NEW YORK, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco-based startup Volio, Inc. today announced the launch of Volio™ digital media experiences – interactive video driven by the user's voice. Simply by talking, the user participates and guides the experience.

A Volio experience combines a personality, video and speech recognition in an unusually innovative, yet simple way. The company enables media creators, brands, marketers and entertainers to create topical, highly engaging, distinctively personalized "one-on-one" experiences. Volio apps can be entertaining, informative or educational.

Founded by Ron Croen, a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and led by a seasoned group of technology, media, entertainment and marketing entrepreneurs, the company is angel funded by Andreessen Horowitz, 500 Startups and several Silicon Valley veterans and private investors.

Volio launches with "Talk to Esquire" a companion app for the April edition of Esquire magazine, which is available today in the Apple App Store.

"We share a vision about how the combination of personality, video, and speech recognition technology will delight users," said Ron Croen, founder and CEO of Volio Inc. "We're excited to offer media companies and brands a way to extend and personalize their content as we've done with Esquire magazine."

To coincide with the launch, Volio Inc., has partnered with leading men's publication Esquire magazine, to create a first-of-its kind app which gives users personalized "one-on-one" experiences with three of the magazine's award-winning columnists. The "Talk to Esquire" app features Volio experiences with Esquire Fashion Director Nick Sullivan, Drinks Correspondent David Wondrich and Grooming Expert Rodney Cutler. The app lets users talk virtually with each expert on selected topics. The columnists ask users questions and provide customized information and advice based on the user's spoken responses. 

"Volio represents the qualitative shift in how users are interacting with media," said David Granger, editor-in-chief of Esquire. "They, like Esquire, want to interact via video, conversation and other immersive experiences. We are thrilled to share this opportunity with the 'Talk to Esquire' app."

For more on Volio, and to view a video demonstrating the "Talk to Esquire" app, please visit the company website: www.volio.me

Follow Volio on Twitter: @officialvolio

Download the 'Talk to Esquire' app http://appstore.com/TalktoEsq  or search "Talk to ESQ" on the App Store.

About Volio Inc.

Volio, Inc. creates interactive experiences which feature personality, video and voice recognition technology. Volio™ experiences are a new way to deliver content. By simply talking, the user participates and guides the experience. Volio apps can be entertaining, informative or educational. They are used by media creators, brands, marketers and entertainers to drive deeper audience engagement.

Led by a seasoned and diverse group of technology, media, entertainment and marketing entrepreneurs, Volio Inc. is angel funded by Andreessen Horowitz, 500 Startups and several Silicon Valley veteran and private investors. Volio, Inc. has offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

SOURCE Volio, Inc.