There are 270 million cell phone subscribers in the US, over 3 billion in the world and 1000 added every minute, mobile is the new frontier for marketers who seek a better return on investment.
January 19, 2009 -- When economic times are tough and companies are downsizing, marketing dollars are cut and we see companies seeking alternative marketing methods. The new Ford Flex is the feature vehicle in a mobile marketing campaign in the Dallas market, which rather than blanketing the masses, targets a multicultural demographic in barber shops and beauty salons. The campaign running from the first week in January until the middle of February is the first marketing campaign to integrate Real Content Group’s branded mobile phone text channels (uVIP Text Channels) and event and retail based mobile kiosks (bCODE) that turn neighborhood barber shops and salons into a major automotive marketing destination.
The modernized grass-roots campaign, which brings Ford directly into the community, assists Ford with building and retaining a mobile database of current and potential customers who they can offer exclusive lifestyle benefits and ultimately drive to purchase a Ford Flex from a DFW Ford dealer. The mobile marketing campaign includes Ford Flex test drives, celebrity appearances, a chance to win weekly prizes after signing up for the Ford Mobile uVIP Club and access to Ford sponsored events including Dallas’ red carpet Flex Your Style event in late February 2009. Real Content Group specializes in this more personal approach within each market to connect with consumers and ultimately report on marketing ROI back to brands.
Real Content Group, a Los Angeles based leader in the mobile marketing and digital entertainment industry developed this campaign to assist Ford with revolutionizing the Company's CRM (customer relationship management) process and to significantly enhance all of Ford's experiential marketing efforts. "Prior to this campaign Ford has been using a physical card to develop their database of current and potential customers at events” ", says CEO of Real Content Group, John Huffman IV. “What we have done is mobilize this process by bringing our online registration, interactive text message channels and mobile kiosk technologies into the experiential marketing mix”. Dallas is the second market on the road map for this nationwide automotive mobile marketing campaign, Atlanta was the first. During the Bronner Brothers Convention in Atlanta, which was attended by celebrities like Jermaine Dupre, Funk Master Flex and Sean Garret, 96.3 percent of all Ford uVIP members came back to the Ford booth an average of 3 times per day. This was tracked and reported to Ford representatives onsite and in real-time. The Ford Mobile uVIP text channel was also used to drive members to local Ford Flex Your Style events during and after the conference which effectively gathered more specific CRM data for Ford's future marketing purposes.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Air2Web Makes Play on Super Bowl; Sausage
Posted by Adena on Jan 27, 2009 in Mobile Marketing
Last we heard from decade-old Air2Web, they were touting the launch of Contact Capture, which was basically a text-in to keyword feature. We were unimpressed.
Today, the commercial text messaging company announced that it has been chosen to power a text-to-win mobile marketing campaign during the 2009 Super Bowl, for a sausage firm, no less. Air2Web will power the Super Bowl campaign for Johnsonville Sausage, the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked links and breakfast sausage links. To enter the contest, all fans need to do is text “football” or “gameday” to 48775 on their mobile phone and let the games begin.
Super Bowl is a huge time for the advertising world, so it’s nice to hear that even in hard economic times, even standard commercial SMS companies are still getting business. There has been some management shakeups at Atlanta-based Air2Web recently. Earlier this year, Thomas Cotney, Jr. was hired as the company’s President and CEO.
The company’s PR department is in full-force. Yesterday, they announced the launch of the AirCARE SMS Customer Care Program. This program takes Air2Web’s technology and basically plops it into the customer service world. AirCARE seeks to improve customer service and support by making use of the immediacy and interactivity of SMS. Apart from services such as authorizing bill payment or re-setting a password, AirCARE can be used for simple interactions such as alerts, order status, payment reminders, account information, transactions and delivery notifications.
In 2006, Air2Web took in $25M in a round led by The Caryle Group to extend global leadership in the mobile marketing space. Air2Web was founded in 1999.
Last we heard from decade-old Air2Web, they were touting the launch of Contact Capture, which was basically a text-in to keyword feature. We were unimpressed.
Today, the commercial text messaging company announced that it has been chosen to power a text-to-win mobile marketing campaign during the 2009 Super Bowl, for a sausage firm, no less. Air2Web will power the Super Bowl campaign for Johnsonville Sausage, the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked links and breakfast sausage links. To enter the contest, all fans need to do is text “football” or “gameday” to 48775 on their mobile phone and let the games begin.
Super Bowl is a huge time for the advertising world, so it’s nice to hear that even in hard economic times, even standard commercial SMS companies are still getting business. There has been some management shakeups at Atlanta-based Air2Web recently. Earlier this year, Thomas Cotney, Jr. was hired as the company’s President and CEO.
The company’s PR department is in full-force. Yesterday, they announced the launch of the AirCARE SMS Customer Care Program. This program takes Air2Web’s technology and basically plops it into the customer service world. AirCARE seeks to improve customer service and support by making use of the immediacy and interactivity of SMS. Apart from services such as authorizing bill payment or re-setting a password, AirCARE can be used for simple interactions such as alerts, order status, payment reminders, account information, transactions and delivery notifications.
In 2006, Air2Web took in $25M in a round led by The Caryle Group to extend global leadership in the mobile marketing space. Air2Web was founded in 1999.
Mobile + Pizza = Success
Posted by Kim on Jan 28, 2009 in Mobile Marketing
Little Caesars announcement this week of a 62 percent opt in rate for their mobile sweepstakes campaign is further proof that pizza works well with mobile. After all Papa Johns Pizza recently reached the $1 million sales mark from their mobile website in just four months. DiGiorno has even created a text campaign that helps people get out of a bad date to go home and eat pizza. Dominos and Pizza Hut also successfully offer mobile access to their pies.
It seems that pizza and mobile combine to make a big success.
Or could it be customer convenience and mobile combine to make a big success?
The common thread to all of these mobile success stories is that mobile is making consumers lives easier and more fun. And when it does there is a big payoff for the business. The bottom line in mobile marketing success is providing VALUE to the consumer.
Once you’ve got the value proposition the next step is marketing it well so people know about it. Don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching closely during the Super Bowl to see if the mobile + pizza combination will get even more successful.
Little Caesars announcement this week of a 62 percent opt in rate for their mobile sweepstakes campaign is further proof that pizza works well with mobile. After all Papa Johns Pizza recently reached the $1 million sales mark from their mobile website in just four months. DiGiorno has even created a text campaign that helps people get out of a bad date to go home and eat pizza. Dominos and Pizza Hut also successfully offer mobile access to their pies.
It seems that pizza and mobile combine to make a big success.
Or could it be customer convenience and mobile combine to make a big success?
The common thread to all of these mobile success stories is that mobile is making consumers lives easier and more fun. And when it does there is a big payoff for the business. The bottom line in mobile marketing success is providing VALUE to the consumer.
Once you’ve got the value proposition the next step is marketing it well so people know about it. Don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching closely during the Super Bowl to see if the mobile + pizza combination will get even more successful.
South Korea: Almost More Phones than People
Posted by Adena on Jan 28, 2009 in Mobile Marketing
Mobile phone popularity in Asia remains unmatched around the globe. Case in point, today a report came out with news that nine out of 10 people in the country owned a mobile phone as of last year.
There were 45.6 million mobile phone subscribers in South Korea in December. South Korea’s total population is only 48.6 million! That’s more than 93%, a slight rise in rates from six months ago. While some people have more than one subscription, the figures indicate one of the highest cell phone saturation rates in the world.
The number is expected to rise further in the coming year, despite the economic downturn, according to Sung Suk-ham of the Korea Communications Commission. In addition to an average of 2.75 mobile phones per household, more than 15.4 million South Koreans - just under a third of the population - have high-speed internet, the commission said.
South Korea is home to Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, the world’s number 2 and number 4 manufacturers of mobile phones.
Mobile phone popularity in Asia remains unmatched around the globe. Case in point, today a report came out with news that nine out of 10 people in the country owned a mobile phone as of last year.
There were 45.6 million mobile phone subscribers in South Korea in December. South Korea’s total population is only 48.6 million! That’s more than 93%, a slight rise in rates from six months ago. While some people have more than one subscription, the figures indicate one of the highest cell phone saturation rates in the world.
The number is expected to rise further in the coming year, despite the economic downturn, according to Sung Suk-ham of the Korea Communications Commission. In addition to an average of 2.75 mobile phones per household, more than 15.4 million South Koreans - just under a third of the population - have high-speed internet, the commission said.
South Korea is home to Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, the world’s number 2 and number 4 manufacturers of mobile phones.
Clickatell Powers Worldwide SMS Growth and Momentum; 2008 Excellent Year for Company and Mobile Messaging Industry
EDITOR'S NOTE: Clickatell is truly a global leader in text messaging. Look how their company has grown, based on the success of the mobile text marketing industry. Secure your financial future and grab some of this marketing pie for yourself! Visit our website http://www.adking.mobi today to get started for as little as $195!
Research Concludes "SMS Still King" as Clickatell Delivers SMS to Billions
updated 3:01 a.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 27, 2009
REDWOOD CITY, CA - Clickatell, provider of global mobile messaging solutions, enjoyed a banner year as the growth of SMS continued to experience phenomenal growth. With text messaging surpassing voice calls in 2008, ever-increasing cell phone use, mobile device ubiquity, and the cost effectiveness of SMS, enterprises worldwide are rapidly implementing mobile messaging strategies for essential communications, as a desired, value-added service.
In 2008, dozens of leading companies including CNN, RSA Data Security, S1/Postilion, Easy Forex, Christie's, Moneybookers, Santam Insurance, mig33, BluePulse, MXit, New Heights Microfinance Bank, and others in the fields of healthcare and education chose Clickatell to offer critical mobile applications to customers. These new enterprise customers represent substantial growth to Clickatell's existing client base which already includes Avaya, Oracle, BP, First National Bank, Shell, Standard Bank, Metropolitan Life, National Health Service (NHS), Continental Airlines, and others.
SMS technology -- functional on all cell phones -- provides banks, insurance companies, mortgage lenders, foreign exchange, microfinancers, social networks, hospitals, publishers, and more with a direct, quick channel for instant customer communications, instant cost savings and an instant revenue channel. Easy to initiate and receive, SMS provides a tool for immediate relief from the economic downturn and also presents opportunities to create new revenue streams. Even in these slowing times, it is believed by many analysts that people won't give up their cell phones or SMS addiction.
"Given the reach and immediacy of SMS in establishing and growing customer interaction and commerce and the simplicity to experiment through robust web services such as Clickatell, we are bullish about 2009 and believe that SMS will thrive even in this economic climate," commented Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. "SMS is simply the most effective way to reach everyone -- not just generation Y. Everyone has a cell phone in their pocket, purse or backpack and they use it to connect, communicate and transact daily. Every business, large and small, should have an SMS strategy; after all, it reaches more people than email."
Portio's 2008 Mobile Messaging report concluded, "SMS Still 'King' as Worldwide Messaging Revenues set to exceed $224 billion by 2013," and highlights the explosive expansion of the mobile messaging market. The analyst firm stated, "SMS remains 'King' because there is no cheap, easy to use alternative that will work with all phones and across all networks, it is loved the world over. Indeed in the US market, where SMS was a comparative slow starter, use per subscriber per month is now almost double the European average."
Innovating in tandem with this continuing growth of SMS, Clickatell developed applications across many industries to allow enterprises to incorporate mobile SMS easily and seamlessly. Financial services, social networking, retail, transportation, insurance, hospitality, education, and even governments have employed Clickatell to get them up to speed in this burgeoning mobile market. With more than 8,500 customers in over 200 countries, Clickatell has delivered billions of high value messages since its founding in 2000 and is widely regarded as a trusted partner and mobile expert.
In 2008, Clickatell added hundreds of new customers via its self-provisioned SaaS portal, www.clickatell.com, which was designed with mobile developers in mind. Clickatell has one of the largest developer communities -- a direct result of the award-winning Clickatell SMS Gateway, mature API's and other necessary messaging services, which makes it fast and easy for any organization to deploy messaging solutions to reach customers anytime, anywhere.
Throughout 2008, Clickatell was recognized by leading analyst and publishing organizations for its excellence in providing mobile messaging applications for leading enterprises. The company's products, customers, and services were honored with a myriad of awards including:
-- Mobile Star Gold: Pieter de Villiers, Wireless Industry Visionary
-- Mobile Star Gold: Clickatell's Enterprise Gateway for Mobile Alerting
-- Mobile Star Gold: Clickatell's Enterprise Gateway for Application
Development
-- Mobile Star Silver: Clickatell Marketing Development Tool
-- Mobile Industry Review: Clickatell Best Value Product
-- 160Characters: Clickatell Best Messaging Business Application
-- Africom: Best Customer Service (First National Bank & Santam),
finalist
-- Mobile Search: Best Information Service (National Health Service)
In addition to providing excellence in product development and customer satisfaction, the Company enhanced its enterprise operational initiatives and looks forward to continuing to see customers succeed in providing mobile solutions worldwide:
-- Clickatell successfully deployed the largest next-generation enterprise mobile messaging platform available for premier financial services organizations. The first deployment in 2008 by one of the largest banks in South Africa, delivers hundreds of millions of messages and the bank enjoys a fully integrated, on premise SMS solution, which offers SMS alerts and notifications to support its services.
-- Based on Clickatell's expanded product via its open and extensible messaging platform architecture, many new solutions are available: On Demand Text Banking via S1/Postilion, Mobile One Time Passwords (OTPs) authentication to mobile phones via RSA, SMS provisioning and service management, and mobile marketing campaign management.
-- Clickatell launched its 'Messaging Market' beta representing the world's first online marketplace and open forum for mobile application developers. Powered by Clickatell, 'Messaging Market' is designed to open communications between developers, drive traffic to third party solution vendors, increase customer visibility, and provide an underlying infrastructure.
-- In addition to www.clickatell.com, Clickatell expanded its online presence to include regionally focused, dedicated offerings to South Africa, UK, and Australia.
Clickatell continues to work with high profile customers and partners across the globe to offer mobile alerts, notifications, communications, and transactions:
-- S1 Enterprise / Postilion announced many new banks providing text services using Clickatell, providing on-demand SMS capabilities for access to account balances, funds transfer, transaction alerts, and person-to-person payments. With two-way SMS communications, people can proactively manage finances and monitor potential fraud.
-- The world's most recognized global financial services brand and operator of the largest retail card payments network worldwide depends on Clickatell to power an early warning service via SMS to enhance cardholders' confidence. When cardholders make purchases with their card, they can receive text alerts at the time of payment -- providing cardholders with real time, mobile alerts, allowing them to pay close attention to account activity as transactions occur.
-- More than 6.2 million Moneybookers customers can now receive Clickatell-powered text notifications directly to their cell phone when purchases are complete, goods are mailed, or money transfers are wired. Giving customers control and constant "handheld" awareness of account activity through SMS, Moneybookers is a pioneer in the application of payment systems and technologies using channels such as Facebook and eBay.
-- Leading social networking providers such as mig33, Bluepulse, MXit and Rummble are using Clickatell to increase customer acquisition, improve effectiveness of social networks, and increase the overall "stickiness" of mobile communities. Using SMS for mobile social networks greatly improves the ability to stay connected with friends, family and business associates anywhere, anytime.
"Clickatell will continue to deliver world class SMS solutions as this phenomenal growth trend continues. As today's news concludes -- SMS will persist in the person-to-person arena, but also in the enterprise-to-consumer arena as businesses large and small continue to extend reach to receptive customers via the cell phone," concluded de Villiers.
Research Concludes "SMS Still King" as Clickatell Delivers SMS to Billions
updated 3:01 a.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 27, 2009
REDWOOD CITY, CA - Clickatell, provider of global mobile messaging solutions, enjoyed a banner year as the growth of SMS continued to experience phenomenal growth. With text messaging surpassing voice calls in 2008, ever-increasing cell phone use, mobile device ubiquity, and the cost effectiveness of SMS, enterprises worldwide are rapidly implementing mobile messaging strategies for essential communications, as a desired, value-added service.
In 2008, dozens of leading companies including CNN, RSA Data Security, S1/Postilion, Easy Forex, Christie's, Moneybookers, Santam Insurance, mig33, BluePulse, MXit, New Heights Microfinance Bank, and others in the fields of healthcare and education chose Clickatell to offer critical mobile applications to customers. These new enterprise customers represent substantial growth to Clickatell's existing client base which already includes Avaya, Oracle, BP, First National Bank, Shell, Standard Bank, Metropolitan Life, National Health Service (NHS), Continental Airlines, and others.
SMS technology -- functional on all cell phones -- provides banks, insurance companies, mortgage lenders, foreign exchange, microfinancers, social networks, hospitals, publishers, and more with a direct, quick channel for instant customer communications, instant cost savings and an instant revenue channel. Easy to initiate and receive, SMS provides a tool for immediate relief from the economic downturn and also presents opportunities to create new revenue streams. Even in these slowing times, it is believed by many analysts that people won't give up their cell phones or SMS addiction.
"Given the reach and immediacy of SMS in establishing and growing customer interaction and commerce and the simplicity to experiment through robust web services such as Clickatell, we are bullish about 2009 and believe that SMS will thrive even in this economic climate," commented Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell. "SMS is simply the most effective way to reach everyone -- not just generation Y. Everyone has a cell phone in their pocket, purse or backpack and they use it to connect, communicate and transact daily. Every business, large and small, should have an SMS strategy; after all, it reaches more people than email."
Portio's 2008 Mobile Messaging report concluded, "SMS Still 'King' as Worldwide Messaging Revenues set to exceed $224 billion by 2013," and highlights the explosive expansion of the mobile messaging market. The analyst firm stated, "SMS remains 'King' because there is no cheap, easy to use alternative that will work with all phones and across all networks, it is loved the world over. Indeed in the US market, where SMS was a comparative slow starter, use per subscriber per month is now almost double the European average."
Innovating in tandem with this continuing growth of SMS, Clickatell developed applications across many industries to allow enterprises to incorporate mobile SMS easily and seamlessly. Financial services, social networking, retail, transportation, insurance, hospitality, education, and even governments have employed Clickatell to get them up to speed in this burgeoning mobile market. With more than 8,500 customers in over 200 countries, Clickatell has delivered billions of high value messages since its founding in 2000 and is widely regarded as a trusted partner and mobile expert.
In 2008, Clickatell added hundreds of new customers via its self-provisioned SaaS portal, www.clickatell.com, which was designed with mobile developers in mind. Clickatell has one of the largest developer communities -- a direct result of the award-winning Clickatell SMS Gateway, mature API's and other necessary messaging services, which makes it fast and easy for any organization to deploy messaging solutions to reach customers anytime, anywhere.
Throughout 2008, Clickatell was recognized by leading analyst and publishing organizations for its excellence in providing mobile messaging applications for leading enterprises. The company's products, customers, and services were honored with a myriad of awards including:
-- Mobile Star Gold: Pieter de Villiers, Wireless Industry Visionary
-- Mobile Star Gold: Clickatell's Enterprise Gateway for Mobile Alerting
-- Mobile Star Gold: Clickatell's Enterprise Gateway for Application
Development
-- Mobile Star Silver: Clickatell Marketing Development Tool
-- Mobile Industry Review: Clickatell Best Value Product
-- 160Characters: Clickatell Best Messaging Business Application
-- Africom: Best Customer Service (First National Bank & Santam),
finalist
-- Mobile Search: Best Information Service (National Health Service)
In addition to providing excellence in product development and customer satisfaction, the Company enhanced its enterprise operational initiatives and looks forward to continuing to see customers succeed in providing mobile solutions worldwide:
-- Clickatell successfully deployed the largest next-generation enterprise mobile messaging platform available for premier financial services organizations. The first deployment in 2008 by one of the largest banks in South Africa, delivers hundreds of millions of messages and the bank enjoys a fully integrated, on premise SMS solution, which offers SMS alerts and notifications to support its services.
-- Based on Clickatell's expanded product via its open and extensible messaging platform architecture, many new solutions are available: On Demand Text Banking via S1/Postilion, Mobile One Time Passwords (OTPs) authentication to mobile phones via RSA, SMS provisioning and service management, and mobile marketing campaign management.
-- Clickatell launched its 'Messaging Market' beta representing the world's first online marketplace and open forum for mobile application developers. Powered by Clickatell, 'Messaging Market' is designed to open communications between developers, drive traffic to third party solution vendors, increase customer visibility, and provide an underlying infrastructure.
-- In addition to www.clickatell.com, Clickatell expanded its online presence to include regionally focused, dedicated offerings to South Africa, UK, and Australia.
Clickatell continues to work with high profile customers and partners across the globe to offer mobile alerts, notifications, communications, and transactions:
-- S1 Enterprise / Postilion announced many new banks providing text services using Clickatell, providing on-demand SMS capabilities for access to account balances, funds transfer, transaction alerts, and person-to-person payments. With two-way SMS communications, people can proactively manage finances and monitor potential fraud.
-- The world's most recognized global financial services brand and operator of the largest retail card payments network worldwide depends on Clickatell to power an early warning service via SMS to enhance cardholders' confidence. When cardholders make purchases with their card, they can receive text alerts at the time of payment -- providing cardholders with real time, mobile alerts, allowing them to pay close attention to account activity as transactions occur.
-- More than 6.2 million Moneybookers customers can now receive Clickatell-powered text notifications directly to their cell phone when purchases are complete, goods are mailed, or money transfers are wired. Giving customers control and constant "handheld" awareness of account activity through SMS, Moneybookers is a pioneer in the application of payment systems and technologies using channels such as Facebook and eBay.
-- Leading social networking providers such as mig33, Bluepulse, MXit and Rummble are using Clickatell to increase customer acquisition, improve effectiveness of social networks, and increase the overall "stickiness" of mobile communities. Using SMS for mobile social networks greatly improves the ability to stay connected with friends, family and business associates anywhere, anytime.
"Clickatell will continue to deliver world class SMS solutions as this phenomenal growth trend continues. As today's news concludes -- SMS will persist in the person-to-person arena, but also in the enterprise-to-consumer arena as businesses large and small continue to extend reach to receptive customers via the cell phone," concluded de Villiers.
Clermont girl who sent 35,000 text messages using her powers for good
posted by Etan Horowitz on Jan 26, 2009 7:55:05 AM
Remember Emilee Cox, the Clermont, [Florida] teen who sent 35,000 text messages in a month twice?
After I wrote about Emilee in a January 14th front page story and on [my] blog, she's been thrown into a media frenzy. Some of her media mentions include: an appearance on Inside Edition on Friday, she was mentioned on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption and she is in New York City this week to appear on Good Morning America.
Emilee's dad Brad Cox, said he and his daughter were laughing at all the attention she got for "not really doing anything."
"So we started talking about what if she actually could do something with all of this texting," Brad Cox said.
So he called Kristin Wallace, the Sprint spokeswoman who verified that 35,463 text messages that Emilee sent in June and called it "absolutely amazing."
Wallace set Cox up with dosomething.org, a non-profit organization that promotes volunteering among teens that Sprint works with through its charitable arm, the Sprint Foundation.
Do Something has a database of more than 46,000 non-profit groups nationwide seeking volunteers and users can enter their zip code at dosomething.org to find opportunities near them.
Users can also text "DO SOMETHING" to 30644 and they will be asked their zip code and when they text it back, they will be enrolled to receive text messages about local volunteer opportunities twice a month.
So since dosomething.org already had a text messaging program in place, they are using Emilee to promote it. She will appear in an online video for the organization and people can find out about local volunteer opportunities by texting "Emilee" to 30644.
Emilee does love to text, but she's not actually responding to each of the messages herself.
After I texted back my zipcode, I was told about [a] local volunteer opportunity.
Remember Emilee Cox, the Clermont, [Florida] teen who sent 35,000 text messages in a month twice?
After I wrote about Emilee in a January 14th front page story and on [my] blog, she's been thrown into a media frenzy. Some of her media mentions include: an appearance on Inside Edition on Friday, she was mentioned on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption and she is in New York City this week to appear on Good Morning America.
Emilee's dad Brad Cox, said he and his daughter were laughing at all the attention she got for "not really doing anything."
"So we started talking about what if she actually could do something with all of this texting," Brad Cox said.
So he called Kristin Wallace, the Sprint spokeswoman who verified that 35,463 text messages that Emilee sent in June and called it "absolutely amazing."
Wallace set Cox up with dosomething.org, a non-profit organization that promotes volunteering among teens that Sprint works with through its charitable arm, the Sprint Foundation.
Do Something has a database of more than 46,000 non-profit groups nationwide seeking volunteers and users can enter their zip code at dosomething.org to find opportunities near them.
Users can also text "DO SOMETHING" to 30644 and they will be asked their zip code and when they text it back, they will be enrolled to receive text messages about local volunteer opportunities twice a month.
So since dosomething.org already had a text messaging program in place, they are using Emilee to promote it. She will appear in an online video for the organization and people can find out about local volunteer opportunities by texting "Emilee" to 30644.
Emilee does love to text, but she's not actually responding to each of the messages herself.
After I texted back my zipcode, I was told about [a] local volunteer opportunity.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Barack Obama’s Mobile Success
Written on January 20th 2009
Author - by KF Lai
ADOTAS EXCLUSIVE — In the lead up to [Tuesday's] inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, much has been made of his embrace of technology, perhaps more so than any incoming president in the modern political era.
His campaign fully utilized the Internet for fund raising, communications, as a key component to what was arguably one of the most successful campaigns (as measured by the popular vote and Electoral College totals) of the last few decades. During the transition, the president-elect has not only made use of well-established technologies like You Tube to communicate with the American public, but he has made clear his intention to make a real and substantive commitment to nurturing the growth of technology and innovation by announcing his intention to appoint a national CTO.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Obama’s embrace of technology has been his use of mobile technology, which has not just been limited to his beloved Blackberry. His campaign’s use of the mobile Internet demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the power of the mobile medium that many in both the technology and marketing worlds have not yet fully grasped.
This embrace of mobile has continued after his Election Day victory—leading up to the inauguration, in fact, the Obama transition team sent emails to supporters encouraging them to send text messages to get information about inaugural events, both in D.C. and in their local area (in case you’re interested, you can text OPEN to 56333). But the Obama team’s embrace of mobile marketing began long before his election, with what can only be described as a brilliantly executed mobile campaign.
Capitalizing on the buzz generated by the lead-up to his vice-presidential running mate pick, the Obama team asked supporters, and those who were simply curious, to text a short code message to the campaign, with the promise that they would be the first to find out the name of the running mate — via text message, of course.
As a result, the campaign collected millions of mobile phone numbers (according to an official statement) — a rousing success by any measure — while continuing to solicit phone numbers through its other campaign activities. According to Nielsen Mobile, the announcement via text message was the single largest mobile marketing event ever, with more than 2.9 million text messages sent. But this was just the tip of the iceberg.
The campaign didn’t stop at text messaging, although that was perhaps the most striking example of its embrace of mobile. The Obama team also put together a mobile Internet site. And notably, the campaign supplemented that with an iPhone “Obama” application — to the almost audible applause of techies — where iPhone and iPod Touch users could have one-button access to campaign information, volunteer, and donate time or money, among other things.
Unlike collecting lists of email addresses, landline phone numbers or the old standard — direct mail marketing, or PC-based Internet marketing, the mobile Internet is perhaps the most effective way of connecting with new supporters (or customers) and keeping in touch.
For one thing, mobile technologies like text messaging and the mobile web represent an immediate call to action — avoiding the need to boot up a PC and often even eliminating the need for log-ins or other impediments to successful engagement. Mobile also represents a personal, nearly instant, way to reach people since most people carry their phone with them all the time, and consider it an integral part of their daily lives.
Finally, the Obama campaign’s mobile strategy is an example of the fact that collecting mobile numbers and information via smart marketing tactics is instantly opt-in, avoiding many of the pitfalls of traditional email or direct marketing — most notably privacy concerns and incorrect email addresses or phone numbers.
The Obama campaign’s mobile marketing tactics allowed it to capitalize on the energy generated at campaign events — with mobile providing a perfect channel for motivated attendees to instantly connect with the campaign via the mobile Internet. They even implored attendees to text message three acquaintances directly from campaign events to encourage family and friends to join the Obama movement. Once it had collected millions of active mobile numbers during and after the running mate announcement, the campaign continued to use text messages and its other mobile Internet properties to fundraise, mobilize volunteers, and alert supporters about events in their local areas — even solicit Red Cross donations for victims of hurricane Ike.
And perhaps most importantly, the campaign used its mobile Internet presence to activate supporters on Election Day, reminding them to vote and to encourage friends and family to do the same.
So, as Barack Obama takes the presidential oath of office, it is likely that most marketers and advertising executives will not be thinking (too much at least) about what lessons they can learn from his campaign. However, when it comes to its use of mobile technology, there are many potential takeaways from the Obama approach. If nothing else, the Obama campaign showed, for all to see, that mobile marketing works.
There are numerous examples that corroborate this assertion, but the Obama example may be the most striking and, no doubt, the most well-documented and transparent. The mobile Internet strategy didn’t win the election, but it helped mobilize supporters with unprecedented effectiveness and tapped into word of mouth and buzz, and the ability to capitalize on that buzz.
For the most part, the tactics employed by the Obama campaign’s mobile strategists can be easily translated to business. But, as I’ve always said, success marketing on the mobile Internet takes experimentation and innovative thinking. It’s about finding the right mix of techniques and tactics.
For the Obama campaign, text messaging combined with an easily navigable mobile web site supported by mobile banner advertisements was most effective. For most brands, the best mix will likely ultimately be a mobile Internet site with traffic driven by mobile banner ads. But one thing is for sure — mobile marketing works — just ask President Obama.
Author - by KF Lai
ADOTAS EXCLUSIVE — In the lead up to [Tuesday's] inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, much has been made of his embrace of technology, perhaps more so than any incoming president in the modern political era.
His campaign fully utilized the Internet for fund raising, communications, as a key component to what was arguably one of the most successful campaigns (as measured by the popular vote and Electoral College totals) of the last few decades. During the transition, the president-elect has not only made use of well-established technologies like You Tube to communicate with the American public, but he has made clear his intention to make a real and substantive commitment to nurturing the growth of technology and innovation by announcing his intention to appoint a national CTO.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Obama’s embrace of technology has been his use of mobile technology, which has not just been limited to his beloved Blackberry. His campaign’s use of the mobile Internet demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the power of the mobile medium that many in both the technology and marketing worlds have not yet fully grasped.
This embrace of mobile has continued after his Election Day victory—leading up to the inauguration, in fact, the Obama transition team sent emails to supporters encouraging them to send text messages to get information about inaugural events, both in D.C. and in their local area (in case you’re interested, you can text OPEN to 56333). But the Obama team’s embrace of mobile marketing began long before his election, with what can only be described as a brilliantly executed mobile campaign.
Capitalizing on the buzz generated by the lead-up to his vice-presidential running mate pick, the Obama team asked supporters, and those who were simply curious, to text a short code message to the campaign, with the promise that they would be the first to find out the name of the running mate — via text message, of course.
As a result, the campaign collected millions of mobile phone numbers (according to an official statement) — a rousing success by any measure — while continuing to solicit phone numbers through its other campaign activities. According to Nielsen Mobile, the announcement via text message was the single largest mobile marketing event ever, with more than 2.9 million text messages sent. But this was just the tip of the iceberg.
The campaign didn’t stop at text messaging, although that was perhaps the most striking example of its embrace of mobile. The Obama team also put together a mobile Internet site. And notably, the campaign supplemented that with an iPhone “Obama” application — to the almost audible applause of techies — where iPhone and iPod Touch users could have one-button access to campaign information, volunteer, and donate time or money, among other things.
Unlike collecting lists of email addresses, landline phone numbers or the old standard — direct mail marketing, or PC-based Internet marketing, the mobile Internet is perhaps the most effective way of connecting with new supporters (or customers) and keeping in touch.
For one thing, mobile technologies like text messaging and the mobile web represent an immediate call to action — avoiding the need to boot up a PC and often even eliminating the need for log-ins or other impediments to successful engagement. Mobile also represents a personal, nearly instant, way to reach people since most people carry their phone with them all the time, and consider it an integral part of their daily lives.
Finally, the Obama campaign’s mobile strategy is an example of the fact that collecting mobile numbers and information via smart marketing tactics is instantly opt-in, avoiding many of the pitfalls of traditional email or direct marketing — most notably privacy concerns and incorrect email addresses or phone numbers.
The Obama campaign’s mobile marketing tactics allowed it to capitalize on the energy generated at campaign events — with mobile providing a perfect channel for motivated attendees to instantly connect with the campaign via the mobile Internet. They even implored attendees to text message three acquaintances directly from campaign events to encourage family and friends to join the Obama movement. Once it had collected millions of active mobile numbers during and after the running mate announcement, the campaign continued to use text messages and its other mobile Internet properties to fundraise, mobilize volunteers, and alert supporters about events in their local areas — even solicit Red Cross donations for victims of hurricane Ike.
And perhaps most importantly, the campaign used its mobile Internet presence to activate supporters on Election Day, reminding them to vote and to encourage friends and family to do the same.
So, as Barack Obama takes the presidential oath of office, it is likely that most marketers and advertising executives will not be thinking (too much at least) about what lessons they can learn from his campaign. However, when it comes to its use of mobile technology, there are many potential takeaways from the Obama approach. If nothing else, the Obama campaign showed, for all to see, that mobile marketing works.
There are numerous examples that corroborate this assertion, but the Obama example may be the most striking and, no doubt, the most well-documented and transparent. The mobile Internet strategy didn’t win the election, but it helped mobilize supporters with unprecedented effectiveness and tapped into word of mouth and buzz, and the ability to capitalize on that buzz.
For the most part, the tactics employed by the Obama campaign’s mobile strategists can be easily translated to business. But, as I’ve always said, success marketing on the mobile Internet takes experimentation and innovative thinking. It’s about finding the right mix of techniques and tactics.
For the Obama campaign, text messaging combined with an easily navigable mobile web site supported by mobile banner advertisements was most effective. For most brands, the best mix will likely ultimately be a mobile Internet site with traffic driven by mobile banner ads. But one thing is for sure — mobile marketing works — just ask President Obama.
RealNetworks: 890 Million Texts During Inauguration
01.23.09
by Jamie Lendino
As President Obama took his oath of office on Tuesday, RealNetworks' Metcalf inter-carrier text messaging system, in partnership with VeriSign, processed more than 890 million text messages, the company said in a statement.
That compares to just 25 million during the 2005 inauguration—a 35-fold jump, in other words.
Back in September, Nielsen Mobile announced that the typical U.S. mobile subscriber now sends and receives more SMS text messages than telephone calls—357 versus 204—with one age group in particular (13-17) averaging over 1,700 text messages per month. That study covered all four major U.S. carriers (AT&T Wireless, Sprint-Nextel, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless).
Originally posted at AppScout.
by Jamie Lendino
As President Obama took his oath of office on Tuesday, RealNetworks' Metcalf inter-carrier text messaging system, in partnership with VeriSign, processed more than 890 million text messages, the company said in a statement.
That compares to just 25 million during the 2005 inauguration—a 35-fold jump, in other words.
Back in September, Nielsen Mobile announced that the typical U.S. mobile subscriber now sends and receives more SMS text messages than telephone calls—357 versus 204—with one age group in particular (13-17) averaging over 1,700 text messages per month. That study covered all four major U.S. carriers (AT&T Wireless, Sprint-Nextel, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless).
Originally posted at AppScout.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Obama's inauguration: The most interactive
January 20, 2009 1:35 PM PST
Posted by Stephanie Condon
WASHINGTON--Barack Obama was sworn in as president Tuesday in what many spectators viewed as the nation's most interactive inauguration ceremony so far.
As millions of people in Washington and around the globe watched a weekend of festivities, culminating with Tuesday's ceremony, they gave their instant feedback online and through text messages and other means to family, friends, and anyone else listening. At the same time, event organizers were able to give spectators live updates about the state of affairs in the nation's chilly, crowded capital.
Most people who watched the inauguration did it through traditional television broadcasts, a medium that hasn't changed significantly in half a century. But it was also possible to tune in online; our sister site CBSNews.com, for instance, streamed the inauguration live over the Internet. And people learned about the inaugural action from pictures uploaded by friends, comments on Twitter and other social media, and direct text messages from event organizers.
"I think we're more connected with the experience, the overall process from the primaries to today," because of technology, said Ghajiibah Campbell, who came from Baltimore with her family to watch the inauguration. "It made you not only more connected, but willing to be connected--it wasn't an inconvenience."
Campbell used her cell phone to send pictures and text messages to her sister in Florida, her brother-in-law in New Jersey, and her brother in Virginia.
"It allows us to share the experience with everybody live, as opposed to getting home and saying, 'Guys, you should've been there, you should've seen it,'" she said.
Countless others also used their handheld devices to share the historical moment with loved ones.
Dawn Chandler from New York said she was sending text messages to her relatives throughout the ceremonies describing "how cold it was, how long we were waiting--it was worth the wait--and the speech."
The desire to share the experience led to more organized communications as well. Inauguration-watchers from Oregon to Massachusetts sent anonymous comments to Januarythe20th.com, describing the scene around them as the swearing-in took place. Participants of the "mass observation" sent comments to Januarythe20th either via e-mail or Twitter.
"CNN airs," says one post from a deli in Washington. "A small sitting room is packed with diners eating out of Styrofoam containers. Three limo drivers beside a salad bar talk rapidly in an eastern language."
The inaugural balls this year have a new emphasis on interactivity as well.
The Huffington Post pre-inaugural ball Monday night featured text messages from guests displayed on a giant computer.
New media received top billing at the pre-inaugural ball held Monday night by the news aggregation and commentary site Huffington Post. Even as stars like Ben Affleck, Dustin Hoffman, and Michael J. Fox milled around the lowly lit, sleekly designed Newseum in downtown Washington, they were overshadowed by a giant computer displaying text messages sent in from lesser-known guests at the party.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee's Web site will host a live blog of the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Tuesday night, which is open to Washington residents. The committee is encouraging people to host their own inaugural balls across the country and text in photos or video of their events, some of which will be aired on ABC's broadcast coverage of the Washington inaugural balls.
The committee made use of more practical interactive features as well, offering text alerts for event scheduling updates, public transportation news, weather reports, and more.
Regular citizens will also be able to contribute to the Official Barack Obama Inaugural Book by uploading their pictures to Photobucket.
Posted by Stephanie Condon
WASHINGTON--Barack Obama was sworn in as president Tuesday in what many spectators viewed as the nation's most interactive inauguration ceremony so far.
As millions of people in Washington and around the globe watched a weekend of festivities, culminating with Tuesday's ceremony, they gave their instant feedback online and through text messages and other means to family, friends, and anyone else listening. At the same time, event organizers were able to give spectators live updates about the state of affairs in the nation's chilly, crowded capital.
Most people who watched the inauguration did it through traditional television broadcasts, a medium that hasn't changed significantly in half a century. But it was also possible to tune in online; our sister site CBSNews.com, for instance, streamed the inauguration live over the Internet. And people learned about the inaugural action from pictures uploaded by friends, comments on Twitter and other social media, and direct text messages from event organizers.
"I think we're more connected with the experience, the overall process from the primaries to today," because of technology, said Ghajiibah Campbell, who came from Baltimore with her family to watch the inauguration. "It made you not only more connected, but willing to be connected--it wasn't an inconvenience."
Campbell used her cell phone to send pictures and text messages to her sister in Florida, her brother-in-law in New Jersey, and her brother in Virginia.
"It allows us to share the experience with everybody live, as opposed to getting home and saying, 'Guys, you should've been there, you should've seen it,'" she said.
Countless others also used their handheld devices to share the historical moment with loved ones.
Dawn Chandler from New York said she was sending text messages to her relatives throughout the ceremonies describing "how cold it was, how long we were waiting--it was worth the wait--and the speech."
The desire to share the experience led to more organized communications as well. Inauguration-watchers from Oregon to Massachusetts sent anonymous comments to Januarythe20th.com, describing the scene around them as the swearing-in took place. Participants of the "mass observation" sent comments to Januarythe20th either via e-mail or Twitter.
"CNN airs," says one post from a deli in Washington. "A small sitting room is packed with diners eating out of Styrofoam containers. Three limo drivers beside a salad bar talk rapidly in an eastern language."
The inaugural balls this year have a new emphasis on interactivity as well.
The Huffington Post pre-inaugural ball Monday night featured text messages from guests displayed on a giant computer.
New media received top billing at the pre-inaugural ball held Monday night by the news aggregation and commentary site Huffington Post. Even as stars like Ben Affleck, Dustin Hoffman, and Michael J. Fox milled around the lowly lit, sleekly designed Newseum in downtown Washington, they were overshadowed by a giant computer displaying text messages sent in from lesser-known guests at the party.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee's Web site will host a live blog of the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Tuesday night, which is open to Washington residents. The committee is encouraging people to host their own inaugural balls across the country and text in photos or video of their events, some of which will be aired on ABC's broadcast coverage of the Washington inaugural balls.
The committee made use of more practical interactive features as well, offering text alerts for event scheduling updates, public transportation news, weather reports, and more.
Regular citizens will also be able to contribute to the Official Barack Obama Inaugural Book by uploading their pictures to Photobucket.
Readyping Launches New Text Message Notification Service for Restaurants
Why use a restaurant pager system when everyone has a mobile phone?
Last update: 10:04 a.m. EST Jan. 22, 2009
CHICAGO, Jan 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Readyping www.readyping.com allows restaurants to easily and safely send their customers a text message when their table is ready.
As long as restaurants have been around, customers have waited to be seated. Whether they have a reservation or are a walk-in, a busy restaurant may not be able to accommodate all of its guests upon arrival. Whatever check in method is used, the host must find each party when their table is ready. Restaurant pagers make it easier to notify customers, but they are expensive, have a limited range of operation and can be lost, damaged or even stolen. They may also pass bacteria from one guest to another.
Launched today for U.S. subscribers, Readyping utilizes hardware that restaurants and consumers already have: computers with Internet access and mobile phones. It only takes a few moments to create an account and start using Readyping to check in guests who must wait for a table. The host simply enters their name, party size and mobile phone number. When a customers table is ready, the host clicks a button next to their name and a text message is instantly sent to their mobile phone letting them know the host is waiting to seat them.
"Hardly anyone leaves home without a mobile phone these days." said Joe Sprovieri, Founder and CEO of Readyping, Inc. "So there is no reason for a restaurant or any other business to invest in a pager system when customers already have a paging device in their pocket. Readyping helps restaurants manage their wait list, while allowing customers the flexibility to decide how to spend their wait time."
There are 3.2 billion (and growing) mobile phone connections worldwide. SMS (Short Message Service aka text messaging) is an extremely popular mobile feature overseas and its use in the United States has been increasing rapidly.
Last update: 10:04 a.m. EST Jan. 22, 2009
CHICAGO, Jan 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Readyping www.readyping.com allows restaurants to easily and safely send their customers a text message when their table is ready.
As long as restaurants have been around, customers have waited to be seated. Whether they have a reservation or are a walk-in, a busy restaurant may not be able to accommodate all of its guests upon arrival. Whatever check in method is used, the host must find each party when their table is ready. Restaurant pagers make it easier to notify customers, but they are expensive, have a limited range of operation and can be lost, damaged or even stolen. They may also pass bacteria from one guest to another.
Launched today for U.S. subscribers, Readyping utilizes hardware that restaurants and consumers already have: computers with Internet access and mobile phones. It only takes a few moments to create an account and start using Readyping to check in guests who must wait for a table. The host simply enters their name, party size and mobile phone number. When a customers table is ready, the host clicks a button next to their name and a text message is instantly sent to their mobile phone letting them know the host is waiting to seat them.
"Hardly anyone leaves home without a mobile phone these days." said Joe Sprovieri, Founder and CEO of Readyping, Inc. "So there is no reason for a restaurant or any other business to invest in a pager system when customers already have a paging device in their pocket. Readyping helps restaurants manage their wait list, while allowing customers the flexibility to decide how to spend their wait time."
There are 3.2 billion (and growing) mobile phone connections worldwide. SMS (Short Message Service aka text messaging) is an extremely popular mobile feature overseas and its use in the United States has been increasing rapidly.
Quote Of The Day
The mobile messaging ad market is expected to reach $2.4 billion this year, up 62 percent from last year, according to research firm eMarketer.
source: Venture Beat Digital Media
source: Venture Beat Digital Media
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
White House via Web
Obama campaign capitalized on online media to spread its message, seek input
By Jonathan Sidener | Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. January 21, 2009
Text messaging was among the social media employed by Barack Obama's campaign on the road to the White House.
During the 2008 election, the cell phone of University of California San Diego junior Johan De La Torre buzzed with the occasional text message from Barack Obama's campaign asking if he could knock on doors in Las Vegas or reminding him to vote on Election Day.
De La Torre, a self-described political junkie, not only viewed some of the more than 1,800 video clips on the Obama campaign pages on YouTube, but used them to help get the candidate's message out.
“There was one where Obama talked about religion,” De La Torre said. “I showed it to one of my more conservative friends who hadn't made up his mind. It swayed him to vote for Obama.”
The election is long over, but De La Torre's cell phone and Facebook inbox continue to field messages from Obama's team.
Obama's campaign skillfully plugged in to online video, text messages and other social media on the road to the White House. As a result, he will be remembered not only as the first black president, but also as the first chief executive to “get” the Internet.
Obama's reluctance to part with his BlackBerry has been well-documented. Despite pressure from the Secret Service, Obama told CNN he plans to keep the device as a tool to stay in touch with people beyond his inner circle.
With its top-down fluency in social-media communications, the fledgling administration hopes to keep energized young voters such as De La Torre engaged in the cause.
UCSD supporters, for example, recently received messages on Facebook mentioning a weekend volunteer opportunity and several others updating inauguration plans.
Researchers who followed the digital side of the campaign say the Obama team shows no sign of releasing its embrace of tools from companies such as Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and cell phone text messaging. The transition team's Web site, change.gov, included interactive elements such as solicitation of citizens' ideas and the opportunity to voice opinions on others' ideas. And it's widely expected that those features will appear on whitehouse.gov, taken over yesterday by the new administration.
“Obama rode a tsunami of democratic participation. He was the first presidential candidate to speak the language of the Internet,” said Andrew Rasiej, founder of personaldemocracy.com, a Web site focused on the Internet and politics. He said members of the text-message generation aren't content to soak in political ads from TV, vote every other November and then return to their seats.
The online technologies are creating a real change in the political landscape, said Rasiej, who served as chairman of Howard Dean's Technology Advisory Council during the 2004 campaign.
“I don't think I realized what a dramatic moment this is until my 82-year-old dad asked me how he could send an e-mail to more than one person,” Rasiej said. “He'd become a 21st-century pamphleteer.”
The new technologies could be a double-edged sword for the new president. The transition team dealt with dissension on change.gov and from blogs written by gay-rights advocates unhappy with the role of evangelical minister Rick Warren in the inauguration.
“If Obama doesn't deliver, the same people who elected him will use these tools to hold him accountable,” Rasiej said. “The genie is out of the bottle.”
In the “Politics 2.0” world that Rasiej and others write about, users generate content and messages move “virally” – like a cold spread around to friends, family and co-workers.
The Obama campaign posted more than 1,800 video clips on its official YouTube site. The most popular of those videos drew more than 5 million views, and 15 others were played more than 1 million times.
But one video, not part of the official site, drew more eyes by far. Hip-hop artist Will.i.am rendered sound bites from Obama speeches into a music video, “Yes We Can,” which was viewed at least 21 million times.
The engagement of digitally savvy voters – from blogging to influencing peers on social-network sites – has the potential to transform democracy, said Karen Jagoda, co-founder of the E-Voter Institute, a nonpartisan trade association for Web companies interested in politics.
“Instead of being passive supporters, these are voters more inclined to tell candidates what they think,” Jagoda said. “They will continue to expect to have their voices heard.”
It's easy to see why the administration would want to stay connected to a demographic that disseminates information as innately as eating and sleeping. So far, the attraction in sustained involvement appears to be mutual.
A significant number of voters surveyed by the Pew Internet & American Life Project expect to continue interactions through the early part of the Obama administration.
Among Obama voters, 46 percent said they expect to hear from the president or party leaders this year. Among Obama voters online, that rises to 51 percent.
And it's not just Democrats who expect politics to become more interactive. Among McCain voters, 33 percent expect to hear directly from the Republican Party, while 9 percent said they have gone online in efforts to rebuild the party or elect conservative candidates in the future.
“More people are getting involved in ways they haven't in the past,” Pew researcher Aaron Smith said. “You've got a huge number of people prepared to participate. They really played an active role in the campaign, and they expect to stay involved in some way.
“Whether they will or not remains open to debate.”
At UCSD, one part of staying involved means that supporters have embraced Obama's call to community service. In an event coordinated through Facebook, campus Democrats volunteered at the San Diego Food Bank last weekend.
“We have three Democratic groups on campus,” De La Torre said. “We're merging the three into one. When we rewrite the Constitution, we're putting community involvement in there.”
Jonathan Sidener: (619) 293-1239; jonathan.sidener@uniontrib.com
By Jonathan Sidener | Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. January 21, 2009
Text messaging was among the social media employed by Barack Obama's campaign on the road to the White House.
During the 2008 election, the cell phone of University of California San Diego junior Johan De La Torre buzzed with the occasional text message from Barack Obama's campaign asking if he could knock on doors in Las Vegas or reminding him to vote on Election Day.
De La Torre, a self-described political junkie, not only viewed some of the more than 1,800 video clips on the Obama campaign pages on YouTube, but used them to help get the candidate's message out.
“There was one where Obama talked about religion,” De La Torre said. “I showed it to one of my more conservative friends who hadn't made up his mind. It swayed him to vote for Obama.”
The election is long over, but De La Torre's cell phone and Facebook inbox continue to field messages from Obama's team.
Obama's campaign skillfully plugged in to online video, text messages and other social media on the road to the White House. As a result, he will be remembered not only as the first black president, but also as the first chief executive to “get” the Internet.
Obama's reluctance to part with his BlackBerry has been well-documented. Despite pressure from the Secret Service, Obama told CNN he plans to keep the device as a tool to stay in touch with people beyond his inner circle.
With its top-down fluency in social-media communications, the fledgling administration hopes to keep energized young voters such as De La Torre engaged in the cause.
UCSD supporters, for example, recently received messages on Facebook mentioning a weekend volunteer opportunity and several others updating inauguration plans.
Researchers who followed the digital side of the campaign say the Obama team shows no sign of releasing its embrace of tools from companies such as Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and cell phone text messaging. The transition team's Web site, change.gov, included interactive elements such as solicitation of citizens' ideas and the opportunity to voice opinions on others' ideas. And it's widely expected that those features will appear on whitehouse.gov, taken over yesterday by the new administration.
“Obama rode a tsunami of democratic participation. He was the first presidential candidate to speak the language of the Internet,” said Andrew Rasiej, founder of personaldemocracy.com, a Web site focused on the Internet and politics. He said members of the text-message generation aren't content to soak in political ads from TV, vote every other November and then return to their seats.
The online technologies are creating a real change in the political landscape, said Rasiej, who served as chairman of Howard Dean's Technology Advisory Council during the 2004 campaign.
“I don't think I realized what a dramatic moment this is until my 82-year-old dad asked me how he could send an e-mail to more than one person,” Rasiej said. “He'd become a 21st-century pamphleteer.”
The new technologies could be a double-edged sword for the new president. The transition team dealt with dissension on change.gov and from blogs written by gay-rights advocates unhappy with the role of evangelical minister Rick Warren in the inauguration.
“If Obama doesn't deliver, the same people who elected him will use these tools to hold him accountable,” Rasiej said. “The genie is out of the bottle.”
In the “Politics 2.0” world that Rasiej and others write about, users generate content and messages move “virally” – like a cold spread around to friends, family and co-workers.
The Obama campaign posted more than 1,800 video clips on its official YouTube site. The most popular of those videos drew more than 5 million views, and 15 others were played more than 1 million times.
But one video, not part of the official site, drew more eyes by far. Hip-hop artist Will.i.am rendered sound bites from Obama speeches into a music video, “Yes We Can,” which was viewed at least 21 million times.
The engagement of digitally savvy voters – from blogging to influencing peers on social-network sites – has the potential to transform democracy, said Karen Jagoda, co-founder of the E-Voter Institute, a nonpartisan trade association for Web companies interested in politics.
“Instead of being passive supporters, these are voters more inclined to tell candidates what they think,” Jagoda said. “They will continue to expect to have their voices heard.”
It's easy to see why the administration would want to stay connected to a demographic that disseminates information as innately as eating and sleeping. So far, the attraction in sustained involvement appears to be mutual.
A significant number of voters surveyed by the Pew Internet & American Life Project expect to continue interactions through the early part of the Obama administration.
Among Obama voters, 46 percent said they expect to hear from the president or party leaders this year. Among Obama voters online, that rises to 51 percent.
And it's not just Democrats who expect politics to become more interactive. Among McCain voters, 33 percent expect to hear directly from the Republican Party, while 9 percent said they have gone online in efforts to rebuild the party or elect conservative candidates in the future.
“More people are getting involved in ways they haven't in the past,” Pew researcher Aaron Smith said. “You've got a huge number of people prepared to participate. They really played an active role in the campaign, and they expect to stay involved in some way.
“Whether they will or not remains open to debate.”
At UCSD, one part of staying involved means that supporters have embraced Obama's call to community service. In an event coordinated through Facebook, campus Democrats volunteered at the San Diego Food Bank last weekend.
“We have three Democratic groups on campus,” De La Torre said. “We're merging the three into one. When we rewrite the Constitution, we're putting community involvement in there.”
Jonathan Sidener: (619) 293-1239; jonathan.sidener@uniontrib.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama's technology in campaigning a potential tool for governing
Sean Maher | Oakland Tribune
Posted: 01/18/2009 08:58:54 PM PST
Barack Obama's use of modern technology throughout his presidential campaign may have helped him win, but it remains to be seen whether and how he can adapt those strategies to governing when he takes office Tuesday, an analyst said.
"The way he ran his campaign is going to be one for the textbooks, in the way he used technology and integrated it with an overall strategy," for both donor and voter drives, said political science professor Jeff Gulati of Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.
"But this tactic started out as early as 2000," Gulati said. "It's funny, because the first candidate to seriously use the Internet for fundraising was John McCain in his primary fight with George Bush. McCain was able to raise a vast sum of money. "... But what made Obama very different was how proactive he was in getting e-mail addresses from everybody, so the campaign could make the request for funds instead of waiting for the citizen to initiate the contact."
One of the more difficult tasks in reaching voters can be acquiring their contact information, Gulati said, so one of the key elements of Obama's communications strategy was getting voters and donors to provide that information voluntarily.
"The text message thing he did with Joe Biden, where he'd announce the VP pick by text message at three in the morning, part of what that was about was getting people's phone numbers... He did the same thing with e-mails, starting his own social networking site, and focusing on MySpace and Facebook so much. Starting a YouTube channel and letting people subscribe."
An aspect of Obama's communications strategy was viral idea sharing across the Internet, according to Nicole Calvo of the San Mateo-based public relations firm A&R Edelman.
"Another cutting-edge technology the Obama campaign used was widgets," Calvo wrote in an e-mail. "One cool widget Obama's campaign made was a tax calculator widget, (which) allows you to enter in your annual income and figure out how much you would save under Obama's tax plan. To date it has received over 3 million views and been installed over 5,800 times."
Obama also bought ads on the Xbox video game "Madden NFL 09" that would only appear if a user in one of 10 swing states played the game online, and he held virtual rallies in the popular online game "Second Life," Gulati said.
"The video game advertising was probably the least effective thing he did but, as with everything that the campaign did, there was a deliberate reason they chose to advertise there," David Erickson of Minneapolis-based Tunheim Partners wrote in an e-mail. "That demographic — 18 to 34-year-old men — are the hardest to reach because they spend so much time playing video games. So, as they did with all their other marketing, the campaign went to where the audience hung out to reach them."
Obama didn't have a lock on using technology to reach people, but he synthesized that technique with his overall approach in a uniquely effective way, Gulati said.
"Other campaigns did that was well, but didn't necessarily have a staff in place to do something with that information. Obama dedicated a lot of resources to continue to interact with those people, keeping them informed about what was going on in the campaign as well as asking them for money,'' he said.
"The message was really interesting, because it was not just saying what they would do policy-wise, but how they would do things. It gave the message that this is about a movement, 'We're going to change things, but it will be citizen-initiated in a lot of respects, and it can only be done if we work as a community.'"‰"
It remains to be seen whether Obama will take that approach to governing as well, Gulati said, but the base of support he developed in the campaign could be a powerful persuasive tool when Obama works with the Congress.
"In political science there's a term, 'the permanent campaign,' which says that governing should be like campaigning," Gulati said. "A lot of presidents forget that and try to influence Congress the old fashioned way, but if you think of it like a campaign, you mobilize support among the public. Congressmen only have to answer to their constituents, so if they feel not supporting the President will hurt their re-election chances, because people back home are trying to push them one way or the other, you can really make an impact."
Internet and text-messaging furor over Obama is expected to spike again Tuesday.
The media company Current is working with Twitter, a Web site that allows users to post status messages instantly available to their network, for an inauguration event called "Shout Out the Swearing In."
A record 1.4 billion text messages are expected to be sent and received on Tuesday, according to Albert Lin of the San Francisco-based Internet monitoring company VeriSign.
"Specifically, VeriSign estimates mobile messaging will increase by approximately 15 percent on Inauguration Day," Lin wrote in an e-mail. "(We've) seen large increases in mobile messaging on historic days and holidays, including the 803 million messages (VeriSign) delivered on its network alone on Election Day 2008."
Posted: 01/18/2009 08:58:54 PM PST
Barack Obama's use of modern technology throughout his presidential campaign may have helped him win, but it remains to be seen whether and how he can adapt those strategies to governing when he takes office Tuesday, an analyst said.
"The way he ran his campaign is going to be one for the textbooks, in the way he used technology and integrated it with an overall strategy," for both donor and voter drives, said political science professor Jeff Gulati of Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.
"But this tactic started out as early as 2000," Gulati said. "It's funny, because the first candidate to seriously use the Internet for fundraising was John McCain in his primary fight with George Bush. McCain was able to raise a vast sum of money. "... But what made Obama very different was how proactive he was in getting e-mail addresses from everybody, so the campaign could make the request for funds instead of waiting for the citizen to initiate the contact."
One of the more difficult tasks in reaching voters can be acquiring their contact information, Gulati said, so one of the key elements of Obama's communications strategy was getting voters and donors to provide that information voluntarily.
"The text message thing he did with Joe Biden, where he'd announce the VP pick by text message at three in the morning, part of what that was about was getting people's phone numbers... He did the same thing with e-mails, starting his own social networking site, and focusing on MySpace and Facebook so much. Starting a YouTube channel and letting people subscribe."
An aspect of Obama's communications strategy was viral idea sharing across the Internet, according to Nicole Calvo of the San Mateo-based public relations firm A&R Edelman.
"Another cutting-edge technology the Obama campaign used was widgets," Calvo wrote in an e-mail. "One cool widget Obama's campaign made was a tax calculator widget, (which) allows you to enter in your annual income and figure out how much you would save under Obama's tax plan. To date it has received over 3 million views and been installed over 5,800 times."
Obama also bought ads on the Xbox video game "Madden NFL 09" that would only appear if a user in one of 10 swing states played the game online, and he held virtual rallies in the popular online game "Second Life," Gulati said.
"The video game advertising was probably the least effective thing he did but, as with everything that the campaign did, there was a deliberate reason they chose to advertise there," David Erickson of Minneapolis-based Tunheim Partners wrote in an e-mail. "That demographic — 18 to 34-year-old men — are the hardest to reach because they spend so much time playing video games. So, as they did with all their other marketing, the campaign went to where the audience hung out to reach them."
Obama didn't have a lock on using technology to reach people, but he synthesized that technique with his overall approach in a uniquely effective way, Gulati said.
"Other campaigns did that was well, but didn't necessarily have a staff in place to do something with that information. Obama dedicated a lot of resources to continue to interact with those people, keeping them informed about what was going on in the campaign as well as asking them for money,'' he said.
"The message was really interesting, because it was not just saying what they would do policy-wise, but how they would do things. It gave the message that this is about a movement, 'We're going to change things, but it will be citizen-initiated in a lot of respects, and it can only be done if we work as a community.'"‰"
It remains to be seen whether Obama will take that approach to governing as well, Gulati said, but the base of support he developed in the campaign could be a powerful persuasive tool when Obama works with the Congress.
"In political science there's a term, 'the permanent campaign,' which says that governing should be like campaigning," Gulati said. "A lot of presidents forget that and try to influence Congress the old fashioned way, but if you think of it like a campaign, you mobilize support among the public. Congressmen only have to answer to their constituents, so if they feel not supporting the President will hurt their re-election chances, because people back home are trying to push them one way or the other, you can really make an impact."
Internet and text-messaging furor over Obama is expected to spike again Tuesday.
The media company Current is working with Twitter, a Web site that allows users to post status messages instantly available to their network, for an inauguration event called "Shout Out the Swearing In."
A record 1.4 billion text messages are expected to be sent and received on Tuesday, according to Albert Lin of the San Francisco-based Internet monitoring company VeriSign.
"Specifically, VeriSign estimates mobile messaging will increase by approximately 15 percent on Inauguration Day," Lin wrote in an e-mail. "(We've) seen large increases in mobile messaging on historic days and holidays, including the 803 million messages (VeriSign) delivered on its network alone on Election Day 2008."
Obama’s inauguration likely to break text-messaging records
January 20 2009 - 5:59 am ET | Colin Gibbs | RCR Wireless News
Industry insiders say Barack Obama’s inauguration today is likely to spark record-high SMS usage among U.S. mobile consumers. But the event may also serve as a kind of coming-out party for SMS as an interactive communications channel in the United States.
VeriSign Inc. saw a record 803 million messages on its network during Election Day in November as Obama — whose campaign deftly leveraged text-messaging as a communications tool — was voted into office. But that mark will “fall handily” this week, the messaging infrastructure firm said, as mobile users send an expected 1.4 billion messages nationwide on inauguration day.
“Messaging numbers are continuously on the rise, and we expect to see single-day records being shattered as the year progresses,” Michael Campbell, SVP of worldwide sales and marketing for VeriSign Messaging and Mobile Media, said in a prepared statement. “On inauguration day, we foresee the potential to set another single-day record.”
Indeed, text messaging has exploded among U.S. consumers in the past 18 months. The average American mobile subscriber sends or receives roughly 350 text messages each month, as opposed to making or receiving 200 phone calls, Nielsen Mobile reported recently. And U.S. users sent 75 billion text messages in June 2008, according to the most recent data from CTIA, marking a 160% increase over the previous year.
But while much of the growth has been person-to-person communications and promotional campaigns like “American Idol’s” voting, Obama’s inauguration will see some impressive efforts that leverage the platform as an interactive media channel:
--The Presidential Inaugural Committee has established a service that allows users to text one of several words to 56333 to receive information on weather updates in Washington, mass-transportation alerts, free inaugural events and breaking news and schedule changes.
--The Washington Post is delivering “Survival Alerts” for those attending the festivities in Washington, offering information on traffic jams, street closures and other event-related information. Users can opt in to receive as many as 30 messages on inauguration day and are encouraged to send a text to the newspaper with updates and highlights from the scene.
--A host of media outlets from the traditional (Chicago Tribune, New York Times) to new media (MSNBC.com, Salon.com) will use Twitter to offer updates and opinions from Washington (140 characters at a time, of course), and countless bloggers and pundits will weigh in via the white-hot microblogging site. Twitter executives have said they’re working to double their through-put capacity to handle the increased activity.
And there are plenty of other ways to stay in the inauguration loop via mobile, of course: MobiTV, which enjoyed impressive traffic during campaign-related events last year, will deliver broadcasts from ABC News Now, CNBC, CSpan, Fox News and MSNBC; the law firm Patton Boggs has partnered with Qorvis Communications to offer a downloadable application to help iPhone and BlackBerry users navigate the city during the event.
Mobile network operators have bulked up their Beltway infrastructure to handle traffic at the event itself, of course, but even the carriers are requesting users limit their phone calls and delay sending photos to ease network issues. So while users may experience delays with SMS, texting may be the most practical way for many of the estimated 2 million inauguration attendees to stay in touch.
“Think of SMS as the next generation of the Emergency Broadcasting System,” said Jay Emmet, general manager of OpenMarket Inc., via e-mail. “Mobile is becoming another necessary channel of any integrated marketing campaign and a critical piece of a holistic communications strategy.”
Obama’s campaign played a major role in moving SMS marketing into the mainstream last year, alerting mobile users about nearby whistle-stops and encouraging them to tune into debates and volunteer for the campaign. That effort demonstrated not just that people are willing to receive information on their phones via text, according to Emmet, but that the medium can be used to motivate and engage voters.
“We see SMS having a place in national, state and local politics in the future,” Emmet observed. “And we know that SMS is going mainstream across many industries, not just in politics. Some examples of this are airline status alerts, mobile banking and account balance updates, and retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy offering coupons, rebates and contest information to consumers.”
Industry insiders say Barack Obama’s inauguration today is likely to spark record-high SMS usage among U.S. mobile consumers. But the event may also serve as a kind of coming-out party for SMS as an interactive communications channel in the United States.
VeriSign Inc. saw a record 803 million messages on its network during Election Day in November as Obama — whose campaign deftly leveraged text-messaging as a communications tool — was voted into office. But that mark will “fall handily” this week, the messaging infrastructure firm said, as mobile users send an expected 1.4 billion messages nationwide on inauguration day.
“Messaging numbers are continuously on the rise, and we expect to see single-day records being shattered as the year progresses,” Michael Campbell, SVP of worldwide sales and marketing for VeriSign Messaging and Mobile Media, said in a prepared statement. “On inauguration day, we foresee the potential to set another single-day record.”
Indeed, text messaging has exploded among U.S. consumers in the past 18 months. The average American mobile subscriber sends or receives roughly 350 text messages each month, as opposed to making or receiving 200 phone calls, Nielsen Mobile reported recently. And U.S. users sent 75 billion text messages in June 2008, according to the most recent data from CTIA, marking a 160% increase over the previous year.
But while much of the growth has been person-to-person communications and promotional campaigns like “American Idol’s” voting, Obama’s inauguration will see some impressive efforts that leverage the platform as an interactive media channel:
--The Presidential Inaugural Committee has established a service that allows users to text one of several words to 56333 to receive information on weather updates in Washington, mass-transportation alerts, free inaugural events and breaking news and schedule changes.
--The Washington Post is delivering “Survival Alerts” for those attending the festivities in Washington, offering information on traffic jams, street closures and other event-related information. Users can opt in to receive as many as 30 messages on inauguration day and are encouraged to send a text to the newspaper with updates and highlights from the scene.
--A host of media outlets from the traditional (Chicago Tribune, New York Times) to new media (MSNBC.com, Salon.com) will use Twitter to offer updates and opinions from Washington (140 characters at a time, of course), and countless bloggers and pundits will weigh in via the white-hot microblogging site. Twitter executives have said they’re working to double their through-put capacity to handle the increased activity.
And there are plenty of other ways to stay in the inauguration loop via mobile, of course: MobiTV, which enjoyed impressive traffic during campaign-related events last year, will deliver broadcasts from ABC News Now, CNBC, CSpan, Fox News and MSNBC; the law firm Patton Boggs has partnered with Qorvis Communications to offer a downloadable application to help iPhone and BlackBerry users navigate the city during the event.
Mobile network operators have bulked up their Beltway infrastructure to handle traffic at the event itself, of course, but even the carriers are requesting users limit their phone calls and delay sending photos to ease network issues. So while users may experience delays with SMS, texting may be the most practical way for many of the estimated 2 million inauguration attendees to stay in touch.
“Think of SMS as the next generation of the Emergency Broadcasting System,” said Jay Emmet, general manager of OpenMarket Inc., via e-mail. “Mobile is becoming another necessary channel of any integrated marketing campaign and a critical piece of a holistic communications strategy.”
Obama’s campaign played a major role in moving SMS marketing into the mainstream last year, alerting mobile users about nearby whistle-stops and encouraging them to tune into debates and volunteer for the campaign. That effort demonstrated not just that people are willing to receive information on their phones via text, according to Emmet, but that the medium can be used to motivate and engage voters.
“We see SMS having a place in national, state and local politics in the future,” Emmet observed. “And we know that SMS is going mainstream across many industries, not just in politics. Some examples of this are airline status alerts, mobile banking and account balance updates, and retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy offering coupons, rebates and contest information to consumers.”
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mobile Text Advertising: US Response Rates Higher Than Europe
Though the volume of SMS ads reported by mobile subscribers is lower in the US than in the five leading Western European markets, the US has the highest response rates, according to M:Metrics, which released its July Benchmark Survey of mobile market metrics, writes MarketingCharts.
Text-based mobile advertising is nearly ubiquitous in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - with as many as three out of four mobile subscribers reporting they received an ad via SMS, M:Metrics found. Only 17.2 percent of Americans report receiving SMS ads - but the US had the highest response rate, at 12 percent, as of July.
"Certainly the level of interaction is impressive compared to almost any advertising vehicle available today," said Evan Neufeld, senior analyst, M:Metrics. "It is undeniable that text-based mobile advertising is both a highly prevalent and an extremely effective medium for engaging customers."
Text-based mobile advertising is nearly ubiquitous in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - with as many as three out of four mobile subscribers reporting they received an ad via SMS, M:Metrics found. Only 17.2 percent of Americans report receiving SMS ads - but the US had the highest response rate, at 12 percent, as of July.
"Certainly the level of interaction is impressive compared to almost any advertising vehicle available today," said Evan Neufeld, senior analyst, M:Metrics. "It is undeniable that text-based mobile advertising is both a highly prevalent and an extremely effective medium for engaging customers."
Alert DC providing text messaging system for inauguation
January 19, 2009
ARLINGTON, VA - If you're planning on attending the inauguration ceremony and have a phone or handheld device capable of texting, you might want to sign up for alert DC or Arlington Alert.
With 2 million people expected to attend the historic swearing in of President-elect Barack Obama, 58 law enforcement agencies in the District of Columbia and surrounding jurisdictions will rely on Alert DC, an interoperable emergency text messaging system provided by Cooper Notification, to coordinate the largest security and safety operation for a presidential inauguration in the nation's history.
Alert DC was launched in 2002 to quickly mobilize first responders and key personnel.
To create a safer and more secure environment for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, Alert DC will also allow officials to communicate emergency information to the public via text messages during the four-day ceremony at the nation's capitol, where more than 70 inaugural events will take place from Jan. 18 - 21.
"If you plan on joining the hundreds of thousands of people attending the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama or will just be visiting DC during this time frame, we encourage you to sign up for Alert DC or Arlington Alert," said Ratna Reddi, vp of marketing for Cooper Notification.
"Alert DC and Arlington Alert will help you prepare and respond to emergencies. Alerts aren't limited to violence and terrorism. You can also receive information on inclement weather, road closures and transportation issues."
Residents and visitors in the Washington DC area can sign up for Alert DC at https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/register.php or can be automatically enrolled by texting DC to 411911 from a text-enabled device. Arlington, Va.
Residents and visitors can sign up for Arlington Alert at http://www.arlingtonalert.com/ or by texting 1801 to 411911. Those wishing to receive alerts only during the Inauguration period can do so by checking "Inaugural Alerts" on the registration page.
ARLINGTON, VA - If you're planning on attending the inauguration ceremony and have a phone or handheld device capable of texting, you might want to sign up for alert DC or Arlington Alert.
With 2 million people expected to attend the historic swearing in of President-elect Barack Obama, 58 law enforcement agencies in the District of Columbia and surrounding jurisdictions will rely on Alert DC, an interoperable emergency text messaging system provided by Cooper Notification, to coordinate the largest security and safety operation for a presidential inauguration in the nation's history.
Alert DC was launched in 2002 to quickly mobilize first responders and key personnel.
To create a safer and more secure environment for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, Alert DC will also allow officials to communicate emergency information to the public via text messages during the four-day ceremony at the nation's capitol, where more than 70 inaugural events will take place from Jan. 18 - 21.
"If you plan on joining the hundreds of thousands of people attending the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama or will just be visiting DC during this time frame, we encourage you to sign up for Alert DC or Arlington Alert," said Ratna Reddi, vp of marketing for Cooper Notification.
"Alert DC and Arlington Alert will help you prepare and respond to emergencies. Alerts aren't limited to violence and terrorism. You can also receive information on inclement weather, road closures and transportation issues."
Residents and visitors in the Washington DC area can sign up for Alert DC at https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/register.php or can be automatically enrolled by texting DC to 411911 from a text-enabled device. Arlington, Va.
Residents and visitors can sign up for Arlington Alert at http://www.arlingtonalert.com/ or by texting 1801 to 411911. Those wishing to receive alerts only during the Inauguration period can do so by checking "Inaugural Alerts" on the registration page.
PDQUOTIENT | OMG, When will it end?!
Monday, January 19, 2009
12 million — Number of cell-phone text messages sent in the United States during June 2000.
75 billion — Number of cell-phone text messages sent in the United States during June 2008.
58 — Number of text messages that are sent per day by the average 13- to 17-year-old.
4 — Number of text messages sent per day by the average 45- to 51-year-old.
14,528 — Number of text messages 13-year-old Reina Hardesty of California accumulated last month.
484 — Number of text messages she averaged per day (or about one every two waking minutes).
440 — Number of pages in the monthly bill to her parents.
1 in 5 — Number of employees in the U.K. who text their bosses to let them know they are sick and won’t be coming to work.
20 — Percent of youths who say they’ve engaged in “sexting,” or using their cell phone to send revealing photos or sexually suggestive text messages.
6 — Number of states that have banned texting while driving.
73 — Percent of parents who say their children are more likely to answer a text message than a phone call.
— Compiled by John Campanelli, Plain Dealer Reporter
SOURCES: The Orange County Register, Nielsen Mobile, The Daily Express, CTIA – The Wireless Association, Teenage Research Unlimited, Associated Press, AT&T
12 million — Number of cell-phone text messages sent in the United States during June 2000.
75 billion — Number of cell-phone text messages sent in the United States during June 2008.
58 — Number of text messages that are sent per day by the average 13- to 17-year-old.
4 — Number of text messages sent per day by the average 45- to 51-year-old.
14,528 — Number of text messages 13-year-old Reina Hardesty of California accumulated last month.
484 — Number of text messages she averaged per day (or about one every two waking minutes).
440 — Number of pages in the monthly bill to her parents.
1 in 5 — Number of employees in the U.K. who text their bosses to let them know they are sick and won’t be coming to work.
20 — Percent of youths who say they’ve engaged in “sexting,” or using their cell phone to send revealing photos or sexually suggestive text messages.
6 — Number of states that have banned texting while driving.
73 — Percent of parents who say their children are more likely to answer a text message than a phone call.
— Compiled by John Campanelli, Plain Dealer Reporter
SOURCES: The Orange County Register, Nielsen Mobile, The Daily Express, CTIA – The Wireless Association, Teenage Research Unlimited, Associated Press, AT&T
Saturday, January 17, 2009
On Inauguration Day, will my cell phone work?
January 16, 2009 4:00 AM PST
Posted by Marguerite Reardon
When I head to Washington, D.C., this weekend for the 44th president's inauguration, there's one major question burning in my mind: Will my cell phone work?
I am one of the 240,000 people with free tickets attending President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol next week. And like the other 2 million or so people descending upon Washington, D.C., this weekend for the festivities, I am counting on my cell phone to not only keep me informed of important traffic alerts and happenings around the nation's capital but also to help me meet up with many friends and family I plan to see while in town.
The last presidential inauguration I attended was back in 1993 when Bill Clinton had just taken office. Back then I didn't even know anyone who owned a cell phone. I had to make plans ahead of time, if you can believe that, to make sure I could meet my sister, who had my ticket.
Nowadays, nobody makes plans ahead of time. Instead, we rely on our cell phones to allow us to plan on the fly. I have already exchanged cell phone numbers with at least six different "friends" on Facebook to meet up this weekend. I don't have solid plans with any one of these people. So I am simply crossing my fingers that the cell phone network holds up.
Just to put things in perspective, four years ago just over 200,000 people showed up for George W. Bush's inauguration. About 1 million people were in Times Square in New York City on December 31, 2008, to watch the ball drop. The only other crowd of this size that has assembled in recent times is the yearly Muslim pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which this year topped out at between 2 million and 3million visitors.
While cell phone carriers are constantly upgrading capacity in their networks and have routinely prepared for major events in Washington, D.C., such as inaugurations and state funerals, this will likely be the largest gathering of Americans in one place at one time. And given that most of the 2 million people expected to be in D.C. will be carrying a cell phone, it will certainly put a strain on the network, especially if everyone decides to call, text, Twitter, update Facebook pages, watch live video, or send video clips to friends and family at the same time.
What could make cell phone networks particularly vulnerable this year is the proliferation of new smartphones, like Apple's iPhone or the various Research In Motion BlackBerry phones, that use 2G and 3G networks to access the Web and provide data services.
"We can only bend the laws of physics so much," said Joe Farren, a spokesman for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). "If there are 4 million people on the mall streaming video, sending pictures, or calling, there could be congestion."
And network congestion means that cell phone users might experience, dropped calls and delayed text messages. Smartphone users, like me with my Apple iPhone, might also see mobile Web pages load excruciatingly slow or not at all. And for people with video services like Verizon's VCast, Sprint TV, or MobiTV, watching live video of news broadcasts while standing thousands of people deep in the crowd may be impossible.
Best to text instead of talk
The CTIA is advising people to text and not talk. Text messages and e-mails travel through the network much more easily than voice calls, especially during peak traffic times. Users should also snap, and save, and send photos later. Sending pictures via the cell network eats up valuable capacity, so CTIA suggests sharing those special moments later. And finally, the trade group advises all people to have a back-up plan. Think old school, and pick a rendezvous place and time to meet friends and family in case the cell network is so clogged you can't communicate.
That said, the big four wireless operators--AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile USA--say they've spent millions of dollars and months of time increasing capacity on their networks to ensure that their customers have a good experience throughout the inauguration weekend.
Each carrier has deployed Cell On Wheels throughout the city where cell phone usage is expected to be high. And each carrier has already deployed at least one Cell On Light Truck right near the Capitol, where Obama will take the oath of office as the 44th president of the U.S., to boost capacity. These mobile units use satellite and microwave technology to increase the capacity in a cell site. They are often deployed at disaster sites when cell towers have been knocked down or taken offline.
In addition, all four of the major mobile operators have also increased capacity at permanent cell sites throughout the Washington, D.C., area.
All told, AT&T says it has boosted its 3G network capacity along the parade route, where between 300,000 and 350,000 people are expected to be, by 80 percent and its 2G capacity by 69 percent. Sprint Nextel says it has increased capacity on its Nextel iDEN network by about 90 percent and capacity on its Sprint CDMA network by about 40 percent. The other major carriers, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA, have also increased capacity. T-Mobile USA says it has increased capacity at about 100 of its cell sites in D.C.
AT&T also said it has boosted cellular signals in many hotels throughout the city, including the Hilton and Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill and the Renaissance on M Street. Sprint Nextel also said it has increased service capacity in and around tourist attractions, such as the Smithsonian museums, Union Station, and other places where inaugural balls will take place.
The mobile operators also say they've upgraded what's known as their backhaul networks, which carry wireless traffic from cell phone towers to the wired telephone infrastructure where calls are connected throughout the country and the world.
Operators have also upgraded capacity for emergency first responders. While network congestion may cause problems for regular cell phone subscribers, these first responders will not encounter issues, representatives from the major carriers assured me. Calls by emergency responders such as police, firefighters, and medical crews will be given priority over other wireless traffic. And new interoperability standards among the carriers' networks and devices should eliminate communication issues, such as the ones that occurred during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Quality of service will depend on numbers
As for consumers, representatives from the carriers say they feel confident their services will operate with only minor hiccups. But they all agree that the quality of their service ultimately depends on how many people show up in D.C. this weekend. Early estimates pegged the number around 4 million to 5 million people. But more recently, estimates have fallen to between 1 million and 2 million.
"We feel comfortable with all we've done to prepare for this event," said John Taylor, a spokesman for Sprint Nextel. "And our customers will have great service. But if more than 2 million people show up, there will be blocked and dropped calls. And text messages will be delayed. "
Taylor said that even if the crowd stays below the 2 million mark, there could be delays and dropped calls at critical moments during the swearing in ceremony or along the parade route if hundreds of thousands of people send text messages at the exact same moment.
"We saw this happen on New Year's Eve," he said. "The network was flooded with phone calls and messages all at the same time. And some of those messages were delayed a bit."
I'm crossing my fingers that the bitter cold we're experiencing on the East Coast will keep the numbers below 2 million, so that all my wonderful plans for this historic inauguration aren't shattered by crummy cell phone service. If AT&T's network is up and running, I'll be Twittering all weekend on my iPhone. If you want to follow me, check out my feed on Twitter, maggie
Posted by Marguerite Reardon
When I head to Washington, D.C., this weekend for the 44th president's inauguration, there's one major question burning in my mind: Will my cell phone work?
I am one of the 240,000 people with free tickets attending President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol next week. And like the other 2 million or so people descending upon Washington, D.C., this weekend for the festivities, I am counting on my cell phone to not only keep me informed of important traffic alerts and happenings around the nation's capital but also to help me meet up with many friends and family I plan to see while in town.
The last presidential inauguration I attended was back in 1993 when Bill Clinton had just taken office. Back then I didn't even know anyone who owned a cell phone. I had to make plans ahead of time, if you can believe that, to make sure I could meet my sister, who had my ticket.
Nowadays, nobody makes plans ahead of time. Instead, we rely on our cell phones to allow us to plan on the fly. I have already exchanged cell phone numbers with at least six different "friends" on Facebook to meet up this weekend. I don't have solid plans with any one of these people. So I am simply crossing my fingers that the cell phone network holds up.
Just to put things in perspective, four years ago just over 200,000 people showed up for George W. Bush's inauguration. About 1 million people were in Times Square in New York City on December 31, 2008, to watch the ball drop. The only other crowd of this size that has assembled in recent times is the yearly Muslim pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which this year topped out at between 2 million and 3million visitors.
While cell phone carriers are constantly upgrading capacity in their networks and have routinely prepared for major events in Washington, D.C., such as inaugurations and state funerals, this will likely be the largest gathering of Americans in one place at one time. And given that most of the 2 million people expected to be in D.C. will be carrying a cell phone, it will certainly put a strain on the network, especially if everyone decides to call, text, Twitter, update Facebook pages, watch live video, or send video clips to friends and family at the same time.
What could make cell phone networks particularly vulnerable this year is the proliferation of new smartphones, like Apple's iPhone or the various Research In Motion BlackBerry phones, that use 2G and 3G networks to access the Web and provide data services.
"We can only bend the laws of physics so much," said Joe Farren, a spokesman for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). "If there are 4 million people on the mall streaming video, sending pictures, or calling, there could be congestion."
And network congestion means that cell phone users might experience, dropped calls and delayed text messages. Smartphone users, like me with my Apple iPhone, might also see mobile Web pages load excruciatingly slow or not at all. And for people with video services like Verizon's VCast, Sprint TV, or MobiTV, watching live video of news broadcasts while standing thousands of people deep in the crowd may be impossible.
Best to text instead of talk
The CTIA is advising people to text and not talk. Text messages and e-mails travel through the network much more easily than voice calls, especially during peak traffic times. Users should also snap, and save, and send photos later. Sending pictures via the cell network eats up valuable capacity, so CTIA suggests sharing those special moments later. And finally, the trade group advises all people to have a back-up plan. Think old school, and pick a rendezvous place and time to meet friends and family in case the cell network is so clogged you can't communicate.
That said, the big four wireless operators--AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile USA--say they've spent millions of dollars and months of time increasing capacity on their networks to ensure that their customers have a good experience throughout the inauguration weekend.
Each carrier has deployed Cell On Wheels throughout the city where cell phone usage is expected to be high. And each carrier has already deployed at least one Cell On Light Truck right near the Capitol, where Obama will take the oath of office as the 44th president of the U.S., to boost capacity. These mobile units use satellite and microwave technology to increase the capacity in a cell site. They are often deployed at disaster sites when cell towers have been knocked down or taken offline.
In addition, all four of the major mobile operators have also increased capacity at permanent cell sites throughout the Washington, D.C., area.
All told, AT&T says it has boosted its 3G network capacity along the parade route, where between 300,000 and 350,000 people are expected to be, by 80 percent and its 2G capacity by 69 percent. Sprint Nextel says it has increased capacity on its Nextel iDEN network by about 90 percent and capacity on its Sprint CDMA network by about 40 percent. The other major carriers, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA, have also increased capacity. T-Mobile USA says it has increased capacity at about 100 of its cell sites in D.C.
AT&T also said it has boosted cellular signals in many hotels throughout the city, including the Hilton and Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill and the Renaissance on M Street. Sprint Nextel also said it has increased service capacity in and around tourist attractions, such as the Smithsonian museums, Union Station, and other places where inaugural balls will take place.
The mobile operators also say they've upgraded what's known as their backhaul networks, which carry wireless traffic from cell phone towers to the wired telephone infrastructure where calls are connected throughout the country and the world.
Operators have also upgraded capacity for emergency first responders. While network congestion may cause problems for regular cell phone subscribers, these first responders will not encounter issues, representatives from the major carriers assured me. Calls by emergency responders such as police, firefighters, and medical crews will be given priority over other wireless traffic. And new interoperability standards among the carriers' networks and devices should eliminate communication issues, such as the ones that occurred during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Quality of service will depend on numbers
As for consumers, representatives from the carriers say they feel confident their services will operate with only minor hiccups. But they all agree that the quality of their service ultimately depends on how many people show up in D.C. this weekend. Early estimates pegged the number around 4 million to 5 million people. But more recently, estimates have fallen to between 1 million and 2 million.
"We feel comfortable with all we've done to prepare for this event," said John Taylor, a spokesman for Sprint Nextel. "And our customers will have great service. But if more than 2 million people show up, there will be blocked and dropped calls. And text messages will be delayed. "
Taylor said that even if the crowd stays below the 2 million mark, there could be delays and dropped calls at critical moments during the swearing in ceremony or along the parade route if hundreds of thousands of people send text messages at the exact same moment.
"We saw this happen on New Year's Eve," he said. "The network was flooded with phone calls and messages all at the same time. And some of those messages were delayed a bit."
I'm crossing my fingers that the bitter cold we're experiencing on the East Coast will keep the numbers below 2 million, so that all my wonderful plans for this historic inauguration aren't shattered by crummy cell phone service. If AT&T's network is up and running, I'll be Twittering all weekend on my iPhone. If you want to follow me, check out my feed on Twitter, maggie
Piven Offered $1m To Front Text Message Campaign
January 16, 2009
He may be full of mercury, but it seems that Jeremy Piven has something of a golden touch.
After all, it's not every guy who can send out a boozy, late-night text message and end up with not only a new girlfriend, but a $1 million endorsement deal offer as well.
Last month it was revealed that the Entourage star collected a bunch of girls' numbers at Britney Spears' birthday party -- then sent out a mass text saying, "Come to my room - whoever responds first gets me for the night."
The, erm, lucky winner is now his new girlfriend, model-turned-waitress Ashley Chandos. And now a text message company has offered him all that money to tell the world about the (in his case very obvious) benefits of mass-messaging.
The CEO of EzTexting.com, which lets business advertise by sending out bulk texts, says, "What our company needs right now is an influential representative like Jeremy Piven, who knows the value of sending out a mass text message to reach an intended audience for marketing and other purposes -- in his case, to find a beautiful woman at the end of a long night."
How romantic!
That Ashley really is a lucky girl. Although, after his bout of mercury poisoning we suspect his luck with the ladies isn't so much to do with his text messages as his magnetic personality.
He may be full of mercury, but it seems that Jeremy Piven has something of a golden touch.
After all, it's not every guy who can send out a boozy, late-night text message and end up with not only a new girlfriend, but a $1 million endorsement deal offer as well.
Last month it was revealed that the Entourage star collected a bunch of girls' numbers at Britney Spears' birthday party -- then sent out a mass text saying, "Come to my room - whoever responds first gets me for the night."
The, erm, lucky winner is now his new girlfriend, model-turned-waitress Ashley Chandos. And now a text message company has offered him all that money to tell the world about the (in his case very obvious) benefits of mass-messaging.
The CEO of EzTexting.com, which lets business advertise by sending out bulk texts, says, "What our company needs right now is an influential representative like Jeremy Piven, who knows the value of sending out a mass text message to reach an intended audience for marketing and other purposes -- in his case, to find a beautiful woman at the end of a long night."
How romantic!
That Ashley really is a lucky girl. Although, after his bout of mercury poisoning we suspect his luck with the ladies isn't so much to do with his text messages as his magnetic personality.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Car Dealers Improve Customer Service with Text Messages
EDITOR'S NOTE: Brandel messaging products can assist car dealers in reaching out to prospective clients and can notify them of special sales events and discounts. Note the statistic below which states that 75% of all mobile phone users are texters.
January 14, 2009
By Stefania Viscusi, Assignment Desk Editor
Expanding customer service channels beyond just the telephone makes it easier for companies and customers to stay in touch in today's technologically advanced business world.
Auto dealers looking to improve customer experiences now also have a way of further reaching their customers through the text messaging channel thanks to @utoRevenue's latest offering, @utoText.
A provider of cost-effective customer contact solutions for auto dealerships and a division of Dominion Enterprises, @utoRevenue makes use of a hosted portal to deliver the text messages to customers during the service appointment lifecycle. This includes text messages for approvals on repair orders, service status updates and other important information for customers.
According to the company, there were 255.3 million mobile phone subscribers in the U.S. in December of 2007. Also, with 75 percent of all mobile subscribers texting these days, utilizing this channel for customer service needs is vital.
Text messages are being used in this industry to get quicker responses and turn around times at service bays as well as to avoid wasted time waiting on approvals, chasing voicemails or relaying messages with the service department.
"Text is another effective push-medium for auto dealerships to directly communicate with their customers and nearly guarantee an impression of that message. Customer loyalty now is more important than ever and simple, efficient communications will increasingly be demanded by the ever-more-busy consumer," said Brice Englert, general manager of @utoRevenue.
Stefania Viscusi is an assignment editor for TMCnet, covering VoIP, CRM, call center and wireless technologies. To read more of Stefania’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
January 14, 2009
By Stefania Viscusi, Assignment Desk Editor
Expanding customer service channels beyond just the telephone makes it easier for companies and customers to stay in touch in today's technologically advanced business world.
Auto dealers looking to improve customer experiences now also have a way of further reaching their customers through the text messaging channel thanks to @utoRevenue's latest offering, @utoText.
A provider of cost-effective customer contact solutions for auto dealerships and a division of Dominion Enterprises, @utoRevenue makes use of a hosted portal to deliver the text messages to customers during the service appointment lifecycle. This includes text messages for approvals on repair orders, service status updates and other important information for customers.
According to the company, there were 255.3 million mobile phone subscribers in the U.S. in December of 2007. Also, with 75 percent of all mobile subscribers texting these days, utilizing this channel for customer service needs is vital.
Text messages are being used in this industry to get quicker responses and turn around times at service bays as well as to avoid wasted time waiting on approvals, chasing voicemails or relaying messages with the service department.
"Text is another effective push-medium for auto dealerships to directly communicate with their customers and nearly guarantee an impression of that message. Customer loyalty now is more important than ever and simple, efficient communications will increasingly be demanded by the ever-more-busy consumer," said Brice Englert, general manager of @utoRevenue.
Stefania Viscusi is an assignment editor for TMCnet, covering VoIP, CRM, call center and wireless technologies. To read more of Stefania’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Broward schools using text messages to report dangers
Like Crime Stoppers, the messages you send will not be able to be traced
By Akilah Johnson | South Florida Sun-Sentinel | January 14, 2009
Broward County Click here for restaurant inspection reports schools are keeping up with technology by offering students a way to send anonymous tips about danger on campus: text messaging.
Superintendent James Notter said that when he went to Dillard High School after a student was fatally shot there Nov. 12, he realized today's students are just as likely to send a text message as make a phone call.
And tipsters: Don't worry about text-message shorthand. Student government leaders and more youthful school officials will help translate the texts into traditional — and understandable — English.
"Any parent or adult who does read their children's text messages, it is a different language," Notter said. "Our students' generation has created their own language."
He asked staffers to expand the district's Silence Hurts program, which urges students to alert teachers or security officers to weapons in their midst, to take in text messages from students as well as anonymous calls.
The program has a 24-hour hot line that students, staff and parents can call to alert district security staff to potential threats.
Now, they can also send text messages. Anonymous text tips should be sent to CRIMES or 274637. All messages must begin with SBBC, then a space, followed by the message.
The tips go to the BlackBerry of Joe Melita, executive director of the district's special investigative unit, and to the cell phones of three other security personnel.
"I've always operated under the notion that kids know more than we do," Melita said. "This gives kids the opportunity to share what they know with us."
Working with the same company that puts out Crime Stoppers, the district's text tips will come via a special software that gives the sender anonymity. Called TipSoftText Tips, the software encrypts text messages and routes them through several secure servers.
Lauren Smalley, treasurer of Piper High School's student government association, said she thinks more students will participate in the Silence Hurts program now that they can send anonymous text messages
"That's definitely a good way to approach things," the senior said. "People think, 'Oh, they're going to trace my phone call or recognize my voice' if they have to call."
There's a $3,000 annual price tag to run the program, but Melita said the cost is well worth it, even in these tough economic times.
"It's their text-message world," Notter said. "We need to meet their needs and ensure we have maximum flexibility."
Staff Writer Kathy Bushouse contributed to this report.
Akilah Johnson can be reached at akjohnson@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4527.
By Akilah Johnson | South Florida Sun-Sentinel | January 14, 2009
Broward County Click here for restaurant inspection reports schools are keeping up with technology by offering students a way to send anonymous tips about danger on campus: text messaging.
Superintendent James Notter said that when he went to Dillard High School after a student was fatally shot there Nov. 12, he realized today's students are just as likely to send a text message as make a phone call.
And tipsters: Don't worry about text-message shorthand. Student government leaders and more youthful school officials will help translate the texts into traditional — and understandable — English.
"Any parent or adult who does read their children's text messages, it is a different language," Notter said. "Our students' generation has created their own language."
He asked staffers to expand the district's Silence Hurts program, which urges students to alert teachers or security officers to weapons in their midst, to take in text messages from students as well as anonymous calls.
The program has a 24-hour hot line that students, staff and parents can call to alert district security staff to potential threats.
Now, they can also send text messages. Anonymous text tips should be sent to CRIMES or 274637. All messages must begin with SBBC, then a space, followed by the message.
The tips go to the BlackBerry of Joe Melita, executive director of the district's special investigative unit, and to the cell phones of three other security personnel.
"I've always operated under the notion that kids know more than we do," Melita said. "This gives kids the opportunity to share what they know with us."
Working with the same company that puts out Crime Stoppers, the district's text tips will come via a special software that gives the sender anonymity. Called TipSoftText Tips, the software encrypts text messages and routes them through several secure servers.
Lauren Smalley, treasurer of Piper High School's student government association, said she thinks more students will participate in the Silence Hurts program now that they can send anonymous text messages
"That's definitely a good way to approach things," the senior said. "People think, 'Oh, they're going to trace my phone call or recognize my voice' if they have to call."
There's a $3,000 annual price tag to run the program, but Melita said the cost is well worth it, even in these tough economic times.
"It's their text-message world," Notter said. "We need to meet their needs and ensure we have maximum flexibility."
Staff Writer Kathy Bushouse contributed to this report.
Akilah Johnson can be reached at akjohnson@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4527.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Relevance Of Permission-Based Marketing In The 21st Century
By Benjamin Deleon
The current boom in mobile communications puts the spotlight on regulating the use of telephonic devices as a marketing tool. The cumulative effect of legislation, customer profiling, and the willingness of marketers to pay for the right to market to consumers will make permission-based marketing a 'comfortable arrangement' between marketers and consumers. Today, more consumers are steadily joining opt-in lists and permission programs from which they can receive preferred advertisements, sample products, discount offers, and special deals offered by local and national merchants.
PROBLEM: Telephony (land and cell phones, email, fax, etc.) is an addressable one-to-one communication tool. To use telephony for coincidental selling can make the overall marketing effort interruptive and irritating to the consumer and thus consequently ineffective.
SOLUTION: By seeking the consumers’ permission and participation, a relationship is established and brand loyalty is being developed. So, when a marketing effort is initiated, the merchant is not a stranger - they are an invited guest.
Permission-based marketing will continue to flourish until it becomes ubiquitous.
Businesses will continue to build all sorts of 'Ok-To-Call' lists where consumers can sign up to permit certain types of advertising messages to be sent to them, via their mobile devices or other electronic means. In exchange, customers receive promotional compensation, like a free gift or special discount when they optin, plus more rewards for every advertising message they get. These rewards can include airmiles, discount coupons, premiums, and sample products from the business undertaking the permission marketing campaign.
There are many benefits to consumers who interact in a permission-based marketing campaign.
Consumers Interact with Preferred Products and Services Only
Customers who join a permission-based marketing list will receive only the offers regarding specific products and services that they wish to receive. During registration, consumers can specify which types of ads, sample products, and special offers they would like delivered to their inbox, mobile device, voicemail, or mailbox.
Consumers Receive Rewards For Joining
Consumers collect instant rewards at registration and additional rewards with each marketing offer they receive - whether via the land line telephone, email, or mobile message. Rewards are based on points which consumers accumulate and redeem for free gifts. In addition, consumers can also receive free merchandise, sample products, and coupons from participating merchants.
Consumers Get Special Offers And Discounts
By joining a permission marketing list, consumers can get advance information on special savings and discount deals offered by local and national merchants participating in the program. They can opt-in to receive weekly and monthly email or SMS messages that contain information on new products or models being launched. Subscribers can also get invited to exclusive sales events that offer attractive savings.
Sweepstakes Can Sweeten The Deal
A permission program can also offer a special sweepstakes to attract more participants. Mobile customers increase their chances of winning based on the number of advertising messages they receive over a specified period of time. Every SMS message can include a raffle number that is entered in a weekly drawing.
The current boom in mobile communications puts the spotlight on regulating the use of telephonic devices as a marketing tool. The cumulative effect of legislation, customer profiling, and the willingness of marketers to pay for the right to market to consumers will make permission-based marketing a 'comfortable arrangement' between marketers and consumers. Today, more consumers are steadily joining opt-in lists and permission programs from which they can receive preferred advertisements, sample products, discount offers, and special deals offered by local and national merchants.
PROBLEM: Telephony (land and cell phones, email, fax, etc.) is an addressable one-to-one communication tool. To use telephony for coincidental selling can make the overall marketing effort interruptive and irritating to the consumer and thus consequently ineffective.
SOLUTION: By seeking the consumers’ permission and participation, a relationship is established and brand loyalty is being developed. So, when a marketing effort is initiated, the merchant is not a stranger - they are an invited guest.
Permission-based marketing will continue to flourish until it becomes ubiquitous.
Businesses will continue to build all sorts of 'Ok-To-Call' lists where consumers can sign up to permit certain types of advertising messages to be sent to them, via their mobile devices or other electronic means. In exchange, customers receive promotional compensation, like a free gift or special discount when they optin, plus more rewards for every advertising message they get. These rewards can include airmiles, discount coupons, premiums, and sample products from the business undertaking the permission marketing campaign.
There are many benefits to consumers who interact in a permission-based marketing campaign.
Consumers Interact with Preferred Products and Services Only
Customers who join a permission-based marketing list will receive only the offers regarding specific products and services that they wish to receive. During registration, consumers can specify which types of ads, sample products, and special offers they would like delivered to their inbox, mobile device, voicemail, or mailbox.
Consumers Receive Rewards For Joining
Consumers collect instant rewards at registration and additional rewards with each marketing offer they receive - whether via the land line telephone, email, or mobile message. Rewards are based on points which consumers accumulate and redeem for free gifts. In addition, consumers can also receive free merchandise, sample products, and coupons from participating merchants.
Consumers Get Special Offers And Discounts
By joining a permission marketing list, consumers can get advance information on special savings and discount deals offered by local and national merchants participating in the program. They can opt-in to receive weekly and monthly email or SMS messages that contain information on new products or models being launched. Subscribers can also get invited to exclusive sales events that offer attractive savings.
Sweepstakes Can Sweeten The Deal
A permission program can also offer a special sweepstakes to attract more participants. Mobile customers increase their chances of winning based on the number of advertising messages they receive over a specified period of time. Every SMS message can include a raffle number that is entered in a weekly drawing.
Flight Delay Information Lost in a Fog
By SUSAN STELLIN
Published: January 12, 2009
One of the most agonizing aspects of air travel is waiting out a flight delay, desperate for information.
Arrival and departure displays do not necessarily provide the latest data. Typically, one in four domestic flights runs late, meaning that some 400,000 passengers sit captive at gates or on the tarmac every day, waiting for updates from the airline.
“They’re very poor at getting on the intercom and saying, ‘Here’s our situation,’ ” said Jennifer Shirkani, owner of a management consulting business in Manchester, N.H., who flies about 100,000 miles a year. “In some cases, there’s not even a crew member at the gate until two minutes before the scheduled boarding time. So we’re really on our own to find out what’s going on.”
If you have ever felt frustrated by the different updates given when you ask a gate agent, call the airline or look out the window — no aircraft ready to go — it turns out there is a convoluted flow of information that often leaves travelers in the dark.
Passengers are at the end of a communication chain that involves multiple computer systems, gate agents, pilots, flight dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and other airline and Federal Aviation Administration personnel, with updates moving along different paths.
“You can have three or four different systems providing information, one quicker than another at any point in time,” said Cindy Bouchard, a former airport customer service supervisor with US Airways.
During a delay, gate agents and the flight crew communicate with the airline along separate channels, and do not necessarily talk to each other. Pilots typically get more updated information because they are in direct contact with the airline’s system operations control center — essentially, the brain that keeps track of every aircraft’s schedule.
Pilots also communicate with tower personnel who are linked to the F.A.A.’s command center in Herndon, Va. That is the master system each airline connects with to determine when its planes are allowed to come and go.
But even if members of the flight crew share information with their colleagues at the gate, Ms. Bouchard said, “we couldn’t make the announcement to the passengers until it was official in the system, because the crew could be wrong.”
Gate agents are also reluctant to jump the gun because they dread the onslaught they will face after announcing bad news. “Imagine dealing with a cancellation and 200 passengers standing in front of you — it’s incredible,” Ms. Bouchard said. “So are you going to announce a cancellation without knowing for sure? I don’t think so.”
Of course, in cases of extreme weather, no one can predict when planes will be able to take off.
“Everyone is dealing with information that’s not perfect, and it’s changing,” said Basil J. Barimo, vice president for operations for the Air Transport Association, an airline trade group. “That’s what creates the challenge for the folks out there at the airport.”
But he acknowledged that information flows through separate, and not always equal, channels.
“The crew is connected directly to the operations center, so they’re getting the latest and greatest information,” he said. “The customer service agent is not directly connected, so is getting the information from airport channels.”
Depending on the technology available at the gate, that may mean a radio transmission or a phone call. As for the arrival and departure displays in the terminal, they do not necessarily show the latest data because they get information from sources contracted by the airport, which may involve a time lag.
That is why passengers can often get more timely information about a flight delay by checking the airline’s Web site or a site like Flightstats.com. Or they can send a text message to Google (466-453) with the flight number (AA117, for example), which will send back a text message with the latest departure and arrival information from Flightstats.
If there is no plane at the gate, savvy travelers have learned to check the status of the incoming flight, which is often a better way of gauging how soon the plane will turn around.
“You really have to be almost a forensic traveler to know what’s going on,” said Kate Hanni, founder of the Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, an advocacy group that has primarily pushed for better treatment of travelers stuck in airplanes on the tarmac during extended delays.
One of the goals of her organization is a requirement that airlines disclose, when a ticket is bought, whether the planned flight is chronically delayed.
Another is requiring airlines to update passengers every 15 minutes during a tarmac delay, even when there is no new information to share.
While many carriers make that promise in their customer commitments, few would claim that they actually do update passengers that often.
“I think every 15 minutes is extremely optimistic,” said a pilot for a major carrier, though he agreed that communication could be improved.
“The left hand isn’t always talking to the right hand,” he said. “I would say the information isn’t flowing in the right order.”
Technology may also provide some solutions, especially as the airlines cut staff.
Many carriers now send flight status updates to passengers’ mobile devices via text or voice messages — ideally (though not perfectly) reporting information about cancellations and delays. Theoretically, airlines could update passengers more frequently, instead of just sending an initial message saying a flight is delayed.
“The every 15-minute rule, should that become the guide, is achievable,” said Jeffrey J. Read, an executive vice president with Varolii, the company that handles these alerts for seven airlines in the United States.
“Is that overkill? I don’t know.”
A version of this article appeared in print on January 13, 2009, on page B6 of the New York edition.
Published: January 12, 2009
One of the most agonizing aspects of air travel is waiting out a flight delay, desperate for information.
Arrival and departure displays do not necessarily provide the latest data. Typically, one in four domestic flights runs late, meaning that some 400,000 passengers sit captive at gates or on the tarmac every day, waiting for updates from the airline.
“They’re very poor at getting on the intercom and saying, ‘Here’s our situation,’ ” said Jennifer Shirkani, owner of a management consulting business in Manchester, N.H., who flies about 100,000 miles a year. “In some cases, there’s not even a crew member at the gate until two minutes before the scheduled boarding time. So we’re really on our own to find out what’s going on.”
If you have ever felt frustrated by the different updates given when you ask a gate agent, call the airline or look out the window — no aircraft ready to go — it turns out there is a convoluted flow of information that often leaves travelers in the dark.
Passengers are at the end of a communication chain that involves multiple computer systems, gate agents, pilots, flight dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and other airline and Federal Aviation Administration personnel, with updates moving along different paths.
“You can have three or four different systems providing information, one quicker than another at any point in time,” said Cindy Bouchard, a former airport customer service supervisor with US Airways.
During a delay, gate agents and the flight crew communicate with the airline along separate channels, and do not necessarily talk to each other. Pilots typically get more updated information because they are in direct contact with the airline’s system operations control center — essentially, the brain that keeps track of every aircraft’s schedule.
Pilots also communicate with tower personnel who are linked to the F.A.A.’s command center in Herndon, Va. That is the master system each airline connects with to determine when its planes are allowed to come and go.
But even if members of the flight crew share information with their colleagues at the gate, Ms. Bouchard said, “we couldn’t make the announcement to the passengers until it was official in the system, because the crew could be wrong.”
Gate agents are also reluctant to jump the gun because they dread the onslaught they will face after announcing bad news. “Imagine dealing with a cancellation and 200 passengers standing in front of you — it’s incredible,” Ms. Bouchard said. “So are you going to announce a cancellation without knowing for sure? I don’t think so.”
Of course, in cases of extreme weather, no one can predict when planes will be able to take off.
“Everyone is dealing with information that’s not perfect, and it’s changing,” said Basil J. Barimo, vice president for operations for the Air Transport Association, an airline trade group. “That’s what creates the challenge for the folks out there at the airport.”
But he acknowledged that information flows through separate, and not always equal, channels.
“The crew is connected directly to the operations center, so they’re getting the latest and greatest information,” he said. “The customer service agent is not directly connected, so is getting the information from airport channels.”
Depending on the technology available at the gate, that may mean a radio transmission or a phone call. As for the arrival and departure displays in the terminal, they do not necessarily show the latest data because they get information from sources contracted by the airport, which may involve a time lag.
That is why passengers can often get more timely information about a flight delay by checking the airline’s Web site or a site like Flightstats.com. Or they can send a text message to Google (466-453) with the flight number (AA117, for example), which will send back a text message with the latest departure and arrival information from Flightstats.
If there is no plane at the gate, savvy travelers have learned to check the status of the incoming flight, which is often a better way of gauging how soon the plane will turn around.
“You really have to be almost a forensic traveler to know what’s going on,” said Kate Hanni, founder of the Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, an advocacy group that has primarily pushed for better treatment of travelers stuck in airplanes on the tarmac during extended delays.
One of the goals of her organization is a requirement that airlines disclose, when a ticket is bought, whether the planned flight is chronically delayed.
Another is requiring airlines to update passengers every 15 minutes during a tarmac delay, even when there is no new information to share.
While many carriers make that promise in their customer commitments, few would claim that they actually do update passengers that often.
“I think every 15 minutes is extremely optimistic,” said a pilot for a major carrier, though he agreed that communication could be improved.
“The left hand isn’t always talking to the right hand,” he said. “I would say the information isn’t flowing in the right order.”
Technology may also provide some solutions, especially as the airlines cut staff.
Many carriers now send flight status updates to passengers’ mobile devices via text or voice messages — ideally (though not perfectly) reporting information about cancellations and delays. Theoretically, airlines could update passengers more frequently, instead of just sending an initial message saying a flight is delayed.
“The every 15-minute rule, should that become the guide, is achievable,” said Jeffrey J. Read, an executive vice president with Varolii, the company that handles these alerts for seven airlines in the United States.
“Is that overkill? I don’t know.”
A version of this article appeared in print on January 13, 2009, on page B6 of the New York edition.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Teachers h8 txting – Messaging spellings creep into schoolwork
By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer
Jessica Hiseley’s sixth-graders at Pershing Elementary School know the drill.
The teacher says “attractiveness.”
They say “attractiveness. A-T-T-R-A-C-T-I-V-E-N-E-S-S.”
“This is important,” sixth-grader Rakyra Jones said. “If you can’t spell, you couldn’t be able to read.”
However, as Hiseley and other area elementary and middle school teachers get their students ready for the Muskogee County Spelling Bee on Feb. 19, they face a challenge to proper spelling.
OMG! Kds r Adctd2txt.
Area teachers say shortened versions of words, commonly found in text messages, have shown up in student papers.
“I have noticed it on student papers,” said Tony Goetz Elementary Sixth-grade Teacher Angela Satterfield. “Instead of spelling words out, like ‘people,’ they would use PPL.”
Satterfield said she points out the misspellings to students.
“And once I point out that it was not acceptable spelling, they’d stop,” she said. “I still see them crop up once in a while.”
Text messaging, sending short messages through cell phones or other digital media, uses several messages to keep messages short. Some use common acronyms such as AKA for “also known as.” Some use first letters, LOL for “laughing out loud.” Some misspell words, “alredi” for “already.” Some are simply weird, “w00t” for “congratulations.”
“Sometimes I think maybe they use it so many times in texting, it becomes a habit,” Satterfield said. “It’s something we did not see five years ago.”
Christee Jenlink, assistant dean for the Northeastern State University College of Education, said she has seen text message language creep into students’ papers.
She does not welcome it.
“In the college of education, we continue to stress the use of proper sentence structure,” she said. “I have seen the impact of text messaging on student work. Thoughts are sometimes fragmented. When we require them to write a formal paper, it is sometimes difficult for them.”
She said students sometimes also have errors in punctuation and “what is and is not capitalized.”
“They’re not capitalizing the capital initial I, or proper names,” Jenlink said.
Asked if the language of text messaging has any place in her teaching, Jenlink said no.
“We are training to be professional teachers,” she said. “All these people are to be role models in every aspect, and that includes written and verbal communication.”
Getting that message across is becoming a challenge, she said.
Jenlink said she seeks to reinforce the importance of good writing skills “as teachers, counselors and administrators.
“Just because something is popular does not make it the right thing to use,” she said.
Other educators have seen challenges and possibilities posed by text messaging and other digital forms of communication.
In a 2006 article on the Technology Review Web site, International Reading Association President Timothy Shanahan said, “With so much written chatter, being able to read and write have become definite social advantages.”
The article also said the ability to text message could help a person be comfortable with a variety of media and understanding different facets of language in different situations.
Rakyra, who won a spelling bee in her class last week, said knowing how to spell correctly helps her when she text messages.
“If I’m using a big word, all I have to do is break it up into words that I do know,” she said.
Hiseley said that’s one way she has taught spelling and reading.
“We work with prefixes and suffixes,” she said. “You need to know how to break up the words and use them in a sentence. I teach them to use words they know to help them spell words they don’t know.”
• OMG — Oh My Gosh (or stronger verbiage).
• LOL— Laughing out loud.
• ROFL — Rolling on Floor Laughing.
• TXT MSG — Text Message.
• PPL — People.
• THX — Thanks.
• Adctd2txt — Addicted to text
Source: Txt message translator: www.lingo2word.com.
Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928
Phoenix Staff Writer
Jessica Hiseley’s sixth-graders at Pershing Elementary School know the drill.
The teacher says “attractiveness.”
They say “attractiveness. A-T-T-R-A-C-T-I-V-E-N-E-S-S.”
“This is important,” sixth-grader Rakyra Jones said. “If you can’t spell, you couldn’t be able to read.”
However, as Hiseley and other area elementary and middle school teachers get their students ready for the Muskogee County Spelling Bee on Feb. 19, they face a challenge to proper spelling.
OMG! Kds r Adctd2txt.
Area teachers say shortened versions of words, commonly found in text messages, have shown up in student papers.
“I have noticed it on student papers,” said Tony Goetz Elementary Sixth-grade Teacher Angela Satterfield. “Instead of spelling words out, like ‘people,’ they would use PPL.”
Satterfield said she points out the misspellings to students.
“And once I point out that it was not acceptable spelling, they’d stop,” she said. “I still see them crop up once in a while.”
Text messaging, sending short messages through cell phones or other digital media, uses several messages to keep messages short. Some use common acronyms such as AKA for “also known as.” Some use first letters, LOL for “laughing out loud.” Some misspell words, “alredi” for “already.” Some are simply weird, “w00t” for “congratulations.”
“Sometimes I think maybe they use it so many times in texting, it becomes a habit,” Satterfield said. “It’s something we did not see five years ago.”
Christee Jenlink, assistant dean for the Northeastern State University College of Education, said she has seen text message language creep into students’ papers.
She does not welcome it.
“In the college of education, we continue to stress the use of proper sentence structure,” she said. “I have seen the impact of text messaging on student work. Thoughts are sometimes fragmented. When we require them to write a formal paper, it is sometimes difficult for them.”
She said students sometimes also have errors in punctuation and “what is and is not capitalized.”
“They’re not capitalizing the capital initial I, or proper names,” Jenlink said.
Asked if the language of text messaging has any place in her teaching, Jenlink said no.
“We are training to be professional teachers,” she said. “All these people are to be role models in every aspect, and that includes written and verbal communication.”
Getting that message across is becoming a challenge, she said.
Jenlink said she seeks to reinforce the importance of good writing skills “as teachers, counselors and administrators.
“Just because something is popular does not make it the right thing to use,” she said.
Other educators have seen challenges and possibilities posed by text messaging and other digital forms of communication.
In a 2006 article on the Technology Review Web site, International Reading Association President Timothy Shanahan said, “With so much written chatter, being able to read and write have become definite social advantages.”
The article also said the ability to text message could help a person be comfortable with a variety of media and understanding different facets of language in different situations.
Rakyra, who won a spelling bee in her class last week, said knowing how to spell correctly helps her when she text messages.
“If I’m using a big word, all I have to do is break it up into words that I do know,” she said.
Hiseley said that’s one way she has taught spelling and reading.
“We work with prefixes and suffixes,” she said. “You need to know how to break up the words and use them in a sentence. I teach them to use words they know to help them spell words they don’t know.”
• OMG — Oh My Gosh (or stronger verbiage).
• LOL— Laughing out loud.
• ROFL — Rolling on Floor Laughing.
• TXT MSG — Text Message.
• PPL — People.
• THX — Thanks.
• Adctd2txt — Addicted to text
Source: Txt message translator: www.lingo2word.com.
Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My daughter racked up 14,528 text messages in one month
Originally posted Wednesday, January 7, 2009
MORNING READ: OMG! What's a father to do?
By GREG HARDESTY
The Orange County Register
LAKE FOREST – OMG!!!
This isn't exactly proud papa news: My daughter, Reina, who recently turned 13, just racked up 14,528 text messages in one month.
Thank God she's too young to drive.
Given that she's had a cell phone for less than six months, and she is supposed to share the phone with her 14-year-old brother (and use it mainly for emergencies) — well, I'm speechless.
Or should I say, textless?
Her mother, Manako, recently got the phone bill from AT&T. Only 23 pages of the bill came with the bill mailed to her home in Lake Forest.
Manako went online and looked at the PDF version of the bill. The PDF file, covering the period from Nov. 27 to Dec. 26, totaled 440 pages.
OK, the bill included charges for two other phones, including one belonging to Reina's 22-year-old sister, Hana, who accounted for a comparatively modest 7,101 text messages during the same period. Older sister Marina, 24, accounted for a measly (whew!) 700.
But still…A 440-page phone bill? Thankfully, Manako signed up all of them for unlimited texting.
If not, the 20 cents per text for Reina would have totaled $2,905.60.
That's a lot of house chores.
•••
I'm no math whiz, but I did some quick calculations on Reina's thumb-numbing total.
Assuming my daughter slept an average of eight hours during the billing period (she usually sleeps more), that works out to 484 text messages a day — or a text message every two minutes she was awake.
Could AT&T have made some mistake?
Wishful thinking. It's all true, based on the PDF file I reviewed.
I definitely am not LMAO (laughing my, er, butt off).
One small consolation: The 14,528 total includes text messages both sent and received.
Really, though. Is that any consolation?
Manako posted the fascinating (but disturbing) facts on her Facebook page. Comments ensued.
My daughter, Reina, felt compelled to respond on her mother's Facebook site.
She explained, "I just have a lot of people that I text all the time.
"Like, the first thing I ask after I get to know them is their cell phone number, and if they have unlimited texting.
"I have like 4 close friends that I'm constantly texting. I don't really think there is a point. It's just fun to talk."
•••
Like, I contacted my text-happy daughter on her cell phone.
I sent her some questions via text message. This is the digital conversation that ensued:
Q. Are you nuts?
A. No, I just like to talk.
Q. Who are you texting, anyway? Your entire school?
A. Well, a lot of my friends have unlimited texting. I just text them pretty much all the time.
Q. You don't think 14,528 text messages in one month is excessive?
A. I do, but it's not all mine. I get a lot of annoying forwards and multimedia messages that I just delete because they're stupid, and the ones I receive are counted.
Q. What disciplinary measures are you prepared to accept, my dear loving daughter?
A. Umm…discipline?
Q. Am I a lame father to have allowed such a thing to happen?
A. No. Haha. I'm as surprised as you are. xD
The smiley face saved her.
•••
I called AT&T Mobility. I wanted to see if the company kept records of such things.
"That seems a bit high," said Katie Keating, trying not to laugh and explaining that, for privacy, the company does not keep a tally of top texters.
"Texting is becoming more and more popular, and growing at a spectacular rate. Text-messaging is now hard-wired into our culture. It's in our DNA — particular among young people."
Like, I figured as much, Katie.
Citing statistics from a Nielsen study done in the second quarter of 2008, Keating said teenagers ages 13-17 text more than any other demographic group.
The average texts per month for a person in this age group?
1,742.
Yes, Ms. Keating,14,528 does seem a bit high.
The Nielsen study, of 50,000 cell phone users nationwide, found that people now use their cell phones more for texting than for talking. On average, each user sends 357 texts a month versus 204 voice calls a month.
Since getting the recent phone bill, Manako and I have restricted Reina's use of the cell phone.
The ghastly texting total happened over winter break. Now that school's back in session, we don't expect any more surprises of such magnitude.
Do we need to get a life? Does our daughter?
Go ahead. Text me your thoughts.
714-932-1654.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7356 (voice mail) or ghardesty@ocregister.com
MORNING READ: OMG! What's a father to do?
By GREG HARDESTY
The Orange County Register
LAKE FOREST – OMG!!!
This isn't exactly proud papa news: My daughter, Reina, who recently turned 13, just racked up 14,528 text messages in one month.
Thank God she's too young to drive.
Given that she's had a cell phone for less than six months, and she is supposed to share the phone with her 14-year-old brother (and use it mainly for emergencies) — well, I'm speechless.
Or should I say, textless?
Her mother, Manako, recently got the phone bill from AT&T. Only 23 pages of the bill came with the bill mailed to her home in Lake Forest.
Manako went online and looked at the PDF version of the bill. The PDF file, covering the period from Nov. 27 to Dec. 26, totaled 440 pages.
OK, the bill included charges for two other phones, including one belonging to Reina's 22-year-old sister, Hana, who accounted for a comparatively modest 7,101 text messages during the same period. Older sister Marina, 24, accounted for a measly (whew!) 700.
But still…A 440-page phone bill? Thankfully, Manako signed up all of them for unlimited texting.
If not, the 20 cents per text for Reina would have totaled $2,905.60.
That's a lot of house chores.
•••
I'm no math whiz, but I did some quick calculations on Reina's thumb-numbing total.
Assuming my daughter slept an average of eight hours during the billing period (she usually sleeps more), that works out to 484 text messages a day — or a text message every two minutes she was awake.
Could AT&T have made some mistake?
Wishful thinking. It's all true, based on the PDF file I reviewed.
I definitely am not LMAO (laughing my, er, butt off).
One small consolation: The 14,528 total includes text messages both sent and received.
Really, though. Is that any consolation?
Manako posted the fascinating (but disturbing) facts on her Facebook page. Comments ensued.
My daughter, Reina, felt compelled to respond on her mother's Facebook site.
She explained, "I just have a lot of people that I text all the time.
"Like, the first thing I ask after I get to know them is their cell phone number, and if they have unlimited texting.
"I have like 4 close friends that I'm constantly texting. I don't really think there is a point. It's just fun to talk."
•••
Like, I contacted my text-happy daughter on her cell phone.
I sent her some questions via text message. This is the digital conversation that ensued:
Q. Are you nuts?
A. No, I just like to talk.
Q. Who are you texting, anyway? Your entire school?
A. Well, a lot of my friends have unlimited texting. I just text them pretty much all the time.
Q. You don't think 14,528 text messages in one month is excessive?
A. I do, but it's not all mine. I get a lot of annoying forwards and multimedia messages that I just delete because they're stupid, and the ones I receive are counted.
Q. What disciplinary measures are you prepared to accept, my dear loving daughter?
A. Umm…discipline?
Q. Am I a lame father to have allowed such a thing to happen?
A. No. Haha. I'm as surprised as you are. xD
The smiley face saved her.
•••
I called AT&T Mobility. I wanted to see if the company kept records of such things.
"That seems a bit high," said Katie Keating, trying not to laugh and explaining that, for privacy, the company does not keep a tally of top texters.
"Texting is becoming more and more popular, and growing at a spectacular rate. Text-messaging is now hard-wired into our culture. It's in our DNA — particular among young people."
Like, I figured as much, Katie.
Citing statistics from a Nielsen study done in the second quarter of 2008, Keating said teenagers ages 13-17 text more than any other demographic group.
The average texts per month for a person in this age group?
1,742.
Yes, Ms. Keating,14,528 does seem a bit high.
The Nielsen study, of 50,000 cell phone users nationwide, found that people now use their cell phones more for texting than for talking. On average, each user sends 357 texts a month versus 204 voice calls a month.
Since getting the recent phone bill, Manako and I have restricted Reina's use of the cell phone.
The ghastly texting total happened over winter break. Now that school's back in session, we don't expect any more surprises of such magnitude.
Do we need to get a life? Does our daughter?
Go ahead. Text me your thoughts.
714-932-1654.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7356 (voice mail) or ghardesty@ocregister.com
Text messages become tool for Amber Alerts
By Marissa Millender (Contact)
Originally posted Saturday, January 10, 2009
When a child goes missing, agencies spring into action getting an Amber Alert out — posting signs, sending out calls and alerting the news media — but those summons for help aren’t always heard.
“If you don’t happen to be at your TV or listening to the radio or don’t happen to drive down a major highway where the alert is, you might miss it,” said Capt. Eric Russell, regional Amber Alert coordinator with the Wichita Falls Police Department.
As part of the 2009 Amber Alert Awareness Day, which is Tuesday, the WFPD is pushing for people to sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts.
“When it first began, it was just an additional tool to notify people of missing children,” Russell said. But with society relying so heavily on their wireless technology, it has become a valuable piece of the puzzle.
“Anywhere you are, you can get the information” he said.
He said for an Amber Alert to be issued, the agency has to have a license plate number of a suspected abductor’s car. By receiving the alert on a cell phone, anyone who thinks they might have seen the vehicle won’t have to call police and verify the plate. Instead, they can pull up their message and check it, expediting the process.
“I encourage folks to sign up for the Wireless Amber Alerts,” Russell said. The alerts are free and are only sent out if issued in the area. “They won’t get every national alert.”
Wichita Falls has never had a full Amber Alert because no case has met the strict criteria necessary to issue one, though the WFPD has used several other outlets.
But Russell said it’s important for people to register now. “It’s things like this where we can plan ahead enough to make people aware,” so we’re ready in the event of an alert.
Anyone can get more information or sign up for a Wireless Amber Alert at www.wire lessamberalerts.org.
Reporter Marissa Millender can be reached at (940) 763-7597 or by e-mail at MillenderM@TimesRecordNews.com.
Originally posted Saturday, January 10, 2009
When a child goes missing, agencies spring into action getting an Amber Alert out — posting signs, sending out calls and alerting the news media — but those summons for help aren’t always heard.
“If you don’t happen to be at your TV or listening to the radio or don’t happen to drive down a major highway where the alert is, you might miss it,” said Capt. Eric Russell, regional Amber Alert coordinator with the Wichita Falls Police Department.
As part of the 2009 Amber Alert Awareness Day, which is Tuesday, the WFPD is pushing for people to sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts.
“When it first began, it was just an additional tool to notify people of missing children,” Russell said. But with society relying so heavily on their wireless technology, it has become a valuable piece of the puzzle.
“Anywhere you are, you can get the information” he said.
He said for an Amber Alert to be issued, the agency has to have a license plate number of a suspected abductor’s car. By receiving the alert on a cell phone, anyone who thinks they might have seen the vehicle won’t have to call police and verify the plate. Instead, they can pull up their message and check it, expediting the process.
“I encourage folks to sign up for the Wireless Amber Alerts,” Russell said. The alerts are free and are only sent out if issued in the area. “They won’t get every national alert.”
Wichita Falls has never had a full Amber Alert because no case has met the strict criteria necessary to issue one, though the WFPD has used several other outlets.
But Russell said it’s important for people to register now. “It’s things like this where we can plan ahead enough to make people aware,” so we’re ready in the event of an alert.
Anyone can get more information or sign up for a Wireless Amber Alert at www.wire lessamberalerts.org.
Reporter Marissa Millender can be reached at (940) 763-7597 or by e-mail at MillenderM@TimesRecordNews.com.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Text Messaging Provides A Burst of Marketing Opportunities
By Benjamin Deleon
Short Message Service (SMS) is the mechanism behind text messaging for mobile phones. This globally accepted wireless service enables the transmission of alphanumeric and small non-text messages to and from mobile devices as well as fixed-base and wireless sources and destinations.
An SMS message is transmitted using short bursts of data that require very low bandwidth. Nearly all cell phones in use in the US today, some 255 million of them, can receive text messages.
Since alphanumeric messaging capability is now standard in all mobile handsets, text-based messages are the most popular type of SMS communications. A single SMS text message can be up to 160 characters in length. These 160 characters can be any combination of words, numbers or symbols that can be based on a textphonic language which allows fewer keystrokes.
SMS offers a variety of marketing applications, from mobile coupons, text alerts, viral promotions, mobile broadcasts, bounce ads, free tickets, etc. Its low-cost, high-penetration and high-retention offers a wealth of marketing opportunities to businesses, fundraising groups, institutions, political organizations, and much more.
There are a variety of applications for using Text Messaging for Business. Here are some examples:
TV-Stimulated Voting. American Idol and Star Search are two examples of interactive TV programs that use SMS to engage viewers and solicit votes to select winners of their shows.
Real Estate Alerts. Customers can subscribe to a service that sends alerts when new properties get listed in their desired market/category.
Mobile Auction. Information on new products offered for auction is sent as SMS to mobile customers who are able to bid using their phone.
Interactive TV. For a small fee, viewers can send their SMS messages (greetings, comments, etc.) to a TV program and have their messages scroll on the screen and be viewed by the public.
Ticket Sales. Customers can buy airline tickets via their mobile handsets. The ticket is issued in the form of an SMS message which the customer presents with their phone when they check in. Also works for theatre tickets, sports events, etc.
Instant Sales Campaign. Retailers send customers instant sales messages valid only for a specified period. Customers who respond within the allotted time (usually 2 to 3 hours) get a percentage discount on the products featured in the message.
A New Language
Because common words take up a lot of space, a new textphonic language has emerged in an attempt to say as much as possible with the least number of characters. But first, a word of caution. If you intend to use these words, keep in mind that although quite helpful, too much abbreviation can diminish the impact of an advertising message.
Non-Text SMS
SMS is not just for text messaging. Any information that can fit into 160 bits can be delivered by SMS. Non-text SMS messaging enables the transmission of comparatively richer messages that can contain a combination of simple melodies (ringtones) and simple graphics (black and white admoticons) to compliant devices.
Screen Coupons
A Screen Coupon is a simple, small, bitmap-based advertising message that is just a little bigger than a postage stamp, about half the size of a regular business card. A screen coupon is an ad message with a built-in promotional value. It may offer a store discount, free gift, free admission to an event, and even include a UPC code. To redeem, a customer must simply show the coupon on their mobile phone.
Short Message Service (SMS) is the mechanism behind text messaging for mobile phones. This globally accepted wireless service enables the transmission of alphanumeric and small non-text messages to and from mobile devices as well as fixed-base and wireless sources and destinations.
An SMS message is transmitted using short bursts of data that require very low bandwidth. Nearly all cell phones in use in the US today, some 255 million of them, can receive text messages.
Since alphanumeric messaging capability is now standard in all mobile handsets, text-based messages are the most popular type of SMS communications. A single SMS text message can be up to 160 characters in length. These 160 characters can be any combination of words, numbers or symbols that can be based on a textphonic language which allows fewer keystrokes.
SMS offers a variety of marketing applications, from mobile coupons, text alerts, viral promotions, mobile broadcasts, bounce ads, free tickets, etc. Its low-cost, high-penetration and high-retention offers a wealth of marketing opportunities to businesses, fundraising groups, institutions, political organizations, and much more.
There are a variety of applications for using Text Messaging for Business. Here are some examples:
TV-Stimulated Voting. American Idol and Star Search are two examples of interactive TV programs that use SMS to engage viewers and solicit votes to select winners of their shows.
Real Estate Alerts. Customers can subscribe to a service that sends alerts when new properties get listed in their desired market/category.
Mobile Auction. Information on new products offered for auction is sent as SMS to mobile customers who are able to bid using their phone.
Interactive TV. For a small fee, viewers can send their SMS messages (greetings, comments, etc.) to a TV program and have their messages scroll on the screen and be viewed by the public.
Ticket Sales. Customers can buy airline tickets via their mobile handsets. The ticket is issued in the form of an SMS message which the customer presents with their phone when they check in. Also works for theatre tickets, sports events, etc.
Instant Sales Campaign. Retailers send customers instant sales messages valid only for a specified period. Customers who respond within the allotted time (usually 2 to 3 hours) get a percentage discount on the products featured in the message.
A New Language
Because common words take up a lot of space, a new textphonic language has emerged in an attempt to say as much as possible with the least number of characters. But first, a word of caution. If you intend to use these words, keep in mind that although quite helpful, too much abbreviation can diminish the impact of an advertising message.
Non-Text SMS
SMS is not just for text messaging. Any information that can fit into 160 bits can be delivered by SMS. Non-text SMS messaging enables the transmission of comparatively richer messages that can contain a combination of simple melodies (ringtones) and simple graphics (black and white admoticons) to compliant devices.
Screen Coupons
A Screen Coupon is a simple, small, bitmap-based advertising message that is just a little bigger than a postage stamp, about half the size of a regular business card. A screen coupon is an ad message with a built-in promotional value. It may offer a store discount, free gift, free admission to an event, and even include a UPC code. To redeem, a customer must simply show the coupon on their mobile phone.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Barack Obama's text message guru talks to the Ticket
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name the nation’s first-ever federal chief technology officer sometime soon.
According to Obama’s website, the role of the CTO will be to “ensure that our government and all its agencies have the right infrastructure, policies and services for the 21st century.”
It’s not surprising that Obama plans a major emphasis on technology. His more-than successful presidential campaign relied heavily on the latest forms of communication -– like Internet social networking sites and text-messaging -– to organize volunteers, raise funds and get voters to the polls.
Scott Goodstein, a D.C.-based campaign manager, ran all of the text-messaging and mobile communications for the president-elect's campaign. The Ticket recently talked to him in detail about the campaign’s new media strategy, the size of its phone book and that much-talked-about 3 a.m. text message. This is the first of two parts of the interview that will be published this morning.
KL: What was your role in the Obama campaign?
Goodstein: I got involved in February 2007. I had been running a public relations consulting business out of D.C. and I basically closed it and moved to Chicago so that I could help Sen. Obama in the primaries. I had been working for a bunch of antiwar causes and I really felt that Obama was the strongest, clearest voice against the war. I felt he was going to be the best candidate for me and my friends.
KL: When you first got to Chicago, what was the vision for how technology would be used in the campaign?
Goodstein: We were creating both internal online organizing and external organizing. So while we were building out our own social network and tools, I was working on building out our Facebook, MySpace and YouTube pages and about a dozen or so other very specific social networks.
KL: What is the difference between internal online organizing and external organizing?
Goodstein: We like to say that internal organizing is building your own shopping mall and external organizing is campaigning in shopping malls that already exist.
The problem with MySpace or Facebook (which are examples of external organizing) is that you as a campaign don’t own all of the data. You may not have the person’s e-mail address or you may not have the person’s phone number -- if the person opts out of that social network, you have no way of getting in touch with them. But they are useful because there are hundreds of millions of people that use these social networks as a daily part of their life.
KL: Was a lot of what you were doing data-driven?
Goodstein: The goal for us was to make sure that we were providing people information on all of these different social networks so that if they never came directly to our website or signed up for our e-mail list they still knew that the campaign was reaching out to them.
The treatments for each of these social networks may be different. It may be that sending out three bulletins a week on MySpace might be all that the folks on MySpace want. But if you’ve signed up for the Barack Obama Twitter feed, you want information from us at least once a day.
I think that a challenge for organizations moving forward is to figure out how much information supporters want and where they want that information. Do they want it on their phone. Do they want it from their Facebook account. Do they want it on e-mail?
Let’s say Barack is appearing on a late-night TV show. If you send it by e-mail, by the time people check their e-mail, the show could be over. Different types of announcements now warrant different types of communications.
KL: Is text-messaging geared to a certain niche?
Goodstein: It obviously skews younger. But 262 million Americans are using mobile phones. That’s roughly 84% of the total population. It’s one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S.
And with the decline of TV viewership audiences, I think it’s a must for campaigns to be using mobile technology. It’s the only device that’s truly with people for 15 to 24 hours a day.
KL: Was there an “A-ha!” moment when you realized that this was really fertile ground?
Goodstein: South Carolina. Oprah Winfrey. In South Carolina during the primaries we really started experimenting to see how effective this form of communication was going to be and to see if we could get people to take action by sending them text messages.
So at an Oprah Winfrey event there we had 30,000 people at a rally who had the opportunity to text in their information to Obama. And we got volunteers out of it. We got activists out of it.
We were able to take advantage of a large crowd of people who wanted to hear the senator’s message and we were able to convert that into action.
Once we knew that this was an effective way of doing it, at every one of those big rallies we’d have a field organizer stand up and ask people to text their state’s text-messaging keyword to the Obama shortcode.
They did that at every event and every surrogate event, and we were able to use that information to get more volunteers, raise more funds and get out the vote.
KL: How many people signed up for the text-message service?
Goodstein: The official statement from the campaign is that it was over a million cellphone numbers. It was significant. And we got the majority of those people to send us their ZIP Code so we knew exactly how to reach them and we were able to give them information based on local events and local organizing activities.
KL: Who was behind all of this? How many people were actually controlling the message and working to get it sent out?
Goodstein: For the mobile campaign it was me and one other person. But everything on the campaign was a coordinated effort, so nothing operated on its own. If there was an event in Florida I would work with the Florida team to have their text messaging be what they wanted.
It was a large coordinated effort to really serve the states using these tools. It could be as local as a college organizer on a campus doing a registration drive or the state director wanting to send out a message for a large statewide event.
KL: A text message can only be 160 characters. Was that limiting?
Goodstein: Well, you’re not going to be able to give out healthcare information. It definitely has its limits. That being said, it’s an amazing tool to send direct action alerts. And in roughly two sentences you can actually say quite a bit.
KL: What are the benefits of texting over, say, phone e-mails?
Goodstein: It has great impact on election day, when people may not be on their computers. Many times in the primaries, a storm or something would happen and polls would be kept open later and we would let people know with text messages. How do you communicate that with your supporters and drive more and more people out to vote? There is now another tool in the toolshed that you can use.
KL: Why announce the Joe Biden pick for 3 a.m. on a Saturday?
Goodstein: We announced it when we were given the green light to announce it.
KL: It was also a bit of a spectacle, though. It caught people’s attention.
Goodstein: It was exciting because people were waiting around for that message and people were talking about the text message program. That built momentum for the program. And it definitely grew media attention.
The announcement of Biden for VP was great, but it was only a small piece of the full breadth of our text-messaging.
KL: How much did you pay the carriers for the text messages?
Goodstein: A few cents a message.
KL: Many people have said that the Obama campaign’s use of technology was crucial to the win. But now the cat’s out of the bag. Is there a new frontier of technology that future campaigns will use?
Goodstein: I think communication goes in waves. It just depends on where the eyeballs are. For awhile it was TV. TV had the eyeballs. That changed. You can no longer communicate to people by just airing commercials on television.
Even if you want to reach your base of voters, they’re not all watching the same channel. As TV and radio and the newspaper industry are dying, you’re noticing that people are now getting information from hundreds if not thousands of websites.
New media and the Internet and text-messaging all have millions of people communicating in unique ways, and I don’t think it’s going to be going anywhere for a very long time.
KL: Were the million or so people you were reaching with text messages swing voters or were they committed to Obama?
Goodstein: I would say that people who were on our list were very interested in our campaign and that the majority were supporters. They are people who desire information and who are willing to pay.
There’s still a cost to text messaging, unlike e-mail or anything else. Even if you have an unlimited [service] plan, you’re paying for the plan.
And with people who pay for each text message they receive, we needed to be careful not to send them too many texts so that they wouldn’t opt out.
KL: When John McCain announced his campaign for president, he did it online. Compared to his Republican opponents, he was considered pretty savvy with his use of technology. What do you think about how his campaign used it?
Goodstein: I would leave that up to your readership to decide. I didn’t focus much on what those guys were doing.
KL: There are no White Pages really for cellphone numbers, but you have built this phone book of people who are interested in President-elect Obama. What do you do with it now?
Goodstein: I can’t really answer questions on what we’re doing going forward. But I do think that the technology is here to stay for a long time.
What happens to the over 6 million on all of our social networks? Well, people are still having conversations on MySpace and Facebook. And our internal network on MyBarackObama.com is very active still. But these other tools [such as text-messaging] that were really tools to disseminate messages from the campaign, well that’s something for higher-ups to figure out.
-- Kate Linthicum
According to Obama’s website, the role of the CTO will be to “ensure that our government and all its agencies have the right infrastructure, policies and services for the 21st century.”
It’s not surprising that Obama plans a major emphasis on technology. His more-than successful presidential campaign relied heavily on the latest forms of communication -– like Internet social networking sites and text-messaging -– to organize volunteers, raise funds and get voters to the polls.
Scott Goodstein, a D.C.-based campaign manager, ran all of the text-messaging and mobile communications for the president-elect's campaign. The Ticket recently talked to him in detail about the campaign’s new media strategy, the size of its phone book and that much-talked-about 3 a.m. text message. This is the first of two parts of the interview that will be published this morning.
KL: What was your role in the Obama campaign?
Goodstein: I got involved in February 2007. I had been running a public relations consulting business out of D.C. and I basically closed it and moved to Chicago so that I could help Sen. Obama in the primaries. I had been working for a bunch of antiwar causes and I really felt that Obama was the strongest, clearest voice against the war. I felt he was going to be the best candidate for me and my friends.
KL: When you first got to Chicago, what was the vision for how technology would be used in the campaign?
Goodstein: We were creating both internal online organizing and external organizing. So while we were building out our own social network and tools, I was working on building out our Facebook, MySpace and YouTube pages and about a dozen or so other very specific social networks.
KL: What is the difference between internal online organizing and external organizing?
Goodstein: We like to say that internal organizing is building your own shopping mall and external organizing is campaigning in shopping malls that already exist.
The problem with MySpace or Facebook (which are examples of external organizing) is that you as a campaign don’t own all of the data. You may not have the person’s e-mail address or you may not have the person’s phone number -- if the person opts out of that social network, you have no way of getting in touch with them. But they are useful because there are hundreds of millions of people that use these social networks as a daily part of their life.
KL: Was a lot of what you were doing data-driven?
Goodstein: The goal for us was to make sure that we were providing people information on all of these different social networks so that if they never came directly to our website or signed up for our e-mail list they still knew that the campaign was reaching out to them.
The treatments for each of these social networks may be different. It may be that sending out three bulletins a week on MySpace might be all that the folks on MySpace want. But if you’ve signed up for the Barack Obama Twitter feed, you want information from us at least once a day.
I think that a challenge for organizations moving forward is to figure out how much information supporters want and where they want that information. Do they want it on their phone. Do they want it from their Facebook account. Do they want it on e-mail?
Let’s say Barack is appearing on a late-night TV show. If you send it by e-mail, by the time people check their e-mail, the show could be over. Different types of announcements now warrant different types of communications.
KL: Is text-messaging geared to a certain niche?
Goodstein: It obviously skews younger. But 262 million Americans are using mobile phones. That’s roughly 84% of the total population. It’s one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S.
And with the decline of TV viewership audiences, I think it’s a must for campaigns to be using mobile technology. It’s the only device that’s truly with people for 15 to 24 hours a day.
KL: Was there an “A-ha!” moment when you realized that this was really fertile ground?
Goodstein: South Carolina. Oprah Winfrey. In South Carolina during the primaries we really started experimenting to see how effective this form of communication was going to be and to see if we could get people to take action by sending them text messages.
So at an Oprah Winfrey event there we had 30,000 people at a rally who had the opportunity to text in their information to Obama. And we got volunteers out of it. We got activists out of it.
We were able to take advantage of a large crowd of people who wanted to hear the senator’s message and we were able to convert that into action.
Once we knew that this was an effective way of doing it, at every one of those big rallies we’d have a field organizer stand up and ask people to text their state’s text-messaging keyword to the Obama shortcode.
They did that at every event and every surrogate event, and we were able to use that information to get more volunteers, raise more funds and get out the vote.
KL: How many people signed up for the text-message service?
Goodstein: The official statement from the campaign is that it was over a million cellphone numbers. It was significant. And we got the majority of those people to send us their ZIP Code so we knew exactly how to reach them and we were able to give them information based on local events and local organizing activities.
KL: Who was behind all of this? How many people were actually controlling the message and working to get it sent out?
Goodstein: For the mobile campaign it was me and one other person. But everything on the campaign was a coordinated effort, so nothing operated on its own. If there was an event in Florida I would work with the Florida team to have their text messaging be what they wanted.
It was a large coordinated effort to really serve the states using these tools. It could be as local as a college organizer on a campus doing a registration drive or the state director wanting to send out a message for a large statewide event.
KL: A text message can only be 160 characters. Was that limiting?
Goodstein: Well, you’re not going to be able to give out healthcare information. It definitely has its limits. That being said, it’s an amazing tool to send direct action alerts. And in roughly two sentences you can actually say quite a bit.
KL: What are the benefits of texting over, say, phone e-mails?
Goodstein: It has great impact on election day, when people may not be on their computers. Many times in the primaries, a storm or something would happen and polls would be kept open later and we would let people know with text messages. How do you communicate that with your supporters and drive more and more people out to vote? There is now another tool in the toolshed that you can use.
KL: Why announce the Joe Biden pick for 3 a.m. on a Saturday?
Goodstein: We announced it when we were given the green light to announce it.
KL: It was also a bit of a spectacle, though. It caught people’s attention.
Goodstein: It was exciting because people were waiting around for that message and people were talking about the text message program. That built momentum for the program. And it definitely grew media attention.
The announcement of Biden for VP was great, but it was only a small piece of the full breadth of our text-messaging.
KL: How much did you pay the carriers for the text messages?
Goodstein: A few cents a message.
KL: Many people have said that the Obama campaign’s use of technology was crucial to the win. But now the cat’s out of the bag. Is there a new frontier of technology that future campaigns will use?
Goodstein: I think communication goes in waves. It just depends on where the eyeballs are. For awhile it was TV. TV had the eyeballs. That changed. You can no longer communicate to people by just airing commercials on television.
Even if you want to reach your base of voters, they’re not all watching the same channel. As TV and radio and the newspaper industry are dying, you’re noticing that people are now getting information from hundreds if not thousands of websites.
New media and the Internet and text-messaging all have millions of people communicating in unique ways, and I don’t think it’s going to be going anywhere for a very long time.
KL: Were the million or so people you were reaching with text messages swing voters or were they committed to Obama?
Goodstein: I would say that people who were on our list were very interested in our campaign and that the majority were supporters. They are people who desire information and who are willing to pay.
There’s still a cost to text messaging, unlike e-mail or anything else. Even if you have an unlimited [service] plan, you’re paying for the plan.
And with people who pay for each text message they receive, we needed to be careful not to send them too many texts so that they wouldn’t opt out.
KL: When John McCain announced his campaign for president, he did it online. Compared to his Republican opponents, he was considered pretty savvy with his use of technology. What do you think about how his campaign used it?
Goodstein: I would leave that up to your readership to decide. I didn’t focus much on what those guys were doing.
KL: There are no White Pages really for cellphone numbers, but you have built this phone book of people who are interested in President-elect Obama. What do you do with it now?
Goodstein: I can’t really answer questions on what we’re doing going forward. But I do think that the technology is here to stay for a long time.
What happens to the over 6 million on all of our social networks? Well, people are still having conversations on MySpace and Facebook. And our internal network on MyBarackObama.com is very active still. But these other tools [such as text-messaging] that were really tools to disseminate messages from the campaign, well that’s something for higher-ups to figure out.
-- Kate Linthicum
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