In Focus

6 experts debunk mobile marketing myths

Conclusion

Wireless advertising is still in its infancy, with something like 83 percent of subscribers never having seen an advertisement on their mobile device. "The acceptable norms still have to be worked out," QuickPlay's Mark Hyland says. "But advertising is starting to become an expected or even welcome part of the mobile landscape, particularly when it brings something for free or at a lower cost."

Finding just the right touchpoint may be difficult, but this will get easier as more and more successful executions help advertisers zero in on the optimum approach to effective use of wireless. For example, Jen O'Connell of Voice Wireless is helping to develop a system that will allow radio listeners to text in their feedback to a show's producer. That's hot! Previous campaigns asked consumers to text the name of their city in order to receive information about their local radio outlet. Boring!

According to O'Connell, we all want to fit in, want our opinions to be heard and want to find out about things before others do. These memes, she suggests, will lead to the development of winning mobile campaigns.

Robert Moskowitz is a consultant and author.

 

Comments

Adrian Hall
Adrian Hall August 11, 2008 at 11:59 AM

Mobile advertising is a phenomenon that no one can afford to ignore. However, marketers, wireless carriers and ad networks need to tread carefully in order to ensure that ads are relevant to the end user. It is precisely because mobile phones are considered very personal devices that mobile advertising has the potential either to cause a backlash among consumers or to provide them with a valuable service. Showing users relevant and personalized ads based on contextual, behavioral and demographic targeting will be critical to the success of this nascent industry.

Adrian Hall, Bytemobile

Scotty Moore
Scotty Moore August 7, 2008 at 11:40 AM

I agree with Mark...The mobile brand relationship must be initiated by the user with a freebie. Typically offering free content, cash, or minutes has proven to open doors to building awareness and brand equity. (Resource: Recent Harris Interactive Mobile Advertising Research Report)

The Critical Advertiser
The Critical Advertiser August 6, 2008 at 10:59 AM

54 percent of U.S. users are willing to accept ads on their mobile devices, particularly if the ads bring them access to a subsidized service. No kidding? Advertising subsidizes free content and services? I always thought it was there to annoy me. Here I was busily trying to block, skip or ignore it while visiting my favorite website. But bring those ads to mobile and I'll TOTALLY pay attention!