Twitter buys Indian phone advertising startup
Twitter is pushing ahead with its expansion in India. The short message service acquires Zipdial, a start-up active in telephone advertising.
The US group did not name a purchase price on Tuesday. The online magazine Techcrunch, citing unnamed sources, reported that the deal is worth between $30 million and $40 million. India is the world's second-largest mobile market. Many new startups are now attracting interest from big tech companies. Zipdial provides phone numbers to its customers for marketing purposes. In doing so, the company takes advantage of a peculiarity in India. To save on phone costs, many hang up before connecting. By indicating a missed call, for example, they signal their arrival at an arranged location. Through Zipdeal, they subsequently receive advertisements via text message. Customers include IBM, Gillette and Kentucky Fried Chicken. (SDA)
