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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260414980136/en/

Media Contacts

Rooman Osmany

Head of Marketing and Product

Rooman.osmany@localiq.au

Pallavi Tanjavur

Marketing and Communication Specialist

Ptanjavur@localiq.au

LocaliQ ANZ Launches AI Voice Agent to Help Businesses Capture and Convert Every Call