Zamano plc
TypePublic
IndustryMobile technology, Online communications
Founded2000 (2000)
Defunct2018
Headquarters
Dublin
,
Ireland
Key people
Ross Conlon, CEO (as of 2014)[1] John Rocket, chairman (as of 2012)[2]
Websitewww.zamano.com

Zamano plc was an Internet and mobile technology company based in Dublin.[3][4] The company decided in February 2017 to bring their premium rate SMS business lines to a close by the end of 2017.[5] In November 2018, Zamano plc issued a press release stating that it was entering voluntary liquidation.[6] A liquidator was appointed in early 2019.[7]

History

The company was founded in 2000.[8] During 2002, Zamano reportedly partnered with RTÉ Interactive to launch several mobile and SMS-based games.[9][10] Later in 2002, Zamano acquired Avoca's interactive SMS business. This provided the company with 10 premium rate SMS short codes covering four UK mobile networks.[11][12]

In 2007, Zamano completed the acquisitions of Red Circle Technologies and Eirborne.[13][14][15] The company's IPO, in early 2007, coincided with these of acquisitions.[16][17]

In 2011, Zamano announced an investment in a new entity called Newsworthie.[18] However, investment in Newsworthie was ended in October 2011 with outgoing CEO John O'Shea announcing that "As our investment capacity is limited, we intend focusing it entirely on opportunities related to our mobile expertise, and have suspended further investment in Newsworthie."[19] O'Shea departed the company as CEO in November 2011 and was replaced by interim-CEO Pat Landy in a temporary role.[20]

In April 2015, Zamano, signed a deal with Three mobile to allow the company's technology to be used as a conduit by e-commerce providers.[21]

In 2017 the company announced plans to close parts of its business,[5] and by September 2017 it was suggested that the company, following a management buyout, was considering investing in oil and gas exploration companies.[22] By late 2018, the company announced its liquidation,[6] and a liquidator was appointed in 2019.[7]

Products

Zamano offered products for mobile messaging, mobile payments and mobile advertising. Everneo was a division of Zamano that offered mobile and cloud video, video clubs, mobile games, apps, entertainment portals, ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers, SMS services, and IVR lines.

In November 2013, Zamano launched Message Hero, an online business SMS service available to customers in Ireland and the UK [23]

Recognition

Zamano appeared in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 from 2006 to 2009.[24][25][26][27] This followed from coming second in Deloitte's "rising star" category in 2005.[28]

In 2002, Zamano was nominated for an Annual Global Mobile Award, in the Best Mobile Internet Application category for its TxT Manager.[29]

Controversy

On 4 February 2010, the UK phone service regulator PhonepayPlus fined and formally reprimanded Zamano £15,000 for breaching its terms and conditions in relation to unsolicited reverse-charge premium rate SMS messages. PhonepayPlus also ordered Zamano to issue refunds.[30] On 29 March 2012, Zamano was fined a further £35,000 by PhonepayPlus for breaching its terms and conditions in relation to unsolicited reverse-charge premium rate SMS messages.[31]

Between May 2012 and September 2013 Zamano received 587 complaints from consumers in relation to a competition service, "Play2Win". Consumers stated that they had received unsolicited, reverse-billed text messages and that they had not engaged with the service, or acknowledged engaging with the service but stated that they believed it was free. A Phonepayplus tribunal found that Zamano breached the Fairness and Misleading aspects of its code. Given repeated breaches of the code by Zamano, the tribunal imposed an increased fine of £40,000[32]

References

  1. ↑ "Zamano Appoints New Chief Executive Officer" (Press release). Zamano. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "Zamano appoints new Chairman" (Press release). Zamano. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Zamano starts trading on London's AIM". The Irish Times. 10 October 2006.
  4. ↑ "Zamano is first 2007 listing on IEX". RTÉ News. 26 February 2007.
  5. 1 2 "Zamano experiences major fall-off in revenue and profits". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Zamano plc – In Voluntary Liquidation". zamano.com. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Fallen mobile technology firm appoints liquidator". thetimes.co.uk. The Times. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "Zamano seeks AIM listing". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 3 October 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Zamano launches new SMS game in conjunction with RTÉ". Breakingnews.ie. 9 October 2002.
  10. ↑ "Zamano inks new deal with RTÉ". ENN.ie. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
  11. ↑ "Avoca's interactive SMS business acquired by zamano". Business Library. 2002.
  12. ↑ "Zamano scoops up UK SMS business". ENN.ie. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "Zamano rings up another takeover". Goliath.
  14. ↑ "Zamano expands markets with Red Circle buy-out". Breakingnews.ie. 26 November 2007.
  15. ↑ "Zamano takes flight with Eirborne". ENN.ie. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
  16. ↑ O'Hora, Ailish (25 September 2006). "Zamano takes aim for float". The Irish Independent.
  17. ↑ Kennedy, Emma (27 February 2007). "Zamano makes debut on IEX". The Irish Independent.
  18. ↑ "Restructured Zamono hopeful of stronger Q4". IBTimes UK. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012.
  19. ↑ "Zamano's losses slashed in H1". Silicon Republic. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "Zamano chief to step down". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  21. ↑ "Zamano signs deal with Three mobile to become 'billing partner'". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 17 December 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  22. ↑ "Zamano may resurface as oil firm". irishexaminer.com. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  23. ↑ "Zamano launches Message Hero mobile marketing service". Digitaltimes.ie. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "ZAMANO RANKED 5TH IN DELOITTE TECHNOLOGY FAST 50". Fast Pitch Networking. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  25. ↑ "Fast 50 Award Winners 2007". Deloitte. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
  26. ↑ "Fast 50 Award Winners 2008". Deloitte. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
  27. ↑ "Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award Winners 2009". Deloitte. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
  28. ↑ "Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award Winners 2008". Zamano.
  29. ↑ "Zamano's TxT nominated for industry award". Breakingnews.ie. 1 May 2002.
  30. ↑ Code Compliance Panel (4 February 2010). "Zamano Solutions Ltd. CAS-01409-MZC34L Track 2". Phone-paid Services Authority. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  31. ↑ Code Compliance Panel (29 March 2012). "Zamano Solutions Ltd. CAS-04237-P71SR7 Track 2". Phone-paid Services Authority. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  32. ↑ Code Compliance Panel (23 January 2014). "Zamano Solutions Ltd. 09739 Track 2". Phone-paid Services Authority. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
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