Tag Archive for 'sms'

The US DOT Issues Ban On Texting by Truck and Bus Drivers

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on January 26, 2010
in Industry News
. 0 Comments

Today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is scheduled to announce new rules that will prohibit interstate commercial truckers and bus drivers from sending text messages (or SMS) while they are operating moving vehicles.

At an October summit on the subject of distracted driving, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood pledged to crack down on distracted driving by truckers and bus drivers. He also indicated that the DOT would establish rules governing not just the use of phones and other devices by truckers and bus drivers to text and talk, but also the use of computers mounted on dashboards that are used to communicate with dispatchers.

The Department of Transportation said that it is still working on additional regulations that would govern the use of such computers by truckers, as well as when truckers are allowed to use cellphones for conversation. Truckers and bus drivers who violate the new rules on SMS, which are effective immediately, face civil or criminal fines of up to $2,750.

While the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute research study found that those truckers who used on-board computers faced a ten times greater risk of crashing, nearly crashing or wandering from their lane than truckers who did not use those devices, that figure is lower than the 23 times greater risk when truckers texted.

This is could be a lead reason why the DOT began issuing regulations banning texting. “We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the road with them to be safe,” Secretary LaHood said in a news release. “This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.”

Texting While Behind The Wheel
States in dark blue ban texting for all drivers. Light blue indicates states weighing legislation to ban texting for all drivers. Gray indicates states with no active legislation. White indicates states with no legislative session scheduled for 2010. Click to enlarge.

Leading the charge for “taking more” steps to eliminate distracted driving may be the states. Twenty-three states are debating legislation to ban texting while driving, a practice that 19 states currently prohibit. One hundred ninety-four bills concerning various forms of distracted driving, including texting, are being debated in 34 states.

According to the Department of Transportation, 5,870 people — 16% of all highway fatalities — died in distracted-driving crashes and 515,000 were injured in 2008.

Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has introduced federal legislation to ban texting or emailing while driving. States that don’t go along with the proposed ban would risk losing 25% of their federal highway funds.

Campaign Snapshot: MINT Magazine Interacts With Over 10,000 Customers Using 3Ci Interactive Marketing

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on September 21, 2009
in Interactive and Marketing
. 0 Comments

MINT Magazine, a company that publishes full color, direct-mail savings publications with an annual distribution of over 17.3 million homes, recently partnered with an American-based, multinational casual dining restaurant chain to run a test campaign for interactive SMS marketing. The call-to-action was promoted on the cover of the magazine and offered a free entree at any five city-specific restaurant locations. During the two-week campaign, the call-to-action reached an approximate 400,000 household circulation in the metro area.

The results of the interactive marketing campaign demonstrated the value of mobile text messaging. Over 10,200 total unique customers texted in to get the restaurant entree offer, with over 3,500 of those unique entries opting in for future Mint offers in the metro area. The response rate was 2.5% of the 400,000 household circulation and the campaign generated an average of 2,042 potential covers per local restaurant.

MINT Magazine Campaign Results

AT&T Offers Collect Calls to Wireless Customers in the US with 3Ci

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on March 31, 2009
in Press Releases
. 0 Comments

AT&T* announced that customers can now make collect calls to mobile phones by dialing 1-800-CALL-ATT® (1-800-225-5288), to access a new service called AT&T Collect to Wireless. AT&T is the first major telecommunications provider to expand its collect calling services to reach wireless customers in the U.S.

This opportunity is provided through a strategic relationship with 3Cinteractive’s Text Collect™ service. AT&T Collect to Wireless is part of the 1-800-CALL-ATT® product suite, which provides customers access to the AT&T network for all alternatively-billed calls, including calling card, credit card and collect calls.

Continue reading ‘AT&T Offers Collect Calls to Wireless Customers in the US with 3Ci’

TeleCommunications Systems, Inc. (TCS) Infringement Notices

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on March 13, 2009
in Industry News and Inside 3Ci
. 0 Comments

3Cinteractive would like to address the recent development of the TeleCommuncations Systems, Inc. (TCS) patent regarding SMS applications. The process patent, broadly covering MO-to-application via SMS short codes, has been making its way around the mobile industry for the past several weeks. 3Ci would like you to know that we are highly aware of this patent and that we are working closely with the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and other industry organizations to stay up to date on all of the latest news and updates. The facts as 3Ci understands them today are:

  1. The MMA has engaged legal counsel to review the TCS infringement notices;
  2. The MMA has suggested that the infringement notices were prepared “in anticipation of litigation”;
  3. The MMA is exploring the possibility of a joint defense or declaratory judgment action;
  4. Identifying “prior art” may invalidate the patent or showing that MO-to-application via SMS short code was commercially used prior to April 18, 2000. Any knowledge or lead regarding this should be immediately sent to Kristine van Dillen of the MMA;
  5. 3Ci clients should exercise their best business judgment regarding a response to a TCS notice; and
  6. 3Ci clients should consult with legal counsel before responding to any TCS notice.

If you should have any specific questions regarding TCS or their process patent in regards to your relationship with 3Cinteractive, please contact 3Ci General Counsel Mitch Kass at 561-443-5505.

What Mobile Marketers Can Learn from The Newton

Published
by
3Cinteractive
on January 2, 2009
in Trends & Research
. 0 Comments

In 1989, Apple Computer started developing the Newton platform.  Complete with state-of-the-art handwriting recognition software, the platform was brilliant.  As amazing as the platform was, the world wasn’t ready for the Newton.  Steve Jobs and others have looked back on the Newton and speculated its inability to capture a large audience.  The booming success of the iPhone—inspired by the Newton and iPod—has only made people look harder.

Jobs thought the Newton was too focused on input when it should have been focused on consumption. The technology was sound, but consumers shied away from another input device. Jobs had the same feeling about Palms, and other PDA’s: they wouldn’t become mainstream because of their design.

The iPhone’s design made it easier for users to adapt. The device allowed the user to spend more time consuming information and not inputting information.

The same is true for traditional cell phones. No one likes creating a new address book contact. You’re lucky if a person types a first and last name, let alone a full address. Consumers want to spend a few seconds entering a phone number, or pushing a few buttons, and the rest talking or reading.

SMS is the same way. A lot of companies want to use mobile to capture e-mail addresses, or full responses from end-users. My response is always the same, “Yes it will work, but there are much more effective ways to use mobile.”

The biggest, relative hump in a mobile marketing program is the initial opt-in. This is usually the largest input from the end-user (i.e. keyword & short code), and it must be initiated by the user. After the initial opt-in, the best mobile programs minimize input, at most, asking for number, letter, or keyword replies.

I’m a junkie for companies that have mobile alerts or services. Right now my favorites are Mint, Twitter, and Jott. Mint and Jott are used more frequently than Twitter. Why? Jott and Mint send me alerts that I consume to stay on track. Even on an iPhone, I rarely use Twitter to Tweet; instead I use mobile alerts to know when I receive a direct message.

For the most effective mobile program, capture your consumers and PUSH them alerts or actions.

Employee Profile: Chris Field, Mobile Sales Specialist

Published
by
3Cinteractive
on December 9, 2008
in Employee Profile
. 0 Comments

Chris Field, Mobile Sales Specialist

As a Sales Specialist, Chris’s responsibilities include prospecting for new clients, selling mobile solutions to big brands, partnering up with ad agencies and managing mobile campaigns for 3Ci’s client base.  He focuses his sales efforts on targeting ad agencies, direct marketing companies, universities and media companies.  Recently, Chris moved from the Boca Raton office up to Philadelphia to explore business development opportunities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Before joining 3Ci, Chris honed his sales skills in the internet marketing industry.  In the past, he has sold website solutions and online media that focused on direct response marketing.  Chris’s extensive background in the online industry stems from running lead generation campaigns using search engine optimization, lead generation websites, online media, and affiliate marketing for two medium sized finance companies.  Chris graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Marketing Information Systems, minoring in eCommerce and Internet Marketing.

When he is not at work, Chris enjoys staying active by surfing, competing in triathlons,  snowboarding, and hiking with his fiance, Caroline, and their dog, Levi.  Chris and Caroline are getting married in May 2009 outside of Philadelphia.

-Ainsworth

3Ci Helps Cricket Wireless Reach 50 Radio Markets

Published
by
Karly Dreker
on December 9, 2008
in Inside 3Ci
. 0 Comments

Over a 6 week promotional campaign, Cricket Wireless will drive consumers to the Cricket website to increase their subscriber base.  Each week listeners will be given a different keyword to text in to win one of many grand prizes including cell phones, prize packages and gift cards. The consumer will then immediately receive a text message back informing them if they are an instant winner.  Even participants who are not instant winners will still be directed to the Cricket website to download free digital content and be entered to win one of the grand prizes.

3Cinteractive is providing complete technology fulfillment for the promotion including website integration, the mobile application, registering winners, and redemption tools. “3Ci’s comprehensive involvement in the campaign allows Cricket to focus on their clients and branding,” says Mark Smith, 3Ci’s COO. “It was really exciting to  work on such an extensive project where we not only designed the mobile application, but also the web component of the promotion.”