Umer Tanveer « Converge Weekly

Author Archive for Umer Tanveer

Mar

Miller Lite uses mobile to court basketball fans during March Madness

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, Mobile and News
Tags: Application, basketball, design, Digital, iPhone, march madness, miller lite, Mobile, SMS

MillerCoors has added to its iPhone portfolio with a new application called Tip ‘n Spin launched to coincide with March Madness and the NCAA basketball tournament.

The new application provides a brand experience for legal-drinking-age basketball fans, letting them compete and earn points by balancing a basketball on a Miller Lite bottle with their iPhone. The application was created by digital marketing agency Digitas in partnership with mobile media agency MediaMob Inc.

“Miller’s strategy is to provide their target audience with a fun experience to engage with the Miller Lite brand during the March Madness tournament,” said Matt Snyder, founder/president of MediaMob, Arlington, MA. “This is the sixth app from Miller Lite, making it one of the most heavily invested CPG brands on the iPhone app platform.

“They view Tip ‘n Spin as an excellent way to put a fun, engaging experience into the hands of their target audience and then have them share that experience with their social tribe—on their iPhones as well as on Facebook,” he said.

With sister agencies Starcom MediaVest, ZenithOptimedia and Denuo, Digitas is a member of Publicis Groupe’s VivaKi. Continue reading ‘Miller Lite uses mobile to court basketball fans during March Madness’

Mar

Ground rules for mobile marketing to kids

By Umer Tanveer 2 Comments

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing and Digital Trends
Tags: Content, control, Digital, kids, Marketing, Mobile, parents, SMS

As a mother who also happens to be president of a mobile marketing company, I face a perplexing dilemma on a daily basis.

In my role as a marketer, the thought of sending mobile content to kids puts dollar signs in my eyes, but as a mother, it conflicts with every protective instinct I have.

The mother in me rails against the possibility of inappropriate content and dangerous chat sessions. But the marketer in me says, “Yes, this can be done, it can be done appropriately, and kids can learn from it.”

My 11-year-old has been clamoring for a mobile phone since he was nine. I have resisted – until now.

Ten years ago GPS technology was not built into our mobile devices, but now that it is here and we can monitor the movements of our kids wherever they go, why should not every child have a mobile phone?

A 2007 study by Nielsen Co. reported that 35 percent of American “tweens” (kids 8-12), own a mobile phone, and 20 percent of them have used text messaging. Continue reading ‘Ground rules for mobile marketing to kids’

Mar

Universal Pictures Repo Men movie sells organs via bar code scanning

By Umer Tanveer 1 Comment

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, Mobile, Mobile Apps and News
Tags: Application, code, Digital, Mobile, scanner, universal pictures

Universal Pictures is running a promotion for its “Repo Men” movie that integrates mobile bar codes with the campaign’s offline media to drive deeper engagement and buzz around the film.

The movie’s plot involves selling organs via bar code scanning so it is not only a good digital integration but also a cool tie-in with the subject of the film. In addition to helping Universal conceive this program, digital marketing agency 360i also coordinate with Red Laser, a mobile bar code scanner application.

“The strategy was to give consumers a reward for their interest in the property,” said Ben Blatt, manager of digital marketing at Universal, Universal City, CA. “Movie marketing is typically very overt and doesn’t try to hide anything.

“A piece of artwork very often has images of the main stars in the film and a tagline to go with it,” he said. “When we decided to tease the film with compelling creative that was meant solely to pique the country’s interest in a world of artificial organs, we needed a way to provide them with more information. Continue reading ‘Universal Pictures Repo Men movie sells organs via bar code scanning’

Mar

Luxury brands need 360-degree mobile strategy

By Umer Tanveer 1 Comment

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing and Digital Trends
Tags: Chanel, communication, D&G, Donna Karen, iPhone, Marketing, Mobile, SMS, Strategy, Web

The luxury market has finally made its way into the mobile space, albeit mostly through iPhone applications. It needs to do more.

For example, luxury brand Chanel is promoting its newest collection via mobile. The new Chanel Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2010 application lets users view the 2010 collection, get the latest news about the brand and find a boutique near them.

“Luxury brands have a great way to engage with consumers on the iPhone,” said Marcus Startzel, senior vice president of sales at Millennial Media, Baltimore, MD. “These companies have premium brands, without question. Continue reading ‘Luxury brands need 360-degree mobile strategy’

Feb

ShopStyle connects retail partners to on-the-go consumers

By Umer Tanveer Leave a Comment

Categories: Campaign Snapshot, Digital Content, Digital Marketing, News, SMS and Web Portal
Tags: consumers, customization, jeans, Mobile, retail, shoes, ShopStyle

ShopStyle, an apparel and accessories search engine that aggregates from brands such as Diesel, American Eagle Outfitters, Levi’s and Marc Jacobs, has gone mobile to extend its brand and help retailers reach mobile consumers.

The application lets consumers browse fashion apparel by brand or category and features items for men, women and children, as well as accessories such as bags, shoes and furniture. Consumers are redirected to the retailer’s checkout page but remain within the application.

“We’re the leading fashion search engine and social shopping site,” said Andy Moss, cofounder/vice president and general manager of ShopStyle, San Francisco. “We wanted to extend that brand so people could use ShopStyle on the go simply because of the belief that mobile will make-up more and more consumer traffic in the future.” Continue reading ‘ShopStyle connects retail partners to on-the-go consumers’

Feb

Fifth Third Processing Solutions taps Transaction Wireless for mobile gift cards

By Umer Tanveer 1 Comment

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, Mobile, Mobile Apps and News
Tags: access, ATM, customers, devices, fifth third processing, gift cards, Mobile, protocol, retailers, solutions

Fifth Third Processing Solutions is offering mobile infrastructure, commerce and marketing company Transaction Wireless’s virtual gift card platform to its merchant partners.

Fifth Third, an electronic payments and credit, debit and gift card processing services provider, is using TW’s wGiftCard suite of products. The target clients are tier-one national retailers and restaurants, as well as local and regional merchants.

“Fifth Third Processing Solutions’ strategy and commitment to our clients is to provide our customers with the solutions and services that they need to deliver products that will help build their brand and their customer loyally, in addition to creating payment and operational efficiencies,” said Lynn Rhoads, vice president of communications and marketing director at Fifth Third Processing Solutions, Cincinnati, OH.

“This relationship with TW allows customers to continue to look to Fifth Third Processing Solutions for all of their payments needs,” she said. “Mobile isn’t necessarily a solution but an opportunity. Continue reading ‘Fifth Third Processing Solutions taps Transaction Wireless for mobile gift cards’

Feb

Western Union expands Mobile Vendor Program to spread money-transfer services

By Umer Tanveer 2 Comments

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, Mobile, Mobile Apps, News and SMS
Tags: accessibility, agents, channel, commercial, Mobile, money transfers, program, Reach, SMS, vendor, Western Union

Money-transfer giant the Western Union Co. is extending the reach and accessibility of its money-transfer services with mobile finance initiatives in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Western Union has certified two participants in its Mobile Vendor Program, India-based mChek and South Africa-based Fundamo, and has selected Comviva, a mobile service provider in emerging markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, to participate in the program. Western Union announced the launch of the program, formerly called the Digital Vendor Program, at the GSMA Mobile Money Summit in Barcelona, Spain, in June of last year.

Mobile Commere Daily’s Dan Butcher interviewed Khalid Fellahi, head of mobile transaction services at Western Union, Denver. Here is what he had to say: Continue reading ‘Western Union expands Mobile Vendor Program to spread money-transfer services’

Feb

Olympics mobile searches spiking: Yahoo

By Umer Tanveer Leave a Comment

Categories: Digital Content, Digital Marketing, Mobile Apps, News and SMS
Tags: experience, high-end devices, Mobile, olympics, PC-Based, SMS, winter games

Yahoo is seeing soaring mobile searches related to every aspect of the Olympic Games, with lookups for mittens, ice rinks and Flying Tomato getting the most attention.

Searches on Yahoo for “ice skating rinks” were up 607 percent last week – especially among teens. Searches for “red Olympic mittens,” were up 182 percent last week.

“As you know, handsets and mobile Web browsers are becoming more robust and powerful, delivering an even better consumer experience,” said Zealous Wiley, director of corporate communications at Yahoo, Sunnyvale, CA. “High-end devices deliver an incredibly robust mobile Internet experience.

“Even the lower-end handsets are capable of allowing users to experience the mobile Internet and allow customers to send and receive SMS search results,” he said. “As the robust experience becomes more mainstream, adoption will increase.” Continue reading ‘Olympics mobile searches spiking: Yahoo’

Feb

Alaska Airlines aims for cost savings with new mobile initiatives

By Umer Tanveer Leave a Comment

Categories: Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, Mobile, Mobile Apps and News
Tags: airport, Alaska Airlines, boarding time, cost, flight alerts, initiative, interface, Mobile, startegy, tavelers, updates and alerts

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Flights are letting high-tech travelers access boarding passes from their mobile device to expedite the airport check-in process.

The airlines introduced the new electronic boarding passes in seven cities. Each electronic boarding pass displays an encrypted bar code along with the passenger and flight information that is verified by Transportation Security Administration agents at the security checkpoint.

“Our goal is to make traveling and the check-in process for business travelers easy and convenient,” said Jeff Anderson, manager of self service and airport strategy at Alaska Airlines, Seattle.

“Our customers wanted a way to check-in when they are on the road and the electronic boarding pass makes it easy for any high-tech traveler to get from curb to the gate quickly and without a computer or printed boarding pass,” he said. Continue reading ‘Alaska Airlines aims for cost savings with new mobile initiatives’

Feb

Red Cross expands mobile donation strategy with apps

By Umer Tanveer 3 Comments

Categories: Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, Mobile Apps and News
Tags: Apps, blackberry, donation, Haiti, iPhone, Mobile, Red Cross, short code 90999, SMS lifesaver, text

The American Red Cross is launching applications for several smartphone devices in an effort to extend mobile relief efforts for the earthquake recovery in Haiti.

Consumers can follow the Red Cross’s Haiti relief efforts, learn about other programs the nonprofit is involved in and make donations. The applications are for Research In Motion’s BlackBerry, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Google’s Android devices and they are powered by Whoop and its Web-based mobile publishing platform.

“We recognize that donors want to quickly and frequently see how their generosity is helping,” said Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer of the American Red Cross, Washington. “Individuals that did not make a donation are also interested in the work of the Red Cross.

“Apps help the Red Cross fulfill this need, and provide another avenue to show the resiliency of earthquake survivors and the work of Red Cross volunteers, through stories from the Red Cross Web site, rich multimedia content and on our social media networks,” she said. Continue reading ‘Red Cross expands mobile donation strategy with apps’

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