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Rock the Vote Mobilizes the Youth Vote in 2008 Election Via Wireless Social Networking Technology From Upoc Networks

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 April 2008, 00:00 CDT

Upoc Networks, a leading provider of mobile social networks, has teamed up with Rock the Vote (RTV) to apply wireless applications and social networking to engage youth in the 2008 presidential election.

Upoc Networks, a U.S. subsidiary of Dada S.p.A. (listed on the Italian Stock Exchange: DA.MI), is providing the back office integration for a host of RTV messaging and content delivery applications, including event alerts, instant polls and quizzes that form part of the "Rock the Vote Mobile" service.

"We use new technologies and popular culture in innovative ways to reach and engage young voters," said Heather Smith, executive director of Rock the Vote. "Recognizing the importance of mobile phones to young people, this year we partnered with the nation's largest mobile carrier AT&T and the incredibly creative Upoc Networks to develop a program to reach 18-29 year olds. We're applying mobile technology to build a community of activists through texting and sharing content on mobile devices."

Upoc's own community of more than 3 million users shares messages, in a myriad of interest groups centered on youth culture -- including sports, music, film and politics.

Rock the Vote has been employing the "Text to Turnout" wireless capability since the run-up to the Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont primaries on March 4, and in advance of today's Pennsylvania primary.

Upoc Networks' underlying technology is enabling Rock the Vote to quickly interact with its user community by means of:

 --  instant polls to gauge public opinion --  quizzes that can entertain while inform --  targeted alerts about upcoming events based on location --  event-driven concert promotions by sponsors      

"Rock the Vote is capitalizing on our mobile social networking expertise to expand and deepen relations with its own community," said Steven Spencer, Upoc's chief executive. "It's the latest example of how mobile social networking can be applied to engage a target constituency. It's especially effective in reaching young voters who are always connected with the latest wireless devices."

About Upoc Networks

Upoc is a leader in providing mobile social networking applications. Founded in 1999, Upoc provisions consumer entertainment and community services, accessible via SMS, WAP, voice, MMS, BREW, and the Web. Upoc is a subsidiary of Dada S.p.A., a leading European provider of Web and mobile community and entertainment services listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (DA.MI).

About Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote's mission is to engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country. Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote in every election. And we give young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives, and leverage their power in the political process. Rock the Vote is creative, effective, and controlled by nobody's agenda but our own -- we tell it like it is and pride ourselves on being a trusted source for information on politics. We empower the 45 million young people in America who want to step up, claim their voice in the political process, and change the way politics is done. www.RockTheVote.com

 Contacts:  Sam Gronner Gronner P.R. Associates for Upoc 201-592-7896  Chrissy Faessen RTV 202-719-9941  

SOURCE: Upoc Networks

Source: MARKET WIRE

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