Zappware launches new iFormat for dynamic disclosure of content on iDTV
02/12/2008

iFormat 'iCover' to highlight health care institution (video) news

Zappware, the Belgian one-stop solution provider for iDTV services which are TV-platform independent, have developed another interactive service for their client 'Socialistische Mutualiteiten', a Belgian health care institution, this time based on their new iFormat "iCover".

Zappware's off-the-shelf "iCover" is a visually appealing and interactive format allowing the client to highlight news on a regular basis, just like the cover of a magazine but then an interactive one and including interactive Video-On-Demand (iVOD).

"iCover" features a minimum of 5 highlighted items represented by images. When an image is focused, a short description appears motivating the viewer to press OK. The highlights link to interactive Video-On-Demand (iVOD) or to another Zappware iFormat (a quizz or a brochure/sample request form, a digital teletext, a product or VOD catalogue..) or to Telenet's Video-On-Demand (VOD) environment. There is also room for an optional 'promotional banner' which, depending on its configuration, will be interactive - with the same forementioned linking possibilities - or not.

The aim of 'Socialistische Mutualiteiten' is to communicate more in a visual way with their (potential) members. They have produced a number of health-related video messages on food, physical training, breast feeding, etc. which will be highlighted by their newly installed iCover. Other highlights in their iCover link to an extensive region-dependent source of mainly text-driven information (see former press release). 'Socialistische Mutualiteiten' will treat the viewer to weekly changing highlights.

The Socialistische Mutualiteiten iCover is at all times accessible through the portal of Belgian cable operator Telenet (section EXTRA). Traffic will further be generated through the red button. For the first time in their existence Socialistisch Mutualiteiten have launched a major branding campaign including a 45 seconds TV spot and a reality series (7 minutes per episode) about domestic care.

As is the case with every Zappware iFormat, 'iCover' comes with access to iView Portal for quick and effective content updates by the client himself. iView Portal features a scheduling tool to manage updates. It allows the client to schedule updates which will be published automatically in due times.

Herman Eerdekens, New Business Development Zappware: "Video communication is a rapidly growing phenomenon, especially on the internet. Images do say more than a thousand words. And what better place to enjoy high-quality video than interactive digital television? Tomorrow we will all be watching digital TV."

Patrick Verertbruggen, Vice General Secretary Socialistische Mutualiteiten: "Zappware's iCover has enabled a make-over of our existing TV site to follow the same look-and-feel of the rest of our branding campaign. iCover allows us to highlight extra material like the making-of of our TV ad. iCover's flexible features facilitate a cross-media campaign that brings the same message everywhere."

Stefan Devroey, Vice President Product Management Media bij Telenet: "We are happy with this initiative because it proves that innovation and improvement of TV sites is an ongoing process. For companies and organisations having a TV site on Telenet Digital TV today, the viewer luckily comes first and that is the reason why they look for ways to make their TV site even more attractive and user friendly."

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