased its cash on hand by 80% over the same period a year ago. Wizzard's selling expenses declined by 37% and the Company used 34% less cash for operations in the first quarter of 2005 when compared to the first quarter of 2004.
Wizzard Software Moves Forward With Acquisition of Interim Health Care of Wyoming Wizzard Software announced in April that it is in the final stages of its document preparation and due diligence review to acquire the assets of Interim Health Care of Wyoming, a home health care franchise agency, for its MedivoxRx ® Technologies subsidiary. Based in Casper, Wyoming, Interim Health Care of Wyoming (Interim) is part of the fast growing home health segment of the healthcare industry and provides a wide range of visiting nurse services to the elderly, wounded and sick. Interim Health Care of Wyoming has been in business for twelve years and is the largest home health care agency in central Wyoming. It is one of the 300 home health agencies that comprise Interim Health Care.
Wizzard Software Strengthens Leadership with New Chief Financial Officer Also in April, Wizzard announced that William F. McLay has been hired as Chief Financial Officer for the Company. Mr. McLay was previously Chief Financial Officer and later Chief Operating Officer of publicly traded Sulcus Hospitality Technologies Corp., an international software development company that provided enterprise wide technology solutions to the world-wide hospitality industry. Subsequently, he acted as Chief Financial Officer of The Gustine Company, a privately-owned commercial real estate development company.
AT&T and Wizzard Software Agree to Extend Agreement for Wizzard to Continue Distributing AT&T Natural Voices TTS Product Portfolio Worldwide In April, Wizzard Software announced that their current licensing/distribution relationship with AT&T, allowing Wizzard worldwide distribution of AT&T's Natural Voices® text-to-speech engine, has been extended for an additional five-year period. This agreement substantially extends Wizzard Software's current position as AT&T's preferred channel for their award winning Natural Voices desktop Text-To-Speech Software Developer's Kit and AT&T Natural Voices Telephony Server edition, enabling Wizzard to continue to offer distributable runtime Text-To-Speech engines worldwide for an additional five-year period. AT&T Natural Voices software is an example of the innovation power of AT&T Labs, AT&T's world-class R&D organization that develops new services and technologies for business customers.
Wizzard Software Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire the Assets of Interim Health Care of Wyoming for MedivoxRx ® Technologies Subsidiary; Wizzard Outlines Plans for More Acquisitions Wizzard Software announced in March that it signed a Letter of Intent to acquire the assets of Interim Health Care of Wyoming, a home health care franchise agency, for its MedivoxRx ® Technologies subsidiary. Based in Casper, Wyoming, Interim Health Care of Wyoming (Interim) is part of the fast growing home health segment of the healthcare industry and provides a wide range of visiting nurse services to the elderly, wounded and sick. Interim HealthCare of Wyoming has been in business for twelve years and is the largest home health care agency in central Wyoming. In April 2003, Brenda Mosher, Interim's owner, was selected as the Wyoming Small Business Person of the Year. Using a multi-successive acquisition strategy, Wizzard plans to acquire up to twelve home health care agencies (HHA's) for its MedivoxRx ® Technologies' subsidiary. Management's plan to place the acquisition targets in its MedivoxRx ® Technologies subsidiary is strategic in its desire to remain focused on its core speech technology business while at the same time continuing on its plan to benefit from increased profits in products/industries where speech can have the most profound impact.
Wizzard Software Adds Rex-The Talking Bottle To Quixtar; Launched New Talking Products Partner Store on Quixtar Site Also in February, Wizzard Software and its subsidiary, MedivoxRx ® Technologies, brought Rex-The Talking Bottle to Wizzard's on-line Quixtar Partner Store. Quixtar, Inc. is the #1 web retailer in the Health & Beauty category. Wizzard also launched a new "Talking Products" partner store through Quixtar, featuring products that were designed to make life easier. Items, such as the talking alarm clock, are ideal for those who have difficulty using conventional, every-day items due to vision or cognitive impairments. Other items such as the talking blood pressure monitor, pedometer, and talking kitchen scale can help those who must maintain a healthy lifestyle, but have difficulties reading small print. These and other talking products, including the Rex-The Talking Bottle line, are all available now through Quixtar.com. The Wizzard Partner Store can be found under Health & Personal Care on the Partner Stores and Services page of the Quixtar site. It can also be found by doing a search for "Wizzard".
Wizzard Announces Financing In February, Wizzard announced today that it closed a Subscription Agreement by which three institutional investors purchased $1.4M in unsecured debt from the Company. The Subscription agreement including notes and warrants, if fully exercised, will bring the aggregate gross proceeds realized to approximately $3.96M for the Company.
With this financing we plan to focus on our goals for 2005 of profitability, strategic acquisitions as well as growing our shareholder equity to qualify for a larger, national exchange where our company can receive increased visibility and our shareholders increased liquidity," said Chris Spencer, Wizzard Software CEO. "We have recently identified several acquisition candidates and this financing will enable us to make select acquisitions and expand our marketing efforts for our Talking Pill Bottle and other products in order to meet our aggressive revenue growth targets for 2005."
Wizzard Launches Retail Partnership with Able Home Aides Wizzard started off the new year by announcing Able Home Aides as the latest retail outlet to offer Rex-The Talking Bottle. Able Home Aides is a division of Universal Consultants, Inc., a growing supplier of assistive products that enable elderly and disabled persons to live independently. Owned and operated by persons with disabilities, Able Home Aides works closely with the Congress Of Disabled Persons Against Exploitation (CODPAE) to test and certify products that are suitable and useful for their clients. Now available for purchase on the Able Home Aides on-line catalog are the Rex Starter Kits and Rex Refill Kits. The Rex Starter Kit contains 3 bottles a recording unit, a microphone that makes the recording possible by simply pressing a button and speaking, a power supply, and easy-to-follow instructions. The Refill Kit contains three additional bottles that are used in conjunction with the recorder included with the Rex Starter Kit. Orders have already been placed through the Able Home Aides website. |
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| 2004 |
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Rex Starter Kits Are Shipped to Customers. In December, Wizzard Software begun fulfilling orders and distributing its new Rex the Talking Bottle Starter Kit for personal use. The Starter Kit, formerly known as the Home Kit, allows the patient or caregiver to record customized, verbal medication instructions. The Starter Kit, which is attractively packaged for retail shelves, contains easy-to-follow instructions, power supply, 3 bottles and a microphone that makes the recording possible by simply pressing a button and speaking.
Rex the Talking Prescription Bottle and its Recording Components added to the GSA Advantage Website. In November of 2004, Rex and its recording components were added to the can be viewed and purchased on the GSA (General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage website at www.gsaadvantage.gov, using the keyword "Wizzard." The GSA Advantage price list streamlines the procurement of products and services for government agencies. The GSA Advantage price list allows government customers access to state-of-the-art, high-quality commercial services and products at volume discount pricing on a direct-delivery basis. GSA Schedules also offer the potential benefits of shorter lead-times, lower administrative costs and reduced inventories.
Wizzard Signs Agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard will integrate AT&T's Natural Voices speech engine into its Radio Automated Broadcast Scheduler (RADABS) software program. One of the United States' five armed services, The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
U.S. Army Purchases Rex the Talking Bottle For Humanitarian Efforts The Army will use the bottles as part of its humanitarian aid efforts to help villagers in Afghanistan properly use the medications which Coalition Forces are dispensing. The Coalition Forces' physicians handle 10,000 children per month in southern Afghanistan' Pashtun tribal region alone. Rex, the Talking Pill Bottle, is the only disposable "talking bottle" now available. Completely self-contained, it can be used anywhere, including the rural areas of Afghanistan. No readers, scanners or playback accessories are required for patients to use it. That makes it perfect for the Coalition Force' efforts to deliver accurate, understandable medical instructions to locals, in their own language and dialect, in an area where people typically are illiterate and rarely speak English. The first shipment to Afghanistan was made on September of 2004. The initial order is for 1500 bottles to be used in a broad, 30-day field trial. Already successful use of the bottles in informal field trials encouraged the large-scale test. The bottles will be distributed by the Coalition Forces to its medical workers with each of seven groups receiving about 200 bottles to try in the field.
Wizzard Software Adds IBM-Powered Voice to Text Server To Speech Offerings In August of 2004, Wizzard added WizzScribe, a transcription server powered by IBM' ViaVoice recognition technology to its ever-growing line of speech products. WizzScribe is a server based implementation that converts audio from a variety of sources into text for a wide range of application uses.
AT&T Extends and Expands Wizzard Agreement For World Wide TTS Distribution Rights Wizzard expanded their relationship with AT&T in July of 2004, with the addition of distribution rights for the Telephony Server version of AT&T's Natural Voices text-to-speech engine. This new addition brings voice technology to a new generation of business and consumer applications. In addition to adding the Telephony Server product line, the agreement between Wizzard and AT&T has been extended beyond the original three years.
Wizzard Software Awarded FSS Contract for Talking Pill Bottle In July of 2004, Wizzard was approved for a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract. This contract allows access to MedivoxRx ® Technologies' Talking Bottle by all Veterans Administration and Military healthcare facilities; Indian Health organizations; and other government-funded healthcare facilities. The FSS contract, number V797P-4677A, is for items awarded under Open and Continuous Solicitation Number RFP-797-FSS-99-0025-R3. By utilizing the FSS contract, government purchasing processes are streamlined saving the agencies valuable time and money.
Wizzard Acquired MedivoxRx ® Technologies In April of 2004, Wizzard acquired the Pittsford, NY company Medivox Technologies. Founded in 2000, Medivox is the originator of "Rex", the talking prescription pill bottle, which "talks" to the patient, allowing them to distinguish what type of medication is in the bottle and hear information on dosage and refill instructions. Additional information can be found at www.rxtalks.com.
Idealsoft Selects Wizzard Software's Speech Technology for Homeland Security Products Wizzard expanded its relationship in January of 2004 with Idealsoft, the maker of Asvaco Assessment Tools for homeland security compliance. Idealsoft will license Wizzard's Voice Tools and AT&T Natural Voices TTS engine and pay Wizzard a royalty for all copies of Asvaco shipped with these products. Additionally, Wizzard has agreed to offer Asvaco products through its newly awarded GSA schedule to state, local and federal government agencies generating a portion of each sale as revenue for Wizzard. |
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| 2003 |
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Wizzard Software Awarded GSA Schedule for Government Technology Procurements In November of 2003, Wizzard was awarded a GSA Schedule by the General Services Administrations (GSA) for its Voice Tools software products and professional services.
This contract allows government organizations (federal, state and local) to more easily acquire Wizzard Software speech related products and professional services. As a GSA contractor under FSS Schedule 70, Wizzard Software now directly provides an array of speech recognition and text-to-speech products and services, including software, training and support
Wizzard Software Expands Technologies & Services Division and Opens a Florida Branch To accommodate their ever-growing business, Wizzard opened a branch office in Deerfield Beach, Florida in July of 2003. This office houses Wizzard's Technologies & Services division, handling sales and marketing efforts for its Voice Tools line of products along with products from its high profile partners.
IBM Extended Wizzard Agreements for Two Additional Years In June of 2003, Wizzard extended their ViaVoice OEM Distribution agreements with IBM for two additional years. These agreements extended and expanded the marketing and sales relationship already in place between the two speech solution providers, and allowed IBM and Wizzard to continue promoting their mutual marketing relationship through internet cross-linking and promotion.
Wizzard Software Became Sole Distributor of AT&T's "Natural Voices" Desktop Software Developer's Kit In April of 2003, Wizzard announced the signing of a joint marketing and licensing agreement with AT&T Corp. Under the agreement, Wizzard became the Sole Distributor of AT&T's award winning Natural Voices desktop Text-To-Speech Software Developer's Kit and allowed Wizzard to offer distributable runtime Text-To-Speech engines worldwide. |
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