Go2 Licenses Technology and Brand Name to Jiffy Lube
8 February 2000
Go2 Licenses Technology and Brand Name to Jiffy Lube; Southern California, Seattle and Denver Franchisees Harness the Power of the Internet to Drive Customers to Real-World Locations
IRVINE, Calif.--Feb. 8, 2000--Go2 Systems Inc., the originator of Go2(TM), the first global addressing and locator system designed for the Internet and portable devices, Tuesday announced Jiffy Lube of Southern California, Seattle and Denver -- part of the world's largest fast lube operator and franchiser -- is licensing Go2's patented technology and powerful brand name.Jiffy Lube customers in these areas can find the closest Jiffy Lube simply by accessing Go2jiffylube.com from any computer or Internet-enabled wireless phone. The site will deliver phone numbers, turn-by-turn directions, coupons and information on proximity to the user's location.
In the first campaign featuring a company's proprietary Go2 Address(TM) in branding efforts, Jiffy Lube's outdoor, radio and television advertising will include Go2jiffylube.com in its tagline. Reciprocally, Go2 will include the address in its outdoor, print and radio advertising, a co-branding campaign estimated up to $2 million.
"As the Internet moves to wireless devices, what becomes important for companies like Jiffy Lube is to use this new medium to drive customers to locations when they are ready to buy," said Bill Groux, vice president of vertical sales for Go2 Systems Inc.
"By including Go2 as part of its advertising strategy, Jiffy Lube is reinforcing its brand and driving consumers to its multiple locations."
Proprietary Go2 Addresses, called Go2 NetGates, offer a familiar Internet addressing convention, similar to domain names for physical locations. Dedicated Go2 NetGates such as Go2jiffylube.com are available for licensing by businesses to make it easier for their customers to find their real-world stores, products, services or brands.
Retailers save significant cost and months of development time by licensing a dedicated Go2 NetGate, gaining a turnkey Internet store locator solution with immediate availability on Web-enabled phones and other wireless Web devices. In addition to Go2jiffylube.com, current dedicated Go2 NetGates include Go2diedrich.com, Go2johnnyrockets.com and Go2cinnabon.com.
"For Jiffy Lube, it's far more important to use the Internet to drive traffic to the store than to the Web site -- a real challenge for multi-unit retail businesses," said Jim Reilly, vice president/ account director for Southern California Jiffy Lube at Kovel Fuller Advertising. "Go2 is a unique cross-platform solution that supports all of our 200 regional franchises."
More than 500 Go2 sites became available by traditional Internet access in November 1999 and are now accessible from mobile phones. Each site is easily accessible by topic, such as Go2coffee.com, Go2hotels.com, Go2burgers.com or Go2banks.com.
The sites provide real-time information based on the user's precise location or intended destination -- offering a simple, intuitive means for users to find what they are looking for close by.
About Go2 Systems Inc.
Go2 Systems Inc., a privately held company based in Irvine, is the originator of Go2(TM), the first global addressing and locator system designed for the Internet and portable devices. Go2's patented addressing system is designed to facilitate real-world navigation and commerce by allowing users to conveniently find the products and services they need, from wherever they are.
Established in 1995, Go2 serves as the cornerstone of a multi-platform interface to help people find real-world business establishments in their immediate area using the Internet and Web-enabled portable devices.
For more information, visit http://www.go2online.com or any of the hundreds of topic-specific Go2 Web sites in the http://www.Go2_____.com format.
About Jiffy Lube International Inc.
Fast lubes were pioneered in 1979 by Jiffy Lube, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company. Since its acquisition by Pennzoil in 1990, Jiffy Lube has expanded significantly, becoming the world's largest fast lube operator and franchiser.
With the merger of Pennzoil and Quaker State in December 1998, some 600 Q-Lubes were added to the more than 1,500 Jiffy Lube service centers across the country. Conversion of the majority of these Q-Lube service centers to the Jiffy Lube banner is underway.
Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. is a leading worldwide automotive consumer products company that markets Pennzoil(R) and Quaker State(R) brand motor oils, the number one and number two selling motor oils in the United States.
Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. also markets a complete line of automotive car care products including AxiusTM auto accessories, Blue Coral(R) and Classic(R) waxes and washes, Black Magic(R) and Westley's(R) tire and wheel care products, Fix-A-Flat(R) tire sealants, MEDO(R) air fresheners, Rain-X(R) glass treatments, Gumout(R), Snap(R) and The Outlaw(R) maintenance chemicals and Slick 50(R) engine treatments.