Chris here. Siri and Majel aren’t the only ones trying to smarten up your phones. App developers, coders, software engineers and the like are creating systems and mobile technology that they are going to soup up your already-smart smartphone. One of the companies working on making your phone work a little harder (and thereby you’re not working as hard) is Yowza!! David Teichner, CEO of Yowza!!, shares his thoughts on Yowza!! and mobile coupons. Read On!

Making smartphones smarter…how mobile coupons are empowering consumers and businesses

Despite the challenging economy, today’s consumers continue to invest in technology, and smartphones are no exception.  According to Juniper Research, over one billion smartphones will be sold annually by 2016.

What’s driving the growth? Convenience and efficiency. We all know the saying “time is money,” and the same applies here.  With real-time access to directions, the best reviewed restaurants in town, competitive pricing information and everything in between, savvy smartphone users are getting things done quicker and at a better price than those without.  Thus, despite the relatively high cost of these mobile devices, individuals see them as a tool that will save them time and money in the long haul.

One segment of the market that is taking off with the rise of smartphones is mobile coupons, which enable consumers to easily access relevant savings without having to waste hours sifting through newspapers and cutting out paper coupons, printing out coupons found online or remembering to bring the coupons to the retailer.  Yowza!!, a free GPS-based app available on iPhones and Androids, provides consumers with mobile coupons based on their location.

For instance, imagine running several errands, which include getting the car washed, finding a new pair of shoes and picking up dry cleaning.  You launch the Yowza!! app, find coupons for those items in your neighborhood, and in between the car wash and shoe-shopping, you redeem an offer for a quick lunch at half price.

And just as these mobile coupons are benefitting the consumer, they are also helping businesses. Now retailers can reach consumers where they spend virtually ALL of their time – on their smartphones.  They can create offers designed to bring in new clients, as well as those designed to keep current customers coming back.  It’s quick, easy and cost-effective – no printing costs or long lead times involved. And importantly, the offers are reaching consumers in the immediate vicinity of the business, which means no impressions are wasted.

Bottom line: better mobile technology brings consumers and businesses together and everybody wins – consumers save, businesses grow.

David Teichner is the CEO of Yowza!! You can ask David more about mobile technology, coupons, the future for Yowza!! and what it’s like to work for an actor tonight at our SMCLA Mobile Event at the ING DIRECT LA Cafe. See you there!

You hear about it all the time – “mobile is the next thing to blow up.” That’s all great and good, and so what? Where are our colleagues going to take us in mobile? Where should we be as professionals handling the social media and marketing for companies, clients and ourselves? Patrick Mahoney, VP of Strategy and Business Development at Mogreet, shares his thoughts on mobile marketing. If you have questions or comments, take him to task LIVE at our January 31 event at the ING DIRECT Cafe in West LA. RSVP here: http://mobilesmcla.eventbrite.com/

By way of good luck and timing, I have spent my entire career at the intersection of technology and media, experiencing firsthand the “Digital Evolution”. From my first internship at Bilboard magazine at 18, where I was tasked with a research project entitled “Should Billboard have a Website?”, I have always been fascinated by how media should most effectively utilize new platforms to reach consumers, drive their existing business, and generate new revenue.

Even though mobile was always the “next frontier”, I had skepticism as to how it would become a profitable business for marketers. Mobile was great for us at ABC, where we had the benefit of multi-million dollar TV brands to drive licensing revenue for mobile, but I wasn’t convinced that the tune-in at the end of the promo clip on Vcast was really going to drive people to their TV sets. However, the ability to use the cast of Desperate Housewives on the image of the new LG VCAST phone was interesting. A light bulb went off in my head – creating thoughtful “partner ecosystems” through a sustainable combination of technology, brands and distribution can lead to success in across the board. Brands need to understand how to capitalize on disruptive technologies and disruptive technologies need to learn how to play nice with brands.

Mobile entertainment has seen some false starts, which is natural in any evolving business. Carriers tried become both the pipe and the content provider, but consumer behavior, content rights and technology prohibited their success. I felt vindicated that I was “right”..sort of! Consumers don’t want to watch TV on a small screen, but that small screen IS at the hip of nearly every single person in America. At Mogreet, we have spent 5 years on figuring out how to help brands connect with mobile consumers in a compelling way. Our messaging platform delivers a device agnostic (yes that means your old flip phone too!) way for media brands to deliver MEDIA to their fans and accomplish additional goals: Tune in, ad dollars, app downloads, web traffic etc. Other players in the industry have tried to poke holes in our strategy, but we’ve remained steadfast in our beliefs, which boil down to two core things (in my opinion): 1) Who doesn’t open a text message? 2) Why would you market video with a text message, when you can market video with a video?

I digress a bit. Back to the “partner ecosystem”. In understanding the goals of our media relationships, we have worked to maximize the value of our platform. This is a model that seems simplistic, but is many times poorly executed….because it’s a pain in the arse. With ABC Family, we were fortunate enough to have great stakeholders that saw the value of our platform and launched the “Pretty Little Liars” mobile campaign. After two years, we have a significant number of the on-air audience opted in and have helped the cable net to drive additional ad dollars to both the network and our mobile database, not to mention made the short code a trending topic on twitter and helped the show become the most tweeted entertainment property of 2011. This is all due to a deep partnership between our client, the creative team, and ad sales. However, without the brand creating compelling messaging, we would not have had the success or the opportunity to push the ad dollars forward by training ad sales on how to sell mobile.

Similarly, we have worked with Fox on most of their scripted prime-time shows. With Glee, Fox and Mogreet brainstormed the most effective way to give the consumer valuable content that also drives engagement, which resulted in a single message that delivers: Additional character content, the playlist for the upcoming episode, the ability to share immediately (via our post to facebook/twitter), and ability to listen/buy the songs (but direct link from MMS into storefront). In our own little way, we have tried to help mobile marketing evolve.

Our next frontier is sharing. We’ve launched moShare, the first online-mobile sharing service. moShare allows you to share any piece of web content via a text message to a mobile phone. We’re betting on the fact that sharing is personal. Some share’s are great for facebook and twitter, but for that share that you want your friend to open immediately, there is moShare. In summary, mobile marketing isn’t easy. Understand your clients, understand their constituents, and understand your goals. We’re seeing a lot of mobile “one size fits all” folks fall by the way-side (and/or trash talk those of us who have created a strong value proposition), because in the days of an educated, ever evolving consumer leaves little room for error and destroys inadequate technology. However, content will always prevail, so us mobile marketers must continue to re-invent how we improve on the delivery of the content and the value of the messaging that we create.

Patrick Mahoney is the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Mogreet. Follow him on Twitter at @mogreet and Like the Mogreet Facebook Page. He is one of our speakers at our Tuesday Jan 31 event.

While you may know that mobile is where the new tech waves is hitting, your colleagues may not. Invite them to our Understanding Mobile User and the Future of Mobile Tools event on Tuesday, January 31st! What do you need to know about mobile social? On our blog, we’re highlighting our speakers. Read on…

Learn more about mobile campaigns at mogreet.com

Founded in 2006, Mogreet is a leading mobile marketing platform for the delivery of rich media to mobile devices. If your company is interested in mobile marketing campaigns, the folks at Mogreet combine all of the key elements (MMS, SMS, QR, CRM, the mobile web, etc.) into one integrated platform optimized to improve your mobile marketing ROI.

I’ll admit it, I watch “Pretty Little Liars” and just noticed that Mogreet is the company behind those text messages you get when you sign up to get clues from “A.” (Ask me later who I think “A” is.)

[speaker photo - coming soon!]

Mogreet’s VP of Business Development and Strategy, Patrick Mahoney, will be on-hand to talk about their mobile tool as well as what trends they’ve seen so far with mobile users. Patrick is responsible for strategic partnerships in Media & Entertainment and launching the company’s new online-to-mobile sharing platform, moShare. Patrick manages many of Mogreet’s large Network and Studio partners, including Fox Broadcasting, Red Bull Media House and The Walt Disney company. Prior to joining Mogreet full time in 2011, Patrick served as a long term advisor to the company through his consultancy, Connected Strategic Partners. He founded CSP in 2007 and served as Digital and Distribution consultant to industry leaders and innovators including William Morris Endeavor, Huffington Post, Attention Span Media and Entertainment Studios.

Previously, Patrick worked in business development for Disney/ABC TV’s Digital Media Group, where he was involved in digital licensing and distribution of network shows. Patrick was involved with the development of many of the first mobile initiatives for the network including the first mobile games of Desperate Housewives and Lost, the fist mobile WAP site for the Oscars, and the first on-air SMS campaign for Dancing with the Stars.

It looks like we’ll have plenty to talk about at our event on January 31. Do you have questions for Patrick or our other panelists? You can email them to us at socialmediaclubLA-at-gmail-dot-com or tweet us at @SMC_LA.

I’m sending my questions for Patrick to the Program Team; I can’t guarantee that they’ll ask him as I know they’ve got their own questions. Here are a few of mine:

• I think “A” is a combination of characters including Mona and Noah. Am I right?
• How many more seasons do you think “Pretty Little Liars” will last? (I’ll take this off-site.)
• Can you give us examples on how Mogreet intends to help healthcare companies with their mobile campaigns? What sort of healthcare campaigns do you think would benefit from Mogreet – is it cancer awareness, diabetes prevention, …?
• In the real estate vertical, how are you going to differentiate yourself from an ‘established’ app like Redfin’s?
• Do you see an opportunity with B2B companies using mobile marketing? If so, how?

Well, if you’re interested in mobile marketing – front-end and back-end, stop by our January 31 event at the ING DIRECT Cafe in Westwood. RSVP here and we’ll see you soon!

Tap our event info into your smartphone and we’ll see you on Tuesday January 31 at ING DIRECT Cafe in Westwood (West LA). This is our first event of the new year- we hope you’ll make it out here! Not sure who’s speaking? Lucky for you, we’ve got some info for you here. Read on and learn more about Tim Street, V.P. Mobile Apps for mDialog and one of our panelists for this month’s event.

Learn more about mobile real-time video streaming at mdialog.com

The mDialog platform is a real-time, Video as a Service (VaaS) solution that provides video publishers and advertisers a suite of in-stream ad services for mobile devices. The mDialog Dynamic Ad-insertion service lets advertisers increase the relevancy of their brand messaging with real-time, mobile-specific ad-targeting through geo-location, audience interactivity and device level ad frequency capping.

Follow Tim Street at @1timstreet

By day, Tim is a VP at mDialog. By night, he’s co-hosting This Week in Media. Somewhere in the middle, Tim’s also creating, directing and producing viral videos, speaking at conferences and tweeting. His online videos have totaled more than 40M downloads – that’s not an easy feat. Tim’s speaking credits include Blog World, ComicCon, Digital Hollywood, Inbound Marketing Summit, LATV Fest, NATPE, NAB, New Media Expo, Mac World, Podcast Academy, SXSW, Vloggercon and other local and national events. Tim has produced short and long form TV for Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The WB, UPN, Fine Living, Food Network, Game Show Network, Nickelodeon, Spike TV and many others. In 2009, Tim was inducted into the International Academy of Web Television and currently sits on the board of directors. Tim blogs at 1TimStreet.com and consults with agencies, brands, marketers, media buyers, companies, producers and individuals who wish to reach an audience on the Internet and mobile connected devices.

That said, what questions are you interested in asking Tim? You can ask him directly at our mobile tools and users panel on January 31 or email us at socialmediaclubLA*at*gmail*dot*com or tweet us at @SMC_LA. RSVP for the event here: mobilesmcla.eventbrite.com/

Here are a few questions I’ll be sending along to our moderator:

• While the thought of having a livestream in my pants (or my smartphone) sounds good, have content producers and telecom companies come to an understanding on the amount of bandwidth needed for streaming into millions of “handsets”? Where does this leave consumers with less than average space on their phones or tablets?
• Does Tim have some numbers on the rate of commercial consumption on mobile tv versus traditional tv?
• Can users skip the commercials on their mobile device or are they locked in?
• What sort of tv commercials have worked well with mDialog’s platform?

If you’ve got more questions to ask Tim, bring them along with you on Tuesday, January 31! I’ll see you there.

Now that you’ve RSVP’d to our January 31 event, let’s learn more about the speakers who will be taking your and our questions. Wait, you haven’t RSVP‘d? Here’s the link: mobilesmcla.eventbrite.com. Now, let’s learn more.

Location-based mobile coupons - GetYowza.com

You know him as the downed pilot from “Lost” (did I spoil it for you?) and the cop from “Heroes.” We know him as the guy who helped hire one of our speakers. Actor Greg “Grunny” Grunberg‘s company Yowza!! uses your smartphone’s GPS to do a location sweep and deliver targeted mobile coupons through its mobile app. As a consumer, you just have to download the app, switch it on and show your coupon at the register. On the back-end, merchants have the capability to add and update offers in seconds, effectively track results and dramatically increase sales by reaching new and existing customers with compelling coupons and information.

Follow David at @davidteichner

In December 2011, Yowza!! hired David Teichner (@davidteichner) as CEO, who brings with him 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur with deep knowledge and expertise in retail, entertainment marketing, content development, couponing, media and advertising sales. Prior to joining Yowza!, David co-founded and led Channel M, developing in-store television networks to drive sales in retail and lifestyle environments. During his tenure, Channel M reached annual revenues of $10M, acquired a competitor, raised over $25M in multiple rounds and executed the successful sale of the company to the PlayNetwork. An entrepreneur from the start, David founded Genco Advertising while still in college.  Genco distributed student coupon books at universities, becoming the leader at each college where distributed and enjoying over a 90% renewal rate each semester.  David has been a Board Member of the Digital Place-based Advertising Association and is actively involved in the Mobile Marketing Association (@mmaglobal).

Well, there you have it. Think of some questions you’d like to ask David. You can send them directly to us at socialmediaclubLA%at%gmail%dot%com, tweet them to us at @smc_LA or ask him at the event.

Here are a few questions I’m thinking of asking:

• Why do Grunny’s characters always get the shaft? (Kidding.)
• While Yowza!! seems to do well in “normal people” stores like Big 5 and Dunkin Donuts, is there an interest from higher-end merchants to join in the program?
• Will there be a Yowza!! version for online stores… ever?
• Is there a plan to expand internationally to include merchants from Canada, Europe and beyond?

Join me on Tuesday January 31 at the ING DIRECT Cafe in Westwood and hear what our panelists have to say about mobile social and the mobile user.

It’s time! Save this date: Tuesday January 31st – we’re having our first SMCLA event of the year. The focus: mobile social trends and tools.

source: http://zackmorriscellphone.wordpress.com/

We’re looking for speakers for this panel as well as for our future panels. Nominate someone or yourself – let us know what your specialty is. We can always use new speakers as well as veteran pros.

Email us at socialmediaclubLA^AT^gmail*dot*com.

Date: Tuesday, January 31st
Time: 6:30PM – 9:30PM
Where: ING DIRECT Cafe, Westwood, CA

Stay tuned! More details to come.

@ihollywoodforum

LaunchFest Showcase in Las Vegas
Social TV, Social Media and Mobile Marketing Trends

Our friends at iHollywood Forum are having an event at CES on Wednesday, January 11 in Las Vegas. Join them (and some of us SMCLAers) in Vegas for LaunchFest at CES.

What is LaunchFest? This is the annual networking dinner and program held during CES. This year, they’re focusing on celebrating startup launches, new products and services and new business strategies. If you are a startup, consider sending in your application to have the opportunity to pitch at the event and get some feedback.

Essentials:

Date: January 11
Time: 5:45 – 7:00PM for dinner and networking; 7:00 – 8:00PM program; 8:00 – 10:00PM networking mixer
Where: Clarion Hotel
Parking: Free hotel parking or five-minute walk from the Convention Center
Cost: $60 for dinner, program and mixer; $20 for networking mixer

** For more detailed information, click on the Eventbrite page.