20/10/2009

• International survey reveals companies and brands bullish on mobile marketing benefits, but lack skills set to execute campaigns
• Strong growth ahead for SMS and MMS messaging, positive outlook for branded apps and mobile websites
• High interest in targeting consumers, high concerns that opt-in databases won't deliver

Netsize, the leading mobile commerce and communications enabler, today published its latest market report, “Netsize Mobile Marketing Survey 2009: Can companies and brands rise to challenge and cash in on the mobile marketing opportunity?”. Drawing from an online survey of 221+ professionals and practitioners, the report identifies the chief drivers and obstacles impacting mobile marketing growth. It also highlights the exciting business opportunities ahead for companies and brands that use the current economic climate to rethink marketing strategies and ramp up activities.

Among the key findings:

• Mobile is part of the mix to attract and keep customers: The vast majority of respondents (56%) currently use mobile to acquire new customers. But that will change as respondents follow through on their plans to boost customer retention and loyalty through mobile marketing (64%), streamline transactions (37%) and enable commerce and sales using a mobile device (37%).
• Messaging is essential: Usage of MMS is poised for significant growth, with with 22% of respondents revealing plans to double deployment in the next six months. The use of SMS messaging is also on the rise, but will move from a one-way message to a two-way conversation.
• Marked interest in more innovative formats: Respondents reported use of branded content will increase from 29% to 35%, use of branded apps will rise from 23% to 35%. Finally, use of mobile coupons and QR codes will jump from 20% to 31%.
• Mobile marketing is teamwork: The vast majority of respondents (47%) outsource to providers that can meet their requirements for a fully-managed marketing solution. Campaign execution services was the most sought-after skill (57%), followed by measurement, analytics and reporting (54%), technical services and integration (52%), and mobile campaign management (52%).
• Quality of opt-in campaign databases is a main concern: One-third of respondents (32%) expressed concern over the quality of the customer mobile phone numbers stored in their opt-in databases.
  

“Market adoption of mobile marketing is accelerating. The survey results and analysis show companies and brands recognize the business benefits associated with mobile marketing and are serious about integrating mobile in their strategies," says Stanislas Chesnais, Chairman and CEO, Netsize. "Respondents told us they are increasing use of messaging to engage in conversations with consumers on their mobile phone, and stepping up efforts to harness other exciting formats and approaches such as WAP sites, mobile websites and branded content. This momentum can only grow as the economy picks up steam."

ABOUT THE REPORT

“Netsize Mobile Marketing Survey 2009: Can companies and brands rise to challenge and cash in on the mobile marketing opportunity?” is available from www.netsize.com. The survey was conducted by Netsize to determine the role and usage of mobile marketing and the perceived business benefits. In total 221 respondents from four regions (Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific/Australia and Africa/Middle East) participated in this online survey for the period from September 15, 2009 through October 1, 2009.