Zagat Survey has launched ZAGAT.mobi, an advertising-supported mobile web site that contains Zagat's trademark information on restaurants, nightlife and hotels throughout the U.S., London and other international sites.
ZAGAT.mobi is compatible with any web-enabled mobile phone. The service provides free access to restaurant, nightlife and hotel information and even offers directory listing information, such as address, phone number and hours. ZAGAT.mobi also has features that enable users to send information to a friend via SMA and it provides links to related services (like directions, movie times and airlines). In addition, ZAGAT.com subscribers can view Zagat ratings and reviews on the mobile service as part of their subscription (with no additional fee).
Zagat Survey's technology partner for the ZAGAT.mobi initiative is Starcut, which designed and developed the site. Zagat partnered with Third Screen Media (a subsidiary of AOL) and Winstar Interactive Media (a division of Interep Interactive) to manage and sell advertising on the new mobile site.
ZAGAT.mobi further represents Zagat Survey's comfort level in launching services that complement the latest technology. The company has seamlessly migrated its offerings from the traditional print product to its web site to ZAGAT TO GO smartphone software in order to serve the ever-increasing mobile information needs of its customers. Kudos to Zagat for also offering ZAGAT.com subscribers free access to content on the mobile service instead of making them pay for such a value-add. Clearly, not every directory and database publisher is in Zagat's position, where its content is in demand on a mobile platform. But the Zagat folks recognize their information is even more valuable than ever when it's available on mobile devices and they will undoubtedly continue to keep pace with new technology.