SMS Radio

Those aren’t call letters, it’s yet another take on moving radio from broadcast to a modern media.  And with more than a billion java-enabled handsets sold last year, I’d say it’s a pretty smart move.

PM1 SMS, a service aimed at radio stations, turns handsets into marketing ma-chines.

Actually, I like it. It’s total modern media.  It gives listeners new kinds of access to their music and moves advertising just a touch closer to where more of it should be - on-demand.  But, more importantly, the revenue and purchasing models signal the move toward true mobile commerce and that advertising models are thinking modern while gaining mainstream traction.

Listeners text a five-digit code to the radio station which triggers a plethora of expected choices - everything from artist information, wallpaper and alerts to downloading the ringtone, buying music on iTunes or grabbing concert tickets on the go.  Of course there are the necessary polls, contest entry and feedback.  But, listeners can also request certain radio content on-demand and use “text tags” to get advertiser information and special promotions (that would be Frame of Mind marketing) – and of course buy non-music products, all with their everywhere-I-go handset.

A key and unique feature is listeners set up an M-Wallet account with the radio station and purchases are charged against the credit card on file.  Currently, almost all purchasing done via mobile phone (for U.S. audiences at least) is through mobile service provider. Let true m-commerce begin!

PM1 SMS differs from Nokia’s Visual Radio in that Visual Radio is primarily a “push” model which then allows some limited user response opportunities.  PM1 SMS is listener-initiated, two-way, get-it-when—where-I-want-it radio. 

Virgin Radio launch an SMS response service last year – so we’re not too surprised that Virgin Mobile is just one major customer signing on with PM1 SMS.

Good call!

SMS Advertising Response

Well, here’s one idea. The UK’s largest media companies,namely Virgin Radio, Channel 4 and Capital FM, are now offering SMS response to their standard radio or television ads. Listeners and viewers are encouraged to SMS a shortcode in response to ads to receive free product,special pricing or an exclusive offering. The bigger news is that this is a formalized sign that mainstream media is embracing mobile’s ability to turn static into interactive. Now, watch WAP content explode as advertisers accept SMS as a response mechanism and use WAP sites to offer compelling content in exchange for starting or expanding that all important relationship with a customer.Levi’s is among the first to launch a WAP site as an integral part of their latest 501 jeans campaign.

Nokia's Visual Radio

Nokia’s “visual radio” service adds an additional dimension to radio and promotions. Stations can send pictures, polls, lyrics or other content directly to listeners cell phones.

Listeners can send feedback on what they are listening to and to compete in contests. Stations can sell ringtones of songs, concert tickets, CDs, DVDs, - well, just imagine what. KISS FM in Finland is the first station to debut the service in March, with Virgin Radio, UK, coming on in the Spring. Nokia stated in a Finanical Times report that this could possibly disrupt advertising models in that stations might soon be paid based on the number of songs they sell rather than on estimated listeners. Worth watching.

Mobile phones are the ultimate frame of mind modern media appliance. Innovate your marketing by looking closely at useful content, instant convenience or even social opportunities you can offer your customers who carry this device everywhere.

SMS Radio

Those aren’t call letters, it’s yet another take on moving radio from broadcast to a modern media.  And with more than a billion java-enabled handsets sold last year, I’d say it’s a pretty smart move.

PM1 SMS, a service aimed at radio stations, turns handsets into marketing ma-chines.

Actually, I like it. It’s total modern media.  It gives listeners new kinds of access to their music and moves advertising just a touch closer to where more of it should be - on-demand.  But, more importantly, the revenue and purchasing models signal the move toward true mobile commerce and that advertising models are thinking modern while gaining mainstream traction.

Listeners text a five-digit code to the radio station which triggers a plethora of expected choices - everything from artist information, wallpaper and alerts to downloading the ringtone, buying music on iTunes or grabbing concert tickets on the go.  Of course there are the necessary polls, contest entry and feedback.  But, listeners can also request certain radio content on-demand and use “text tags” to get advertiser information and special promotions (that would be Frame of Mind marketing) – and of course buy non-music products, all with their everywhere-I-go handset.

A key and unique feature is listeners set up an M-Wallet account with the radio station and purchases are charged against the credit card on file.  Currently, almost all purchasing done via mobile phone (for U.S. audiences at least) is through mobile service provider. Let true m-commerce begin!

PM1 SMS differs from Nokia’s Visual Radio in that Visual Radio is primarily a “push” model which then allows some limited user response opportunities.  PM1 SMS is listener-initiated, two-way, get-it-when—where-I-want-it radio. 

Virgin Radio launch an SMS response service last year – so we’re not too surprised that Virgin Mobile is just one major customer signing on with PM1 SMS.

Good call!

SMS Advertising Response

Well, here’s one idea. The UK’s largest media companies,namely Virgin Radio, Channel 4 and Capital FM, are now offering SMS response to their standard radio or television ads. Listeners and viewers are encouraged to SMS a shortcode in response to ads to receive free product,special pricing or an exclusive offering. The bigger news is that this is a formalized sign that mainstream media is embracing mobile’s ability to turn static into interactive. Now, watch WAP content explode as advertisers accept SMS as a response mechanism and use WAP sites to offer compelling content in exchange for starting or expanding that all important relationship with a customer.Levi’s is among the first to launch a WAP site as an integral part of their latest 501 jeans campaign.

Nokia's Visual Radio

Nokia’s “visual radio” service adds an additional dimension to radio and promotions. Stations can send pictures, polls, lyrics or other content directly to listeners cell phones.

Listeners can send feedback on what they are listening to and to compete in contests. Stations can sell ringtones of songs, concert tickets, CDs, DVDs, - well, just imagine what. KISS FM in Finland is the first station to debut the service in March, with Virgin Radio, UK, coming on in the Spring. Nokia stated in a Finanical Times report that this could possibly disrupt advertising models in that stations might soon be paid based on the number of songs they sell rather than on estimated listeners. Worth watching.

Mobile phones are the ultimate frame of mind modern media appliance. Innovate your marketing by looking closely at useful content, instant convenience or even social opportunities you can offer your customers who carry this device everywhere.