Tellme signs a Keen deal

Online advice company Keen will announce a deal with Tellme Networks on Thursday allowing Tellme customers to access Keen's advisers through Tellme's telephone portal. Initially, Tellme customers will be able to get tax advice, horoscopes and health information from Keen advisers, although Keen representatives said the San Francisco-based company plans to expand its offerings on Tellme in the future. Tellme, which recently laid off 10 percent of its staff, offers information such as news headlines, sports scores and traffic information over the telephone using voice-activated commands.

Under the year-long agreement, Keen will share revenue with Tellme for customers who come to Keen from Tellme. Keen pairs people seeking advice on things such as relationships, finances and travel with advice givers over the telephone. Keen advisers typically charge per-minute to talk on the phone and Keen takes a percentage of each call.