Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Mobile Marketing is a Must

by Mike Reiber

The mobile and social media marketing juggernaut continues. PQ Media reports that the market grew at a compounded rate of 28.7% per year from 2006-2011. The revenues charted include consumer and business access, content, advertising and marketing. No surprise, right? What's more interesting is some of the information at the end of the report. Consider these facts:

1.) The average American over the age of 12 years spent more than 100 hours in 2011 accessing content on wireless devices.
2.) There are more than 285 million mobile phones in operation in the U.S.  Of these, 60% are in the business sector; however, consumers are expected to make up the majority of smart phone use by 2016.
3.) There are more than 36 million tablets and e-readers in operation in the U.S.  Of these, 60% are for consumer use. 

Upshot?  Mobile marketing needs to be in your marketing communications mix.  Ask your customers how they are using smart phones and tablets. Ask them how they would like to interact with your company.  Challenge your vendors and internal staff to develop strategies and content that will help your company harness the growing smart phone and tablet market.  Revisit the strategies and content with your customers.  Ask for their feedback.