Full Article

Of course, to capture people’s cell numbers, you need some way to get their attention. “I tell businesses to think about the resources they already have at their disposal,” said Jed Alpert, the founder of Mobile Commons. “If you’re a restaurant, you have tabletops. If you have a highly trafficked Web site, or are running billboards or radio spots, those are all good places to let people know about your texting campaign.”

John Mullin, founder of the New York interactive agency On the Go Mobile + Media, designed a program for the Army in which the initial invitation to text in appeared as part of its ads in digital jukeboxes in bars. Another campaign considered by a national steakhouse chain would have advertised text coupons for blooming onions in its “stadium” ads inside an EA Sports video game.

The Shedd Aquarium, in Chicago, uses a combination of on-site signs, end-of-aisle displays at local CVS stores with Coca-Cola as co-sponsor, and TV advertising. “We even built in a control group,” said Jay Geneske, assistant director of marketing. “For the promotion running on three local TV stations, we just gave out our phone number and Web site. But on the Fox affiliate we gave out our short code and asked people to text in to win. The response to the Fox ad was more than the other three combined.”

Free stuff also helps. Emitations, an online retailer of costume jewelry, is about to start a texting campaign promoting a new product line inspired by the “Twilight” vampire-themed book and movie series. Users who text in to register will receive regular alerts about new releases and sales on products tied to their favorite characters. Just for taking part, though, they’ll receive a sampler modeled on the gift bags handed out at Hollywood award dinners.

This Week’s Netbook Contest Winners

Mobile Commons provides many ways for citizens to contact their local representatives in the Senate and Congress, as well as the President of the United States.

With Mobile Commons, calls can be initiated via web interface, SMS, or simply by dialing 866-581-7519

Try the demo now.

Advocacy customers of the Mobile Commons Platform use their software to generate thousands of phone calls to congressional representatives all around the country.

Using mapping data from census.gov, Mobile Commons built an open-source legislative district lookup tool available at http://congress.mcommons.com.  Combining this with other government data sources, they maintain an up-to-date address book of almost 20,000 capital and district offices for all federal and state representatives.

Congratulations to FixMyCityDC, they also won the Twilio for Government Contest.

Read the full article on Twilio’s Blog.

Shedd Aquarium’s cell-phone connnection

For those who believe that someday the whole world will run through their cell phones, the Shedd Aquarium is supplying a new piece of evidence.

In a TV ad campaign aired this summer on the four major broadcast networks, one of Chicago’s leading tourist attractions tried an unusual experiment. The commercials, which offered free tickets to the premiere of a new aquatic show, were identical in all but one respect.

Some asked viewers to enter the contest by clicking on a Web site, while others asked them to text. The so-called “SMS” plea worked better, resulting in a three-to-one contest entry rate over the “Url.” Click here to see one of the spots.

This research comes from Mobile Commons, a company specializing in mobile marketing. Anyone who thinks it’s merely self-serving can voice their opinion through the Web. Those who see the future in this simple test can go ahead and text.

Link

From Mobile Marketer Daily

September 10, 2009

The 9/11 Memorial is partnering with North South Motorsports and Mobile Commons

The National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum and the North South Motorsports team have teamed up to launch the Text to Remember program to help raise funds and awareness.

The partners tapped Mobile Commons for the initiative. The SMS calls-to-action will be at the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race in Richmond, VA, on Sept. 11, where a custom-designed car commemorating 9/11 victims will be driven by NASCAR racing star Benny Gordon at Richmond International Raceway.

“The National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum has an amazing opportunity to work with NASCAR and get the nation’s attention on 9/11/09,” said Michael Sabat, community manager at Mobile Commons, New York. “The great thing about mobile donations is that everyone has their cell phone nearby.

“If your organization can convince a supporter to donate, the supporter can donate immediately,” he said. “Mobile giving is easy and painless.

“With a national audience for the NASCAR race on Sept. 11, the two main goals are to have people text in to donate and give permission to the organization to continue to contact them over SMS and email.”

The 9/11 Memorial’s mobile call-to-action

The 9/11 Memorial fundraising group’s new targeted mobile campaign asks donors to text keyword WTC to short code 25383 to donate $5 towards the foundation’s cause.

Supporters texting in will have their name displayed on the honor roll at the 9/11 Memorial’s Web site and will be asked to donate $5 to support the Memorial using Mobile Commons’ mobile donation application.

The first step is to text in the designated keyword. The user receives a message back asking them to confirm the donation.

The 9/11 Memorial racecar

Once the user replies with the word YES, a $5 charge is automatically added to their mobile phone bill. The 9/11 Memorial receives 100 percent of the donations.

The goals of the mobile initiatives are to connect with people, build a relationship, raise money and reengage with donors in a meaningful way going forward.

In the course of this SMS conversation, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is collecting users’ email addresses and will be able to follow up via multiple channels.

“The Mobile Commons platform allows the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to run a truly integrated campaign with SMS, the Web, mobile giving, email, television and print all playing a part,” Mr. Sabat said.

Mobile Commons provides the interface to create keywords and use its short code, plus the text-to-screen capability that the organization is using to display the content on its 9/11 Memorial Web site.

The Mobile Commons inbox is used to view these messages and moderate them before they appear on the Web.

“Most importantly, our technology allows the organization to collect and manage demographic information such as email and tie these users to their Web presence, their CRM and route them to mobile giving,” Mr. Sabat said.

“As the campaign continues, people that have texted in and provided their email address will receive both text messages and email, which increases overall engagement, participation and donations.”