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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Channel Blade Launches ePro Mobile; New Research and Sales Tool to Help the RV Industry Reach Millions of Mobile Phone Users
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - March 9, 2009 - Channel Blade, a leading provider of online lead generation, lead management and sales education solutions in the marine, RV and powersports industries, announced the launch of a new sales tool called ePro Mobile.
There are now 405 million mobile Internet users worldwide* and more than 10 million U.S. buyers accessing mobile search at least once per week**. Channel Blade's ePro Mobile helps RV dealers and OEMs capitalize on this mobile search trend. Salespeople now have the ability to immediately access inventory, review specials, compare RV models and answer buyers' questions in seconds, wherever the opportunity may arise.
"With a 68 percent increase in mobile search activity in 2008 compared to 2007**, ePro Mobile is the must-have, sales-driving tool for savvy RV retailers and marketers," says Chuck Lewis, president and founder of Channel Blade. "ePro Mobile offers Channel Blade clients access to emerging technology that is designed specifically to drive sales. And in today's market, no one can afford to miss out on the opportunity to effectively market their business through fast-growing marketing channels."
ePro Mobile also enables consumers to look up manufacturer or dealer information via mobile Internet devices such as the iPhone or Blackberry Storm and other smart phones. Today's potential RV buyers research on the go and expect immediate access to information, whether they are at the airport, on their way to work or back from the gym. In this technology-driven era, RV dealers and OEMs Web sites should not only be search engine- and user-friendly, but also optimized for smart mobile phones.
"Nolans RV & Marine in Denver is excited about the launch of its new ePro Mobile site. "We are in a society that is increasingly relying on the Internet to research purchases," says Gary Dyke, rental manager. "Shopping and researching on smart phones is the cutting-edge buying habit of today's consumers and we know that ePro Mobile will be another channel for our dealership to raise brand awareness, showcase inventory and drive more sales."
ePro Mobile is featured as an add-on to Channel Blade's current Web site platform, eXcelerate Pro. Users' inventory will directly populate their ePro Mobile Web site. RV dealers and OEMs that use Footsteps Channel Blade's lead management tool, automatically receive ePro Mobile leads submitted by consumers while non-Footsteps clients will receive inquiries via e-mail notification.
*Mobile Advertising Presents a Multitude of Marketing Opportunities, eMarketer, Posted: Oct. 31, 2008. **comScore Report, June 2008
About Channel Blade
Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., Channel Blade provides online lead generation, lead management and sales education solutions that drive customers from the Web to the showroom, increasing traffic and sales for thousands of manufacturers and dealers in the marine, RV and powersports industries.
Channel Blade supports over 60 leading manufacturers and 2,000 dealer locations worldwide with its easy-to-use, cost-efficient solutions and hands-on education programs - including more than 70 percent of Boating Industry's 2008 Top 100 Dealers.
For more information about Channel Blade, please visit www.ChannelBlade.com or call us at (877) 242-5233.
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About Channel Blade and ARI
Channel Blade, an ARI company, provides online lead generation, lead management and sales education solutions that drive more leads and sales to manufacturers and dealers within the marine and recreational vehicle industries. Channel Blade supports its clients worldwide with its award-winning, cost-efficient solutions and hands-on education programs -- including 70 percent of Boating Industry's prestigious 2008 Top 100 Dealers.
ARI Network Services, Inc. (ARI) is a leading provider of electronic parts catalogs and marketing services to dealers, distributors and manufacturers in the manufactured equipment markets. ARI currently serves approximately 100 manufacturers and 190 distributors worldwide, as well as more than 25,000 dealers in several markets, including outdoor power; power sports; marine; recreation vehicle; appliance; agricultural equipment; floor maintenance; construction; and aftermarket auto and truck parts. Both of the companies’ products, as well as the websites designed for its customers, have received numerous industry awards, including Editor’s Choice Award for SearchEngineSmart™ in February, 2009 awarded by Powersports Business Magazine and this year’s Best Dealer Website of the Year for MarineMax.com.
For more information on Channel Blade and ARI, please visit www.channelblade.com and www.arinet.com.
Media contact: Lindsay Rapoport, (757) 222-6723; lindsay.rapoport@channelblade.
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