Wi-Fi product and services provider JiWire has launched an advertising network that serves ads on Wi-Fi hotspot login screens and during sessions.

The JiWire Hotspot Advertising Network, announced at Ad:Tech Chicago, allows advertisers to reach an attractive demographic at known venues, while allowing hotspot operators to enhance the returns on their Wi-Fi infrastructure investments, JiWire said. Toshiba and Sony are the first advertisers to sign on, and nine wireless internet service providers, which collectively operate thousands of hotspots, have joined the network, the company said.

The ad network is configured to deliver location-specific advertising and to provide sophisticated tracking of advertising performance. The network will enable geographic targeting, via which different advertisements are delivered to various regions, states, cities or hotspots - as well as location-type targeting, via which different ads are delivered to various venues, such as hotels, airports, cafes and convention centers.

According to an online survey conducted by JiWire during the winter of 2006, 77 percent of hotspot users have annual household incomes of more than $50,000, and 55 percent of hotspot users identify themselves as C-level executives, vice-presidents or other managers.

JiWire sells, manages and tracks all advertising placements for JiWire Hotspot Advertising Network hotspot operators. At each hotspot operator's option, advertising can be displayed on the hotspot login screen, on a post-login confirmation screen, or from time to time during Wi-Fi sessions. Advertising may also be displayed on a graphical frame that surrounds every web page delivered to a hotspot's users, an option that may appeal to operators of free hotspots.