MT1 voice e-mail seeks UK agency

Irish software start-up MagneticTime is looking for a UK agency to handle a six-figure advertising account for its new MT1 software package, which lets users listen to their e-mails on the move.

MT1 translates e-mails into MP3 audio files, which can be listened to on iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones and laptops.

Launched in early November, MT1 is being advertised in UK magazine Stuff and in US titles. It is also being promoted through leaflet distribution in London and New York. MagneticTime chief executive Richard O’Donnell says that he is looking for ad agencies for the US and the UK.

O’Donnell was a founder of US financial and banking software firm Software Architects International, bought in 2000 by Clarus Corporation for $60m (&£34.6m).

He says that the spread of the iPod, internet-enabled mobile phones and e-mail “push” systems such as the one used in BlackBerry devices has created a perfect environment for MT1 in marketing and corporate communications. MT1 is also being marketed for educational and general business purposes.

MT1 is sold through MagneticTime’s website. At present, there is only an English version available, which uses an American female voice. O’Donnell says that British male and female voices can be made available if the UK market prefers them.