Posts Tagged ‘Mobile News’
mercoledì, marzo 28th, 2012
It’s another mobile first inside the world’s most populous country. On Wednesday, China Telecom and Nokia formally introduced the Nokia 800C, the first CDMA Windows Phone in China and Nokia’s first Lumia phone for the world’s largest smartphone market.
The Nokia 800C combines head-turning design and the fastest way to connect to the people, places and things that matter most, in an experience uniquely tailored for people in China on the country’s leading 3G network.
“We’re excited to introduce our first Lumia smartphone, the Nokia 800C, to this important market with our exclusive launch partner, China Telecom,” said Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia. “Working closely together, we’ve created a compelling, locally relevant experience on the Nokia 800C especially tailored for people in China.”
Wang Xiaochu, Chairman of China Telecom, sounded equally excited about the launch: “This grand launch for China’s first CDMA Windows Phone represents our optimism and excitement for the future of Windows Phone and Nokia Lumia in China.”
With no shortage of new smartphone offerings pelting Chinese consumers, it’s no surprise that Apple CEO Tim Cook was in China just this week looking to strike deals with Chinese operators in hopes of bringing the iPhone to more subscribers before other leading smartphones nab their business.
Tags: Announcements, Apple, CDMA Windows Phone, China, China Telecom, iPhone, Lumina phone, Mobile News, Mobile Partners, news, Nokia, Nokia 800C, Platforms, smartphones, tim cook, Wireless Carriers
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martedì, gennaio 17th, 2012
Blue Bite, a mobile marketing company that specializes in location-based campaigns, has published results of a recent NFC-enabled mobile campaign for hotel reservation app HotelTonight that saw more than 15,000 unique mobile engagements in the first six weeks alone.
Blue Bite teamed up with RMG networks — a provider of Out-Of-Home (OOH) TV & video networks — as well as mobile advertising provider Amobee to launch the campaign for HotelTonight across a handful of major U.S. markets. HotelTonight’s mobile app allows users to book same-day hotel reservations. To jumpstart the campaign, Amobee utilized RMG Network’s locations outfitted with Blue Bite’s mTAG Platform to reach HotelTonight’s core demographic. These RMG network locations included eight major U.S. airports and hundreds of “busy downtown cafe locations across the country.”
As people passed by one of RMG’s digital screens, they saw a 30-second video clip promoting the app. If interested, users then had the option to tap their NFC handsets on Blue Bite’s mTAG located in the venue to immediately download the HotelTonight app. Those without NFC on their mobile devices were also able to download the app using a QR Code, Bluetooth or WiFi.
In the six-week campaign period, Blue Bite recorded over 15,000+ unique mobile engagements, with more than 5,000 unique handset engagements from iPhone and Android devices. In addition, 50 percent of all Blue Bite interactions resulted in the user downloading the HotelTonight mobile app. This is substantial given NFC’s recent entry into the U.S. market and the fact that’s only now beginning to be used as a marketing tool.
Blue Bite has had a lot of success with unique marketing campaigns that leverage new-age location-based technologies such as Bluetooth and NFC, and this campaign is no exception. “This groundbreaking campaign demonstrates the combined power of digital place-based media and mobile technologies to activate customers in meaningful ways,” said Mikhail Damiani, CEO and Co-Founder from Blue Bite. “As people rely more heavily on their mobile devices, digital place-based media has become the front line for marketers looking to engage active consumers who are on the path to purchase,” said Chuck Strottman, Sr. Director of Marketing from RMG Networks.
“Innovative digital players like HotelTonight understand that mobile plays an invaluable part in the brand experience and consumer engagement,” said Mark Strecker, COO of Amobee. “Many merchants are starting to use Amobee’s leading edge mobile advertising technology to interact with the physical world, whether it be through NFC, QR codes and Bluetooth technology, to provide an engaging customer experience and maximize revenue.”
Tags: amobee, Android, Announcements, Blue Bite, bluetooh, digital out-of-home, HotelTonight, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Advertising, mobile advertising campaigns, mobile app, mobile apps, Mobile Devices, Mobile Marketing, Mobile News, Mobilize, mTag, mTAG platform, Near Field Communication, NFC, NFC marketing, OOH, Out-of-home, Proximity, qr codes, RMG Networks, smartphones, Wi-Fi
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mercoledì, dicembre 7th, 2011
Google has announced yet another huge milestone related to its Android Market. The mobile app powerhouse has surpassed 10 billion total downloads.
Just six months ago Google announced that it had surpassed 6 billion total downloads, which means it almost doubled that number in only six month’s time. The company said it took 21 months to reach its first billion downloads. Recent research from Ovum pegged total mobile app downloads next year at an estimated 18 billion — a sharp increase from the 7.4 billion downloaded in 2010. Ovum also predicted that a total of 8.1 billion of those apps will be Android.
To celebrate the milestone, Google has decided to offer 10 of its premium apps for only $10 cents a piece. These apps include SoundHound, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD, Minecraft – Pocket Edition, SwiftKey X Keyboard, Endomondo Sports Tracker, Great Little War Game, SketchBook Mobile, Fieldrunners HD, Color & Draw for kids:phone ed and Paper Camera.
Tags: Android, android apps, Android Market, App Downloads, Developer, google, Google Android, Google Android Market, mobile app downloads, mobile applications, mobile apps, Mobile News, Mobilize, Predictions, smartphones, Tablet Devices
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mercoledì, dicembre 7th, 2011
A new report and survey out from AT&T recently indicates that 88 percent of marketers plan to increase spending on mobile campaigns in 2012.
AT&T conducted a survey in September that included 501 marketers at US-based companies with more than 1,000 employees. Interestingly, while 88% of those surveyed said they’d be increasing mobile spending next year, a full 66% agreed that mobile barcodes will drive the most innovation in 2012. According to the survey data, the top mobile programs next year will be mobile apps (cited by 43% of respondents); followed by mobile barcodes (41%); banner ads on mobile devices (40%); mobile websites (35%); and SMS messaging (34%).
As with all relatively small survey samples, and the fact that AT&T sponsored the survey, we’re taking this one with a grain of salt. Still, quick hit surveys like this always give us a glimpse into what marketers deem the most important or the most interesting concepts as we enter a new year. What do you think? Do you agree with the results? Do you feel mobile barcodes will drive the most innovation in 2012?
Tags: Announcements, at&t, AT&T survey, Marketing Strategy, mobile apps, Mobile Devices, Mobile Internet, Mobile Marketing, mobile marketing spend, Mobile News, mobile program spend, mobile programs, mobile spend, mobile spending, mobile survey, Mobile Websites, Mobilize, Predictions, SMS / Text
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martedì, dicembre 6th, 2011
While Canadians are all about microblogging and social media, recent numbers indicate they don’t care much for mobile marketing and advertising. In fact, there are only 5.2M people in Canada who actively use their Smartphones for browsing and apps according to recent comScore data.
Following this surprising revelation, marketing and research firm Mediative put together a new whitepaper that takes a hard look at the mobile advertising ecosystem in Canada and uncovered some interesting stats and insight. For example, Canada has a total of 20M residents that own cell phones, of which roughly 7.215M are smartphones. With such low smartphone penetration, it’s easier to understand why only 5.2M actively use their devices for mobile browsing and apps.
What’s most interesting from the findings is how mobile ad impressions correlate to mobile platforms. For example, Blackberry is the most popular platform with 42% market share, followed by Apple at 31% and Android at 12%. However, Android garners the most mobile ad impressions at 47%, while Apple comes in second at 40% followed by Blackberry at just 13%. In addition, the firm found the average CTR for mobile advertising in Canada to be around .5%.
For much more data, comparisons and case studies, download the full whitepaper here.
Tags: Android, Announcements, Apple, Apple iOS, BlackBerry, canadian mobile advertising, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Marketing Strategy, Mediative, Mobile Advertising, mobile advertising campaigns, mobile advertising CTR, mobile advertising in Canada, mobile apps, mobile commerce, mobile CTR, Mobile Devices, Mobile Marketing, Mobile News, mobile operating systems, mobile os, mobile platforms, smartphones, Tablet Devices, tablets
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martedì, dicembre 6th, 2011
In an interview with the Business Insider during the IGNITION Conference last week, the CMO for Rovio — maker of the ubiquitous Angry Birds mobile app — said his company is now the world’s largest mobile ad publisher, even bigger than Google which runs ads on all its mobile apps and mobile search results.
Like us, many have questioned whether this is even viable and have actually asked Google straight up. Though the company wouldn’t officially comment, “multiple sources close to Google” said that Rovio is in fact the largest display ad publisher, but they were skeptical Rovio beat Google’s mobile search ad impressions. Rovio’s Chief Marketing Officer Peter Vesterbacka said his company now serves over 10 billion mobile ad impressions each and every month.
When considering the insane numbers Rovio has divulged in relation to Angry Bird downloads — which now tops more than 500 million times in one form or another — it’s safe to say that its claims may actually be true, or will be soon enough. What’s interesting is what Rovio has planned for its massive mobile reach in terms of mobile advertising. Vesterbacka said the company plans to build a “whole new form of advertising from the ground up.” As an example, he mentioned a recent campaign they created called ”Angry Birds Rio,” which was built as a promotion for the 20th Century Fox film Rio. It was an advertisement that actually costs gamers a dollar, and users were willing to pay it in droves.
Though the company is tight lipped on exactly what it has planned, it should be interesting to see what they have in mind. Vesterbacka said the company plans to “start 2012 off with a bang,” so we’ll have to see whether mobile advertising is a big part of that or not. For more info on where Rovio is headed, it’s investment plans and more, check out this interview between Vesterbacka and the Business Insider posted earlier today.
Tags: Android, Angry Birds, Announcements, BlackBerry, Google mobile advertising, iPhone, Marketing Strategy, mobile ad, mobile ad publisher, mobile ads, Mobile Advertising, mobile applications, mobile apps, Mobile Devices, Mobile News, Predictions, Rovio, rumors, smartphones, Tablet Devices
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mercoledì, ottobre 26th, 2011
It was announced today that 3Seventy, a company specializing in mobile CRM solutions, has launched a brand new SaaS-based enterprise mobile solutions platform targeted towards small to medium sized businesses.
The new platform, dubbed “3Seventy Local,” is designed to bring enterprise-level mobile solutions — including targeted SMS messaging in addition to mobile Web and mobile app solutions — to smaller organizations at truly affordable price points. The company realized a larger issue in that advanced mobile solutions have been largely out of reach to smaller organization due to cost.
With a dead-simple user interface, the new platform was designed to allow users to create advanced mobile campaigns in only a few short steps — allowing them to “compete in the mobile space within minutes,” according to the company.
We’ve seen many mobile platforms go to market with the goal of simplifying mobile campaign creation using multiple channels, but most fail in terms of user experience, pricing or lack of crucial features such as reporting. 3Seventy Local provides one of the most comprehensive solutions we’ve seen so far that’s targeted at the SMB market.
“We see many big brands and advertising agencies realizing the importance of a mobile strategy as consumers begin relying on mobile as their primary means of engagement,” said Carrie Chitsey, Founder and CEO of 3Seventy. ”Until now, custom strategies and solutions were out of reach for many small businesses due to high cost or limited knowledge of mobile strategy. We have built the technology to be very easy to use and we’ve developed industry templates, training tools, best practices and everything a small business needs to create and execute mobile solutions. Our goal with this new product is to remove barriers, educate and help small businesses reach their goals.”
Monthly packages to access the new platform start at $64.95 per month, and the company is currently offering a free trial of the platform during its introductory phase. In addition, new users can receive $50 off set up fees by entering discount code “SET50” at checkout through Friday, November 4, 2011. Much more info can be found here.
Tags: 3Seventy, 3Seventy Local, Announcements, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Advertising, mobile applications, mobile apps, Mobile Browsers, mobile consumers, Mobile Devices, Mobile Internet, Mobile Marketing, Mobile News, mobile SaaS, mobile solutions platform, mobile strategy, mobile web, Mobile Websites, Mobilize, multi-channel marketing, Saas, smartphones, sms, SMS / Text, SMS marketing, SMS messaging, Software as a service, Tablet Devices, Web-based marketing platform
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venerdì, ottobre 14th, 2011
![Mobile Marketing [Petition] Stand Up Against CTIA for Unfair Practices Related to SMS Short Code Auditing](http://www.mobilemarketingwatch.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Petition-Stand-Up-Against-CTIA-for-Unfair-Practices-Related-to-SMS-Short-Code-Auditing.jpg "[Petition] Stand Up Against CTIA for Unfair Practices Related to SMS Short Code Auditing")
CTIA is now enforcing new compliance audits on SMS short codes, and SMS and mobile content providers are fighting back with a new petition. The full text of the petition follows.
“The CTIA has begun an unfair and unbalanced audit of SMS providers who use short codes, requiring them to police anyone listing them on the web to list disclaimers about their proper usage,” the petition states. ”Because this extends to all partners, clients and client affiliates of the SMS provider, it represents an unrealistic and unattainable burden since by design, short codes are easily referenced on the web without any way for the provider to police them.”
“Additionally, the CTIA has chosen to ignore the most prevalent and widespread abusers of their requirements. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter allow the quick and easy dissemination of information and by design, don’t provide the characters limits to include disclaimers. These organizations represent the most significant abusers of the CTIA rules. By overlooking violators such as these while auditing smaller providers, the CTIA is setting a precedent that they are not supporters of net neutrality or the fair business landscape that it is designed to provide.”
“The CTIA audit represents a significant threat to the businesses that have helped to grow SMS into the worldwide communication tool that it is today because even the risk of short code restrictions are enough for most customers to cease their campaigns. We respectfully ask that the CTIA cease their audits and work with the providers to enforce best practices in another manner that will be more effective at reaching their goals without threatening businesses or the industry as a whole.”
Click here to view and sign this petition.
Tags: Announcements, Best Practices, CTIA, CTIA petition, Legal, Mobile Advertising, mobile content, mobile content providers, Mobile Devices, Mobile News, short codes, sms, SMS / Text, sms content providers, SMS providers, SMS short codes, Wireless Carriers
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venerdì, ottobre 14th, 2011
We’ve seen many unfair and unreasonable initiatives targeted at SMS messaging, with previous per-message rate hikes being a prime example, but the latest initiative by the CTIA tops them all.
CTIA has begun a new SMS short code auditing program that seeks to analyze all short codes for regulation compliance. Scott Goldman of TextPower.com explained the new initiative perfectly in a post entitled “It’s Official: Cellular Carriers Have Gone Nuts.” In short, SMS providers are now being held accountable by the CTIA for all advertised short codes, even though the providers themselves aren’t necessarily promoting these short codes.
So, for example, if a customer of an SMS provider is advertising a short code that’s found not to be in compliance by CTIA, the SMS provider is the one held accountable, not the customer who was responsible for the non compliant short code promotion. ”Behind the scenes, for the past 72 hours, businesses of all sizes have essentially stopped selling, helping customers, improving their systems and growing their businesses to attend to the demands of these auditors who are unaccountable to anyone other than the carriers they represent,” explained Goldman in his post.
What’s amazing is the fact that providers like Facebook and Twitter, who send more text messages than anyone, aren’t subject to these ridiculous audits, yet providers like EZ Texting, 4INFO and mobileStorm are. For another in-depth write-up on the situation, Shane Newman — CEO of SMS provider EZ Texting — wrote an excellent blog post today.
A petition has even been formed for anyone or any organization that wants to fight back against CTIA, which can be found and signed here.
Tags: Announcements, Best Practices, Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, CTIA, EZ Texting, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Devices, Mobile Marketing, Mobile News, mobilestorm, news, short code, Short Code audits, short codes, sms, SMS / Text, SMS audits, SMS messaging, SMS providers, SMS short codes, TextPower
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venerdì, ottobre 14th, 2011
The folks over at SMS marketing provider Tatango have been busy lately. Not only have they produced some awesome infographics on smartphone usage, but the company is in the middle of “QR Code Week,” an entire week dedicated to producing resources and tools with the goal of helping marketers integrate QR codes into their SMS marketing campaigns.
To start things off, the company’s CEO, Derek Johnson, put together a video tutorial as part of its “Tatango University” series in which he explained how to integrate QR codes into SMS marketing campaigns. For example, allowing users to scan a barcode can automatically pre-populate an SMS message, which allows the user to simply click send to engage with the campaign. This is good news for the 40% of mobile users that carry smartphones, but for the other 60% that don’t, he explains the importance of also including a standard text-in call-to-action below the QR code.
On Tuesday, the company kept the momentum going by unveiling a new tool that’s become the first free QR code generator specifically made for SMS marketing. The new tool provides a super easy way to input a few lines of data such as your short code and keyword to produce beautiful QR codes that are not only easily integrated into your SMS campaigns, but also has the elements required by the MMA’s US Consumer Best Practices.
As an example of what’s possible by integrating QR codes and SMS marketing, the company detailed the unique implementation by a nightclub in Seattle called SeeSound Lounge. The venue created an SMS QR code and turned it into a 5×5 foot wall decal. Scanning the QR code automatically generates an SMS message to Tatango’s short code (68398) with the nightclub’s keyword “SOUND.”
Finally, the company also published a new free resource today called the Begineer’s Guide to QR Codes and SMS Marketing, a PDF document that answers many common questions about QR codes and how to best integrate them with SMS marketing; such as who scans QR codes, how to best integrate them with SMS, where to promote your SMS QR code, and best practices for using SMS and QR codes together.
Be sure and stay tuned to Tatango’s SMS Marketing Blog for the fifth and final day of QR Code week tomorrow.
Tags: Announcements, beginners guide to QR codes and SMS marketing, Derek Johnson, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Barcodes, mobile barcoding, Mobile Devices, Mobile Marketing, Mobile News, Mobilize, qr, QR Code Week, qr codes, quick response codes, smartphones, sms, SMS and QR Codes, SMS marketing, SMS messaging, tatango
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