20:20 Mobile launches the Premier Partner Programme and Web Portal for independent customers.

20:20 MOBILE has launched a comprehensive programme of benefits and value added services for leading independent customers including the launch of a new online portal. Unveiled at a special customer event at Mercedes World in Weybridge. 20:20 presented the two key initiatives to over 70 customers on 11th June.

The event also saw customers enjoying hands on sessions with key manufacturer partners Nokia, BlackBerry, Sony Ericsson, LG and Acer. These sessions included presentations on the new and forthcoming products, propositions and campaigns from the manufacturers.

20:20 Mobile took over the impressive Mercedes World venue for the event which will mark the first of ongoing quarterly events for key partners. 20:20 introduced and provided a live demonstration of its new Partner Portal.

Developed in-house by 20:20´s market-leading IT team, the portal will allow online payment, delivery tracking, product information, roadmaps and order management. More than just being an ordering tool, the portal will enable 20:20 to offer a tailored market insight, allowing partners access to stock ranges, marketing collateral and much more at any time improving 20:20s overall customer communications.

The ´Partner Portal´ is aimed at strengthening its bespoke offerings to select partners as well as further generic offerings to its extensive customer base of 1000 mobile phone independent customers.

The portal has just been launched in the UK and will roll-out across the 20:20 Mobile Group and key accounts over coming months. It has been developed specifically for independent customers following detailed customer feedback and trials and will gain extra functionality over coming months.

The launch of the Portal also marks the launch of 20:20´s unique Premier Partner programme, designed to be the most comprehensive support programme of its kind available. Customers invited to join the Premier Partner programme will receive a comprehensive list of value added services and benefits including fixed pricing, marketing support, priority stock allocation, enhanced credit and commercial terms. Customers joining the premier partner programme also get access to 20:20´s Premier Returns Programme that offers 18 months direct end user swap via courier.

20:20 Mobile´s UK sales director for independent customers, Steve Sanghera, said:

"We´re delighted to be working with Halfords to extend our current accessories supply agreement to encompass mobile devices. We have worked hard to understand Halfords' strategic direction and develop a range that will drive sales and educate the consumer in how a range of functions and services, such as Sat Nav, can be converged through one device."

"Our aim is to build a deeper relationship with our customers, allowing us to provide more bespoke support and services to them. "

"We have been developing these initiatives for over 18 months and represent a long term commitment from 20:20 to the independent channel. We have spent a lot of time visiting customers, listening to feedback and understanding their businesses. We are absolutely confident that our programme is Best in Class"

UK Managing Director, James Browning, added:

"Our intention is to provide a more streamlined and joined-up service to all our customers. We have in excess of 1000 independent customers in our base and I´m clear we must provide them with the best service available in the marketplace."

"Independent customers are still an incredibly important part of the mobile industry mix and our new portal will hopefully make dealing with us an easier and more flexible proposition in the future"

See www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk. for more information.

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20:20 Mobile Enters Top Track 100

20:20 Mobile has been officially recognised as one of Britains biggest privately owned companies in the latest Sunday Times Deloitte Top Track 100.

The Mobile Phone and Accessory distributor entered at number 59 with sales of £850 million for 2008 ahead of a number of major brands including Dyson, House of Fraser, Phones 4u and Virgin Trains.

20:20 was also recorded as one of the leading private businesses in the North West coming in as the 7th biggest in the region.

Britain´s 100 biggest private companies are revealed in the latest Sunday Times Deloitte Top Track 100, published on 28 June. The annual league table ranks companies by their latest available sales, and is published for an eighth year with co-sponsorship from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets and Microsoft.

View the the full Top Track 100 report here: www.fastrack.co.uk

20:20 retains Phones4u logistics contract

20:20 MOBILE has won a tender to continue supplying logistical support to Phones 4U for the next three years.

This follows a competitive tender process which was won against other leading logistics providers and will see 20:20 Mobile continue as the retailer´s logistical partner, providing functions including warehousing and reverse logistics.

Brendan Sweeney, Managing Director of Phones 4U, said:

"We have been very pleased with the quality and flexibility of service from 20:20 and it is testament to the value of 20:20's logistical support that we can announce a three-year extension to our partnership"

"This deal provides a strong platform for 20:20 Mobile in what is undoubtedly a tough and highly competitive market at the moment."

20:20 Mobile´s Group Operations Director, Martin O´Grady, added:

"We have provided a high standard of service to Phones4u over a number of years which has been reflected with this new deal. We´re confident we deliver consistent value for Phones4U and look forward to creating further efficiencies and service improvements for them in the years ahead."

20:20 launches new supply partnership with Halfords

20:20 MOBILE has launched an exciting new partnership with Halfords, the UK's leading retailer of in car technology, to supply pre-pay handsets in the retailer's top 100 stores nationwide.

The partnership will see 20:20 Mobile become the sole supplier of pre-pay devices as Halfords expands into mobile, with a particular focus on promoting the Sat Nav and music capabilities of mobile phones. 20:20 already successfully supplies mobile accessories across the entire Halfords' store estate.

20:20 Mobile has been supplying Halfords with pre-pay handsets since the end of last year in trials at various stores throughout the UK. The success of these trials will now see a permanent roll-out, which will include 20:20 providing in-store displays and staff training.

The in-store displays will be made up of a two-sided island fixture that is being heralded as best in class in terms of communication to customers, with products and network propositions being displayed to their best advantage.

20:20 Mobile MD, James Browning, said:

"We're delighted to be working with Halfords to extend our current accessories supply agreement to encompass mobile devices. We have worked hard to understand Halfords' strategic direction and develop a range that will drive sales and educate the consumer in how a range of functions and services, such as Sat Nav, can be converged through one device."

Halfords Category Manager, Chris Corbin, has been impressed with the execution of this new category:

"We have worked closely with 20:20 Mobile to deliver this project within our required timescales. We have worked to deliver a mobile phone proposition online and in-store, that compliments our strength as the leading retailer of hands free car solutions in the UK."

20:20 Mobile wins innovation award!

It was success for 2020 Mobile last week as they were announced winners of the 'Most Innovative Channel Product' at the Comms Business Awards in London. The award was in recognition for the development of 'eMERIT' technology that allows payments to be taken from credit/debit cards using a SmartPhone.

2020 Mobile's unrivalled supply chain takes eMERIT software from technology partner Tracktech and Smartphones from BlackBerry to produce a phone that can take credit and debit card payments.

This technology allows small businesses to securely take real time payments from their customers using their BlackBerry phone, so they don't have to rely on their customers having the correct cash or a cheque, which massively reduces the risk of unpaid bills.

James Browning, MD of 2020 Mobile UK commented,

"We're really proud to have won this award as it recognises the innovation that exists in our business and the genuine partnerships that we have developed with both Tracktech and RIM, the manufacturer of BlackBerry SmartPhones." James continued; "in these difficult economic times, it's essential that small businesses are able to take payment from their customers: eMERIT helps then do this. In addition, 20:20's eMERIT proposition also offers our independent and reseller customers an ongoing revenue share; it really is just what our customers need"

The Judges on the Comms Business panel said

"2020 Mobile and eMERIT impressed the judges and won the Most Innovative Channel Product (Mobility Solution) award as it is the only product of its kind… it beat off competition from a number of established products"

Tim Corke from Tracktech added

"receiving an award from peers within any channel is always enormously satisfying, but this award is particularly fulfilling as it recognises not only the innovation and strength of the product itself, but also the fantastic partnership between 20:20 and eMERIT in getting to this point."

David Hinc, Sales Director for the Mobility channel at 2020 Mobile said

"we are overjoyed at winning the award for most innovative channel product for the eMERIT solution and moreover pleased that the Judges saw the same intrinsic value and market opportunity of the proposition being able to extend the capability for thousands of businesses to securely accept credit card payments wherever they are"

Left to right: David Hinc (20:20 Mobile) Tim Corke (eMerit) and Andy Hollingworth (Opal)

See www.2020.emerit.co.uk for more details

Mobile News Awards 2009

We had some great news last Thursday at this year's coveted Mobile News Awards ceremony in London, when Dextra, the accessory arm of 20:20 Mobile, won 'Best Accessories Distributor' of the year!

This was a fantastic result as we beat off entries from a number of our competitors.

The awards were judged by an independent panel of 10 leading experts from the mobile industry; below are some of the fantastic comments that the Judges made about us - a real testament to everyone in our business!

"With more depth and relevance in it's offering, Dextra continues to be main choice for accessories and is again an obvious winner"

"A polished, relevant submission - this was a one horse race"

"Well done to Dextra for maintaining an impressive run of victories. It has raised the bar further for its competitors"

Here's the full article that the judges wrote about our win, published in the March 23^rd 2009 edition of Mobile News: read the article here.

20:20 came an extremely close second in the 'Best Handset Distributor' of the year award; losing out by just 1 point!

Again, the Judges were amazed at the quality of our submission:

"20:20 should be commended for the overall quality of their business"

"In 2008, 20:20 shipped more than 5.4 million handsets and won 'Approved Partner Status' with Nokia... both great achievements"

The Judges also commented on the really strong testimonials that we received from customers and suppliers which evidenced the high standards that we are setting within the industry.

This is recognition that we have a really successful business and I would like to say well done to everyone in the business who helped pull the submissions together and to thank all our customers and supply partners for making 2008 so successful.

Here's to a fantastic 2009!

Regards

James Browning

Introducing the new 20:20 brand

The aim of the new 20:20 mobile brand has been to give our company a fresh and compelling new visual identity for 2009.

This has been specially developed in-house by our award-winning design team, who work with our wide range of customers on their campaigns and promotions.

An end to the perils of bouncing cheques with eMERIT

THE frustration caused to small businesses by bouncing cheques may be a thing of the past with the launch of the new eMERIT credit card transaction solution which provides a secure, 24/7 UK credit card payment processing facility via a Blackberry® Smartphone device with a QWERTY keypad.

The ground-breaking software doesn't need pre-arranged Merchant Banking Services or additional hardware as payments are processed straight through the device, making eMERIT perfect for both small and larger businesses but a particularly welcome tool for tradesmen who can secure immediate payment for work done, overcoming the problem of dealing with infamous 'rubber' cheques.

Find out more information - read the press release.

Hinc joins 20:20 to spearhead fixed-mobile convergence drive

20:20 MOBILE Group has recruited leading industry figure David Hinc to head its new Mobility Solutions Division.

David, former commercial director at Unique Distribution, will become Sales Director specialising in the emerging fixed-mobile convergence arena. He will develop new business partnerships for channels requiring a 'high touch' sales relationship.

Mobility Solutions aims to provide complete end to end solutions for Mobile Dealers, Fixed Line VARs , IT Distributors and Enterprise in the Unified Communications market building on 20:20's award winning capabilities extending their market reach into this burgeoning market sector.

Find out more information - read the press release.

20:20 Mobile wins major Scandinavian retail contract

20:20 Mobile Group's Scandinavian arm, AxCom, has just secured a contract with Expert Sweden to supply up to 300,000 handsets a year and up to 100,000 DECT (wireless landline) phones.

The Swedish retailer has a chain of 235 home electrical shops and is part of a larger Scandinavian group which has 1000 outlets across Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Estonia. Axcom will begin supplying Expert Sweden in October

Find out more information - »read the press release.

Fergus deBurca takes helm at 20:20 Mobile Ireland

20:20 Mobile Ireland has announced that its Finance Director, Fergus de Burca has taken over as managing director.

De Burca has been with 20:20 Mobile Ireland since February 2000 and replaces MD Rory O'Connor who is leaving the business later this year to pursue other business interests.

20:20 Mobile Ireland is the market leader for mobile handsets in the Irish market, as part of a joint venture with Vodafone.

Find out more information - »read the press release.

20:20 Mobile Group scores double strike as Nokia distribution deal concluded

20:20 MOBILE Group today scored a "double strike" with both its handsets and accessories businesses awarded the status of 'Nokia Approved Partner'.

The Crewe-based distributor - the market leader in the UK - was among a dozen distributors who pitched for accounts to distribute Nokia's handsets and accessories in the UK market, following the announcement of an ITT process back in June.

Find out more information - »read the press release.