Most people are surprised to hear that SMS text messaging has been around for over 21 years. The first SMS message was sent on December 3, 1992 over the Vodafone GSM network in the United Kingdom. And yet today, more than 21 years later and challenged by mobile apps, push notifications and over-the-top (OTT) messaging delivery system, SMS remains the most effective and most preferred message distribution channel. It is estimated that worldwide, there are more than three billion mobile users and each one can send and receive SMS text messages. Industry research indicates that smartphone users actually prefer engagement by SMS, MMS text messaging.
A recent survey by Pew Research Center concerning cell phone activities found that over 80% of the respondents used their cell phone to send or receive text messages. And in another recent industry survey conducted by comScore Inc., over 90% of U.S. smartphone users responded that they used their phones regularly to send and receive text messages; making texting the top mobile context activity among U.S. smartphone users.
For savvy retailers and merchants, the top three priorities for their mobile communications and selling strategy remain increasing customer engagement with their brand; improving customer satisfaction with the purchasing experience; and acquiring new customers. No other mobile distribution channel answers these priorities more efficiently and effectively, than SMS/MMS messaging. Industry reports demonstrate that the number of consumers opting in to receive SMS/MMS communications has risen from 46% to 56% in the last year alone; with 48% of the respondents clicking on a link in the SMS text in order to access a mobile website or landing page.
In mobile marketing, it’s all about consumer engagement. In the ticket sale industry for example, the value of the fan has traditionally been simple to define-how many tickets are they buying and how much are they spending on branded products. However, with effective and efficient fan engagement provided via SMS/MMS channels, the monetization of the fan takes on a whole new dimension by the fans’ ability to encourage more fans and friends to become customers. As a result, a new standard of ROI emerges.
Monkeetech LLC, a program developer located on Long Island, New York, has created a unique and fully patented SMS/MMS integrated mobile reverse marketing and payment system dubbed Send2Mobile+ ℠, which creates a new twist on SMS/MMS messaging. The core of the Send2Mobile+ ℠ system is an innovative function called “Let Me Know”™. Let Me Know™ employs patented technology to permit truly interactive communications between the merchant and its customer, nearly in real time. For example, when employed on mobile sites which feature a bidding environment for sales, Let Me Know™ permits a new sense of “gamification” previously untapped and creates an atmosphere of a live auction, allowing for dynamic pricing and purchasing at levels not before possible.
When employed on retail sites, Send2Mobile+ ℠ provides customers not only with the ability to interact, in real time, with the merchant; but also to immediately purchase any product simply by clicking upon a link embedded in the SMS/MMS message forwarded by the merchant, which will then connect seamlessly to the consumer’s mobile wallet.
Send2Mobile+ ℠ has truly added a new twist to the old SMS/MMS communications platform, which may very well transform the way mobile commerce is transacted from this point forward.
Kenneth Carnesi holds a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School and a Professional Certificate in International Banking from Harvard Law School. Kenneth Carnesi is the Director of Operations and Government Sales at Anaptyx LLC and sits on the Boards of The Lazarus Organization, Monkeetech LLC and MG Madison Phillips, Inc. Mr. Carnesi has also founded CICG - Carnesi International Consulting Group, a company specializing in strategy consulting to small to mid-size businesses.
Kenneth Carnesi 
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