iPhone, BlackBerry Downloads: Different Pattern?

Games lead iPhone app downloads, comScore reports. Nearly half of the the 25 most popular mobile apps are games. Among non-gaming applications, social networking applications: Facebook and MySpace Mobile also can be found. So far, at least, the iPhone, though used by business end users, does not seem to have broken out of its "consumer" appeal base.

Research in Motion's BlackBerry App World has not been in operation long enough to determine whether BlackBerry users behave differently, but at least initially, one suspects that social networking apps are among the top 10, whether that is Facebook or instant messaging clients. One perhaps notable difference is downloads of the Opera Mini browser, for perhaps-obvious reasons. BlackBerry users tend not to rave about the default BlackBerry browser.

http://ir.comscore.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=375787

New Rules for Marketing

Listening to consumers is more important than talking at them, says Advertising Age. "The consumer is not a moron, she's the person defining your brand."

You can't hide the corporation behind the brand anymore, or even fully separate the two. Radical transparency now means bad corporate behavior will damage subsidiary brands, while good behavior also can help subsidiary brands.

Public relations now is a primary concern for every chief marketing officer and brand manager. If "marketing" and "PR" are not the same department, tear down the wall. Spend time deciding whether PR is underleveraged in your organization, says Advertising Age.

Cause marketing isn't about philanthropy, it's about "enlightened self-interest."

Social media is not a strategy in and of itself. Nothing will substitutute for good products.

http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=135943

Business Wireless Spending to Accelerate

Some 45 percent of business decision makers polled by Harris Interactive state that wireless applications are important or absolutely essential to remaining competitive in today’s highly competitive marketplace. The survey of 700 small, medium and large businesses found the companies surveyed expect a 15 percent improvement in their bottom-line over the next 12 months.

Improved communications were seen by 23 percent of respondents. About 18 percent expect improved employee efficiency. Another 14 percent expect productivity and process improvements. An equal percentage expect improved customer care. About 11 percent expect cost reductions.

Whether one agrees or not, respondents indicate that, for whatever reasons, they are increasing their wireless spend. The survey shows the wireless portion of the companies’ voice and data infrastructure increasing from 35 percent over the last twelve months to 41 percent over the next twelve months, an increase of nearly 20 percent.

http://www.ctia.org/media/press/body.cfm/prid/1813

Sprint Proximity Marketing Campaign Launched

Sprint is supporting a proximity marketing campaign at Kansas City's Sprint Center.

http://billboard.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2269584.htm

Proximity Marketing for "Fast and Furious"

Interactive trailers for the movie "Fast and Furious" are available for download free-of-charge to Bluetooth enabled mobile phones at select cinemas and other public locations throughout Germany. The interactive trailers offer the mobile viewer a one-click access to "Fast and Furious" sweepstakes contest and allows them to purchase movie tickets for upcoming screenings of the film in select cinema chains in Germany.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/advertising/20090331/SF9150631032009-1.html

DMA Bluetooth Marketing Guidelines Released

New mobile marketing guidelines for Bluetooth campaigns have been developed by the Direct Marketing Association for the U.K. and other markets, and are designed to protect users from "spam." Good move.

http://www.dma.org.uk/_attachments/resources/4756_S4.pdf

Bluetooth-Based Mobile Marketing Campaigns

Though most mobile marketing campaigns up to this point have been based on use of text messaging (short message service), more common availability of Bluetooth also offers an opportunity for proximity messages over short distances, without the expense of the data network, says Mark Brill, Direct Marketing Association Mobile Marketing Council chairman.

That means creating a local Bluetooth zone at a physical location with high traffic, such as restaurants, public transit stations, bars or retail locations, able to reach users within a relatively confined area of possibly 260 feet in diameter.

"The key to a successful Bluetooth proximity marketing campaign is to provide a clear incentive or offer, explain why you are communicating and gain the trust of the user," he says.

About 30 percent of people have their Bluetooth turned on all of the time, mostly to use hands-free headsets. The TV show "Lost" has used such a technique to promote the new season by allowing users to download wallpaper and ringtones, images or a trailer.

Bacardi Rum has used Bluetooth at music festivals, sending drink vouchers and allowing users to send their own photos and messages to a large screen at an event.

Levi’s Jeans has equipped personnel with backpacks equipped with Bluetooth units and small screens.

Still, there are issues. A Bluetooth connection to a mobile does not provide the marketer with a phone number or user information, so tracking a user requires some form of registration. As always, opt-in rules are needed as well.

http://www.mycustomer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=134286