Cartamundi launches cards for iPhone in Israel

 In 2011 Cartamundi introduced a new technology for iPhones. Thanks to a special printing process these playing cards are recognized by your smartphone and open an interactive world full of information and games. This innovative technology is licensed from the German company Printechnologics.
Today, these iCards are immensely popular with youngsters in Israel. This is a premiere for Cartamundi: it is the first time that this type of iCards is launched on the market in a commercial application.

New technology in worldwide first

Up to 95% of the young people in Israel know iSupergol, a sticker album on Israeli soccer. This season publisher PMI decided to offer iCards in addition to stickers. These iCards are plain looking cards that make a link with the virtual world.
"You put an iCard on your iPhone or iPad and our technology does the rest“, says Steven Schoenmaekers of Cartamundi. “Your smartphone recognizes the soccer player; you can check his statistics and watch photos and videos. You can also add the player to your virtual album, put together your dream team with your favourite soccer players and win prizes with it.”

22.000 downloads in 5 days

“The only thing you need, is an application for your smartphone, which you can download for free”, Steven adds. “Five days after the launch the app was already downloaded 22 000 times. It was at once the most downloaded app for children and the fifth most downloaded app of the week, which gives you an idea of the success.”

Convinced immediately

“The decision makers of this project were immediately convinced”, concluded Steven. “I showed a demo version of our iCards to the CEOs of PMI and Apple Israel. A few months later these iCards are already available to the consumer. The iCards are printed and coded at Cartamundi in Turnhout.

Images
Watch here a demo on YouTube‬‬‬‬‬

Press contact Cartamundi

Steven Schoenmaekers, Key Account Manager Special Projects, tel. 014/44 59 15
Email: steven.schoenmaekers@cartamundi.com

Background information on Cartamundi

Cartamundi was established in 1970 as a joint-venture combining the playing card activities of Brepols, Van Genechten and Biermans and is therefore able to boast of 200 years experience in the production and sale of playing cards and cards for games. The head office of Cartamundi is located in Turnhout, Belgium.

The group generated sales in 2010 of 147,5 million Euro with a workforce of 1.200 and with factories in Belgium, Germany, the UK, Poland, the USA, Brazil, Mexico and India and its own sales offices in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Turkey and Singapore. In 2008, the company was awarded as Entrepreneur of the Year.

Cartamundi has its own retail collection with licensed cards (such as Disney®, James Bond®, Harry Potter®, Fifa®, etc.), but is also known for its promotional card collections (e.g. Pixar Delhaize and WWF Delhaize), casino cards, collector cards (e.g. Yu-Gi- Oh! ®) and cards for games (such as Uno®, Monopoly®) and the new concept Megakicks. Thanks to its long-term experience and specialist knowledge the company is able to continuously develop innovative playing cards and card games to further expand the Cartamundi range.

About Printechnologics

Printechnologics is today’s leading technology developer in printed functionalities, creating electronic systems produced entirely by a common printer. Printechnologics introduced its first commercially viable product –Touchcode, an electronic data storage method - in 2010. Touchcode technology can be integrated into any printable material, and is completely recyclable, invisible and flexible.

Furthering the evolution of printed paper, Printechnologics ensures every kind of printed product, from advertising leaflets to labels and forgery-proof packaging, is ready for the digital age. These first production products have the potential to inspire a series of inventions that will change everyday life. Printechnologics is a 3M New Venture Company since 2010. For more information, visit www.printechnologics.com.