The idea of market products on cell phones is not new. This idea has been talked about for quite some time but has not really taken hold for a number of reasons. Not everyone uses their phone all the time and people with these phones would probably object to having their conversations or other activities interrupted by an advertisement. However, this is already done in a limited amount such as when one dials a free 411 call and gets an advertisement before the number.
At the current time the only ones, other than 411 callers, using this media of advertising are mobile phone companies, mobile game makers and people pushing ringtones and applications for cell phones. However, many people are working on ways that this virgin field of advertising could be used. One suggestion advanced was that people be given free call minutes, or even a free phone all together, if they would allow advertising on their phone.
The cell phones are often referred to as SMS which stands for Short Message Service and this is the term that is being tossed about in discussing possibilities of using this means of advertising. With over 2.4 billion active users of these phones this is certainly a possible market that has the attention of people interested in marketing.
It is a general consensus that advertisers outside of these fields need to be attracted to this marketing media. There is no doubt that it is a area that could deliver anyone’s advertising to billions of people. The problem seems to be how to get these cell phone owners to accept this type of advertising. It has been suggested that contests and other activities are one way that would work.
At the present time there are very few computer e-mails that do not have an advertisement pop up on their screen along with the correspondence. This has caused a large number of complaints as people feel this is an intrusion of their private space. Unfortunately, this has not dissuaded the practice and it still continues. Some feel this would happen with cell phone advertising.
It has been estimated that this kind of advertising could be a billion dollar a year market in a very short time. However, what would happen if this kind of advertising hit cell phones is unknown. Most certainly, people are too attached to this technical media, as with the computer, to give it up. However, if the consumer is pushed too far there is a question as to what would happen such as new rules and regulations regarding this industry.
