When asked, most advertisers have agreed that mobile marketing will become the most primary platform for brands to interact with younger
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consumers. The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) conducted a study and 55% of marketers who were asked said they marketing via cell phones will become the number one way to communicate with people who are between twelve and twenty-four years old. Furthermore, 73% of the marketers who took part in the study said that mobile marketing is bound to become the quickest growing marketing strategy over the next five year. They also agreed that most marketing agencies will have full time mobile specialists on staff within the next year. It is thought that mobile advertising will become less of a choice for future marketers and more a necessity if they wish to reach today’s modern, young consumers.
Mobile marketing that involves sending out promotional vouchers has been proven to be much more effective than the more conventional coupon strategies-six times more effective to be exact. A survey that was carried out in the UK says that mobile coupons have thus far been used by more than three million consumers. Since most people have their mobile devices with them at all times, it only makes sense to offer coupons in a text message. Consumers need to only show the text message at a cash register or provide a promotional code when paying for a service or product.
The first companies to successfully use mobile marketing were mobile providers who targeted the younger generation by advertising ring tones and cell phone wallpaper downloads. Today, more and more larger companies are beginning to realize the great many benefits that this type of wireless marketing offers. Soft drink giant Pepsi now considers its mobile marketing strategy plan an integral part of its overall promotional efforts. Mobile marketing allows Pepsi to target and reward its customers on a real-time basis.
Pepsi was among several big name brands who partook in the annual Mobile Marketing Forum held in Berlin, Germany on September 9th. Lufthansa, Coca-Cola, Nike and Sony Ericsson also addressed the participants of the conference. The fact that some of the world’s largest and most recognized brands took part in this meeting clearly shows that mobile marketing is destined to become a growing power.
Young consumers of today are used to acting quickly and this generation expects instant gratification. Teens and young adults carry their cell phones with them 24/7 and are more than happy to receive text messages. This age group is also very likely to respond to offers sent to their hand held devices. Marketers around the world are scrambling to set up and run mobile marketing campaigns aimed at these consumers.