Zap2it and Napkin Studio Release Major Upgrade to 'What's On?' Application for Apple iPhone and iPod touch

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Zap2it.com, the leading entertainment news and listings website from Tribune Media Services (TMS), and Napkin Studio, a high-end mobile applications developer, today announced the release of a major upgrade to the "What's On?" application, the first-to-market entertainment guide app for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. Available now, Version 2.02 of What's On? combines rich content from Zap2it with helpful functionality from Napkin Studio offering on-the-go entertainment fanatics an integrated news, multi-media and local listings solution.

iPhone and iPod touch users can visit the iTunes App Store and search for "What's On?" or "Zap2it" to get the free app for the first time or as an upgrade. Since its introduction in September 2008, the app has been downloaded more than 750,000 times.

New content available on the latest version of What's On? includes "The Buzz" featuring Zap2it's up-to-the-minute TV, movie and celebrity news, show recaps and photo galleries. Movie showtimes from Zap2it plus movie trailers from Zap2it partner ScreenPlay are also now available. Additional enhancements include a striking new user interface, improved search and favorites functionality and greater speed.

Based on requests from first-generation app users, Napkin Studio also added reminder functionality to the new release. Users can now set alerts on their mobile devices to remind them when their favorite shows are about to air. This proprietary feature, which takes advantage of the Apple Push Notification Service, is unique to What's On?'s new version.

The latest release comes as the 2009/2010 TV season gains momentum and the annual awards season rapidly approaches. With a multitude of entertainment choices available to consumers, the new iPhone and iPod touch app provides another convenient tool to help viewers keep track of what to watch -- and where.

The latest version of What's On? also includes new advertising opportunities for Zap2it's client base of TV network, movie studio and other marketers. Standard 480 x 55 and 320 x 55 units plus a high-impact interstitial unit which briefly overlays messaging on the device screen represent the latest additions to Zap2it's portfolio of innovative marketing solutions.

Premium cable network Starz was the first advertiser to take advantage of the new interstitial unit on the What's On? app. The network used the mobile ad as one element of a broader "tune-in" campaign on Zap2it promoting the Season Two premiere of original series "Crash."

"Zap2it constantly strives to connect entertainment fanatics with their favorite content and at the same time, help marketers reach those audiences," said Rebecca Baldwin, General Manager of Zap2it. "The new What's On? app provides yet another way to connect TV watchers and movie-goers with content and information that's relevant, timely and entertaining. It also provides a unique marketing solution we can now offer advertisers needing to reach a high-value mobile audience."

"Version 2.02 represents a complete re-imagining of What's On?," said David Stanfill, Napkin Studio President. "The app provides all the features our users loved in the previous versions and adds new features like a beautiful new UI, movie listings, push notifications, rich media content and more - all while maintaining the simple usability of the app our users love."

For more information on What's On?, visit Zap2it.com/whatson.

About Zap2it.com

Zap2it.com is the online destination for more than 5 million TV and Movie fans who want to stay connected to popular shows, films, events, celebrities, and other fans. Zap2it is a service of Tribune Media Services, a division of Tribune Company. For more information about Zap2it, visit Zap2it.com/mediakit.

About Tribune Media Services

Tribune Media Services' Entertainment Products division is an international leader in entertainment navigation. It provides industry-leading databases of TV, movie and celebrity information; guides in print, online and on-screen formats; and advertising and marketing services to build audiences. For more information about TMS Entertainment Products visit TribuneMediaServices.com.

About Napkin Studio

Napkin Studio is a high-end mobile applications development studio based in Canton, Ohio. The company website is at http://www.napkinstudio.com/. You can follow Napkin Studio on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/napkinstudio.

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Mobile Marketer - October 28, 2009: Interviews Zap2it General Manager, Rebecca Baldwin, about cable channel, Starz' launch of a mobile advertising campaign for its original television series “Crash” on Zap2it’s expanded version of the What’s On? iPhone application. http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/advertising/4519.html

Mobiletor.com posted October 29, 2009: "Zap2it brings ‘What’s On?’ version 2.02 to iPhone"
http://www.mobiletor.com/2009/10/29/zap2it-brings-whats-on-version-2-02-to-iphone/