Text message company hopes for deal with MTV

Text-messaging company Plus SMS Holdings is hopeful of a deal with the international media giant MTV after the appointment of MTV executive Bill Roedy to its advisory board.

"I'm certainly optimistic there will be opportunities," said Plus SMS group chairman Jim Bracknell.

As vice-chairman of MTV Networks and president of MTV Networks International, Roedy oversees multimedia operations for brands including MTV: Music Television, Nickelodeon and VH1.

Plus SMS, based on the Isle of Man but NZX-listed, enables companies to run global text message campaigns and competitions using single codes.

The company has already acquired more than a 1000 codes including "sport", "rugby" and "football".

Roedy joins an advisory board including former Telepiu Italia chief executive Rob Hersov, former chief executive of Telecom Italia Mobile Marco de Benedetti, and the former chairman and CEO of TI Group, Sir Christopher Lewinton.

Bracknell said it was a pool of experience of which Plus SMS would take advantage.

The advisory board's existence depended on approval from shareholders for the sale of up to 20 per cent of the company to Jersey-based investment firm Hewon Capital.

Plus SMS shareholders will vote on the proposed deal, which would see Hewon commit $5 million up front and up to another $35 million, at the company's annual meeting in Auckland next Friday.

Plus SMS Holdings closed up 2c yesterday at 58c.