Without fail, we cover that with every Ballyhoo client and prospect right off the bat. Mobile marketing sstill suffers from pricing like the wild west and it makes it very difficult for marketers to compare apples to apples.
Well, the amazing folks at Ballyhoo have put together a Mobile Marketing Whitepaper exclusively to cover pricing. Look for it soon!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sin City Goes Mobile!
I recently got a hold of a Las Vegas Visitor's Guide and Sin City has gone mobile! The magazine itself, as in the journalists and not advertisers, have fully embraced 2D barcodes as a way to share more information with readers and lead them back to the publication's website...a smart idea for print publications nowadays.
Here they show readers how to download and use their 2D barcode scanner:
[gallery]
And on the next pages, they offers readers the chance to use their new tool:
At Ballyhoo, we are just starting to walk some clients into using 2D barcodes. One very exciting upcoming use is the Lenny's Sub Shop chain in Denver, CO. They are very active with handing out fliers at events and adding 2D is a smooth transition to stand out further from their competition.
Keep your eyes peeled for some upcoming 2D barcode campaigns from Ballyhoo to be posted soon!
Here they show readers how to download and use their 2D barcode scanner:
[gallery]
And on the next pages, they offers readers the chance to use their new tool:
At Ballyhoo, we are just starting to walk some clients into using 2D barcodes. One very exciting upcoming use is the Lenny's Sub Shop chain in Denver, CO. They are very active with handing out fliers at events and adding 2D is a smooth transition to stand out further from their competition.
Keep your eyes peeled for some upcoming 2D barcode campaigns from Ballyhoo to be posted soon!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Mobile Seeing an Increase in Spending from Agencies
Good news to many in the mobile industry! Agencies are (finally) starting to branch out and spend more in mobile. We know many creative agencies have been already...but we also know some of those agencies who just realized last week that there were publications other than "Spots & Dots".
A recent study by media buying software company Strata shows that an increased interest in mobile from agencies is tied to the increased sale and use of smartphones. According to the survey, one-third of advertiser say that mobile is the focus of their interactive spend...I believe that is a little high because they were also the ones with mobile on their mind enough to take the survey. Nonetheless, interactive spend was up 107% compared to Q1 2010 and this means good things for all digital, including mobile.
When asked which devices were of interest, iPhone was largely the leader, followed by Blackberry and The Droid, respectively. On a national level, digital continues to gain ground towards TV and at current only six percentage points separate the two with TV still claiming the title of most viable for advertisers. However, with 72.5% of agencies saying they are more focused on digital than they were a year ago, this gap should continue to close and make digital an incredible dominator.
Over the past year at Ballyhoo, we have also seen a tremendous increase in both mobile spending and interest. Keep an eye out for bigger brands to start performing more regionalized and localized mobile campaigns with the help of now-open agencies, especially campaigns including very buzz-worthy 2D Barcodes and Location Based Services.
A recent study by media buying software company Strata shows that an increased interest in mobile from agencies is tied to the increased sale and use of smartphones. According to the survey, one-third of advertiser say that mobile is the focus of their interactive spend...I believe that is a little high because they were also the ones with mobile on their mind enough to take the survey. Nonetheless, interactive spend was up 107% compared to Q1 2010 and this means good things for all digital, including mobile.
When asked which devices were of interest, iPhone was largely the leader, followed by Blackberry and The Droid, respectively. On a national level, digital continues to gain ground towards TV and at current only six percentage points separate the two with TV still claiming the title of most viable for advertisers. However, with 72.5% of agencies saying they are more focused on digital than they were a year ago, this gap should continue to close and make digital an incredible dominator.
Over the past year at Ballyhoo, we have also seen a tremendous increase in both mobile spending and interest. Keep an eye out for bigger brands to start performing more regionalized and localized mobile campaigns with the help of now-open agencies, especially campaigns including very buzz-worthy 2D Barcodes and Location Based Services.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
At Ballyhoo, we've written many times about the importance of getting a jump on the mobile web. Every time we come across new numbers of mobile web users, we put them up for our readers. New statistics show that half of mobile users will be on the mobile web by 2013. With 2011 just around the corner, 2013 will be here shortly after that.
After the launch of our most recent mobile website, the client is thrilled! And the site is just what we preach: simple, fast-loading, click-to-call phone numbers at the top of every page, and just the pertinent information. So far, the site is producing phenomenal results.
Nielsen Mobile shows a constant and steady increase in smartphone usage and expect it to overtake feature phones by the end of 2011. It's critical information to all business owners wanting to increase sales and steal market share. At Ballyhoo, we consult with potential clients to create a mobile website strategy and then get to building.
Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing is a mobile consulting firm specializing in SMS, mobile apps, and mobile websites. We focus on delivering a positive ROI through each product developed. If you are considering investing in a mobile website, a great way to begin your research is to search your competitors on your cell phone. Look for how they come up in the search engine results and then look to see how their website looks on a mobile device. This will show you the first two places you could step in a overtake them.
After the launch of our most recent mobile website, the client is thrilled! And the site is just what we preach: simple, fast-loading, click-to-call phone numbers at the top of every page, and just the pertinent information. So far, the site is producing phenomenal results.
Nielsen Mobile shows a constant and steady increase in smartphone usage and expect it to overtake feature phones by the end of 2011. It's critical information to all business owners wanting to increase sales and steal market share. At Ballyhoo, we consult with potential clients to create a mobile website strategy and then get to building.
Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing is a mobile consulting firm specializing in SMS, mobile apps, and mobile websites. We focus on delivering a positive ROI through each product developed. If you are considering investing in a mobile website, a great way to begin your research is to search your competitors on your cell phone. Look for how they come up in the search engine results and then look to see how their website looks on a mobile device. This will show you the first two places you could step in a overtake them.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
More Than Half of Sales from Mobile
Pizza Hut has just announced some astounding numbers: they expect mobile to account for 50 percent of all future orders! Why are they here already? You guessed it...early adoption. They were one of the first pizza chains to offer both SMS and Web ordering options, so they started training their customers early. Shortly thereafter, Pizza Hut rolled out their iPhone application. In addition to ordering, consumers can actually play a game allowing them to make their own pizza.
Results and Future:
After being in the App Store for only three months, the Pizza Hut application surpassed the $1 million mark in sales. The iPhone app continues to drive business and Pizza Hut is close to launching their iPad application. By stepping up to the plate first, Pizza Hut was able to stand out, invest a little, and generate a lot! Now their competitors will spend twice as much while generating slower results just trying to play catch up.
Mobile is no longer that Next Big Thing. Ballyhoo Mobile posts stories weekly that continue to prove it is here. It is the Now Thing. And every business jumping on early is and will reap the benefits of doing so.
Results and Future:
After being in the App Store for only three months, the Pizza Hut application surpassed the $1 million mark in sales. The iPhone app continues to drive business and Pizza Hut is close to launching their iPad application. By stepping up to the plate first, Pizza Hut was able to stand out, invest a little, and generate a lot! Now their competitors will spend twice as much while generating slower results just trying to play catch up.
Mobile is no longer that Next Big Thing. Ballyhoo Mobile posts stories weekly that continue to prove it is here. It is the Now Thing. And every business jumping on early is and will reap the benefits of doing so.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
How to Build an App That is Relevant
The first key is stating to whom the relevance should apply. At Ballyhoo Mobile, we receive inquiries all the time from companies who want to build an app to simply host inventory or update app holders on sales events. Most end-users, the consumers, do not want an app on their phone to simply view inventory. At times this can be okay. For a brand such as North Face, with many brand enthusiasts, this could work. But for the average auto dealer, this is rarely the case.
Even in the North Face fictitious example, there are ways to make the app even more relevant. In real life examples, The North Face has developed two apps: one is a snow update targeted at skiers and snowboarders. You can search mountains and resorts, save your favorites, receive updates on snowfall, specials, etc. Then you can also view inventory. The inventory and shopping is not the major hook. The North Face also developed a similar app for hikers and mountain bikers that allows the end-user the same functionality for trails. The consumer now has an app delivering relevant, personalized information in addition to simply shopping the brand’s goods.
Keeping an app top of mind is also a challenge. Before apps, consumers rarely bookmarked hundreds of web pages, but they do download hundreds of apps. Many often suffer from a one-time visit. The retailer REI has developed apps similar to that of The North Face and have seen 92 percent return visits by keeping the information new, fresh, and relevant to the user’s hobbies and interest, along with hosting inventory.
One significant Ballyhoo Mobile service is performing a complete study of a brand’s customers and find out what is important to them. Many app development companies charge for this because it takes up hourly billing time. However, at Ballyhoo Mobile, we believe it is a critical step so we do not charge for this research and helping a brand find out if an app is right for them. To learn more, click here.
Even in the North Face fictitious example, there are ways to make the app even more relevant. In real life examples, The North Face has developed two apps: one is a snow update targeted at skiers and snowboarders. You can search mountains and resorts, save your favorites, receive updates on snowfall, specials, etc. Then you can also view inventory. The inventory and shopping is not the major hook. The North Face also developed a similar app for hikers and mountain bikers that allows the end-user the same functionality for trails. The consumer now has an app delivering relevant, personalized information in addition to simply shopping the brand’s goods.
Keeping an app top of mind is also a challenge. Before apps, consumers rarely bookmarked hundreds of web pages, but they do download hundreds of apps. Many often suffer from a one-time visit. The retailer REI has developed apps similar to that of The North Face and have seen 92 percent return visits by keeping the information new, fresh, and relevant to the user’s hobbies and interest, along with hosting inventory.
One significant Ballyhoo Mobile service is performing a complete study of a brand’s customers and find out what is important to them. Many app development companies charge for this because it takes up hourly billing time. However, at Ballyhoo Mobile, we believe it is a critical step so we do not charge for this research and helping a brand find out if an app is right for them. To learn more, click here.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ballyhoo Mobile SMS Case Study
Name and city and state of marketer:
WXXJ/X102.9 Alternative Rock Radio, Jacksonville, FL
Name and city and state of agency or marketing services firm:
Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
Campaign/program name:
Text to Screen Concert Promotion
Duration:
Four hours
Common short code and keywords used:
X1029 to 72239
Objective(s):
1. Engage concert attendees
2. Increase the size of the radio station database, specifically with listeners they know respond to their concerts
3. Get a bounceback message into the hands of listeners instantly
Target audience:
Adults ages 18-35
Strategy:
Utilize Text to Screen software on a jumbotron to next to the stage and take advantage of the social nature of crowds by giving them a public place to engage with their favorite radio station and other station listeners.
Call to action:
Text in your comment and see it instantly on the big screen!
Tactics:
Instructional tickers were scrolled along the bottom of the jumbotron screen, informing attendees of how to get send their message to the screen. Since X1029 has been taking song requests and running on-air contests via text for more than a year, their listeners are accustomed to mobile interaction with the station. As each person sent a message to the screen they were added to the radio station’s mobile database and they received a bounceback message.
Results:
The average rate of messages being sent to the screen was an astonishing 100 per minute! Now, taking the ever-critical view from a marketer’s seat this means that a sponsor of the Text to Screen interaction would have put a whopping 2,000 coupons or offers in the hands of a specific target audience in just the first 20 minutes of the show. That’s marketing power!
What next:
X1029 continues to run contests and take song requests via mobile. They now also have a subgroup in their database of listeners they know attended a packed concert, most likely had a good time, and have an interest in X1029 concerts. For the next show, they can send this subgroup a push message to extend an early invite, presale specials, etc.
Lessons learned:
The more regularly a marketer utilizes mobile, the easier it is for them to get their targets to respond when called upon. Thus, making mobile a regular part of the marketing mix is critical.
Surprise finding:
We were surprised at the rate of response. It was literally astounding to see how fast messages were being sent to the screen and how the entire audience seemed to be interacting.
Executive’s name, title and company for response attribution:
David Nies, Chief Executive Officer, Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing, Inc.
Strategy quote from brand executive (with name, title, company, city and state):
“We wanted to differentiate ourselves from other rock concerts going on around the area. No one has utilized mobile during an event yet, and for us to be interactive with our listeners means that we can offer those listeners a unique experience that they can take with them.” Liz Goshert, Promotions Director X102.9 WXXJ, Jacksonville, Florida
What challenge did mobile address quote (from same executive above):
“Not only could we be interactive with our listeners, but we utilized the participation numbers to keep sponsors interested in our events. For an advertiser to sponsor this Text to Screen, they would receive an unbelievable number of impressions, thus making their investment much more valuable.”
WXXJ/X102.9 Alternative Rock Radio, Jacksonville, FL
Name and city and state of agency or marketing services firm:
Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
Campaign/program name:
Text to Screen Concert Promotion
Duration:
Four hours
Common short code and keywords used:
X1029 to 72239
Objective(s):
1. Engage concert attendees
2. Increase the size of the radio station database, specifically with listeners they know respond to their concerts
3. Get a bounceback message into the hands of listeners instantly
Target audience:
Adults ages 18-35
Strategy:
Utilize Text to Screen software on a jumbotron to next to the stage and take advantage of the social nature of crowds by giving them a public place to engage with their favorite radio station and other station listeners.
Call to action:
Text in your comment and see it instantly on the big screen!
Tactics:
Instructional tickers were scrolled along the bottom of the jumbotron screen, informing attendees of how to get send their message to the screen. Since X1029 has been taking song requests and running on-air contests via text for more than a year, their listeners are accustomed to mobile interaction with the station. As each person sent a message to the screen they were added to the radio station’s mobile database and they received a bounceback message.
Results:
The average rate of messages being sent to the screen was an astonishing 100 per minute! Now, taking the ever-critical view from a marketer’s seat this means that a sponsor of the Text to Screen interaction would have put a whopping 2,000 coupons or offers in the hands of a specific target audience in just the first 20 minutes of the show. That’s marketing power!
What next:
X1029 continues to run contests and take song requests via mobile. They now also have a subgroup in their database of listeners they know attended a packed concert, most likely had a good time, and have an interest in X1029 concerts. For the next show, they can send this subgroup a push message to extend an early invite, presale specials, etc.
Lessons learned:
The more regularly a marketer utilizes mobile, the easier it is for them to get their targets to respond when called upon. Thus, making mobile a regular part of the marketing mix is critical.
Surprise finding:
We were surprised at the rate of response. It was literally astounding to see how fast messages were being sent to the screen and how the entire audience seemed to be interacting.
Executive’s name, title and company for response attribution:
David Nies, Chief Executive Officer, Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing, Inc.
Strategy quote from brand executive (with name, title, company, city and state):
“We wanted to differentiate ourselves from other rock concerts going on around the area. No one has utilized mobile during an event yet, and for us to be interactive with our listeners means that we can offer those listeners a unique experience that they can take with them.” Liz Goshert, Promotions Director X102.9 WXXJ, Jacksonville, Florida
What challenge did mobile address quote (from same executive above):
“Not only could we be interactive with our listeners, but we utilized the participation numbers to keep sponsors interested in our events. For an advertiser to sponsor this Text to Screen, they would receive an unbelievable number of impressions, thus making their investment much more valuable.”
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A Great Example of Automotive Brand Success
This writing is a synopsis of a case study published in Mobile Marketer. Ballyhoo has begun working with more brands at expos, trade shows, and conventions. We have helped brands increase show traffic and increase their penetration with attendees after the show ended. In this case study example, Ford did the same thing.
Their major goals of building a mobile and email databases to help determine customer communication preferences and enable more effective and targeted marketing. The interaction was simple: a call to action was placed at booths, show attendees sent an SMS message to a short code, and a message was sent back asking them to fill out a short survey.
The call to action was "Take our survey and you could win $5,000 in gas!"
Sixty-four percent of participants chose to complete the survey and 18% opted-in to receive future promotions. Based on the numbers of total attendees and participants, this 18% represents a significant number of people for now has a direct line of communication with.
Ballyhoo Mobile has a turnkey setup for expos and events and is planning several more before the year is over. We will be certain to let you know of upcoming proomotions!
Their major goals of building a mobile and email databases to help determine customer communication preferences and enable more effective and targeted marketing. The interaction was simple: a call to action was placed at booths, show attendees sent an SMS message to a short code, and a message was sent back asking them to fill out a short survey.
The call to action was "Take our survey and you could win $5,000 in gas!"
Sixty-four percent of participants chose to complete the survey and 18% opted-in to receive future promotions. Based on the numbers of total attendees and participants, this 18% represents a significant number of people for now has a direct line of communication with.
Ballyhoo Mobile has a turnkey setup for expos and events and is planning several more before the year is over. We will be certain to let you know of upcoming proomotions!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Do Old People Like Mobile?
Of course they do! It simply needs to be presented in a understanding and meaningful manner. Below is an amazingly cool, and successful, example from the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago. The gist of it? Attendees and donors could punch in their bids on an iPod Touch during dinner, from the bar, etc. And donations more than doubled this year as compared to last year.
Auction organizer Kathy Carbonari said she got the idea after attending a Loyola Academy fundraiser in 2009. At this event, the remote bidding was done on a clunkier device but nevertheless captivated donors."I watched guys, grown men at my table, playing with this thing," Carbonari said. "They were getting such a kick out of it. It was like a video game.
One of the greatest lessons observed during this was how the privacy of the mobile device spawned further interaction. People were bidding against each other and didn't know it. One husband was able to bid on something for his wife without her knowledge. It allowed people the ability to truly bid on the things they wanted without the snooping of others. For these reasons and more, donations double from the year previous which is a huge success for a charity in a troubled economy.
The mobile interaction is loved and embraced by all; when designing campaigns, be sure to target the style of interaction to the audience. From there, it should be a hit!
Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing is a full service mobile marketing firm. They help with SMS, mobile application development, mobile website development, in-app banner ad placement, mobile search, and more. They are working on some incredibly inventive, revenue-generating iPhone apps and cross-platform apps. If you have a company or know someone that may be able to benefit from increased revenue and sales, invite them to contact one of the executives at Ballyhoo Mobile today.
Auction organizer Kathy Carbonari said she got the idea after attending a Loyola Academy fundraiser in 2009. At this event, the remote bidding was done on a clunkier device but nevertheless captivated donors."I watched guys, grown men at my table, playing with this thing," Carbonari said. "They were getting such a kick out of it. It was like a video game.
One of the greatest lessons observed during this was how the privacy of the mobile device spawned further interaction. People were bidding against each other and didn't know it. One husband was able to bid on something for his wife without her knowledge. It allowed people the ability to truly bid on the things they wanted without the snooping of others. For these reasons and more, donations double from the year previous which is a huge success for a charity in a troubled economy.
The mobile interaction is loved and embraced by all; when designing campaigns, be sure to target the style of interaction to the audience. From there, it should be a hit!
Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing is a full service mobile marketing firm. They help with SMS, mobile application development, mobile website development, in-app banner ad placement, mobile search, and more. They are working on some incredibly inventive, revenue-generating iPhone apps and cross-platform apps. If you have a company or know someone that may be able to benefit from increased revenue and sales, invite them to contact one of the executives at Ballyhoo Mobile today.
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