Text-to-screen has been a useful mobile marketing tool for a while now. With large groups of people concentrated at one event, it provides a perfect opportunity to reach people all at once and get them to interact with the event and the brands themselves.
German mobile solution developer Haase & Martin has introduced their version of text-to-screen they call the SMS ChatWall, which they call the ultimate text-message entertainment tool for large gatherings and events.
It works by projecting user-based SMS messages onto large silver screens placed inside and outside of the event. The screens project a number which allows any event-goer to text a message along with their picture and watch it appear on the screen for everyone to see.
Their recent press release outlines a good example of an application using the ChatWall. They call it a “Mobile Dating Party.” If the ChatWall was used at a large social gathering or party, participants could send messages to other party-goers via the ChatWall along with their photo. They explain it better…
“…all party guests may show their own or a friend’s photo on the silver screen additionally to their short message. “Hey, its Peter. Which girl wants to dance with me?” writes Peter to the screen and a photo of himself is shown up. His text and photo message is addressed to all party guests at the venue. The girl that wants to dance with him may answer him via the Chatwall. Linda sends her message “Hey, let’s dance.” to the screen and adds her photo, that is displayed right next to the message. All other guests may track the conversations on the screen and are involved into the story…”
The marketing benefits for the event holder are apparent, as users constantly text their messages to the screen. It provides constant curiosity for everyone involved, as everyone wants to read the incoming messages as well as see their own displayed on the screens. Sponsorships can be placed on the screens alongside the messages, and every message sent provides an opportunity to get the user to opt-in via SMS to future advertisements. At the end of the event, the organizers have a brand new set of mobile contacts that they can market to. The company claims they’ve had instances where events generate over 1500 incoming text messages.
