News
Archive for November, 2008
Hertfordshire Police Target Drug Pushers by Text
Hertfordshire Police have been cracking down on local drug use by sending text messages to anyone suspected of buying cocaine from a local network of drug pushers. The text campaign came about after 17 drug dealers were arrested after setting up 3 hotline numbers for ordering cocaine.
After the arrests were made, the police seized the criminal’s mobile phones and checked through their inbound call records to uncover anyone suspected of purchasing drugs via the hotline numbers. A text message was then sent out to inform the suspected buyers of the arrests, as well as information to deter them from buying drugs again. A website address was also included for recipients to visit for information & advice on drugs abuse & its seriousness.
Chief Inspector, Richard Hann stated that “This was the first text initiative he was aware of… and the recipients were low drug users, likely to be affluent professionals using drugs for recreational use”
Reports claim that this campaign proved effective in reaching a large audience quickly, easily & very directly in one big hit. The message theme was also useful in providing a warning message aimed at deterring recipients from buying drugs again.
The Txtlocal messaging service was used to deliver the 688 outbound text messages on behalf of Hertfordshire Police.
Txtlocal also work with a number of other Police and local authorities, for lead generation purposes, whereby people can simply text in with inbound information in response to a crime E.g “Text CRIME to 60777 with your information”
London Award Nomination’s by Text!
The RBS South London Business Awards 2009 have chosen Txtlocal to drive award nominations, through a mobile marketing campaign. A Text initiative has been introduced to make it easier for people to send in nominations.
The award program is open to any company located in 12 South London Boroughs.
Main Sponsors RBS are offering prizes for categories including small, medium & large business and also best customer service, training, development, marketing & sustainability. However, with such a variety of categories on offer, SLB are hoping to receive a large number of nominations and local residents are strongly encouraged to offer worthy nominations.
The prestigious award ceremony is being held at a lavish black tie dinner at Selhirst Park on 20th May 2009.
If you are located in a South London Borough and have had particularly good service from a business then go ahead and submit your nomination.
Text AWARDS + your nomination to 60777
Barack Obama – New Media Key to Election Victory
Much analysis has gone into the election of Barack Obama and his unprecedented campaign strategy, which many commentators have praised as a very clever marketing. The key strengths of the Obama campaign lies with the use of new media technology, combining both the Internet and mobile technology to engage and interact with voters.
In terms of mobile technology the public were given the opportunity to find out about the Obama campaign by texting the keyword OBAMA to 62262 for campaign information.
The first big SMS text went out before the announcement of VP Joe Bidden, reaching an audience of 2.9 million. Recipients of the text welcomed this information and the fact that it had reached them in such a personal way, with many likening it to receiving a text from a friend, rather than sales gimmick.
In this instance text worked much better than for example, a blanket email, which would probably have been classed as old news by the time the recipient had actually opened the email. The power of mobile lies in its instant ability to communicate with a mass audience directly. It’s also a highly viral marketing tool capable of reaching beyond the recipients alone. Of those 2.9million receiving the text, it is certain that a proportion will have forwarded the message on to others, giving an even greater penetration.
Mobile was used leading right up to the election itself, with messages used to gather momentum and enthusiasm from voters. “Less than a week until Election Day on Nov. 4th! Barack needs your help. REPLY to this msg with your 5 digit ZIP CODE for local Obama news and voting info.” – SMS alert from Obama’s campaign
Use of new media in this election should inspire many marketers & promoters to take advantage of New Media technology, in particular mobile. There is no other more direct & instant way of communicating with a mass audience.
Txtlocal provide SMS marketing solutions for over 15,000 businesses throughout the UK, offering Short Code (60777) and Bulk SMS solutions.