ITXC Corp. has added audio/video capabilities to its technology product Push to Talk, which lets users initiate a customer care call directly from e-mail, Web sites or banner ads.
Shilo Inn Hotels, a chain of resort hotels in the western United States, was the first company to introduce an e-mail campaign using the video technology. The campaign was designed for its Lincoln City, OR, location and offered a 30-second video presentation similar to a TV commercial for the hotel.
ITXC, Princeton, NJ, partnered with rich media firm Dynamics Direct to incorporate videos into the technology.
The Shilo Inn e-mails also used the core aspects of ITXC's Push to Talk. Recipients can click on a text link in the e-mail message to initiate a voice call to a hotel customer representative to make reservations.
The technology establishes a real-time voice connection through a phone or computer. The technology also allows users to send a request for an immediate phone call from a customer care agent.
Twelve ad agencies, including Grey Direct, New York, are using Push to Talk. The technology is priced according to the number of calls it generates.
Interested companies can bring their own e-mail lists to the table or can use one of ITXC's list management partners.
