Conversational AI is technology that allows computers to understand, process, and respond to human language in a way that feels natural and interactive, similar to chatting with a person. It enables machines to hold conversations, answer questions, and assist with tasks automatically. For investors, it matters because this technology can improve customer service, streamline operations, and create new opportunities across many industries.
lead management platformtechnical
A lead management platform is software that captures, organizes and tracks potential customers from first contact through sale, acting like a digital inbox and checklist that ensures promising prospects don’t get lost. For investors, it matters because the tool affects how efficiently a company turns interest into revenue, influences sales costs and growth predictability, and scales customer outreach in measurable ways.
ai voice agenttechnical
An AI voice agent is software that uses artificial intelligence to listen to and speak with people, acting like a virtual employee that answers questions, gives instructions, or completes tasks by voice. Investors care because deploying these agents can lower ongoing service costs, increase sales or user engagement, and create new data and compliance risks—similar to replacing a front-desk person with a smart, always-on assistant that changes costs and revenue potential.
ai-powered schedulertechnical
An ai-powered scheduler is software that uses artificial intelligence to automatically plan and adjust meetings, tasks, or resource use by learning preferences, availability, and priorities—think of a smart assistant that picks the best times and sequences to get things done. For investors, it matters because it can cut labor and coordination costs, boost productivity and customer responsiveness, and scale operations faster, while also introducing technology, integration, and data-risk considerations.
real-time lead scoringtechnical
A system that assigns an immediate numerical value to a prospective customer or client based on their actions, profile, and real-time data so sales and marketing teams know which leads are most likely to convert. It matters to investors because it helps companies use resources more efficiently and grow revenue faster—think of it as an automatic traffic light that highlights the hottest prospects so a business can focus time and money where returns are likeliest.
sentiment & intent analysistechnical
Sentiment & intent analysis is the automated reading of news, social posts, filings and other text to judge whether the tone is positive, negative or neutral (sentiment) and to infer the writer’s purpose, such as promoting, criticizing, buying or researching (intent). For investors it acts like listening to a crowd and guessing both how people feel about a company and what they plan to do next, helping flag shifts in demand, reputation or likely market moves before financial numbers catch up.
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Sydney, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
LocaliQ ANZ, the digital marketing Solutions business of USA TODAY Co., announced the launch of its next-generation AI Voice Agent, a powerful new addition to Dash by LocaliQ, an AI-powered lead management platform designed to help businesses capture, manage and convert enquiries in real time.
Building on the success of Dash’s capabilities, the new AI Voice Agent introduces seamless voice interactions, giving businesses an edge to engage with customers 24/7 across multiple channels. Together, these tools create a smarter, more connected experience, helping businesses turn more enquiries into actual customers.
“Across Australia and New Zealand, local businesses work hard to generate enquiries, but too many opportunities are still lost, simply because no one is available to answer the phone or manage bookings in the moment,” said Rooman Osmany, Head of Product at LocaliQ ANZ.
Powered by advanced conversational AI, the AI Voice Agent engages customers instantly through natural, human-like conversations. It can answer questions, qualify leads, handle common objections, and guide prospects through the next step, whether that’s booking an appointment or requesting a quote.
Unlike traditional call handling or basic automation tools, Dash doesn’t just capture leads, it actively works to convert them.
One of the biggest challenges small and medium businesses face today is missed opportunities. LocaliQ data shows that around 1 in 4 inbound calls go unanswered, often from high-intent customers ready to buy. Dash addresses this by ensuring every call is answered, even outside business hours, helping businesses stay responsive around the clock.
To further close the gap between enquiry and conversion, Dash includes an integrated AI-powered Scheduler.
The Scheduler allows customers to book appointments instantly during a call, removing the back-and-forth and reducing drop-off, by connecting directly with a business’ availability. It ensures bookings happen in real time, not hours later.
“With Dash Voice Agent and Scheduler, we’re removing the gap between a customer raising their hand and a business being able to respond helping SMBs capture and convert leads instantly” said Rooman Osmany.
Key capabilities include:
Voice Conversational AI — A tool that hat never sleeps and works around the clock
AI Call Handling & Transcription – Automatically captures inbound conversations, transcribes them and surfaces key insights
Smart AI Scheduler – Automatically books appointments directly into the calendar based on availability, business rules and lead priority
Real-Time Lead Scoring – Identifies high-intent prospects using AI-powered analysis
Sentiment & Intent Analysis – Understands tone and urgency to prioritise opportunities
With AI embedded across every stage of the customer journey, Dash enables businesses to move faster, respond smarter and ultimately convert more leads into revenue. Learn more by visiting: https://localiq.com/au/.
ABOUT USA TODAY Co., Inc.
USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. Our mission is to inspire, inform, and connect audiences. As a media and digital marketing solutions company we are focused on sustainable growth. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver trusted unbiased journalism when and where consumers want it. LocaliQ, our digital marketing solutions brand, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.
ABOUT LOCALIQ ANZ
LocaliQ ANZ is an AI-powered marketing platform helping businesses across Australia and New Zealand attract, convert and retain customers more effectively. As a subsidiary of USA TODAY Co. LocaliQ combines both global expertise with local market insight to transform how businesses connect with the audience that matters the most.
Powered by proprietary AI technology, LocaliQ leverages data and real-time insights to optimise cross-channel marketing and deliver highly relevant customer experiences. Its comprehensive platform brings together AI-driven lead management, digital agents, marketing automation and advanced reporting tools, all in one place. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, LocaliQ is on mission to help businesses grow and thrive, empowering the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.localiq.com/au.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements relating to whether this initiative will enable USA TODAY Co. to increase sales or revenues, beliefs, intentions, estimates or strategies regarding the future, which may not be realized. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “ongoing,” “future” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially and/or significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see the risks and other factors detailed in “Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors” in USA TODAY Co.’s (fka Gannett Co., Inc.) 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and USA TODAY Co.’s (fka Gannett Co., Inc.) quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and USA TODAY Co.’s (fka Gannett Co., Inc.) other filings with the SEC, in each case as such factors may be updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. USA TODAY Co. disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.
