NEWSLETTER PARROT, March 2007

PARROT SPEARHEADS THE CAMPAIGN FOR HANDS-FREE KITS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Great Britain is tightening up legislation on the use of phones at the wheel, making hands-free kits an essential accessory. Parrot is capitalising on the opportunity to spearhead a communication campaign alongside Halfords on the Parrot CK3000 EVOLUTION, as well as the right behaviour when driving.

The British government's announcement came as no surprise to the mobile phone community, which recently came together at the three-day 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona. Mobile phone manufacturers, operators and accessory specialists had long anticipated such a change in legislation in Europe. Incidentally, there was a particularly strong showing of Bluetooth® products this year. As the law now stands in Great Britain, anyone caught using a mobile phone while driving will be fined £60 on the spot (¤89 or $117) and receive three points on their driving licence. The fine has been doubled and receiving three points are the main revisions, compared to the previous 2003 law. This decision brings the UK into line with the laws already in force in most European countries, which recommend the use of a hands-free kit. Parrot has decided to seize the opportunity to launch a campaign with a clear message - "Stay Legal and Drive Hands Free".

The message emphasises the fact that the Parrot CK3000 EVOLUTION kit is suitable with the new legislation and is universally compatible with all Bluetooth mobile phones, it is a wireless product featuring remarkable Crystal Clear audio quality that drivers can avoid fines and points on their licence for only £99.99 fully installed. The initiative is multi-phase with Radio, Press and Online elements.. The campaign is being kicked off with a Radio campaign on Virgin Radio and Century FM, the on air activities include an audience engaging “Parrot Driving In My Car Competition” offering a chance to win Parrot products and a selection of Driving Holidays including trips to USA and Australia. This is supported by a series of Parrot informative on air spot ad’s highlighting the legislation and the solutions provided by Parrot at Halfords. The generated interest from Parrot on air is linked to the web with a micro-site (www.drivehandsfree.co.uk), which spotlights the Bluetooth technology and the new legislation. Drivers using the site can take advantage of the special offer for free fitting of the Bluetooth kit via the Halfords national store network..

 

An advertising campaign in partnership with the UK's leading distributor of car and bike accessories

As part of the operation, customers need to go to one of the 420 Halfords stores to retrieve their Parrot CK3000 EVOLUTION kit. Parrot has decided to wage its campaign with help from this well known British retailer of car accessories: the advertising campaign designed by Euro RSCG EHS Brann also includes press ad’s in such car magazines as "Auto Express" and "What Car", online banners on websites including www.topgear.com and www.autoexpress.co.uk, additional presence on the search engine google.co.uk and google keywords has also been supported .
"Drivers are increasingly concerned about their safety, comfort, and complying with legislation. Thanks to our partnership with Halfords, we are offering them a professional solution designed to meet their needs and expectations," says a delighted Chris Roberts, Parrot sales director for the UK. The campaign is due to last until 30 April and will enable Parrot to take advantage of the new legal framework to drive home the message about the Bluetooth technology and Parrot’s innovative range of hands-free kits. In addition to the Parrot CK3000 EVOLUTION featured in the campaign, Halfords also sells other Parrot products, including the Parrot 3200 LS-COLOR and soon to be listed the Parrot MK6000 and the Parrot MINIKIT.

 

Distinction
An iF Design Award for Parrot's Bluetooth® headset
The Parrot DRIVER HEADSET was honoured by the iF Design Awards jury in the consumer electronics/telecommunication category. Standing as one of the world's leading design competitions, the 2007 edition short-listed no fewer than 2 293 products from 35 countries. The jury selected 756 winners from 12 categories, and the 50 iF Gold Award winners will be unveiled during a ceremony on 15 March as part of the CeBIT show in Hanover.
The experts called on to judge the products were won over by both the shape and features of Parrot's Bluetooth headset. The Parrot DRIVER HEADSET is an easy-to-use plug & play solution that plugs into the cigar lighter and ensures that the headset is always charged and ready to go.
"This award represents the first international recognition of the quality that goes into the company's design work," advises Jean Etcheparre, design manager for Parrot. "The award pays tribute to what is an original, innovative and useful product that stays true to Henri Seydoux's ambition to create high-quality products. The award is also a source of great motivation for the design engineers, because it applauds the effort to continually improve the design of our new products and thereby emphasises the policy pursued in this particular field. Our greatest wish will be to see several other new products created by Parrot recognised and rewarded by iF next year."
Such prestigious international recognition will be given pride of place on the packaging for this innovative product.

Parrot BOOMBOX: a wireless sound system ready to create a stir

After the Parrot SOUND SYSTEM, Parrot is continuing its offensive into the speaker market with a new product recently unveiled at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona. The Parrot BOOMBOX combines a high-performance audio system with the Bluetooth stereo wireless technology, all of which presented with a stylish design. Produced in a black-lacquered wooden cabinet with a semi-matt polished finish and black speaker covers, this system offers 2.1 hi-fi quality sound and is compatible with any Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) music source. The Parrot BOOMBOX relays the MP3 music from a mobile phone or PC that is compatible with Bluetooth or fitted with a Bluetooth stereo dongle. The 60W power output and the woofer for reinforcing the bass frequencies make the Parrot BOOMBOX an audio product that is more than a match for the best music phones of 2007, such as the Sony Ericsson W950i, the Nokia N95 and the future Apple iPhone, or any of your tuner in your computer.

Recommended retail price: ¤229

 

A worldwide e-commerce site for Parrot
Nicolas Halftermeyer,
online marketing and e-commerce manager

 

What will the new www.parrotshopping.com site be bringing to consumers?
"The online store is available in 35 countries. The idea is to give consumers a live view of the products, as well the range of accessories, like the cables specific to each manufacturer for fitting the hands-free kits. It is a worldwide showcase, especially for our range of wireless photo frames and our new speakers. Consumers can purchase items at shop prices with postage and packing included. The site is open to the general public, and consumers can pay online by credit card or PayPal. Our aim is to provide coverage in those areas where Parrot is not very well established, meaning countries like Canada, Norway..."

Why does this site represent a technical challenge?
"The site supports over 10 currencies, including euros and dollars, as well as many other currencies from around the world.
The entire Parrot range is available for purchase. Eventually, we might offer bundles, such as a Nokia N75 + Parrot BOOMBOX.
Innovation also comes from the logistics side. Thanks to our provider's warehouses in Chicago, Manchester, Montpellier, Hong Kong and Melbourne, Parrot is able to deliver its products worldwide."

Aren't you likely to compete with conventional distributors?
"The e-commerce site will bring Parrot closer to the consumer, but we will not be going into competition with distributors. Firstly, our products will be sold at shop prices, and secondly, the Parrot.com site also shows consumers where they can find our distributors (FNAC in France, El Corte Ingles in Spain, Carphone Warehouse in Great Britain, and so on). To give our site more exposure, we are going to launch a worldwide campaign on Google and purchase keywords like Bluetooth and hands-free kit. Everyone is a winner with the Internet - both Parrot and the distributors: people will always need a physical sales outlet for fitting their hands-free kit in the car."