Varitalk and Gmail Team up with Santa Claus to Spread Holiday Cheer Around the Globe

CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Varitalk team will celebrate their 10th year together in 2012.  On the verge of that milestone, the Company's newest campaign, "Send A Call (or Video) From Santa," has broken every record ever set in the Company's history.  In 2010, Varitalk worked with Google on a highly successful Santa calling campaign.  They renewed that partnership in 2011, teaming up with Google's email client, Gmail, to produce video and calling from Santa.

Varitalk delivered numerous firsts: a universally accessible HTML5 app, equally usable on both computers and on mobile devices, Google Chrome browser and storefront integration, and best of all, a personalized video message starring Santa, with video sharing enabled via YouTube, Google+, and email.

While declining to disclose exact metrics, the Company says the performance outstripped even well known movie marketing efforts like Varitalk's famed "Snakes on A Plane," and "Transformers" campaigns.  "Send A Call From Santa" reached these heights in a jaw-dropping four days – achieving on its own merit the highest marketing tribute imaginable: a spot on the Google homepage.

Kat Rothstein, Varitalk's Supervising Producer, ran creative on the project, including art direction, motion, scripting and production.  "This year's Santa campaign was about providing a fun, global user experience, both in terms of device capabilities and in terms of content," said Rothstein.  In addition to mobile features, the campaign included more than 200 location variables for places as remote as Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of Congo.

For a system capable of weathering the storm, Varitalk relied on co-founder Aaron Graham, its Lead Platform engineer.  Graham's 3rd-generation, cloud based media server was engaged, along with Varitalk's entirely new messaging and serving infrastructure redesigned specifically for enterprise-scale projects.  Additionally, Graham collaborated with Frederick Lowe, Varitalk's co-founder and President, to create the animation software and processes required to deliver the project.

Re-engaged for 2011 were Jobe Cerny, better known as the voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy, and Varitalk's singularly talented graphic illustrator, Gina Mayes. 

Lowe expressed pride in his team's achievement and appreciation for his clients: "Helping Santa and Gmail spread holiday joy is an honor I can only properly serve with my amazing, capable team at my side," adding, "Santa is real.  I have met him."

About Varitalk Holdings, LLC

Varitalk supplies services and technology that empower consumers to personalize and share content.  It's content worth sharing.  Everything else is just an ad.  Learn more at: http://www.varitalk.com/.

Google, Gmail, Google Voice, Google+, YouTube, and Google Chrome are trademarks of Google, Inc.

Pillsbury, and Pillsbury Doughboy are trademarks of Proctor and Gamble or its subsidiary entities.

SOURCE Varitalk Holdings, LLC

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