News Archive

Aaj Tak launches anniversary contest

"Aaj Tak is offering a huge reward to its viewers on the occasion of its 4th anniversary on 31st December 2004. The Aaj Tak Anniversary contest started on the 20th of December and will run till the 30th of December and has already received an overwhelming response from its viewers. This is another interactive initiative from Aaj Tak in series of such initiatives introduced by Aaj Tak in the last 3 years. The objective is to use the occasion of Aaj Tak's anniversary and the New Year to involve viewers in an exciting contest, which compliments this season of celebration and splendour. The prize being offered in the contest is an exclusive 11-lakh diamond set which can be won by a single winner. The contest is based on the reverse auction format, wherein the lowest unique bid is the winning entry. To participate in this contest, a viewer needs to SMS BID followed by their amount to '2424'. Recently, Aaj Tak received a citation in the Limca Book of Records for a record breaking number of SMS responses from its viewers."

Now dictate TV content

The New Zealand-based Txtstation is close to signing its first deal with a TV channel in India. The company's head, Matt Coleman, who's made two trips to India in the last two months, declines to divulge details and says the deal will be announced shortly. Says ActiveMedia Technology director Raj Singh: "Get ready for a mind-boggling array of interactive shows on the Indian TV screen across channel genres. We ourselves are talking to some broadcasters for handling their participation TV programmes." ActiveMedia Technology provides back end support for TV channels that opt for SMS-based programmes. The company offers the link between the channel and mobile operators.

Aaj Tak finds a place in Limca Book of Records

"Aaj Tak has found a place in the Limca Book of Records, the Indian equivalent of Guinness Book of World records. The news channel has been recognized for the receiving the highest number of SMS-s as responses to contests, poll, etc. over a period of two years from May 1, 2002 to May 25, 2004. During a this period, Aaj Tak generated more than 10 million responses which is highest among all television channels. Aaj Tak's interactive programme 2424 comprised polls, contests and comments centred around on various issues of national interests,sporting events and news developments."

mOne, AMT team up to develop wireless shortcode 3636

MUMBAI: What with many a broadcaster and agency getting into the wireless race; mobile technology is surely the next big thing! Group M's specialist division - mOne has tied up with ActiveMedia Technology (AMT) to develop their wireless shortcode platform 3636. This alliance seeks to provide effective and the best of the breed solutions in the mobile space for Group M's clientele. AMT is instrumental in providing Group M agencies with all the required software and hardware solutions. The 3636 property will be incorporated in any communication that is done for clients by Group M agencies. Publications like the Dainik Jagran or The Hindu will carry this number and if it is a response ad then will enable consumers to respond to that number and hence in the process create a database.

Building stickiness for mobile networks

Raj Singh, executive director, ActiveMedia Technology is looking to do something along the lines of Orange Wednesdays in India too. He has been talking to mobile operators in India to launch m-coupons here. Says Singh: "Our solutions offer stickiness to the mobile network. In the process, the operator gets increased revenues." Mohit Bhatnagar, vice-president (new product development & alliances), Bharti, says: "Such services create clear differentiation among the service firms. M-coupons are a good entry point for mobile transactions in future." Plus, it ensures that the pre-paid subscriber does not switch to the rival operator. M-coupons' biggest target will be food and entertainment - discounts at restaurants, etc.

Virgin Mobile to run m-coupon promotion at V Festival

Virgin Mobile has tied up with Flytxt to run a mobile couponing promotion at this weekend's V Festival music event. The promotion will enable Virgin Mobile subscribers to text 'beer' to a shortcode to receive a voucher for a free beer. An eight-digit code will be sent back via SMS, which recipients enter into an on-site kiosk to print out their voucher. The m-voucher authentication technology for the promotions is provided by ActiveMedia Technology.

Mobile will drive retail transactions

With the pan-India mobile revolution sweeping the country in the last two years, ActiveMedia Technology quickly entered the 'mobile to TV' space offering back-end support to channels such as Aaj Tak, Discovery, Ten Sports and others to initiate viewer interactivity through the mobile. Today, Singh, ActiveMedia Technology's co-founder, is on the verge of introducing m-couponing (m=Mobile) in India, riding on the company's proprietory technology RAPOS&trade (Redemption at Point of Sales).

'CNBC-TV 18 launches 'CNBC-TV 18 Mobile'

CNBC-TV 18 has introduced CNBC-TV 18 Mobile -- a business information service targeted at the common man and the business community

'Sab aims to up stickiness quotient through SMS

As part of a new marketing initiative, Sab TV has launched a special sms contest --- 'Lucky no. 9'.

People happy to receive SMS promotional vouchers Staff, Brand Republic

LONDON - New research shows that 58% of people are happy to receive 'coupons' for discount offers and promotions on their mobile phones, and that redemption rates can be as high as 86%.

UK consumers embrace m-coupons

A study by ActiveMedia Technology, designers of real time m-voucher authentication technology, shows that latest mobile marketing technologies look set to spell the end of traditional cut-out vouchers found on cereal and washing powder boxes. Results show that 58% of people questioned are now happy to receive coupons via their mobile phones, which offers businesses high redemption rates and the ability to tap into the highly-lucrative couponing industry in Europe, estimated to be worth approx. L11bn (equating to 8.2bn coupons in UK alone ). Previous campaigns run by ActiveMedia Technology highlight that, given the right promotion such as two-for-one offers, consumers are more than willing to participate in mobile marketing initiatives. With redemption rates on m-coupons as high as 86% (based on empirical evidence from past campaigns), many businesses can add value to their core offering through a raft of loyalty-led mobile marketing initiatives, especially in the youth and entertainment sectors.

M-vouchers welcome only if relevant

Nearly two-thirds of Britons are happy to receive coupons via their mobile phones, but only if they opt in, new research has revealed. 58% of people taking part in a survey by m-voucher authentication company ActiveMedia Technology were open to the idea of coupons being sent to their handsets. However, 68% either agreed or strongly agreed that the incentives offered would have to be something they were interested in and had asked to receive. "Consumers are becoming more receptive to m-coupons, but want to make sure they're relevant to them," said Ramesh Kumar, MD of ActiveMedia Technology. M-coupons have come into the spotlight recently with the biggest experiment in the UK yet, Orange's 2-for-1 cinema ticket promotion 'Orange Wednesday'. Customers text to receive a code, then show the message at a participating cinema to receive a free ticket.

written by New Media Age

Agencies slow to accept viability of SMS marketing

Advertising agencies are missing an opportunity to capitalise on SMS marketing, mistakenly believing that consumer acceptance of the medium is much lower than it is. A recent survey by mobile technology provider Empower Interactive reveals that 8 out of 10 European mobile users are willing to receive marketing and promotional offers via their handsets. Just 18% of marketing and ad agencies offer mobile messaging services to clients, while 57% said they had no future plans to do so. When asked to identify the biggest barriers to growth in the sector, over half - 58% - cited lack of consumer confidence. Although 84% of mobile users surveyed were willing to accept SMS marketing, most agreed they would only want to receive carefully targeted text promotions. This echoes similar findings from a recent report by ActiveMedia Technology revealing that over two-thirds of Britons who were happy to receive SMS ads said they had to be relevant (NMA 27 May). eigroup.com

By Claire Armitt

Orange in cinema voucher initiative

Orange is to extend its links with the film industry with the launch of a film voucher perk for its subscribers in its bid to boost customer loyalty. In conjunction with mobile technology provider Flytxt and ActiveMedia Technology, Orange is offering customers a two for one offer for its Orange Wednesdays offer. Customers text a short code to receive a mobile voucher which can then be redeemed at terminals in cinemas. Agency Mother has created a multi-million pound cinema, press, radio and outdoor campaign to support the offer.

Orange targets 13m with cinema voucher offensive

Precision Marketing Sarah Balmond Orange is launching what it claims is the largest loyalty promotion using mobile phone coupons, targeting over 13 million customers.

... worth nothing NMA

New research shows that 58% of people are happy to receive coupons for discount offers and promotions on their mobile phones, and that redemption rates can be as high as 86%. Wireless marketing technology provider ActiveMedia Technology conducted a poll of shoppers in Oxford, which revealed that 68% of people would opt to receive 'm-vouchers'.

Jonathan Ross sees double as he launches Orange Wednesdays

Jonathan Ross cosied up with twin cinema usherettes to launch Orange Wednesdays. The initiative offers movie goers the chance to buy two tickets for the price of one. Ross posed with the usherettes at the Leicester Square Odeon to launch the mobile ticketing scheme. The presenter said: "This is great news for film fans everywhere, 'Orange Wednesdays' will be a massive box-office hit." Just think, you can take a friend or relative to the movies for free, every Wednesday!

ActiveMedia partners with Flytxt to run the world's biggest mobile couponing campaign

ActiveMedia Technology partnering with Flytxt, one of the leading mobile marketing agencies, begins rollout of the world's biggest mobile couponing campaign. Using RAPOS™, a proprietary and patent pending product developed by ActiveMedia Technology as the core technology, this exciting project due for launch at the end of Q1 2004 is set to revolutionize couponing in the UK and beyond.